Caye Caulker To San Ignacio: Backpacker Guide 2023
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Looking for the best ways to get from Caye Caulker 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 Caye Caulker to San Ignacio and from San Ignacio to Caye Caulker.
Caye Caulker is a tiny island off of Belize’s coast, and offers backpackers a Caribbean beach experience with BBQ food in one hand, and a coconut full of rum in the other. It’s a walkable island, with a few hostels, restaurants and bars, and one of the most popular activities is snorkelling with nurse sharks and manatees.
Then, San Ignacio – a town on mainland Belize on the border of Guatemala, offers the complete opposite experience. Surrounded by jungles, mountains and waterfalls, it provides a totally different adventure than the Caye Caulker slow way of life.
If you’re backpacking Belize, both Caye Caulker and San Ignacio are worth visiting. They’re both full of wildlife, good food and culture, and are home to some of the friendliest Belizean people on the planet.
So, how do you travel from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio? In this post, I explain the best ways to travel between the two locations in Belize. Let’s get started!
Other Belize posts:
- Snorkelling in Caye Caulker
- Shark Ray Alley Caye Caulker: Complete Guide
- Best Hostels In Caye Caulker For Backpackers
- Is Caye Caulker A Party Island? Backpacker Guide
Caye Caulker To San Ignacio: A Summary
In summary, there are four ways to get from Caye Calker to San Ignacio (or in reverse, San Ignacio to Caye Caulker).
NOTE: all options involve the short ferry between Caye Caulker and mainland Belize.
These options are:
- Ferry + shuttle (most common backpacker option)
- Ferry + public bus (cheapest option)
- Ferry + hire car
- Ferry + private taxi (most expensive option)
If you’re backpacking Belize, the most common, safest and easiest way to travel between Caye Caulker and San Ignacio is by ferry and shuttle. The shuttles hold around 8 people and are full of other backpackers.
They’re more expensive than the public bus, but involve a lot less hassle and drop you off directly at your hostel or accommodation.
Taking the ferry from Caye Caulker to Belize City
The ferry takes just under an hour to travel from Caye Caulker to Belize City. There are currently 9 departures per day from Caye Caulker to Belize City, run the company San Pedro Belize Express. The ferry departs from the main ferry dock in Caye Caulker, and the main ferry dock in Belize City.
A single ticket costs around £17 ($20) per person from Caye Caulker to Belize City. From Belize City, you will reclaim your luggage and board your shuttle.
TOP TIP: The Caye Caulker to Belize City ferry is slow, and often runs late. We waited over 30 minutes for our ferry to depart. Luckily, our shuttle waited for us, but this was because we booked through the E-Z Boy Tour hut on Caye Caulker, and he spoke directly to the driver. If you have booked anything online, I recommend giving yourself at least 90-120 minutes between the ferry departure time and the shuttle departure time.
Current ferry times from Caye Caulker to Belize City are:
- 6.30am
- 7.30am
- 9am
- 10.30am
- 12pm
- 1.30pm
- 3.30pm
- 5pm
Of course, these can change without a lot of notice, so be sure to double-check online or with your guide in Caye Caulker.
1. Ferry + Shuttle from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio
Boarding the ferry from Caye Caulker to Belize City and then getting a shuttle 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 Caye Caulker, 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!
We booked our Mayan World shuttle tickets from the E-Z Boy Tours hut on Caye Caulker (near Ice and Beans).
They gave us both our ferry and shuttle tickets and told the driver to wait for us at Belize City if the ferry was running late (and he did). We also used them to pick us up from our accommodation in San Ignacio to then travel to Flores, Guatemala.
Our driver met us at Belize City pier, just outside one of the first big souvenir shops as you dock. 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 shuttles 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 there 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 at Belize City dock 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. Ferry + Public Bus from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio
The second option is to board the ferry from Caye Caulker to Belize City, and then find the public bus. Tickets from Belize City to San Ignacio cost just $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.
If you’re travelling with a big backpack (like most of us are), you will need to put this at the back 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.
