How to Get from Belize City to Punta Gorda: A Step-by-Step Guide to Every Option (2026)
Updated: Oct 11
Punta Gorda, or “PG” as we call it here, is Belize’s southernmost town and the gateway to Toledo District. Maya villages, cacao farms, Blue Creek Cave, Rio Blanco Falls, and the quiet southern cayes are all within reach, and PG is also where boats leave for Livingston, Guatemala, so it’s a natural stop if you’re continuing across the border.
Until recently, the quickest way to get here was a short domestic flight. That’s changing. Tropic Air announced it will suspend its Belize City to Punta Gorda flights starting November 1. After that date, the only way to reach PG is by road, which makes choosing the right ground transportation more important than ever.
That leaves three options: the public bus, a rental car, or a private shuttle. The bus is the budget choice but takes 6 to 8 hours. Driving yourself or booking a private shuttle cuts the trip to about 3.5 to 4.5 hours, and a shuttle adds door-to-door service, so there’s no navigating, no bus transfers, and no hauling luggage between stops.
This is one of the longest road journeys most visitors take in Belize, and how you travel can shape the first day of your trip. Whether you care most about budget, flexibility, or comfort, it helps to know what to expect before you set off.
I’m Christina, owner of Bucket List Tours & Transfers Belize, a licensed and insured tour and transfer company based in Hopkins Village. Our drivers travel the Southern Highway every week, and we know this route well. In this guide, I’ll walk you through each option, explain the practical trade-offs, and help you choose the best way to get from Belize City to Punta Gorda.
Belize City to Punta Gorda at a glance
Prices are approximate as of October 2026 and change often; confirm before you travel.
Option | Travel time | Approx. cost | Best for | Watch out for |
Public bus | 6 to 8 hours | About BZ$35 to $45 (US$17.50 to $22.50) | Budget and solo travelers | Few rest stops; you must first get from the airport to the bus terminal in Belize City |
Rental car | 3.5 to 4.5 hours | Daily rental plus fuel | Independent travelers exploring Toledo villages | Speed bumps, no night driving, return logistics |
About 4 to 4.5 hours, door to door | 350 USD per vehicle for up to 3 people and 25USD for each additional person | Families, groups, lots of luggage, airport arrivals | Book at least 48 to 72 hours ahead |
Option 1: Take the public bus
The bus is the cheapest way to reach Punta Gorda and offers a local travel experience, but plan for a full travel day. Buses depart from Belize City’s main bus terminal, still known locally as Novelo’s, and travel through Belmopan, along the scenic Hummingbird Highway, and down the Southern Highway to Punta Gorda Town. Expect the journey to take approximately 6.5 to 7 hours, depending on stops. Along the way, buses pick up and drop off passengers at roadside stops and at bus terminals in Belmopan, Dangriga, and Independence Village before reaching their final stop in Punta Gorda.
Belize's bus system is in transition in 2026. The government launched a consolidated National Bus Company this year, bringing together most operators including James Bus Line, the long-time PG carrier. Schedules and bus names may differ from older guides, so check the current timetables on Visit Toledo's Getting Here page before you go. With flights suspended, buses south may also be busier than usual, so arrive early to get a seat.
Get from the airport to the bus terminal. There is no bus at the international airport; a taxi into Belize City takes about 30 minutes and costs roughly US$25 to $35.
Choose an express bus if one fits your timing. Express buses make fewer stops, are faster and are sometimes air-conditioned.
Pay at the terminal ticketing booth in Belize dollars, in cash. Since April 24, 2026, government-approved fares are up to BZ$0.18 per mile for regular service, BZ$0.20 for express and BZ$0.22 for a new optional premium service. For the full PG run, that works out to roughly BZ$35 to $45.
Keep your valuables and documents with you, and keep an eye on bags stored at the back or on the roof.
Bring water and snacks. The main stops are Belmopan, Dangriga and Independence Village where vendors often come on board.
Arrive at the PG terminal in town. Most hotels are walking distance or a short taxi ride away.
Good to know: Avoid relying on the last bus of the day, especially if you arrive on an afternoon international flight. Allow around 45 minutes to clear immigration and customs, though this can take longer, plus time to transfer from Philip Goldson International Airport to the Belize City bus terminal. The bus journey to Punta Gorda then takes approximately 6 to 7 hours. Depending on your arrival time and the bus schedule, you may need to spend the night in Belize City and travel south the following morning.
Option 2: Drive yourself
Renting a car gives you the most freedom, especially if you want to explore Maya villages, Blue Creek or Rio Blanco once you arrive. Rental desks are just outside the Philip Goldson International Airport. You have two routes, according to Visit Toledo:
Route | Distance | Drive time | What it's like |
Coastal Highway (via Manatee Road) | About 147 miles (238 km) | About 3.5 hours | Shorter, flatter, recently upgraded; fewer services along the way |
Hummingbird Highway (via Belmopan) | About 193 miles (311 km) | About 4 hours 15 minutes | The scenic route through mountains and citrus orchards; more fuel and food stops |
Book your rental in advance and pick it up at BZE. A mid-size SUV is worth it if you plan to visit villages on dirt roads.
