Belize City To San Ignacio: Complete Backpacker Guide 2023
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Looking for the best ways to get from Belize City to San Ignacio? You’re in the right place! If you’re backpacking Belize, it’s likely that you will visit both San Ignacio and Caye Caulker. But how do you travel between the two locations?!
NOTE: This information works in both directions: from Belize City to San Ignacio and from San Ignacio to Belize City.
However, I don’t recommend staying in Belize City when you are backpacking Belize. There are a number of reasons for this – from safety concerns to there simply not being much to do. But Belize City is the gateway to international travel, and where you catch the ferry to the Caribbean Islands of Caye Caulker and San Pedro.
But if you’re planning your Belize trip, I do recommend stopping in San Ignacio. In fact, it was one of our favourite places in Belize, and we ended up extending our stay from a couple of days to nine!
San Ignacio is a town on mainland Belize on the border of Guatemala, surrounded by jungles, mountains and waterfalls. It’s the perfect place in Belize to get stuck into an adrenaline-pumping adventure and get off the beaten track.
So, how do you travel from Belize City to San Ignacio? In this post, I explain the best ways to travel between these two locations in Belize. Let’s get started!
San Ignacio posts:
- Hummingbird Highway Belize: Ultimate Guide + Stops
- Best Restaurants in San Ignacio Belize
- Xunantunich From San Ignacio: Day Trip COMPLETE Guide
- How To Get From San Ignacio To Flores: Backpacker Guide
🤩 Backpacking Belize for the first time? Check out my epic 7-day itinerary here!
Belize City to San Ignacio: A Summary
In summary, there are four ways to get from Belize City to San Ignacio (or in reverse, from San Ignacio to Belize City).
These options are:
- Shuttle (most common backpacker option)
- Public bus (cheapest option)
- Rental car (preferred option)
- Private taxi (most expensive)
If you’re backpacking Belize, the most common, safest and easiest way to travel between Belize City and San Ignacio is by shuttle. The shuttles hold around 8-12 people and are full of other backpackers.
They’re more expensive than the public bus, but involve a lot less hassle and they drop you off directly at your hostel or accommodation. We also found shuttles in Belize inexpensive (never more than £20/$22 per person).
Let’s look at each option in more detail.
Related post: Looking to travel to Placencia in Belize? Check out this detailed guide on travelling from Belize City to Placencia!
1. Shuttle from Belize City to San Ignacio
Getting a shuttle from Belize City to San Ignacio is the easiest option for backpackers and those who don’t want to worry about using busy public buses.
If you need a reputable company to use and you’re already IN Flores, I highly recommend Mayan Adventures. We used them all over Belize and into Guatemala, and they were reliable and reputable.
🦉 TOP TIP: I only recommend using Mayan Adventures if you are IN Belize/Guatemala whilst reading this blog post. If you would like to pre-book online beforehand, I recommend one of the following shuttle companies:
They’re often the same shuttle buses anyway, and using a third-party website gives you a little more insurance than emailing a random person and confirming a shuttle online!
Our driver met us at Belize City boat terminal, as we had just come from Caye Caulker. But the shuttles have different pickup locations, so it’s worth texting to ask. There were around 8-9 of us, all backpackers, travelling to either San Ignacio or Flores, Guatemala.
If you are backpacking Belize like we were, I recommend using this company to ensure you are with other backpackers. It was actually a pretty nice journey as we met back up with some travellers we had met on Caye Caulker!
The journey from Belize City to San Ignacio should take around 2 hours, depending on traffic. We found we were stuck in traffic in Belize City for quite some time, and then it was straightforward and non-stop from there.
There are no toilets onboard, and you do not make any stops (unless you ask the driver), so make sure you use the public restrooms in Belize City first.
When you first meet your driver, be sure to tell him which hostel or Airbnb you are staying at so he can drop you off at your door. We were staying a little out of San Ignacio town in the countryside, and he was even able to drop us there!
2. Public bus from Belize City to San Ignacio
You can also take the public bus from Belize City to San Ignacio. This costs under $10 USD per person.
