How to Get from Mexico to Caye Caulker, Belize (2025 Guide)

Are you dreaming of the crystal-clear waters and laid-back vibes of Caye Caulker, Belize? If you’re like the many travellers beginning your Central America itinerary southwards from Mexico, you’re in for an adventure. 

This island ended up being one of our absolute favourite spots on our entire four month Central America trip! Of course, this itinerary can also be reversed, if you are heading northwards from Belize into Mexico.

The quick answer

The easiest way to get from Mexico to Caye Caulker is to book a direct ferry from Chetumal. The journey takes around 3-3.5 hours, including a quick immigration stop in San Pedro. Two main companies run this route – San Pedro Belize Express and International Islander Ferries (formerly Water Jets International) – and tickets cost roughly US $70-85 one way. We recommend booking with San Pedro Belize Express, and our tickets

If you’re on a tighter budget, you can also take a bus from Chetumal to Belize City and then hop on a water taxi to Caye Caulker. This overland route costs about US $45-55 total and takes a bit longer, around 6-8 hours door-to-door.

Option 1: Take the direct ferry from Chetumal to Caye Caulker (most popular)

Why choose the ferry

The ferry from Chetumal is the fastest and most straightforward way to get from Mexico to Caye Caulker. You’ll enjoy a comfortable ride across turquoise Caribbean waters, avoid multiple transfers, and handle all immigration in one go.

We decided to take this direct ferry from Chetumal to Caye Caulker, and it was a very straightforward first Central American border crossing for us!

Two ferry companies currently operate this route:

• San Pedro Belize Express
• International Islander Ferries (Water Jets)

Both depart from the Terminal Maritima de Chetumal, known locally as El Muelle Fiscal (Google Maps location here). It is just a 10-minute taxi ride from downtown Chetumal and the ADO Bus Station. It’s easy enough to find a taxi to take you there, and should cost around 50-100 MXN / US $3-5. If you walk a block west from the ADO station, you can find even cheaper taxis at around 25 MXN. Make sure you agree on the price before getting in the car.

Ferry schedule & prices

Schedules can vary slightly, so always check the latest departure times on the operators’ official websites:

San Pedro Belize Express Ferry Schedule

Typical departures:

• Chetumal → Caye Caulker: usually around 3:30 pm
• Caye Caulker → Chetumal: typically around 7:00 am

International Islander Ferries Schedule

Typical departures:

• Chetumal → Caye Caulker: usually around 10:00 am
• Caye Caulker → Chetumal: typically around 12:45 pm

Some blogs mention that the companies operate on alternate days. While this may be true in low season, due to high demand, San Pedro Belize Express runs daily in high season (end of December to June)!

We went with San Pedro Belize Express, which does seem to be the most popular option for travellers. However, all the ferries seem to be fast and reliable, so just choose the one that fits your schedule the best. ☺️

💰 Fares:

Expect to pay about US $70-85 (MXN 1,200-1,600) one way. Round-trip discounts are sometimes available, but as prices continue to increase across the board in Belize, these prices will also keep going up. So, be sure to double check their sites for the latest pricing.

Tickets can be booked online or at the Chetumal terminal. It may be cheaper to book at the terminal, as you can avoid the internet processing fee, but the ferries can sell out in high season.

We therefore highly recommend booking online if you have your heart set on a certain schedule.

Mexico to Belize Ferry Steps

• Arrive 1.5 – 2 hours early.
  Mexican exit procedures can take a while, so get there early to check in, clear customs, and pay any departure fee if required.

• Check in & clear Mexican exit immigration.
  Officials will stamp you out of Mexico. Bring your passport and proof of paid Visitax (if applicable). If you arrived in Quintana Roo by plane, this generally will have already been included in your airfare, but double check.

• Board the ferry & enjoy the ride.
  The boat makes a short stop in San Pedro, where you’ll complete your Belize immigration (passport stamping and customs). Here we had to dispose of any fresh food items in the bins provided (we watched someone try to sneak a whole salad through the border – don’t try this!)

• Continue to Caye Caulker.
  You’ll re-board the same ferry for the final 30-minute leg to the island.

• Arrive at Caye Caulker Water Taxi Terminal.
  You’re now in paradise – drop your bags and head straight for The Split! Remember, Belize is an hour behind Mexico, so update your clocks when you cross the border.

Tips for ferry travel

• Bring USD cash for border fees – cards aren’t always accepted.
• Keep your passport and immigration forms handy.
• Pack motion-sickness tablets if you’re prone to seasickness.
• There’s no food onboard, so eat before departure or bring (packaged!) snacks and water.
• Ferry seats can be open-air, so sunscreen, sunglasses and hats are handy.

Option 2: Bus from Chetumal to Belize City + Water Taxi to Caye Caulker

If you’re on a tighter budget or ferries are sold out that day, the overland route works just fine, although expect it to take a few hours longer.

Step-by-step itinerary

1. Shuttle Bus: Chetumal → Belize City
   • Duration: 3-4 hours
   • Cost: US $25-32 (varies by operator)
   • Operators: Marvelus, Marlin Espadas, Belize Go
   • Tickets: available online or at Chetumal bus station
     
2. Taxi: Belize City Bus Terminal → Marine Terminal
   • Duration: 10-15 minutes
   • Cost: US $5-10 per ride (ask to go to the San Pedro Belize Express Terminal, and make sure you agree on the price before you get in!)
     
3. Water Taxi: Belize City → Caye Caulker
   • Duration: 45 minutes
   • Cost: US $21 one way
   • Companies: San Pedro Belize Express or Ocean Ferry Belize
   • Departures every hour or so during the day

Total time: around 6-8 hours (depending on border traffic).

