Getting around by boat and ferry Belize

This is your best chance of reaching Placencia if you don't have a car and don't arrive by plane, as you won't find any direct buses.... What's more, it's the best way to reach the south coast from Placencia by bus, since all buses on the north-south route (Dandriga - Punta Gorda) stop at Independence. For some time now, Hokey Pokey has also been offering connections to Honduras, so it's best to contact the dock to find out about routes and timetables. Beware of seasickness!

The easiest way to reach Honduras, then Nicaragua and Panama by road. The ferry (that's a big word for this little boat) leaves Placencia every Friday for Puerto Cortes in Honduras. On Mondays, the boat returns from Honduras to Belize. The total duration of this boat trip is approximately 3 hours 30 minutes. If you're prone to motion sickness, you might be better off using Tropic Air's regular flights to Honduras.

Meet around 10 a.m. in front of the Island Breeze bar & grill, at the corner of the beach bordering the river, and ask about the boats to Tobacco Caye in about 45 minutes. You may have to wait a while for enough passengers to make the trip, or compensate for their absence by paying a few extra dollars. The service is professional and fairly well organized, and most of the captains are from the same family and have known each other all their lives, so you're guaranteed to help each other out if there's a problem starting up the boats.

Around ten departures a day to Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye (San Pedro). Once you have purchased your tickets, you can use them for the next 90 days. They are non-refundable. From Caye Caulker and San Pedro, you can take ferries to Chetumal in Mexico (about three a week, but check the website for seasonal changes). For peace of mind, please arrive 1 hour before departure.

This small family business is the most professional water cab company in Guatemala (Puerto Barrios). Allow an hour's ride aboard one of their two high-speed boats, each equipped with 2 x 200 hp outboard motors. Tickets can be purchased on board after passing through immigration. You won't be able to access the dock until you've cleared immigration. In Puerto Barrios, the immigration office is just one block from the pier.

Around ten departures a day to Belize City and San Pedro. Once you have purchased your tickets, you can use them for the next 90 days. They are non-refundable. From Caye Caulker, you can take ferries to Chetumal in Mexico (check the website, the schedule changes according to the season). For each of these departures, you must arrive one hour in advance to check-in your luggage.

Around ten departures a day to Caye Caulker and Belize City. Once you've purchased your tickets, you can use them for the next 90 days. They are non-refundable. From San Pedro, you can take ferries to Chetumal in Mexico (about three a week, but check the website for seasonal changes). You must check in one hour in advance for each of these departures.

Formerly known as Ocean Ferry, this water cab company is located on the same street as Belize Express Water Taxi. This small company serves the islands of Ambergris Caye (San Pedro) and Caye Caulker five times a day. It has a brand-new, air-conditioned waiting room for waiting for the boat, away from the ubiquitous street vendors in the main terminal. Caribbean Sprinter's boats are a little faster than those of its direct competitor, so the journey is shorter.

Thunderbolt boats leave Corozal from the municipal port and sail to San Pedro via Sarteneja. It is therefore also possible to board in Sarteneja instead of having to return to Corozal. Corozal and San Pedro are two hours by (small) boat. The boats aren't very big, but comfort is acceptable and safety is high, making them a good alternative to the more expensive and restrictive airplane. To find Thunderbolt in San Pedro, go to the west coast of the island, near the soccer field.