Unless you are really on a tight budget, I would always recommend the shuttle over the public bus for the journey between Belize City and San Ignacio. It’s a relatively long journey to be on a public bus, and it can get busy and overcrowded (and extremely bumpy).
If you’re travelling with a big backpack (like most of us are), you will need to put this at the back or on top of the bus. That means it will be out of sight for quite a long time, in the area where people get on and off the bus. Try and sit close by so you can keep an eye on your bag if it’s at the back, and if it’s on the top, well, good luck!
It’s definitely the more ‘adventurous’ way to travel!
There are several locations in Belize City where you can get the bus to San Ignacio. The main location to board the bus from Belize City to San Ignacio is the main bus terminal.
The national language of Belize is English, so you can easily tell the attendant where you are going and he will point you in the right direction.
Each bus will be labelled with its destination, so just wait at the right bus stop and board when you are able to. You must have cash (BZ dollars) for the bus, and an attendant will come along and collect it for you.
Similar to the shuttle, there are no toilets onboard the buses, and between Belize City and San Ignacio, you won’t make any stops. Make sure you go beforehand!
3. Rental car from Belize City to San Ignacio
Another option when travelling from Belize City to San Ignacio is to rent your own car.
Driving in Belize is a popular way to get around the country. There are only 4 main highways (including my favourite scenic drive in Belize; the Hummingbird Highway). Roads in Belize are safe, easy to drive on and straightforward.
We hired a car in San Ignacio and found driving in Belize to be the best way to get around.
Rental cars start at around $60-80 USD per day. You will need to show proof of your driving license, and be a minimum of 21 years old. At this moment in time, Discover Cars (our favourite car rental company) is not available in Belize, so you will need to use a local company.
The drive from Belize City to San Ignacio is easy, apart from navigating out of Belize City first! It can be quite chaotic and busy, so just be aware of this before renting your car. Once you’re out of Belize City, the roads are a lot quieter.
A general rule of thumb for driving in Central America is to stick to journeys only during the day, and avoid driving at night.
TOP TIP: We always carry our passports with us when driving in Belize, just in case we get stopped at a police checkpoint. This is just for the police to check who you are, what you’re doing and sometimes your immigration status.
If you’re worried about driving in Belize, don’t be! Have a read of my driving in Belize guide first and it will put your mind at ease.
Considering driving in Belize? Check out my complete driving in Belize guide first!
4. Private taxi from Belize City to San Ignacio
This is the most expensive option when travelling from Belize City to San Ignacio, but if there are a few of you, it could work out as the same amount as a shuttle.
When you arrive in Belize City, either at the airport or Caye Caulker ferry terminal, you will be greeted by many, many taxi drivers. Many of these taxi drivers will spot that you are a tourist, and try to bump any charges to any location in Belize. This isn’t just Belizean taxi drivers – this happens all over the world!
If you really want a private taxi from Belize City to San Ignacio, I recommend using a private driver that you have pre-booked beforehand.
Our accommodation recommended us an excellent driver, and he was our taxi driver all week when in San Ignacio! He also runs shuttles and taxis to and from Belize City and San Ignacio, as well as into Guatemala.
His name is Teddy, and he is well-known in the San Ignacio area. He was excellent at giving us tips and telling us all about San Ignacio and what we could do there.
If you want to book a taxi with Teddy to travel from Belize City to San Ignacio, his contact details are:
- Teddy: +501 600-2695
You can either call or text him on Whatsapp!
How much is a taxi from Belize City to San Ignacio?
Taxis from Belize City to San Ignacio will be over $120 USD per vehicle due to the long journey time. Belize does not have Uber or Lyft in 2023.
How long is the bus ride from Belize City to San Ignacio?
The journey between Belize City and San Ignacio is around 2 and a half hours on a public bus, and 2 hours on a shuttle bus.
🤩 Backpacking Belize for the first time? Check out my epic 7-day itinerary here!
Where to stay in San Ignacio as a backpacker
There are a few main hostels with good locations in San Ignacio for backpackers. We heard good things about all of the hostels I’ve recommended below, but make sure to do your own research too and check out the latest Hostelworld reviews (as things in hostels can change quickly!)
