Don’t get talked into a pricey tourist shuttle. Crossing the Guatemala-Belize border at Melchor de Mencos on your own is straightforward, completely doable, and a fraction of the cost. If you’re travelling from Flores to San Ignacio using local transport, here is exactly what to expect.
I was travelling back to Mexico City. The plan had always been to take the boat from Livingston to Punta Gorda in Belize, but I baulked at the 50 USD fare and an unofficial 10 USD exit fee, not to mention that the boat doesn’t run on weekends.
As soon as I arrived at the terminal in Santa Elena (Flores), I went and scoped out my options for getting to the border at Melchor de Mencos.
There is absolutely no need to take an expensive tourist shuttle.
Minivans from Flores (actually the bus terminal in Santa Elena) to Melchor de Mencos go every 15 to 30 minutes from 7 am onwards; the fare is 40 Q.
I stayed one night in Flores, and then it was straight back to the bus station.
Colectivo from Santa Elena bus terminal to Melchor de Mencos:
The ride took two hours. Exiting Guatemala and entering Belize was easy.
Guatemala exit and Belize entry stamps:
From the border to the first town of Benque Viejo Del Carmen is 3 km. There are no buses, only taxis. So I just walked under the hot sun. Buses from Benque to San Ignacio go hourly from the bus terminal:
The ride is 20 minutes and the fare is 2.50 B$. I jumped out at the western part of town, near the Yellow Belly Backpackers.
The Yellow Belly Backpackers in San Ignacio makes a great place to base yourself for visiting the Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve and the Xunantunich Mayan Ruins.
