How to get from San Ignacio to Flores: Crossing the Belize-Guatemala Border
If you’re backpacking through Central America, one of the most well-trodden routes between Belize and Guatemala is from San Ignacio to Flores. This will take you from the jungle vibes of Belize’s adventure hub to the colourful island town of Flores – an ideal base to visit Tikal and begin your adventure into Guatemala.
It’s a relatively short distance, but this guide will walk you through every step of the journey, showing you exactly how to get from San Ignacio to Flores and cross the border between Belize and Guatemala.
So let’s get going! 🚌
San Ignacio to Flores Summary
- Travel distance: 106km
- Total Travel time: 2-4 hours
- Total Cost: $26+
There are a few different ways to get from San Ignacio to Flores:
| Transport | Time | Cost (USD) | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Transport | 3-5 hours | $6-10 | Adventure and local life |
| Shuttle | 2-4 hours | $25-$35 | Ease |
| Taxi | 2-4 hours | $50+ | Comfort |
| Driving | 2-5 hours | Car Rental fee + $22 | Freedom |
| Tour | 2-4 hours + tour | Depends on activity | Organised for you |
| Fly | N/A | N/A | N/A |
For most backpackers, the shuttle service is the go-to option, providing a balance between comfort, convenience, and cost. However, public transport is another popular method.
Let’s dive into each option, breaking down the pros and cons so you can choose the one that fits your travel style.
Crossing the border from Belize to Guatemala
Whichever route you decide to take from San Ignacio to Flores, you will need to cross the land border from Belize into Guatemala, so I’ll cover this first!
Exiting Belize:
- As you arrive at the immigration station, you will walk in to exit Belize.
- Belize charges a mandatory exit fee for tourists. You must pay an exit fee (BZD $40 or USD $20). Paying by card is accepted, but cash is preferred.
- Make sure you have your passport stamped before exiting. If you don’t have a passport stamp, this could cause issues.
Entering Guatemala:
Then you will walk through to the next step as you enter Guatemala. Once you are through the second building and border control, you will be in Guatemala ready to continue your journey to Flores.
- There is no fee to enter Guatemala. However, you will complete a simple entry form and get your passport stamped.
- Beware of scammers trying to charge an entry fee. This is not official, so politely decline and proceed to the immigration office.
I can only speak from personal experience, but I had no issues crossing the border (no bribes required 🤣). In total, it took me less than 30 minutes to cross from Belize to Guatemala.
Money Exchange:
- You can exchange some Belizean dollars for Guatemalan quetzals at the border. Shop around at different exchange booths to get the best deal.
- Watch out for people claiming to be currency exchange and charging extortionate rates. I waited until the Guatemalan side and surprisingly found a better rate. Having a currency converter app is always handy to aid these negotiations.
- Only exchange a small amount at the border for immediate expenses, then head to Flores to find a better rate at a bank or ATM. Or swap with any traveller heading in the opposite direction to you.
Public Transport from San Ignacio to Flores
Getting public transport from San Ignacio to Flores is the cheapest option. Plus it’s not as tricky as it may seem! The public bus or “chicken bus” offers an adventure and is the way to go if you want to save money and experience local life! Though it is less comfortable and takes longer…
The Route: First, you’ll need to catch a local bus from San Ignacio to Benque Viejo del Carmen, the town nearest the Belize-Guatemala border.
Walk from your accommodation to the bus terminal in the center of San Ignacio. This will be the same bus terminal where you were dropped off when you arrived (if you got the bus). The bus to Benque Viejo del Carmen is labelled ‘Benque’ and is the same bus that goes to Xunantunich.
The bus fare for this leg is just a couple of Belize dollars (1 USD) and takes around 20 minutes.
The bus will drop you off at BBOC Bus Terminal in Benque, around 3km from the border. You’ll need to either:
- Walk to the border: It takes around 40 minutes via the main road.
- Take a short taxi ride: There are plenty of taxis waiting to take people to the border. It should cost a few Belize dollars, so don’t accept any crazy prices!
I was on a budget so decided to take on the walk, but thankfully managed to hitch a ride with the now-empty bus which happened to be continuing in that direction!
After crossing the border, you’ll need to catch a bus from the Guatemalan side to Flores. Walk across the bridge to the bus terminal in Melchor de Mencos (the nearest Guatemalan town).
The buses are actually more like minivans and cost 40 GTQ (5 USD) per person. The journey takes around 2 hours.
You will be dropped at the Central Flores Bus Station. Unfortunately, this isn’t actually on the island that you are most likely trying to get to. Your best bet is to get a tuk-tuk from the bus station to your accommodation.
Costs: Public transport is the cheapest option, costing around $6-10 USD for the entire journey. This depends on whether you walk and your bartering skills.
Journey Time: This method can take 3-5 hours, depending on how quickly you can make your transfers and how long the border crossing takes. In total, it took me around 4 hours!
The Experience: Riding a public bus in this region is always an adventure. Expect colourful, loud, and packed buses. It’s a fun experience if you’re in no rush and want to immerse yourself in the local culture. However, the buses are often hot, with no AC, so come prepared with plenty of water!