Getting from Playa del Carmen or Cancun to Caye Caulker, Belize

Playa del Carmen and Cancun are other popular starting points for travellers heading from Mexico to Caye Caulker. This is in fact where we started our journey.

From Playa del Carmen, you can catch an ADO bus to Chetumal. The ADO bus station in Playa del Carmen is centrally located and easy to find.

We found the ADO bus service to be reliable and comfortable, making it a great option for the first leg of your journey.

Route Breakdown:

1. Playa del Carmen or Cancun to Chetumal: Take an ADO bus directly to Chetumal. This leg of the journey takes approximately 6-7 hours. We took the overnight bus so we could save on a night of accommodation.

2. Once you arrive in Chetumal, follow the above Option 1 or Option 2 from Chetumal to Caye Caulker.

Alternative Routes

While the routes from Playa del Carmen to Caye Caulker and Cancun to Caye Caulker are super popular, there are of course other roads to get to the island.

Mexico City to Caye Caulker

If you’re starting from Mexico City, consider these options:

• Fly from Mexico City to Cancun or Chetumal: Take a domestic flight to Cancun or Chetumal and then follow the bus and ferry route described above. With a flight time of just 2 hours, this can significantly reduce your travel time. These flights can also be found for around US $50-100.
  
• Bus from Mexico City to Chetumal: If you want to avoid flying, take an ADO bus from Mexico City to Chetumal, which takes about 22 hours and costs around US $111. From Chetumal, take the ferry or bus and water taxi option to Caye Caulker.
  
• Fly from Mexico City to Belize City: For those not on a tight budget, you could technically fly from Mexico City to Belize City, where you would take the water taxi over to Caye Caulker. However, be warned, there are no direct flights from Mexico City to Caye Caulker, meaning you will likely have to change in Cancun, Panama City or Guatemala City, and this will also not work out to be the quickest or the cheapest option.

Mérida to Caye Caulker

Starting in Mérida? Here’s your best route:

1. Bus from Mérida to Chetumal: Take an ADO bus from Mérida to Chetumal, which takes around 6 hours.
   
2. Ferry from Chetumal to Caye Caulker: Upon arrival in Chetumal, continue with Option 1 or Option 2 to complete your journey from Chetumal to Caye Caulker.

Tulum to Caye Caulker

If you are in Tulum, you have a straightforward path:

1. Bus from Tulum to Chetumal: You don’t need to backtrack towards Cancun: simply catch an ADO bus from Tulum to Chetumal, a journey of approximately 4 hours.
2. Ferry from Chetumal to Caye Caulker: From Chetumal, continue onwards with Option 1 or Option 2 as above.

Tropic Air Flight From Cancun

“Go Slow” may be the motto of Caye Caulker, but if you want to get there super fast, you could book the direct flight from Cancun to Belize City with Tropic Air.

This flight generally runs daily and takes just 1.5 hours. However, it can set you back around US $330-600 one way!

From Belize City, you just take the water taxi onwards to Caye Caulker. This option, while more expensive, saves considerable time and offers a stunning aerial view of the Caribbean Sea!

Border & immigration: what to expect

Exiting Mexico

You’ll pass through Mexican immigration either at the Chetumal ferry terminal or at the land border near Santa Elena if taking the bus.

• VisiTax (Tourist Fee): Visitors to the state of Quintana Roo must pay a departure/tourism tax (about US $15-17). Most airlines already include this, but if you entered by land you will have to pay separately online at Visitax Bring proof of payment (download the QR code you received) or confirmation from your airfare, otherwise they will make you pay again.
• Officials will stamp your passport and collect your FMM (tourist card) if you have one.

Entering Belize

Immigration is completed either in San Pedro (for ferry travellers) or at the Santa Elena border (for bus travellers).

We found the process to be really chill, and locals were friendly and easygoing!

Keep in mind that entry is visa-free for up to 30 days for many countries, including the US, Canada, UK, European Union, Australia and New Zealand, but of course it is always best practice to double check the visa requirements for your passport in advance.

• Entry requirements: passport valid for 6 months, proof of onward travel (although we were not asked about this) and possibly sufficient funds.
• Bring a pen to fill out your immigration form.
• Be sure to have some spare cash (USD or BZD) ready just in case.
• The BZD is exactly 2:1 to the USD, so BZ $2 = US $1. Super easy!

And there you have it! Welcome to Belize!

When to travel from Mexico to Caye Caulker

• High season (Dec–Apr): Best weather, calm seas, but higher ferry prices and bus demand, so book your journeys in advance.
• Shoulder season (May–Jun, Nov): A good mix of sunshine and value.
• Low season (Jul–Oct): Fewer tourists and cheaper accommodation, but higher chance of rain or tropical storms. Bus and ferry departures may be more limited.

If possible, avoid traveling during strong winds (Nortes) as ferries may be cancelled.

Frequently asked questions

⏱️ How long is the ferry from Chetumal to Caye Caulker?

The ferry takes around 3-3.5 hours, including a short immigration stop in San Pedro.

💵 Do I have to pay exit or entry fees?

Yes – most travellers pay a VisiTax departure fee when leaving Mexico. If you arrived in the state of Quintana Roo by air, the airline may have included it in your airfare. Always bring USD cash.

🧳 Can I bring luggage on the ferry?

Yes, both ferry companies allow checked bags and small hand luggage. Keep valuables in your carry-on.

🌊 What if the weather is bad?

Ferries may be delayed or cancelled during storms. Contact your operator in advance, and book refundable fares if traveling in rainy season (June-November).

🪪 Do I need a visa?

Citizens of the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, and New Zealand do not need a visa for stays under 30 days. Always check the latest entry rules before departure.