Chetumal To Caye Caulker: Best & Easiest Transport 2026

The Distance Between Chetumal & Caye Caulker

Chetumal is around 130 km / 80 miles away from Caye Caulker across the relatively sheltered stretch of water.

There are two main ways of getting between the two, either by water taxi across the Caribbean Sea or overland to Belize City and then taking a ferry to Caye Caulker.

What Is The Travel Time?

Direct ferry takes around 4 to 5 hours to reach Caye Caulker from Chetumal.

This may seem like quite a bit of time, especially looking at a map, these spots are pretty close together. Though the majority of this is due to dealing with immigration procedures when leaving Mexico and arriving in Belize.

If you’re thinking the bus may be quicker, you’d be very wrong. Instead, it’s a long and hot 6 to 7 hours, including the ferry transfer to Caye Caulker.

1. Ferry From Chetumal To Caye Caulker * RECOMMENDED*

Now, taking the ferry from Chetumal to Caye Caulker is for sure the easiest way to get there, with minimal transfers etc.

Even though tickets are more on the pricey side, keep in mind that Belize generally is a whole lot more expensive than Mexico.

Chetumal To Caye Caulker Ferry Times

There are two main ferry companies that travel between Chetumal and Caye Caulker, these are:

• San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi
• Water Jets International

Some blogs say that the companies alternate which days they operate. However, due to high demand, San Pedro Belize Express runs daily in the high season (end of December to June), which is great news!

They are definitely the most popular ferry company for travelers, and the one I mainly used on my visits.

Seriously, for me, my trips were always smooth, comfortable, and on time. Even so, during the crazy busy times of the year, such as Easter, when it seemed like they put on ferries the entire day, regardless of the schedule.

The ferry ride takes about 3 to 3.5 hours, with a brief stop in San Pedro for immigration.

How To Buy Your Ferry Tickets To Caye Caulker

Now, one thing I will say is that prices for ferries keep going up here in Belize. Even in the month I had between two separate trips to the country, prices increased twice!

Therefore, I do recommend checking the website for the latest pricing, however, at the time of writing:

Water Jets International charges $81.00 for a one way ticket to Caye Caulker

San Pedro Belize Express charges $80.00 for a one way ticket to Caye Caulker

Just make sure you book your tickets in advance! This is a very popular route, particularly in high season, since it is the fasted way to the islands.

Lastly, online it does say you must book 24 hours in advance, however, if there are spare seats on the day, they won’t turn you away.

About The Chetumal Ferry Terminal

The Chetumal Ferry Terminal (known locally as El Muelle Fiscal) is the main departure point for travelers heading to Belize on a boat.

If you’re flying, Chetumal International Airport (CTM) is about a 15-minute drive away from the ferry terminal. You will find plenty of taxis outside the airport, and the fare should be around 100 – 150 MXN / $5.00 – $8.00.

Alternatively, the ADO Bus Station is just 3 kilometers away from the ferry terminal. It’s easy enough to get a taxi to take you the 10 minutes there, which will cost around 50-100 MXN / $3.00 – $5.00.

However, I recommend confirming the fare before jumping in, as some drivers may charge flat rates.

Inside the Ferry Terminal, you will easily be able to find the check in counter, just remember to arrive 2 hours in advance.

I know, it sounds like we may as well be going on a flight, but seriously, since you have to go through immigration to officially exit Mexico, it can take a while.

Stopping At Immigration & Arriving In Belize

Partway through the ferry journey, you will stop in San Pedro briefly for immigration, so you can officially be stamped into the country. They may also check your bags.

Just remember, there is a $2.00 Belize port fee. However, the main tourist fee is paid when you exit the country.