My biggest piece of advice is to book hostels in advance. We sadly missed out on some of the best hostels in Central America as they fill up quickly – so get booking!
- Old House Hostel (9.6, superb): This is the hostel most backpackers stay in when visiting San Ignacio. It’s right in the centre of town, has a good social scene and has exceptionally low prices. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL HERE!
- Yellow Belly Backpackers (9.4, superb): Another hostel that we had friends stay in whilst in San Ignacio. A great social vibe for solo travellers, easy access to town (although a little further out than Old House), and is right next to the Cahal Pech Mayan ruins. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL HERE!
- Bella’s Backpackers (8.2, fabulous): Another hostel situated in the middle of San Ignacio town which has mixed reviews, but is a great option if you’re on a budget. ⮕ BOOK THIS HOSTEL HERE!
BACKPACKING BELIZE? You might also like my detailed guides on San Ignacio, Caye Caulker, and my overall guide to backpacking Belize!
Is San Ignacio worth a visit?
Yes! San Ignacio is absolutely worth visiting if you are backpacking Belize. It’s a small town near the Guatemalan border, so it makes for the perfect 3-4 day adventure stop-off.
Expect dense green jungle, ancient Mayan ruins, cave systems, natural swimming holes, an abundance of wildlife, being surrounded by mountains and of course, welcoming and friendly locals (Belize has some of the friendliest people we have ever met!)
Looking to plan your Belize trip? Check out my post full of all the best things to do in San Ignacio here!
How many days should I spend in San Ignacio?
If you have the time and budget, I recommend at least 3-4 days in San Ignacio. There is a lot to do here, including the ATM Caves, Mayan Ruins, Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, San Ignacio town and more. We spent 7 days in San Ignacio and still didn’t have the time to do everything!
Can you walk around San Ignacio?
Yes, you can walk around San Ignacio. There are some major tourist attractions that are in town (such as the Cahal Pech ruins and iguana sanctuary), and some a short drive away (such as Xunantunich). All of the restaurants, bars and cafes are within walking distance of the main hostels.
However, if you want to explore the national parks or the Hummingbird Highway, you will need to rent a car or book a tour, as they are 1-2 hours from San Ignacio.
Do you need a car for San Ignacio?
Not if you’re staying in town, but if you want to make the most out of a trip backpacking San Ignacio and exploring the surrounding areas (such as the Hummingbird Highway and the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve), you will need to hire a car.
We hired a 4×4 because the roads within the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve can be bumpy, and it had been raining the day before so some of the side roads were quite muddy. However, the main roads in Belize are smooth, easy to drive on and safe.
If you’re hiring a car in San Ignacio, we used Matus Car Rental. We had a great experience with them, found the owner to be super helpful and loved our 4×4. If they don’t have availability, there is also Caye Auto Rentals.
Prices for car rentals in San Ignacio start at $65 (USD) per day.
If you’re worried about driving in Belize, don’t be! Have a read of my driving in Belize guide first and it will put your mind at ease.
Best backpacker travel insurance for Central America
If you’re visiting Central America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.
Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.
I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.
If you need medical help at any point whilst in Central America, you need travel insurance.
With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)
Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Central America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!
If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!
Backpacking San Ignacio: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about travelling from Belize City to San Ignacio, Belize.
When you’re planning a trip to Belize, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below. I’d love to know about your experience in San Ignacio and if you found it as fun as I did!
If you haven’t come across my blog before, I write informative and honest posts directly aimed at backpackers. Researching and planning your trip whilst backpacking can be so overwhelming, so I’m here to make it as easy as possible!
I’m currently backpacking Central America with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Belize content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
Other Belize posts:
- Hummingbird Highway Belize: Ultimate Guide + Stops
- Driving in Belize: Ultimate Car Hire Guide
- Best Restaurants in San Ignacio Belize
- Backpacking Belize: A Complete Guide
- How To Get From Chetumal To Caye Caulker (Belize)
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
