How To Get From Chetumal To Caye Caulker (Belize) 2023 Guide
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Looking for the best ways to get from Chetumal to Caye Caulker? You’re in the right place! We travelled from Chetumal to Caye Caulker in 2023 and picked up plenty of tips to share with you along the way.
Chetumal (Mexico) is the gateway for most backpackers and travellers to reach Belize. In summary, the best way to travel from Mexico to Belize is a short and pleasant ferry journey from Chetumal to Caye Caulker.
In this post, you’ll find everything you need to know about boarding the Chetumal to Caye Caulker (or San Pedro) ferry. From where to go, how much it costs to all of the ins and outs, let’s get you from Mexico to Belize!
EXPERT TIP: You MUST pre-book your tickets from Chetumal to Caye Caulker, as the necessary immigration checks need to be done. If you’re short of time, check out the ferry ticket prices and journey times here.
More of a visual learner? I have a reel on my Instagram showing the border crossing between Mexico and Belize. Check it out here!
How To Get From Chetumal To Caye Caulker: Step-By-Step
It’s important to know that Chetumal is in Mexico, and Caye Caulker is in Belize. This means this journey consists of a border crossing.
At the time of writing this, the best way to travel from Chetumal to Caye Caulker is by ferry. The ferry is safe, easy and full of other backpackers and tourists, so you might even make some friends along the way!
If you’re arriving in Chetumal by ADO bus from Cancun, Tulum, Chiquila, Playa Del Carmen or Bacalar, the bus station ISN’T near the ferry dock. You will need to grab a taxi when you arrive (or a colectivo if you’re lucky).
Quick stats (accurate as of October 2023):
- Book with Water Jets International. Their ferry port is in Chetumal, which is 30 minutes from Bacalar.
- Boats leave at 10am every morning, however, you need to arrive 2 hours in advance to fill out the immigration paperwork. The queue was full by 8am, so arrive in plenty of time!
- Single tickets from Chetumal to Caye Caulker cost around 1400 MXN (£60/$74). Tickets are emailed directly to your phone, so you don’t need to worry about printing them out or having a paper copy.
- Before boarding the ferry, you’ll line up to check in, then line up again for a Mexican immigration check. They simply ask whether you’ll be returning to Mexico or not, and stamp your passport.
- The journey consists of taking 2 small ferries (more like small boats). You’ll have a 90-minute journey, then a stop at San Pedro for a Belizean immigration check, then 30 minutes longer on the boat to arrive in Caye Caulker. You can depart at either Caye Caulker or San Pedro (depending on your preference or where you’re staying).
- There are no toilets or facilities onboard, so make sure you go beforehand. There are clean(ish) toilets at the Chetumal ferry terminal.
- The Chetumal ferry port isn’t great for food and drink. If you want snacks, buy them beforehand in one of the local shops or supermarkets in Chetumal.
- Expect to arrive at Chetumal ferry dock at 8am, board around 10am, and then arrive in Caye Caulker at 12.30pm!
All in all, it’s an easy and straightforward journey. We had zero problems en route, and everything went as well as it could have done.
TOP TIP: I would highly recommend travelling with Water Jets International, especially if you’re a backpacker! Our boat was full of other Brits, Americans and Europeans. Great if you’re solo travelling!
| Tip
📲 Make your travelling easier by downloading an eSIM. This way, you won’t have to worry about roaming payments and mobile connection quality. I prefer Airalo eSIMs – you can check out the availability and prices here.
How long does the ferry from Chetumal to Caye Caulker take?
The ferry from Chetumal to Caye Caulker is in two parts. The first part of the journey takes 90 minutes, and then you have a 45-minute or so stop at San Pedro for Belizean immigration checks.
The second part of the journey (if you’re going to Caye Caulker and not stopping at San Pedro) takes around 30 minutes. This is the best part of the journey, as the water is crystal clear and a ridiculously beautiful blue colour.
In summary, the journey between Chetumal and Caye Caulker looks as follows:
- 8am: Arrive at the Chetumal ferry terminal
- 10am: Board the ferry to San Pedro
- 11.15/11.30am: San Pedro immigration
- 12pm: Ferry to Caye Caulker
- 12.30pm: Arrive in Caye Caulker
Of course, this can change due to weather or the Belizean island staff really living by their ‘go slow’ motto. They’re not in a hurry, so make sure you’re not either!
How many ferries run from Chetumal to Caye Caulker each day?
There is one ferry per day travelling from Chetumal to Caye Caulker. These are the following journeys made by Water Jets International every day:
- Chetumal to San Pedro (10am)
- Chetumal to Caye Caulker (10am)
- Caye Caulker to Chetumal (12.45pm)
- San Pedro to Chetumal (2.30pm)
What to expect on the Chetumal to Caye Caulker ferry
The ferry itself isn’t quite a ferry. In my eyes, a ferry is a large boat with a cafe on board, maybe a few sets of stairs, a gift shop and public toilets. This boat was the complete opposite!