Overall, your day of traveling should have looked something like this:

• 1:30 pm: Arrive at the Chetumal ferry port two hours in advance
• 1:30 to 3:30 pm: Fill out paperwork for Mexican customs. Here, you will also wait in line for immigration to get your passport stamped and pay the Mexico tourism fee.
• 3:30 pm: Board the ferry boat and leave for San Pedro Town
• 5:30 pm: Arrive at San Pedro for Belize immigration, where you will get your passport stamped and pay the port fee.
• 6:30 pm: Jump back on board to Caye Caulker.
• 7:00 pm: Arrive at the pier in Caye Caulker (6:00 pm local time).

As you can see, it does take around 5 and 1/2 hours to travel to Caye Caulker.

However, since you change time zones when you cross the border it’s not too late when you arrive ( aka the perfect time to catch the sunset).

2. Bus To Caye Caulker From Chetumal

If you aren’t too keen on traveling by water, the bus is the next easiest way! Though you still will need to take a ferry for a short portion, considering Caye Caulker is an island, it’s inevitable!

First off, you will need to ride the bus from Chetumal to Belize City. The main operator is ADO, and if you are coming from Mexico good chance you have already traveled on them before.

The trip from Chetumal to Belize City runs daily and takes around 3 and a half hours, depending on the queues at the border.

You can catch these buses easily at the ADO station in Chetumal. You will definitely want to purchase your ticket in advance, either on their website or on the mobile app.

The prices for a bus ticket to Belize City are around $25.00 to $30.00.

Catching A Water Taxi To Caye Caulker From Belize City

Once in Belize City, you will arrive at the Novelo’s Bus Terminal. From there, it’s a short taxi ride to the water taxi building on the waterfront.

Again, there are two main operators traveling to Caye Caulker from Belize City:

• San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi
• Ocean Ferry Belize

The tickets for a one way trip cost $21.00 and the trip takes around 45 minutes.

Luckily for you, the boats run quite frequently, so there is no need to wait too long. The main thing, is the first boat leaves at 8 am, and the last leaves at 5:30 pm.

When you arrive at the ferry terminal, you can easily purchase your tickets and check in your main bag.

You will be getting off on the main pier in Caye Caulker. It is pretty well located, and it should be a straightforward enough walk to your accommodation if you are staying in the main town.

If you would prefer to book this entire journey from Chetumal to Caye Caulker online, you can do so with Marlin Espanadas on GotToGo. However, this is for a tourist shuttle rather than the ADO bus to Belize City, so it is a bit more on pricey side.

Crossing The Mexico Belize Border

Thankfully, crossing the border between Mexico and Belize is relatively straightforward enough.

However, there are some tips worth knowing to make this process even easier, and they can even save you money!

Exiting Mexico

No matter which transport method you choose, you will still need to stop at a Mexican immigration office to clear immigration.

You will have to hand over your passport to be stamped for exit, and then the time comes for the dreaded departure tax.

How To Avoid The Mexico Departure Tax

First off, this Mexico Departure Tax (also known as the Tourist Tax or “Derecho de No Residente”) is only required if you have stayed in the country for longer than 7 days.

Now sometimes the tax can be included in the cost of your arrival airline ticket, meaning you don’t need to pay it when leaving the country.

However, if it’s not included, you must pay approximately $46.80 / 861 MXN when exiting Mexico.

• To check if your flight included this tax, have a look at your airline receipt for any mention of the Mexico Tourism Tax or “UK Departure Tax” (code: UK).
• If your receipt isn’t clear, contact your airline to confirm whether the tax is included.
• Some airlines issue an exemption letter confirming that the tax was included in your ticket fare. Present this to the immigration officer to avoid paying again.

If you arrived in Mexico at the land border, hold onto your receipt to prove you paid the fee at the start of your trip. Unfortunately, without it, the immigration officer will likely force you to pay again.

Personally, I printed out my airline receipt, which showed that the departure tax ‘UK’ was included in my ticket. Once the border official saw this, she quickly changed the subject and moved on with processing my passport.

Entering Belize

Once Mexican customs is all sorted, time for the second portion, which is the Belize immigration.

Keep in mind that depending on where you’re from, you may need a visa. Luckily, if you are from the USA, Canada, the European Union, and plenty more countries (including Kiwis and Aussies), you can enter visa-free for up to 30 days.

