Belize operates on two transportation networks that do not overlap cleanly. The Northern Highway runs 95 miles from Belize City to Corozal near the Mexico border. The Western Highway extends 81 miles from Belize City to the Guatemala border at Benque Viejo del Puente. The Hummingbird Highway connects the Western Highway to Dangriga on the southern coast, covering 54 miles through Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. The Southern Highway runs from Dangriga to Punta Gorda, roughly 100 miles, with the final segment from Placencia junction to Punta Gorda only fully paved in 2020. No paved roads connect the four highways into a loop. Reaching inland archaeological sites from coastal areas requires backtracking to Belize City or San Ignacio.
Scheduled bus service operates on all major highways under franchises granted by the Transport Department. James Bus Line runs the Northern Highway route. Multiple companies including Belize Bus Association members operate the Western Highway, with departures every 30 minutes during peak hours. Southern Transport Limited holds the primary franchise for the Southern Highway. Fares operate on a per-mile basis set by the Transport Board. Belize City to San Ignacio costs 10 Belize dollars. Belize City to Dangriga costs 14 Belize dollars. Belize City to Punta Gorda costs 26 Belize dollars. Buses do not maintain published schedules at intermediate stops. Drivers collect cash fares on board. No advance booking system exists for regular buses. Express buses skip minor stops and cost 2-4 Belize dollars more than local buses on the same route.
Water taxis operate scheduled services between Belize City and the cayes. San Pedro Belize Express and Ocean Ferry Belize run multiple daily trips to Caye Caulker and San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. The Belize City to Caye Caulker trip takes 45 minutes and costs 20 Belize dollars one-way as of 2024. Belize City to San Pedro takes 75 minutes and costs 30 Belize dollars one-way. Boats depart from the Marine Terminal on North Front Street. Services run from approximately 08:00 to 17:30. Thunderbolt Travel provides service from Punta Gorda to Puerto Barrios in Guatemala, departing Tuesday and Friday, a route established for commerce not tourism. Requena's Charter Service operates the Punta Gorda to Puerto Cortés, Honduras route on Monday and Wednesday. No ferry services connect Placencia to the offshore cayes. Private water taxis operate on negotiated rates without published schedules.
Maya Island Air and Tropic Air operate domestic flights between 12 airstrips. Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport serves international flights 9 miles northwest of Belize City. Belize City Municipal Airport handles domestic flights from a location 1 mile north of the city center along the coast. Both airlines fly to San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Dangriga, Placencia, and Punta Gorda multiple times daily. Flight time from Belize City to San Pedro is 15 minutes. Belize City to Placencia takes 35 minutes. Published one-way fares from Belize City to San Pedro start at 79 US dollars. Belize City to Punta Gorda starts at 118 US dollars. Aircraft are predominantly Cessna Caravans with 12-14 passenger capacity. Weight limits of 25 pounds per checked bag apply strictly. Flights cancel in poor weather without compensation beyond rebooking. Airstrips at Dangriga, Placencia, and Punta Gorda sit within walking distance of town centers. The San Pedro airstrip lies 2 miles south of the main town area.
Car rental operates from agencies in Belize City, San Ignacio, Placencia, and San Pedro. Crystal Auto Rental, Budget Belize, and Belize Car Rental Association members provide vehicles from 70 US dollars per day for compact manual transmission cars. Automatic transmission vehicles start at 90 US dollars per day. Full insurance coverage adds 15-25 US dollars per day and does not cover tire damage or undercarriage damage, specifically excluded in all standard contracts. Valid drivers licenses from any country receive recognition for stays under 90 days. Driving occurs on the right side. Speed limits are 55 miles per hour on highways, 40 miles per hour elsewhere unless posted. Police checkpoints operate regularly on all highways. Gas stations in Belmopan, San Ignacio, Dangriga, and Belize City offer 24-hour service. Between Placencia junction and Punta Gorda, only two gas stations operate, both closing by 18:00. Rental vehicles cannot cross into Guatemala or Mexico under standard agreements.