Border Crossing: Guatemala to Belize at Melchor de Mencos
This post details my experience of travelling from Flores, Guatemala to San Ignacio, Belize via the Melchor de Mencos border crossing in October 2022
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The plan had been to take the boat from Livingston to Punta Gorda but I baulked at the 50 USD fare and an unofficial 10 USD exit fee, plus the boat doesn't run on the weekend.
So I travelled, once again from Livingston to Rio Dulce by boat, stayed the night and then took the Fuente Del Norte Bus to Santa Elena.
Last year I had travelled back in to Mexico at the El Ceibo border crossing. This time I was heading the other way to Belize.
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.
Minivans to the border at Melchor de Mencos, go every 15 to 30 minutes from 7 am onwards, the fare is 40 Q.
I stayed the night in Flores at the same hotel as before but this time, just 1 night and then it was straight back to the bus station.
So I travelled, once again from Livingston to Rio Dulce by boat, stayed the night and then took the Fuente Del Norte Bus to Santa Elena.
Last year I had travelled back in to Mexico at the El Ceibo border crossing. This time I was heading the other way to Belize.
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.
Minivans to the border at Melchor de Mencos, go every 15 to 30 minutes from 7 am onwards, the fare is 40 Q.
I stayed the night in Flores at the same hotel as before but this time, just 1 night and then it was straight back to the bus station.
The ride took 2 hours. Checking out of Guatemala and getting into Belize was painless. There was no requirement to provide proof of vaccination against Covid-19.
Guatemala exit and Belize entry stamps:
From the border to the first town of Benque Viejo Del Carmen is 3km. 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.
This post is the property of Nomadic Backpacker
