After you cross the border to Belize, what do you do? Playaloves.me has discovered that travelers can enjoy an ariel view of the Belize keys, go diving and swim with stingrays and nurse sharks all in one day!
First, follow our guide on how to get from Cancun or Playa del Carmen, Mexico to Corozal, Belize. Make sure you arrive early morning or stay a night in Corozal in order to get an early start the next day.
Once in Corozal, take a taxi to the Corozal airport. Don’t expect much, it’s a single landing strip for small Cesna jets. Two airlines operate out of Corozal airport, Tropic Air and Maya Island Air. From here you can fly to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker. Standard airfares usually cost about $99 Belize dollars (remember every $1 US is equal to $2 Belize Dollars). During the month of October, Tropic Air was running a special 50 percent discount – one that is probably repeated during low-season months. The quick 15 to 20 minute flight offers spectacular ariel views of the Belize coast and the dozens of small islands, or keys, that lie just off shore. Flight schedules are subject to change, but look for the 7:00 AM or 8:00 AM flight. Even if you catch the 8:00 AM flight, you make it to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker in plenty of time to catch the first dive trips of the day.
The cayes (pronounced keys), the offshore atolls, and the barrier reef are the main attractions in Belize. The barrier reef, which is 185 miles long, is the longest in the Western Hemisphere. The cayes are coral sand and/or mangroves islands, that are located between the mainland and the barrier reef, on the barrier reef, and on or within the reef perimeters of the offshore atolls.
For more info on diving in Belize visit divebelize.com.
Most dive shops depart for their first dive excursions at 9:00 AM. In San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Amigos del Mar is highly recommended for its top quality service and equipment. Remember, top quality means top dollar. Playaloves.me co-founder Laura McNamara has used Aqua Scuba Center. She highly recommends the cheerful crew, though, she admits the equipment shows use. During the month of October, Aqua Scuba Center was offering a deal of one dive in Holchan Marine Reserve plus a snorkel encounter with stingrays and nurse sharks at Shark Ray Alley for $50 US (plus the $10 US entrance fee to the reserve). If you dive with Amigos del Mar or another company that doesn’t include the snorkel encounter, don’t fret. After your morning dive trip you can catch an afternoon snorkel trip departing from Ruby’s Hotel for $35 US.
The last flight back to Corozal is at 5 PM. From Corozal, travel back through the Belize and Mexican borders, pass through customs and head for the ADO. Routes running from Chetumal back to Playa del Carmen and Cancun depart as late as midnight.
Quick Tips:
- One US Dollar is equivalent to 2 Belize Dollars.
- One Belize dollar goes for 6 or 7 pesos.
- If your in Corozal and you need to change money, ask for “Mr. Pech” or “Mr. Pech Jr.” (people will direct you to his house). The father-son team offers a competitive exchange rate buying your pesos at 6.40 Mexican pesos per Belize Dollar. DO NOT exchange your money at the town’s bus station convenience shop. They’ll ask for a rate of 8 Mexican pesos for one Belize Dollar.
- If you have to stay overnight and want the infamous three Bs – “bueno, barrato y bonito,” stay at Sea Breeze Hotel. Gywn the Welsh owner is direct but easy-going and super helpful. The budget hotel sits right on the water. You can watch the sunrise stretch across the calm bay from his second floor glass bar or from the dock outside.
- If you’re not keen on flying to the keys, take a ferry. The ferry departs from Corozal at 7 AM daily arriving in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye ($45 Belize) and Caye Caulker ($50 Belize). The trip by water is just under two hours.
- Cerros is a small site of ancient Mayan ruins and is just a 40 minute drive from Corozal. The Cerros Beach Resort, an low-impact, environmentally friendly resort that relies on solar and wind power, is located at the foot of the ruins.
- Visiting the ancient Mayan ruins at Lamanai is a day excursion in itself. This site is larger than Cerros and offers the opportunity to climb to the top of one of the temples for a birds-eye view of the surrounding jungle. The tour from Corozal includes a 26 mile boat ride up the New River.
- Caye Caulker is known as the more relaxed Euro-style, backpacker hotspot versus the more American influence at Ambergris Caye.
- Extending your vacation in Belize? Head to Hopkins, a great starting point for tours offered in the southern region, including Glover’s Cove and the Blue Hole.