Getting to the Island

Getting from the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) to Ambergris Caye.
You’ve made your flight reservations and booked your hotel, now just how do you get from the Phillip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) to Ambergris Caye? It’s fairly straightforward, though there are a few steps between you and those Caribbean blues. The easiest option, is to allow us to make your reservation for you. We're able to get a wholesalers discount (on puddle jumper flights), which we can pass onto you. The second option, is to coordinate this yourself. You have two options when it comes to getting to the island: 1) by plane or, 2) by boat.

Regardless of the popularity of Ambergris Caye, it's not crowded by the standards most Americans come to understand. The local population of the entire island is somewhere in the range of a few thousand, the locals are known for their friendly and down-to-earth demeanors and their strong English fluency. English is widely spoken, but there are still those who prefer Spanish as their native tongue.

How to Get to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye in Belize. Ambergris Caye may be separated from the Belizean mainland by water, but its popularity as a tourist destination and pleasant weather conditions throughout the country, ensure that visitors always have a number of options for reaching the island. But whatever route you take to get to San Pedro, the airport located just outside of Belize City (Philip Goldson International Airport), is the primary way to access Ambergris Caye and the town of San Pedro.

Reaching Ambergris Caye by Plane
If you're looking to take a connecting flight to Ambergris Caye, you have two options for your point of departure. Phillip Goldson International Airport and the municipal airstrip at Belize City are serviced by Tropic Air, and Maya Island Air, and there are hourly flights that offer direct access to San Pedro. The entire trip usually takes only 20 minutes, and flights typically run from 6:00 in the morning to 5:30 in the afternoon. You can expect a round trip ticket to cost you about $120 in American dollars.

Reaching Ambergris Caye by Boat
While a flight may be the quickest way to get to San Pedro, the water taxis that service the area are both cheaper and a better way to indulge yourself in the natural scenery. These water taxis depart from the pier beside Bliss Auditorium and the historic Swing Bridge, both in Belize City property. While there are quite a few options, the two prime taxis you'll want to consider are the Caye Caulker water taxi and the San Pedro water taxi. Round trip costs normally cost about $25. Just keep in mind that the water ferries cannot carry cars with them, but strategically choosing a resort or hotel will allow you to get to most of the action on the island without having to rent a vehicle.

BY AIR
The quickest and most popular option is to take a local hopper flight from PGIA to the island’s only airstrip, located in San Pedro Town. There are currently two airline providers offering this service, Maya Island Air and Tropic Air. Both operate of out of the PGIA as well as other locations throughout Belize, providing service to San Pedro. The daily schedule has flights leaving PGIA hourly beginning at 7:30am with the last flight of the day leaving at 7:30pm.

This is a quick flight, less than 20 minutes, with breathtaking views. You’ll get a glimpse of Belize City before settling in across the Caribbean Sea with the Belize Barrier Reef off the right side of the plane. The passenger capacity varies between aircrafts but you are sure to have a vantage point from which to take in the sites. The plane will land in the heart of San Pedro Town, where taxi’s are available for further transport to your final destination on the island.

BY SEA
If you prefer to travel by sea, there are two ferry companies located in Belize City that offer daily service to Ambergris Caye; the San Pedro Belize Express and Ocean Ferry Belize. This is a longer journey, taking up to 90 minutes. The boats are large, covered and often operate at or just below passenger capacity.

To get to the water taxi terminal, you will need to hire a taxi at the PGIA to the water taxi dock. Taxi’s will be waiting right outside of the airport, are part of the Airport Taxi Union and have standard rates. They are licensed to carry up to five passengers and their luggage, the ride is about 25 minutes. Both water taxis are within a couple of blocks of each other and offer regular daily runs to and from Ambergris Caye.

ISLAND TRANSPORTATION METHODS
Everyone knows the expression “they’re on island time.” What about “traveling island style?” The transportation methods common on Ambergris Caye may be different than what you enjoy in your work-a-day life. The island itself is just 25 miles in length and less than 10 years ago, had no paved road north of town. With the creation of the bridge at the edge of town and the paving of the road north to Mile 3 at Coco Beach Resort and Belizean Shores Resort, more options have become available. Many visitors and residents of the island choose golf carts as their preferred way to zip around the island. There are many vendors that offer rental services hourly, daily or weekly. Remember to always have your driver's license on you while driving a golf cart and that open containers are prohibited on golf carts, just as in a regular vehicle.

For shorter trips within town taxis do exist and are part of a taxi union which regulates rates and policies. As fuel and upkeep costs are higher on our island where everything must be brought over from the mainland, taxi’s are not the most economical to use for travel north.

Bicycles are a great way to explore the island, at a much leisurely pace. A bike rental is not only cheaper, but many tourists prefer it in keeping their vacation costs to a minimum. The island terrain is flat, so getting around is fairly easy.

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