Leave early. Aim to reach PG before dark, because highways are poorly lit and pedestrians and cyclists use the shoulders.
Pick your route. From the airport, head west on the George Price Highway, then turn south on the Coastal Highway or continue to Belmopan for the Hummingbird.
Join the Southern Highway near Dangriga and follow it all the way south to Punta Gorda. Fill up in Dangriga or Independence; gas stations thin out farther south.
Watch for speed bumps near every village. Some are unmarked.
Remember Belize's left-turn rule on highways: pull onto the right shoulder, let traffic pass in both directions, then turn.
Good to know: A stop at the Belize Zoo is a great way to break up the drive. If your route is along the Hummingbird Highway, consider stopping at St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park for a refreshing swim in the Inland Blue Hole, a natural freshwater cenote surrounded by lush forest.
Option 3: Book a private shuttle (door to door)
With no flights to PG, a private transfer is now the fastest and simplest way to get there straight off an international flight. Your driver meets you at arrivals, loads your bags and takes you directly to your hotel or lodge in PG or the surrounding villages, in about 4 to 4.5 hours. There is no taxi to the bus terminal, no luggage worry and no driving on unfamiliar roads.
Bucket List Tours & Transfers Belize runs this route from Belize City (BZE airport) to Punta Gorda. Here is how it works:
Book at least 48 hours ahead, and 72 hours for groups of 6 or more. Send your flight number so we can track delays.
Pricing is per vehicle, not per person: 350USD covers up to 3 passengers, plus 25USD for each additional person. Extra luggage is never charged.
We match the vehicle to your group: a Toyota Sienna for 1 to 5 people, a Toyota Hiace van for 4 to 7, and a Hiace with a luggage trailer for 8 to 11.
Your driver meets you outside arrivals with a name sign.
Grocery or lunch stops (20 to 40 minutes) and photo stops are free. Cave tubing at St. Herman's Blue Hole on the Hummingbird Highway can be added for an extra cost and about 3 more hours.
You are dropped at the door of your accommodation.
All vehicles are air-conditioned, car seats are available, and we accept credit cards. We are licensed by the Belize Tourism Board (license #T0 05-127) and carry passenger and public liability insurance. Cancellations more than 48 hours before departure get a full refund.
Book your Belize City to Punta Gorda shuttle: https://www.bucketlisttoursbelize.com/shuttle-from-belize-city-to-punta-gorda or WhatsApp +501 615-6874.
Arriving in Punta Gorda: what to know
PG is small and walkable. The bus terminal, waterfront and Main Street are all close together.
Bring Belize or US dollars in cash for village tours and small shops; there are banks with ATMs in town.
Most Toledo experiences (Maya villages, cacao farms, Lubaantun, Nim Li Punit, Blue Creek) are outside town, so arrange a tour or keep your rental car.
Going on to Guatemala? Water taxis leave from the main pier in PG. On weekdays, boats run to Puerto Barrios at about 9:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., and to Livingston on Tuesdays and Fridays. Schedules change; confirm the day before and bring your passport and the departure fee.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Punta Gorda from Belize City?
About 147 miles (238 km) by the Coastal Highway or about 193 miles (311 km) by the Hummingbird Highway.
Can I fly from Belize City to Punta Gorda?
Not at the moment. As of September 30, 2026, Tropic Air has suspended domestic flights between Belize City and Punta Gorda, and there is no confirmed date for them to resume. For now, you'll need to travel by road.
What is the fastest way to get from Belize City to Punta Gorda?
By road, driving yourself on the Coastal Highway takes about 3.5 hours. A private shuttle from the international airport takes about 4 to 4.5 hours door to door, with no taxi or bus terminal in between.
What is the cheapest way to get to Punta Gorda?
The public bus, at roughly BZ$35 to $45 one way in 2026, but it takes 6 to 8 hours.
Can I go straight from the international airport to Punta Gorda?
Yes. You can rent a car at the airport or book a private shuttle that meets you at arrivals. The bus requires a taxi into Belize City first.
Is it safe to drive to Punta Gorda Town?
The highways are paved and generally in good condition. Drive in daylight, watch for speed bumps and pedestrians near villages, and follow the left-turn rule on highways.
How long does a private shuttle from Belize City to Punta Gorda take?
About 4 to 4.5 hours door to door, depending on route, traffic and any stops you add.
Can I get from Punta Gorda to Guatemala?
Yes, by water taxi from PG's main pier to Puerto Barrios or Livingston. There is no car ferry.
About the author
Christina Saldana is the owner of Bucket List Tours & Transfers Belize in Hopkins Village, Stann Creek District. Her licensed, insured team runs private transfers and tours across Belize every week, including the long drive south to Toledo. Questions about getting to PG? Email christina@bucketlisttoursbelize.com or WhatsApp +501 615-6874.
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