Shuttles

Belize has a variety of shuttle services. These operate primarily between Belize City and San Ignacio, although shuttles also are available to Belmopan, Placencia, Chetumal, Mexico, and elsewhere. Most hotels and lodges in Cayo will arrange round-trip van transfers for guests to and from the international airport in Belize City. Several private shuttle services transport visitors between the airports and water-taxi locations in Belize City to Belmopan and San Ignacio in Cayo District. Rates vary depending on the number of people, whether the service is on-demand or prescheduled and what other services, such as a stop at the Belize Zoo, are included. Among the recommended shuttles are William's Shuttle, Discounted Belize Shuttles, Mayan Heart World Adventure Tours, Belize Shuttles and Transfers, and PACZ Tours. In the north, Belize VIP Transfers will whisk you across the border to Chetumal, but the fee does not include the BZ$40 Belize exit fee. Mayan Heart World Adventure Tours has a daily shuttle from San Ignacio to Tikal. A BZ$40 Belize exit fee also is required when going to Tikal from Belize's western border.

Línea Dorada and Fuente del Norte run daily minibuses between Belize City and Flores, Guatemala. These fares don't include Belize exit fees when leaving by land.

Shuttles in Guatemala are private minivans that hold up to eight passengers. Minibus shuttles between Flores and Tikal run frequently, starting at 5 am from Flores.

Reservations are generally required for shuttle service in both Belize and Guatemala. Some may ask for payment up front; before obliging, be sure you're dealing with a reputable company.

Belize Companies

Belize Shuttles and Transfers. Based in Belize City, the company offers transfers to most destinations in Belize. It competes on price and claims to meet any price offered by another shuttle company. Belize City, Belize District. 637/9922; belize-shuttles.trekksoft.com/en.

Belize VIP Transfers. Belize VIP Transfers specializes in transfer between Corozal Town and Chetumal, Tulum, Bacalar, Playa del Carmen, Cancún, and other destinations in Mexico, but it offers transfers to other parts of Belize and to Guatemala as well. The same company rents vehicles and has an RV campground at the South End section of Corozal Town. Caribbean Village, South End, Corozal Town, Corozal. 422/2725; www.belizetransfers.com.

Discounted Belize Shuttles and Tours. Based at the international airport, Discounted Belize Shuttles and Tours has shuttle service to many destinations in Belize, including downtown Belize City, Belmopan, San Ignacio, the Guatemala border crossing in Cayo, Hopkins, Placencia, Punta Gorda, Orange Walk Town, and Corozal Town, along with transfers to Tikal in Guatemala and to Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cancún in Mexico. It also is a licensed tour company, operating under the umbrella of Belize and Beyond Nature Tours. Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, Ladyville, Belize District. 620/1474; www.discountedbelizeshuttlesandtours.com.

Mayan Heart World Adventure Tours. Mayan Heart World is a San Ignacio-based tour company that offers shuttle services between Belize City and San Ignacio. It also provides transfers from San Ignacio to many destinations in Belize. The company does tours to Tikal. Its daily shuttle from downtown San Ignacio to Tikal and on to Flores, Guatemala for BZ$70 per person (not including Belize exit tax) is an easy, inexpensive way to get from Cayo to the Petén. Note that during the slow off-season this and other shuttle companies may not offer service to Flores or elsewhere, or charge an extra amount to run the shuttle. 29 Burns Ave., San Ignacio, Cayo. 824/3328; www.mayanheartworld.net.

PACZ Tours. This long-established San Ignacio-based tour company has a shuttle services between Belize City and Cayo. 30 Burns Ave., San Ignacio, Cayo. 824/0536; www.pacztours.net.

William's Belize Shuttle. William's Shuttle, recommended by many travelers, focuses on van transfers between Belize City and the San Ignacio area. Parrot's Nest, Bullet Tree Falls, Cayo. 620/3055; williamshuttlebelize.com.

Guatemala Companies

Fuente del Norte. Fuente del Norte provides daily shuttle bus transfers between the Marine Terminal in Belize City and Santa Elena near Flores, Guatemala. Terminal de Buses, Santa Elena, Petén. 7926--2999; 223/0457; 223/1200; www.grupofuentedelnorte.com.