Bus Travel Time: Cancun To Belize City

The bus from Cancun to Belize City is a stunning trip that serves coastal views and dense tropical forest moments as it crosses several regions in both countries. The ADO bus company offers a direct bus service from Cancun to Belize City, which takes approximately 8-10 hours. The bus makes seven stops before reaching its final destination: Cancun City Centre, Playa del Carmen, Subteniente Lopez, Belize City. The bus departs from the Cancun Bus Terminal at 10:15 pm and arrives in Belize City at 6:30 am. The return bus departs Belize City at 8:15 pm and arrives in Cancun at 7:00 am. The cost of the bus ranges from $28 to $153 one way.

The bus route from Cancun to Belize City

Buying tickets

Tickets can be purchased at the bus station on the day of travel. Buying tickets in advance is not necessary. The Mexican bus company ADO operates this route every day. Buying tickets online is not possible at this time. Tickets for this route are not sold until 5:00 pm on the day of travel. The bus leaves Belize City at 7:30 pm. Tickets can also be purchased in advance at the Cancun bus station. The ticket office accepts cash and credit cards.

Schedule

The bus schedule from Cancun to Belize lists two different options. If you just want to get to your destination without “losing” a day, you can choose the overnight bus, which leaves Cancun around 10:15 pm and arrives in Belize around 6:30 the next morning. If you would love to sight-see on the go, there is a day trip option. The bus leaves the terminal around 6:10 am and arrives at the Belize bus station around 4:35 pm. Keep in mind that the above schedules can change.

The journey

In short, the bus route makes seven stops before reaching its final destination. These are:

• Cancun City Center, Mexico (Start)
• Playa del Carmen, Mexico
• Subteniente Lopez, Mexico (Border Crossing)
• Belize City, Belize (End)

Your journey begins in Cancun at the ADO bus terminal. The first stop on your trip is Playa del Carmen, a beautiful resort town located on the Caribbean coast. It is known for its stunning beaches lined with palm trees and its colorful coral reefs. Next, the bus stops in Tulum, a city famous for its well-preserved ancient Quintana Roo ruins of the Mayan port city. Further south, you’re getting to Bacalar, which offers some of the most beautiful crystal clear waters in the peninsula without the crowds seen in Tulum and Cancun. And then, there’s Chetumal, which serves as your hopping point between Mexico and Belize.

Border crossing

This border crossing is pretty smooth and easygoing. Once you get to the border, you will be asked to get off the bus to go through immigration for both exiting Mexico and entering Belize. While this takes some time, it is a very smooth process and in less than an hour (or even faster if there’s not a long queue), you’ll be back on the same bus. Shortly after crossing the border over into Belize, your third stop is Corozal – yet another town full of heritage with so much beauty to offer.

Belize City

Finally, you will arrive at the heart of Belize, at the Belize City bus terminal. After just a short eight hours, it’s time to hop off and start adventuring. The city is centered between the Belize Barrier Reef and dense rainforests. Once you are in Belize, be sure to explore the mystery of the Crystal Skull at the Lubaantun ruins, roam around the stunning Xunantunich Mayan ruins, and see the crystal maiden skeleton at the Actun Tunichil Muknal caves.

How to buy tickets for the bus

The ADO Bus Company provides a daily express bus service from Cancun to Belize City. The bus departs Cancun at 10:15 pm, stopping at Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Corozal, and Orange Walk, before arriving in Belize City at around 6:30 am. The return bus leaves Belize City at 8:15 pm.

There are a few options for buying tickets for the ADO bus from Cancun to Belize City:

In Person

Tickets can be purchased in person at the Cancun or Belize City bus terminal. It is recommended that you arrive at the terminal at least one hour before departure to buy your ticket. There are also ADO ticket booths in both Terminal 2 and 3 of the Cancun airport, where most international arrivals occur.

By Phone

Tickets can be reserved by calling the ADO Bus Ticket agent Reliance Store at (501) 625-5900.

Online

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ado.com.mx. Note that the website is in Spanish, so you may need to use Google Translate if you don't speak the language. Tickets can also be purchased on the 12Go website.