TOP TIP: If you go for this option, keep small bills of Guatemalan quetzals and Belizean dollars handy as you’ll need them for bus fares and snacks.
Shuttle from San Ignacio to Flores
Taking a shuttle from San Ignacio to Flores is by far the easiest and most convenient option available. It’s well-suited for travellers looking for a hassle-free border crossing.
Booking a Shuttle: Shuttles are easy to book online or through your accommodation in San Ignacio. These shuttles often run in the morning and early afternoon, so it’s best to book your spot a day or two in advance, especially during high season (December to April). Gekko Explorer is a popular option and leaves at 14:00 daily, but there are other shuttles.
Costs: Expect to pay between $20 – $30 USD per person for a one-way trip. This doesn’t include border fees. But at least you will get a door-to-door service from your accommodation in San Ignacio to Flores.
Journey Time: The entire trip from San Ignacio to Flores via shuttle takes around 2 – 4 hours, depending on how busy the border crossing is. You will need to wait for everyone on your shuttle to pass through border control. Most journeys take around 3 hours, but here’s a rough breakdown of the timing:
- San Ignacio to the Belize-Guatemala Border: 20-30 minutes.
- Border Crossing Procedures: 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Belize-Guatemala Border to Flores: 1.5 to 2 hours.
The Experience: The shuttle service is typically in a minivan with air conditioning, and it’s fairly comfortable for a short trip. Shuttles usually seat around 12-15 people, so you’ll likely be travelling with other backpackers heading in the same direction.
TOP TIP: If you want to take in the beautiful scenery along the way, try to grab a window seat. You’ll pass through lush greenery and small Guatemalan towns as you approach Flores.
Taxi from San Ignacio to Flores
This option is largely similar to the shuttle method except you have a vehicle all to yourself.
Taxis generally won’t take you across the border. This means you would need to get a taxi from San Ignacio to the border (10BZD – 5 USD). Then another taxi from the border to Flores (350 GTQ – 45 USD).
NOTE: You should speak with multiple drivers to get the best price.
You could also mix and match with public transport to save money. For example, getting a taxi to the border and then a bus from here (or vice versa).
Driving from San Ignacio to Flores
It’s worth noting that most rental companies in Belize don’t allow their cars to be driven into Guatemala.
But if you have a vehicle you can drive across the Belize-Guatemala border – great!
Journey Time: Driving from San Ignacio to Flores will follow the same route that any taxi or shuttle would, and take the same amount of time (2-4 hours). The only difference is at the border crossing.
Since you have a vehicle, the process will be slower with more checks and paperwork. All the processes are outlined in this blog post.
Costs: The same $20 exit fee is required when leaving Belize. However, you will need to pay Q170 to enter Guatemala with your vehicle, as well as the Q10 fee to cross the bridge.
Tour from San Ignacio to Flores
If you’re looking for a short visit to Flores from San Ignacio, you might consider a tour to wrap everything into one. This is particularly common for day trips to Tikal National Park.
The tours will wrap all the transport you need into the price of the ticket. However, you will need to ensure you follow the same border-crossing process.
Fly from San Ignacio to Flores
San Ignacio doesn’t have an international airport, meaning there are no direct flights from San Ignacio to Flores.
You would need to drive from San Ignacio to Belize City. Take a flight from Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport to La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City. Then get another flight from there to Mundo Maya airport in Flores.
As you can imagine, this is completely pointless when you could get there in 4 hours via any other route mentioned!
Tips for travelling from San Ignacio to Flores
Tips for the journey:
- Keep your bag close: You might not be able to have your bag with you but keep an eye on it.
- Keep your valuables on you: Some pickpockets operate on the bus so be aware.
- Bring snacks as there aren’t many places to get food near the border.
- Save cash exchange until later in Guatemala to get a better rate.
- Download maps in advance as you could lose service when leaving Belize.
Just arrived in Guatemala? Here’s what to do first::
- Get cash: Once you’ve converted a small amount of cash to Quetzales at the border, you can withdraw more at an ATM. There’s a cash point near the border. Or there are several in Flores. Though you might have to try a few before one works. I recommend using the cash points inside stores.
- Sort a SIM card: You can either get one from Claro or Tigo. Or have mean eSIM.
- Find somewhere to stay: – I stayed in Los Amigos Hostel, but there are plenty of other places to stay in Flores.
Summary: How to get from San Ignacio to Flores
Honestly, I would recommend the shuttle service in terms of value for money. It’s not too much more expensive, it will get you there quickly and assist if any issues arise at the border. Plus you’ll probably meet some fellow travellers!
Public transport is relatively easy and gives you more flexibility and freedom, however, there are a lot of changeovers. I would only opt for this on a serious budget or if I wanted to leave San Ignacio early in the morning.
Before you go
Thank you for reading my guide on how to get from San Ignacio to Flores. If guides, itineraries, and travel content like this interest you, head over to my blog page to find out more.
If you are new to Matt’s Next Steps, check out the About Me page to find out a bit more about who I am, my travel adventures, and why I wanted to become a travel writer.
Please comment below and let me know your thoughts and experiences, or if there is anything else you want information on.
Happy travelling!
No Comments