Named the Eva Bay ferry, this was a small boat with no space to walk around or move. But it’s only for a short time, so it doesn’t really matter.
You’ll have enough room for yourself and your bags, but don’t expect any room for anything else. It’s essentially a large speedboat – but it felt safe and smooth the entire way!
You’re able to look out the window at the turquoise blue Caribbean Sea, and watch as the tiny tropical islands start to appear in the distance. If you’re lucky, you may even spot some marine animals!
It may be small (and a little cramped), but the ferry from Chetumal to Caye Caulker is safe, reliable and easy. It’s the perfect transportation for travelling between Mexico and Belize, especially if you want to experience a slice of Caye Caulker paradise.
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!
How much does travelling from Chetumal to Caye Caulker (Belize) cost?
If you book with Water Jets International, single tickets from Chetumal to Caye Caulker start from 1400 MXN (£60/$74). Tickets are emailed directly to your phone.
You MUST pre-book your tickets from Chetumal to Caye Caulker, as the necessary immigration checks need to be done.
You’re unable to book your ferry within 24 hours of your departure date, so book ahead!
Do I need to buy Caye Caulker ferry tickets in advance?
Yes, yes and yes again. You will NOT be allowed on the boat if you have bought your ticket too late (within 24 hours of departure), and you are not able to buy tickets on the door.
You MUST pre-book your tickets from Chetumal to Caye Caulker, as the necessary immigration checks need to be done. You’re unable to book your ferry within 24 hours of your departure date, so book ahead!
Where is the Chetumal ferry port?
The Chetumal ferry port is close to the Belizean border, south of Chetumal town.
The exact address is Blvd. Bahía S/N, Centro, 77000 Chetumal, Q.R., Mexico.
Most backpackers stay in Bacalar the night before boarding the ferry to Caye Caulker. This is a personal preference.
We actually (mistakingly) stayed in Chetumal, but we arrived late and left early, so it wasn’t much of a problem. If you have more time, I wouldn’t recommend staying in Chetumal.
There’s not a lot going on, not much to see or do, and the town doesn’t attract many tourists. You’re better off planning a night or two in Bacalar, and then travelling to the ferry dock early the next morning.
There is an ADO bus from Bacalar to Chetumal which leaves at 5am and takes 30 minutes, but sometimes this gets cancelled. If it does, don’t panic!
Catch a colectivo. These are locally run, Mexican buses that travel all over the country at a cheap price. They’re safe, but you’ll be sharing your journey with locals rather than tourists. Hail one on the street and check it’s going to Chetumal. These are frequent, so don’t panic if there’s a problem with the ADO bus.
Arriving in Caye Caulker (Belize)
If you don’t know already, Caye Caulker is tiny. Like, tiny tiny. The ferry port is right in the middle of the main road, and you can either turn left or right to reach your accommodation. It’s almost impossible to get lost.
Nine times out of ten, you’ll be able to walk with your bags to your accommodation. If you’re staying right at the other end of the island, you can either have a 20-minute walk or grab a golf cart (via taxi or hiring yourself). This is rare, as most hostels and Airbnb’s are within a 5-minute walk of the ferry dock.
Caye Caulker doesn’t have any cars, just golf carts and bicycles. It really is tiny!
Backpacking Caye Caulker? Check out my full Caye Caulker travel guide here!
What documents do I need to enter Belize?
Just your passport if you’re from the UK, as we are granted an automatic 30-day visa at the border.
When you arrive at the Chetumal ferry terminal, you’ll be given a number of papers to fill out for immigration on both the Mexican and Belizean sides (top tip – have a pen handy!)
These are easy to fill out, and the Belizean papers just require you to state where you’re from, what you’re visiting for, and other regular immigration questions.
At the San Pedro immigration stop, you’ll be asked questions like why you’re visiting, where you’re staying and whether you have a drone or not. We did have a drone, and they did threaten to take it off us. However, he let us keep it under the promise we wouldn’t use it.
The planes in Caye Caulker and across the Belizean islands fly low to see the Blue Hole, so flying a drone isn’t the best idea. Sucks!
Do I need a visa to enter Belize?
If you are travelling from the UK, you do not need a visa to enter Belize. On arrival, you are granted a 30-day tourist stay, marked with a stamp on your passport.
The same goes for if you’re from the USA. However for Americans, if you’re staying longer than 180 days, you’ll need a visa.
Belize doesn’t require a visa from most European citizens either (such as Italy, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands), but you can look online to check here.