The cost of the bus journey

It's important to note that the bus journey from Cancun to Belize City is not a direct route. There will be stops along the way, including at Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Corozal. At these stops, passengers may be required to change buses or pay additional fees. The border crossing between Mexico and Belize is also a factor to consider, as there may be exit and entry fees charged by the respective countries.

When purchasing bus tickets, it's recommended to buy them in advance, especially for the overnight bus. Tickets can be bought online or at the bus station, but it's important to note that some bus companies only accept cash payments. Additionally, when travelling from Belize City to Cancun, the ticket price may be divided into two parts: one for the Belize section and another for the Mexican portion of the trip. This can be a bit confusing, so it's important to clarify the payment process with the bus company before purchasing tickets.

Overall, the bus journey from Cancun to Belize City offers a cost-effective alternative to flying, allowing passengers to save money on their travel expenses.

What to expect on the bus

The bus from Cancun to Belize City is an overnight journey, so it's a good idea to prepare for the trip ahead of time. The ADO bus, which is the most popular bus company for this route, offers daily express services from Cancun to Belize City. The bus departs at 10:15 pm from the Cancun Bus Terminal and arrives in Belize City at around 6:30 am, so it's a good idea to bring something to keep you comfortable during the journey. While the buses in Cancun are not in the best condition, they are safe and convenient.

The ADO bus will make a few stops along the way, including Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Corozal, and Orange Walk. These stops will allow you to stretch your legs and get some fresh air, as well as use the restroom and purchase snacks if needed. It's important to note that the ADO bus does not stop at any hotels, and only stops at designated ADO bus stations.

When travelling on the ADO bus, you will need to present a valid passport before boarding and may also need to provide a telephone number. Tickets can be purchased online or at the bus terminal, but it is recommended to buy them in advance as routes tend to sell out. The cost of the ticket is around $40-$65 one way, and there are different levels of buses available, from economy to deluxe.

Overall, the bus journey from Cancun to Belize City is a safe and affordable option for travellers. By preparing ahead of time and knowing what to expect, you can ensure a smooth and comfortable journey to your destination.

Border crossing information

When travelling by bus from Cancún to Belize City, you will need to cross the Mexico-Belize border. There are no direct bus routes, so you will need to make connections, which can add a few hours to your journey.

Firstly, you will need to purchase your bus ticket. You can do this online, or in person at the bus terminal. Tickets can be bought at the Cancun bus terminal, or in Belize at the Belize City bus terminal, or at the following locations:

• Belize City: Gilberto Carlos Pérez, Cell Phone: 600-8100
• Orange Walk: San Francisco Restaurant, Tel: 302-2240 and Cell Phone: 624-8200
• Corozal: Cruzob Travel, Cell Phone: 607-7930

Passengers must present a valid passport before boarding the bus. You will also need to purchase your ticket with a telephone number and, if buying in person, in Mexican pesos.

When travelling from Cancún to Belize City, you will need to pass through Mexican and Belizean border control. This will involve exiting Mexico, and entering Belize. For non-Belizeans, there is a fee of BZ$37.50 to exit Belize. When entering Mexico, you will need to fill out a form and be given a card to keep with your passport until you leave the country. You will also need to pass through Mexican customs.

There are a few options for your journey. The ADO express bus runs twice a day, leaving Cancún at 7:30 am and 10:15 pm. The bus fare is 840 Mexican pesos, and the journey takes around 8.5 hours. The bus stops at Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Corozal, Orange Walk, and Belize City.

Alternatively, you can take a bus to Chetumal, and then a water taxi to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. The ADO bus to Chetumal takes around 5.5 hours, and from there, you can get a taxi to the pier, where a water taxi leaves daily at 3 pm. There are two water taxi companies, which operate on alternate days:

• San Pedro Water Jets International
• San Pedro-Belize Express

Another option is to take a transfer service or taxi from Chetumal to Corozal, and then get a domestic flight to San Pedro or elsewhere. You can also take a Belizean bus from Chetumal to Belize City, which takes around 4 hours and costs around BZ$12.

Frequently asked questions