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 for the journey between Belize City and San Ignacio, you won’t make any stops. Make sure you go beforehand!
3. Ferry + Rental Car from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio
Another option when travelling from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio is to rent your own car. Of course, you will need to board the ferry from Caye Caulker to Belize City first, but then you can pick up your hire car.
Driving in Belize is a popular way to get around the country. There are only 4 main highways, and these roads 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 25 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.
4. Ferry + Taxi from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio
The first part of your journey will still be boarding the ferry at Caye Caulker to reach Belize City. If you then decide to grab a taxi to San Ignacio, this will be the most expensive option.
As you arrive in the ferry port, there are quite literally hundreds of taxi drivers wanting to take you to your destination. Make sure you get a definite quote beforehand, and check they have a green license plate to ensure they’re a registered and trustworthy driver.
Taxis from Belize City to San Ignacio will be over $120 USD per vehicle due to the long journey time.
Note that Belize does not have Uber or Lyft in 2023.
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.
How to get from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio?
The is no direct way to travel from Caye Caulker to San Ignacio, as you will need to board a ferry from Caye Caulker to mainland Belize before completing the journey. The most popular option is to catch a ferry from Caye Caulker to Belize City, then the shuttle bus to San Ignacio. The entire journey should take around 3 hours.
How many days should you spend in Caye Caulker?
If you’re visiting Caye Caulker for the first time, I recommend spending at least 4-5 days on the island. It’s one of those places that’s hard to leave, and the longer the better! There is so much to see and do in Caye Caulker, with some tourists staying for up to a week.
As backpackers, we arrived in Caye Caulker not really knowing what to expect. We were so surprised that we actually extended our stay by a week! And it wasn’t just us; we were surrounded by other backpackers who did the same. There’s just so much to do, people to meet, food to taste and experiences to be hard – and it’s hard to leave when you realise how beautiful it is!
How do I pronounce ‘Caye Caulker?’
Surprisingly, it’s not pronounced ‘Caye’ (c-ay) Caulker at all. It’s pronounced ‘key’ (k-ee) Caulker. We didn’t learn this until after arriving in 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!)
If you’re staying for a few nights, there are plenty of day trips from San Ignacio, including the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, the Hummingbird Highway, the Caracol Ruins and Xunantunich. San Ignacio is a great base to have in Belize to explore the rest of the country!
Need to know more about San Ignacio? You can check out my complete San Ignacio backpacker guide here!
Is San Ignacio Belize safe?
It’s impossible to say whether a place is totally safe or not, but from our personal experience, the low crime rates of the town and other visitors’ experiences, San Ignacio is a safe place to visit. If you’re a solo female traveller, it is safe to walk around Belize, but as always, use common sense and check out my Central America safety guide here.
As a solo female backpacker, you may also experience some heckling or looks from locals across Central America. As I walked around by myself, I found this was quite common but never harmful. It stopped as soon as I didn’t respond. This can be quite annoying, but don’t let it disrupt your travels.
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!
Where to stay in San Ignacio as a backpacker
San Ignacio is a small town which can be walked around on foot. All of the main hostels are in the town centre.
There are a few hostels which backpackers tend to stay in and prefer. These are great as you can book your shuttle, tours and transport to Flores, Guatemala through them.
If you’re visiting San Ignacio for the first time as a backpacker, I recommend staying in one of the following hostels because of their low budget and good location:
Fancy something different? We stayed in a cabin just on the outskirts of San Ignacio, and it was absolute paradise. I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re solo, but if you’re backpacking with your partner, it’s a great option to experience some of the San Ignacio countryside! You can check it out here.
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!
How To Get From Caye Caulker to San Ignacio (Belize): In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about how to get from Caye Caulker 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!
If you haven’t come across my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently backpacking Belize 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:
- Best Places To Eat In Caye Caulker (Backpacker Guide)
- Is Caye Caulker A Party Island? Backpacker Guide
- Best Hostels In Caye Caulker For Backpackers
- Snorkeling in Caye Caulker: BEST Company
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).