Arriving in Chetumal (Mexico)
If you’re travelling in the opposite direction and arrive in Mexico, you’ll disembark in Chetumal. There isn’t much to see or do in Chetumal, so I recommend grabbing a taxi from the dock to the ADO bus station, and boarding a bus for onward travel.
Most backpackers visit Bacalar after Caye Caulker, but this is personal preference. You can catch the ADO bus to Bacalar, Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, Cancun and even Chiquila (Isla Holbox) from Chetumal.
What documents do I need to exit Mexico?
As you’ll be changing countries, you’ll need to ensure you have all the necessary documents to travel.
Leaving Mexico is easy (paperwork-wise). All you need is your passport, and the hope that you haven’t overstayed your visa. If you’re from the UK, you would have been granted 6 months from the date of your arrival.
When you arrive at the Chetumal ferry terminal, you’ll be given a number of papers to fill out for immigration on both the Mexican and Belizean sides (top tip – have a pen handy!)
The Mexican papers just ask you to declare facts like name, address, and whether you are taking a large sum of money to Belize in cash (which as backpackers, isn’t likely).
Do I need a visa to enter Mexico?
If you are travelling from the UK to Mexico, you do not need a visa. We are granted 6 months on arrival, marked with a stamp on our passport. Again, the same goes for citizens of the United States and European countries.
However, if you would like to check if you country is on the list, you can have a look here.
Backpacking Caye Caulker? Check out my full Caye Caulker travel guide here!
Flying from Mexico to Belize
If you don’t want to board the ferry from Mexico to Belize, there are other ways around it. However, they can be expensive!
Fly from Cancun to Belize City, but then book an onward boat to Caye Caulker. Belize City to Caye Caulker ferries take about 45 minutes, and there are 5 ferries per day.
Backpacking Belize? Check out my full Belize travel guide here!
| Tip
🚗 Here’s a convenient transfer option between Chetumal Airport and Bacalar hotel.
Chetumal to Caye Caulker: FAQs
1) How do I get from Caye Caulker to Mexico?
The easiest way to get from Caye Caulker to Mexico is by ferry (Water Jets International).
The ferry leaves Caye Caulker at 12.45pm, and arrives in Chetumal. Chetumal isn’t a great place for backpackers, so I’d recommend jumping on a bus or colectivo to Bacalar (30 minutes away).
However, you can get the ferry over to Belize City, and then fly to another location in Mexico (such as Cancun, Mexico City or Guadalajara). This all depends on your budget and time scale.
Just remember that Caye Caulker is an island, so you’ll need to get the ferry at some point.
2) Can I get the bus to Chetumal?
If you’re arriving in Chetumal by ADO bus from Cancun, Tulum, Chiquila, Playa Del Carmen or Bacalar, the bus station ISN’T near the ferry dock. You will need to grab a taxi when you arrive (or a colectivo if you’re lucky).
3) Is it worth visiting Chetumal?
There isn’t much to see or do in Chetumal, so I recommend grabbing a taxi from the dock to the ADO bus station, and boarding a bus for onward travel if you’re arriving in Chetumal.
Most backpackers visit Bacalar after Caye Caulker, but this is a personal preference. You can catch the ADO bus to Bacalar, Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, Cancun and even Chiquila (Isla Holbox) from Chetumal.
4) Is Caye Caulker worth visiting?
Yes, yes and yes again! Caye Caulker is a slice of Caribbean paradise. There’s a reason why it’s so popular! It has a laid-back, ‘go slow’ vibe, with a fun and welcoming atmosphere.
Expect BBQs on the beach firing up jerk chicken, rum punch from a coconut and reggae vibes in the bars in the evenings.
Plus, Caye Caulker is home to the second biggest barrier reef in the world. On our snorkelling trip, we saw some of the best wildlife we had ever seen. Expect nurse sharks, stingrays, manatees, turtles, pelicans and more. It’s totally worth it!
If a slow pace and a relaxed way of life, with a mix of nature, wildlife and beach vibes, Caye Caulker is so worth visiting.
5) How long is the bus ride from Chetumal to Cancun?
If you’re travelling from Cancun to Chetumal (or vice versa), the ADO bus will take around 6 hours.
There are toilets onboard, but no wifi (as they always state). ADO buses are safe, clean and reliable. They’re the best way to travel around Mexico as a backpacker.
Best backpacker travel insurance for Mexico
If you’re visiting Mexico 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 Mexico, 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 Mexico. 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 Chetumal to Caye Caulker (Belize): In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about how to get from Chetumal to Caye Caulker (Belize).
When you’re planning a trip to Mexico, 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 Mexico with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Mexico and 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 Mexico/Belize posts:
- ATMs in Holbox: Exact Locations
- Is Oaxaca Worth Visiting? An Honest Opinion!
- How To Get From Cancun To Oaxaca: COMPLETE Guide
- BEST Hostels in Tulum for Backpackers! (Guide)
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).
