Getting Around Belize: A Road Trip from Jungle to Beach.

There’s no better way to explore Belize than by road. From jungle-lined highways to coastal drives with ocean views, each journey reveals a new adventure. At Blue Parrot Beach House in Hopkins, many of our guests choose to rent a car or arrange a private transfer to unlock the full Belizean experience

How to Get to Hopkins, Belize (Fast & Easy)

The fastest and most comfortable way to reach us from Belize City’s International Airport (BZE) is a private ground transfer. Thanks to the newly paved Coastal Highway, you’ll enjoy a scenic 1.5-hour drive directly to our beach house—no layovers or flight delays required. Our transfer and tour partners at Get To Know Belize Adventures are always ready to help!

Getting Around Belize: All Your Options

🚐 Private Shuttle Transfers

Private shuttles offer door-to-door convenience. Our preferred drivers are friendly, safe, and happy to share stories about Belize along the way. Great for families and groups. Sit back, relax, enjoy a beverage and the scenery while the knowledgeable driver from Get to Know Belize Adventures, take care of you and your loved ones!

🚗 Rent a Car in Belize

• Enjoy total freedom with a rental car. All major agencies operate at BZE Airport. The most preferred and trustworthy local car rental company, is Crystal Car Rental, at BZE airport. US, Canadian, and EU licenses are accepted. Perfect for exploring waterfalls, ruins, and villages on your own terms. Keep the following in mind though:

• Car rental in Belize in more expensive than the USA - Starting at US$50 per day for a compact car.

• Gas in Belize cost around US$ 7 per gallon.

• Gas stations are almost exclusively in towns - make sure your tank is filled before leaving the town.

🚌 Local Bus System

Although not recommended for the faint of heart, the bus is budget-friendly and a great place to meet local Belizeans who uses it frequently. While buses don’t go directly to Hopkins, you can take one to Dangriga and hop into a taxi or minibus from there. Be prepared for basic amenities and flexible schedule. This option is not recommended for groups with very young children or the elderly as it can be a long and exhausting trip.

✈️ Domestic Flights

Lovingly known as a “Puddlejumper”, from either Maya Island Air or Tropic Air, fly from Belize City to Dangriga in 20 minutes. Then transfer by taxi or shuttle to Hopkins (30–40 minutes). Quick, but often less efficient than the scenic highway drive.

How long does it take to get through customs? It is hard to determine the exact amount of time to allow between flight arrival and departure. Durning the week, most airlines only have one flight arriving and departing. On Saturdays and Sundays some airlines have 2 flights arriving and departing. Please allow at least an hour between flights during the week and an hour and a half durning weekends.

Driving in Belize: What You Need to Know

✅ Driving Requirements

1. Valid driver’s license (if in English, no permit needed)

2. Age 21+ to rent (some surcharges for drivers under 25)

3. Third-party liability insurance required

⚠️ Road Rules in Belize

1. Drive on the right

2. Speed bumps are frequent and often unmarked. These are usually on both sides of villages.

3. Be on the lookout for pedestrian crossings - also known as “sleeping policemen”. They are large elevated mounds - usually in the vicinity of schools and at the entrance and exits of towns. They are supposed to be marked but is often not.

4. Night driving is not recommended due to limited lighting, wild animals, such as deer, tapir and pedestrians and motorcyclists.

5. Check points are common - they usually check for insurance and licenses. Keep ID and insurance handy for occasional checkpoints.

6. Making a lefthand turn. Turning left in Belize is a little quirky. Drivers will indicate a left turn with their turn signal, then pull of to the right side of the road until all traffic from the front and rear pass, and the turn left.

   Here is a more detailed description:

   1. Signal for a left turn:

   Use your turn signal to indicate your intention to turn left. 

   2. Pull over to the right:

   Move your vehicle to the right side of the road, often to the shoulder or a designated pull-off area. 

   3. Wait for traffic to clear:

   It is crucial to yield for all vehicles from both directions, before turning left.

   4. Execute the left turn:

   When both directions are clear, proceed with your left turn, but remember to look out and to yield to pedestrians if applicable. 