Belize Immigration is super straightforward, and the locals working are really chill, from my experience.

On arrival, you will need to fill out an immigration form and customs declaration form before your passport is officially stamped. Just remember to bring a pen along for this!

Caye Caulker Travel Tips

Now, let’s get into some information you may want to know about Caye Caulker itself. This includes where to stay and the best things to do.

However, it is important to note that basically everywhere on the island is within walking distance, so you will be pretty close to anything you need!

Where To Stay In Caye Caulker

Now one thing is for sure, if you are looking for a hostel in Caye Caulker that is affordable, you’ll have plenty of options.

One standout is Bella’s Backpackers Hostel, which is exactly where I stayed during my visit. It was an awesome social introduction to a new country, and I immediately made friends to explore with.

One thing to keep in mind it does receive some questionable reviews online, however, this is more from people not really knowing what to expect in a hostel. Personally, I believe that as long as the bed is comfortable, everything is just fine.

Another great option is Go Slow Guesthouse. True to its name, they are more of a chill low key hostel with both dorms and private rooms.

What To Do While You’re In Caye Caulker

Even though Caye Caulker isn’t the biggest island, you’ll be spoiled with some pretty awesome things to do. 

Try Snorkeling: Now, no doubt Caye Caulker’s coral reef is a must see. You can easily book a snorkeling tour and check out the best spots for marine life galore!

Swim at Shark Ray Alley: Honestly, visiting this spot may sound crazy, but it’s so damn cool! The nurse sharks and stingrays are super chill, and this is a bucketlist item worth ticking off!

Visit The Split: This strange lil spot divides the island as a result of a hurricane in 1961. Nowadays, it’s THE best swimming spot and is home to the famous Lazy Lizard bar.

Hire A Bike: The best way to get around Caye Caulker is by bicycle. So, while here, really lean into that ‘go slow’ motto and explore at your own pace.

Try Local Cuisine: Of course, you’ve just arrived, so go get a real taste of Belize by delving into the food scene. Go grab a fry jack from Errolyn’s House of Fryjacks or head to the beach for a fresh seafood BBQ.

Feed the Stingrays at Iguana Reef Inn: Last up, we have feeding the stingrays at Iguana Reef Inn, cause how would I not include that! Just head over each evening around 5 pm and join in on this unique activity.

Wrap Up: How To Travel From Chetumal To Caye Caulker

Hopefully, you have figured out how exactly you are going to make your way to Caye Caulker from Chetumal, including dealing with all those border issues.

Whether you prefer going by ocean on a water taxi for a quick travel day, or maybe you get a bit motion sick on boats, so you decide to go by road the majority of the way.

Want more Belize Caye Inspiration? Check out….

• 1 Week In Belize Itinerary
• Backpacking Belize Travel Guide
• My Experience As A Solo Female Traveler In Belize
• Belize Trip Cost & My $90.00 Per Day Budget
• Mexico And Belize Itinerary
• Mexico, Belize & Guatemala Backpacking Route
• Belize City To Caye Caulker & Best Boat Options
• Hostels In Ambergris Caye & Backpacking San Pedro
• Shark Ray Alley In Belize
• Snorkeling Or Diving Hol Chan Marine Reserve
• Should You Visit Ambergris Caye Or Caye Caulker
• Best Snorkeling Tours From San Pedro
• Visiting The Iguana Eco Sanctuary In San Pedro
• Best Restaurants In San Pedro In Belize
• The Best Things To Do In Ambergris Caye
• Best Beaches In Ambergris Caye
• The Best Caye Caulker Snorkeling Tours
• Caye Caulker To Belize City Travel Guide
• How To Travel From Bacalar To Caye Caulker
• Hostels In Caye Caulker
• Swimming With Manatees In Belize
• The Best Things To Do In Caye Caulker
• Chetumal To Caye Caulker Travel Guide
• The Best Restaurants On Caye Caulker
• Is Caye Caulker Safe?