How to get from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio (Belize)
Are you wondering how to get from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio? Look no further! These are two of the most popular backpacking hubs in Belize, but how do you get between the two?
When most people touch down in Belize, they head straight towards the beautiful islands (and I don’t blame them)! But once you’re done there, no Belize itinerary is complete without heading back inland to explore the jungles surrounding San Ignacio. Here you’ll find epic caves and ancient Mayan ruins; a complete 180 from the tropical blue waters of Caye Caulker!
This is the complete guide for how to get from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio. So let’s get going. 🚌
NOTE: The same routes apply from San Ignacio to Caye Caulker or Belize City, just in reverse.
Summary: How to get from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio
- Travel distance: 150 km
- Total Travel time: 3.5+ hours (depending on method)
- Total Cost: $23+ (depending on method)
You have several options to get from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio. They all begin with a ferry, then most follow with road transport as it’s the most effective way to get around Belize. Click on your preferred option to skip to a particular method of transport.
- Ferry + Shuttle
- Ferry + Public Transport
- Ferry + Car
- Ferry + Fly (not recommended)
- Tour
Leaving Caye Caulker: Ferry to Belize City
Since Caye Caulker is an island, the first part of your journey involves getting back to mainland Belize. The best way to do this is to get a ferry from Caye Caulker to Belize City.
Buy a return ticket on your way to Caye Caulker as it works out cheaper ($37 USD). If not, don’t worry, you can buy a one-way ticket from Caye Caulker to Belize City for $21 USD. I recommend doing all your bookings with Belize Water Taxi (online or in person).
The ferries run every day and take approximately 45-60 minutes. You will need to arrive at the port a few minutes beforehand, though mine was slightly late.
Check the ferry schedule here.
Ferry + Shuttle from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio
After getting off the ferry at Belize City Ferry Terminal you will probably be mobbed by people trying to sell you transport options.
Watch out for anyone trying to grab your bags. Then simply walk away and search for a shuttle yourself.
Reputable companies include Belize Shuttle or BZ Shuttle. I always look out for uniformed staff since this is often a helpful indicator of how reputable a company is. Always make sure to ask for the price beforehand.
Expect to pay approximately $20 USD for a shared shuttle. If you book in advance you can pay online, however most companies will allow you to pay on arrival in San Ignacio. You can pay (a lot) more if you want a private shuttle.
The journey from the ferry port in Belize City to San Ignacio takes around 2.5 hours by shuttle. You will travel west on the George Price Highway, passing through the capital of Belmopan, and onwards to San Ignacio.
What’s great about a shuttle is that they usually drop you off at your accommodation. This is helpful if you catch a later ferry from Caye Caulker and don’t want to walk in the dark when you arrive.
Ferry + Public Transport from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio
Route Overview: After getting off the ferry at Belize City Ferry Terminal and collecting your bags, you will need to make your way to the bus terminal.
There are several in Belize City, however I went to Novelo’s Bus Terminal located on West Collet Canal. It’s a 15-20 minute walk through town from the ferry terminal.
The walk through Belize City felt safe. It helps that the ferries from Caye Caulker are during the daytime.
Once you reach the bus terminal, you can get your ticket from the desk. You want a Western Bus (Belize City to Benque Viejo del Carmen) labelled ‘Benque’ at the front. Buses leave almost every 30 minutes, starting at 05:00 and the last one leaving at around 20:45 – check the schedule here. The staff are very helpful if you get confused.
It’s $9 BZD (4.50 USD) for a regular fare to San Ignacio, or $10 (5 USD) for the express buses. The conductor will collect the fare once they get going.
There are a couple of vendors to buy snacks from as well as plenty of space to sit down while you wait.
The bus will make a few impromptu stops whilst leaving Belize City. Then better progress is made along the highway towards San Ignacio, with one scheduled stop in Belmopan. You will be dropped off at the main bus terminal in San Ignacio – it’s pretty central and located beside the Farmer’s Market.
Comfort and Experience: The buses generally fill up to maximum capacity and it’s quite chaotic. There were double leather seats, with a small space overhead to squeeze bags. If your bag doesn’t fit, you can throw it to the back of the bus – just keep an eye on your belongings.
It’s pretty cramped and I would strongly advise avoiding the seats above the wheel arches! A handful of buses have air conditioning but you should not expect it (mine didn’t so we slid the windows open). There is no wifi or toilet on the bus.
Duration: The journey should take around 2.5 hours to reach San Ignacio from the bus terminal. My personal experience included a breakdown and replacement bus, which meant it took nearer 4 hours…
Ferry + Car from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio
Only choose this option if you are comfortable driving overseas. And remember, they drive on the right-hand side in Belize!
Once again, when you arrive at the ferry port in Belize City, grab your belongings and leave to find your rental car.
Car Rental Options: There are several car rental options in Belize City. AQ Belize Car Rental and Crystal Auto Rental Belize are both near the ferry port. Alternatively, more renowned names like Avis or Enterprise offer rentals requiring airport pickup. Book online in advance to save hassle.
Route Overview: You will follow the same route by car as the shuttle. Google Maps says it takes 2 hours, but I’d say nearer 2.5 hours as you will cover the same distance. There aren’t any alternative routes that I can recommend, it’s best to stay on the main road where you can still enjoy the lush green views. Plus you don’t need to stop at any bus stations on the way!
Tolls and Costs: There are currently no toll roads to be aware of for the drive from Belize City to San Ignacio.
Road Conditions: The road itself is pretty reasonable, it felt smooth most of the way with minimal traffic. The speed limit on the main highway is 50mph (80kph).
In terms of safety, the main hazards were cars pulling in spontaneously or kids playing at the side of the road. Just make sure you are insured to drive here.
(Ferry +) Fly from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio
Honestly, I don’t think this option is necessary. Plus, very few (if any) flights run internally in Belize, so you’d be lucky to find one.
Anyway, once you get back to Belize City, make your way back to the airport for an internal flight. A taxi between the ferry port and the airport usually costs $25 USD.
There’s also an airport in Caye Caulker, so I’m not sure if they run direct flights to San Ignacio. Being a budget backpacker, that’s not really in my remit… but check on Skyscanner if you’re interested!
Tour from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio
If you’re looking for a short visit to San Ignacio from Caye Caulker, you might consider a tour to wrap everything into one. After all, it’s not really that far!
There are several that include visits to Xunantunich Mayan ruins or the ATM Cave tours.
It’s a long day, but if you’re on a short timeline and don’t want to organise anything yourself, this could be the option for you.
What is the best way to get from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio?
There are various methods and you should pick according to your particular travel style and budget. So here are the winners in each category:
- Speed: Shuttle (1 hour ferry + 2.5 hour shuttle = 3.5 hours in total)
- Cost: Public transport ($37/2 ferry + $4.50 bus = $23 USD in total)
- Comfort: Self-drive car or private shuttle
- Flexibility: Self-drive car
- Scenery: All
- Safety: Tour
I was eager to try out the bus in Central America and wasn’t in a rush so I opted for the cheaper option. It was pretty straightforward, and I would recommend it for that reason. But if you’re on a tight timeline, shuttles are quicker and more reliable, so you’re less likely to be delayed like me!
Before you go
Thank you for reading my guide to getting to San Ignacio from Caye Caulker. If guides, itineraries, and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.
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Happy travelling
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