Where a 4x4 is Needed

Some areas of Belize are adventurous—and that’s the point! Rent a 4WD vehicle if you plan to visit:

• Caracol ruins or Mountain Pine Ridge

• Off-grid jungle lodges

• Remote beach trails during rainy season

Road Travel Times from Blue Parrot Beach House

Blue Parrot Beach House in Hopkins, Belize offers the perfect combination of a beach resort and a mix of relaxation, cultural immersion, and easy access to the country’s top adventures—making it the ideal base for your Belize vacation.

What makes Blue Parrot truly exceptional is its location. Hopkins is centrally positioned along Belize’s coast, allowing quick access to both inland and marine excursions. Spend the day snorkeling at the barrier reef, ziplining through the rainforest, visiting ancient Mayan ruins, or hiking to jungle waterfalls—all within a few hours’ drive. With the newly paved Coastal Highway, getting to Hopkins from Belize City or the airport is faster and smoother than ever.

Although Belize is a small country, traveling times and distances mostly do not correlate - hence - it is more accurate to look at travel time than distance.

Here is a few attractions and travel time to them from Blue Parrot Beach House.

🏛️ Mayan Ruins

• Xunantunich – ~81 miles / 2.5 - 3 hours
  (Take the hand-cranked ferry across the Mopan River and climb El Castillo for panoramic views.)

• Caracol – ~112 miles / 4 to 4.5 hours (4x4 required)
  (Belize’s largest Maya site, deep in the jungle. A long but incredible day trip.)

• Cahal Pech – ~81 miles / 2.5 hours
  (Overlooking San Ignacio, this smaller ruin is great for history buffs and families.)

• Lamanai – ~112 miles / 4.5 hours
  (Reach it via a scenic boat ride up the New River from Orange Walk.)

🌿 National Parks & Nature Reserves

• Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary – ~25 miles / 35 min
  (The world’s first jaguar preserve. Excellent hiking, birding, and river tubing.)

  Maya center at Cockscomb with Chi’il chocolate making
  (Modern day Maya living village with traditional mayan cooking and chocolate making experiences.)

• St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park – ~62 miles / 1.5 hours
  (Inland swimming hole/cenote with trails and nearby cave tubing adventures.)

• Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve – ~100 miles / 4+ hours (4x4 recommended)
  (Cool pine forests, caves, waterfalls, and rivers for swimming.)

• Rio On Pools & Big Rock Falls – ~106 miles / 4.5 hours
  (Natural granite pools and waterfalls—great for picnics and a refreshing dip.)

🕳️ Caves & Adventure Parks

• ATM Cave (Actun Tunichil Muknal) – ~75 miles / 3.5 hours (guided tour only)
  (One of the most famous cave adventures in the world—mystical and thrilling.)

• Barton Creek Cave – ~87 miles / 3.5 to 4 hours
  (Explore by canoe under towering limestone ceilings.)

• Nohoch Che’en Cave Tubing – ~71 miles / 2.5 to 3 hours
  (Float through Belize’s ancient cave systems—fun and family-friendly.)

• Darknight & Hellgate tours - ~62 miles/ 90 minutes

  (Zipline, cave tubing and hanging bridges just outside of Belmopan)

• Maya King Canopy tours and ATV rides -~ 45 min

  (ATV, zipline, Waterfall swim and more)

🌄 Towns & Cultural Spots

• Belize City - BZE -~81 miles / 90 min

  (International airport, and water taxi hub to Caye Caulker and Amber Griss)

• Dangriga -~ 20 miles / 25-35 min

  (Home of DGA airstrip, Pen Cayatayo’s art gallery and mostly business and agricultural stores0

• Placencia -~ 40 miles / 40-60 min away depending on destination.

  (The peninsula stretch over 16 miles in southern Belize, dotted with small towns like Punta Placencia, Maya Beach and Sein Bight.

• San Ignacio – ~81 miles / 2.5 hours
  (Charming inland town with great food, culture, and adventure outfitters.)

• Belmopan (capital city) – ~62 miles / 2 hours
  (A quiet capital near caves, hiking trails, and government buildings.)

• Orange Walk Town – ~112 miles / 4 hours
  (Known for its food scene and access to river tours to Lamanai.)

Final Thoughts from the Beach

Whether you're renting a car or taking a shuttle, getting around Belize is part of the fun. At Blue Parrot Beach House, we’ll gladly help arrange your transportation—whether it’s a guided transfer, rental vehicle, or a custom adventure. Your Belize road trip starts here.