Quite possibly one of the questions we all ask ourselves when planning travel abroad: Should we order an Uber? Uber, Lyft, and other similar ride-share services have (conveniently) changed the way we move around while on holiday. As such, it’s not an unreasonable ask, especially as user-friendly apps appeal directly to travelers with access to WiFi only. There is also the security of knowing in advance the name and details of your Uber driver, similar to your Vacasa or Airbnb host.
Uber has not made its way to Belize—at least not yet—so your app won’t work while you’re here. Thankfully, Belize is small enough to move around without it disrupting any of your plans.
How to get around Belize
Image courtesy Duarte Dellarole/Sunset Caribe
That all depends on where you are. If you’re on the island of San Pedro or Caye Caulker, you’re likely to want to rent a golf cart, which is the primary mode of transportation on both islands. Most resorts also offer complimentary bicycles, since biking is the easiest way (no parking required!) to also get around, regardless of which destination you’re visiting.
Biking through Hopkins village. Photo courtesy Dylan Hetelle
If you’re on the mainland, you can easily rent a car and go exploring safely on your own. Belize only has 4 major highways with signage entirely in English, which makes getting lost near impossible.
You’ll need an all-wheel vehicle for Mountain Pine Ridge’s terrain. Image courtesy Roeming Belize
We recommend an SUV if you’re going to any jungle destinations. If you’re in Placencia and choose not to rent a car, grab some bikes and you can enjoy the village the simple way.
Catching a Cab or Taxi in Belize
Photo by Meritt Thomas on Unsplash
Taxis are available in every destination and are identifiable with green license plates, making them safe and easy to find at air and sea ports within Belize. Similarly, the concierge of your hotel can arrange for your pick-up or drop-off with one of their trusted group of cab drivers. Airport taxis have a going rate of US$25 to Belize City; when moving around within city/town limits, rates start at about US$8 depending on the final destination.
Walking in Belize
Stroll the world’s narrowest street hand-in-hand. Photo courtesy The Ellysian
Truthfully in all popular tourist destinations, most places are close enough to talk to, besides being safe. You may see Tourism Police in place, as a precautionary presence. However, it’s good practice to be careful when you’re walking around in first-time destinations and to be aware of your surroundings.
This article was published in September 2021. Featured Photo by Meritt Thomas.
