On the Road in Belize
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When
drive with a car trough Belize,
you can plan, take as much time as you want, and return when you're
ready. No waiting on buses or scheduling flights, and no worrying about
making change for a taxi driver. Many of Belize natural wonders and
man-made attractions are easily accessible by car.
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Click any Pictures to enlarge
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Driving
by Car in Belize is
best way to feel the magic, stop on every site you like and shoot
exciting photo from mountain vistas, scenic rivers, waterfalls and
small villages.
On the other side, you need to take caution for the unusual local
traffic customs, and bicyclists often ride contrary to traffic or
carrying heavy loads or passengers, including balancing small children
on their laps or across the handlebars. Many vehicles on the road do
not have functioning safety equipment such as turn signals, flashers,
or brake lights.
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Drive with your Car to Belize
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If
you are planning on driving your own vehicle to Belize, you will be
required to purchase a Belize Liability Insurance for the duration of
your stay and a one-month importation permit at the border. The car
will be registered in your passport.
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For the permit you
need a proof of car ownership or rental documents
and for the insurance there are insurance agents at the border. If you
stay over one month, e permit extension can be obtained by applying to
the Customs
Department in Belize
City, call +501 227 70 92. |
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Rent a Car in Belize
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In
Belize, rental prices are high a in Europa, but for a group of 3-4
people a rental car in Belize is inexpensive a way to visit a Maya site
or nature park compared to a tour operator. To save a bit of money, you
can online reserve a car before you reach Belize.
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If you stay in the rainy
season from June to November or you like to
visit remote locations a all-terrain vehicles or SUV would be the best
choice. The best deals you get usually on weekly rentals. To rent a car
in Belize you should be over 21 years old and paying the extra money
for the insurance. Based on our experience we can recommend Avis and
Crystal Rental.
While you stay in San
Pedro or Caye
Caulker, the only car you can rent,
are electric or gas Club Golf Cart. Be sure you get a lock when you
rent one.
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Check the rental
car for any scratches or dents or any other previous damages and write
them in your rental contract. Also check that there is enough air in
your tires and ensure that there is a spare tire and a jack. Be sure
that there is engine coolant, oil and windshield washer fluid. Ask what
will happen if you have a break-down somewhere in the busch, and carry
a cell phone with you.
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Gas Stations
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Every town has one
or more gas stations. Esso, Shell and Texaco are operating all over
Belize 50 plus gas stations. If you are using a Highway, then you will
find at least every 50 Mile (80 km) a gas station. Belize Gas stations,
in accepting cash in Belize or U.S. dollars.
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If there is access
to a phone line then the gas station mostly also accept credit
cards, but don’t bet on it and keep always 50 Belize dollars for gas in
your wallet. The most gas stations have a small shop with snacks and
drinks and
basic maintenance goods. There is always a mechanics around a gas
station for minor service jobs like oil changes and tire repairs. |
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Current Road Situation
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We always try to
keep you up to date with the road conditions here in Belize. If the
road isn't paved, it can be slippery and danger in the rainy season and
very bumpy in the dry season.
Last Update: 15. September 2009
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Placencia
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If
you leave the Southern Highway, there
is a bumpy road with
construction from Santa Cruz till Maya Beach. From Maya Beach, the Road
is paved all the way down to Placencia.
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Kendal Bridge
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The Kendal Bridge
on the Southern Highway was swept away
by powerful flash floods following the passage of Arthur
in 2008. Now there is a low level bridge but uf there is massive
flooding, the waiting time to cross is between 24 to 36 hours. In new
Kendal Bridge is expectet by the end of 2011.
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Southern Highway
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In
the area of Nim Li Punit, between Golden Stream and Indian Creek,
there is still a 5 mile part of the road under construction and will be
paved soon. On the Southern Highway
you will have a beautiful view of
the Maya Mountains.
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Taxis
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One inexpensive way
to get around in Belize is by taxi. Taxis are widely available, even on
the country side. The only way to identify a taxi for sure is the green
number plate. Because taxis in Belize never have a meter, negotiate the
fare before the ride.
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Some minibus taxis
stop many times on the way to pick up more passengers. Mostly every
town has there own taxi association and taxis are
regulated by the traffic department of each town. |
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Bikes and Bicycles
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In
Belize, bicycles are becoming increasingly popular. The most used model
is the Beachcruiser an old-fashioned 1-speed bike with pedal brakes and
no rear-view mirror and no lights. Bikes are easy to find in San
Pedro, Cay
Caulker, Placencia
and San
Ignacio.
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The
rate for renting a bike for a week is around 40 Belize Dollars. Bikes
are a great way to have fun and stay in shape while seeing Belize. |
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Traffic Rules
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In
Belize, driving is done on the
right hand side of the roads. Seatbelts for drivers and front-seat
passengers are mandatory, but child car seats are not required. Driving
while intoxicated is punishable by a fine; if an alcohol-related
accident results in a fatality, the driver may face manslaughter
charges.
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The speed limit in
Belize is 55
miles per hour on most highways and 25 miles per hour on most other
roads, but they are seldom obeyed or even posted. |
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Highways and Roads
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Before striking out
on a journey, it's wise to inquire about current road conditions,
especially in the rainy season, when heavy rains create problems and
flooding. Mostly, only Highway and Town center are currently
paved. Only a few streets have lane markings or reflectors. There a
none road signs, except for directions and sometimes for speed, speed
bumps and narrow parts.
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Northern Highway
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The Northern
Highway stretches 85 miles from Belize
City over Orange
Walk Town to Corozal
Town and then a few miles to the border with Mexico at
Chetumal. The Northern Highway has two-lane paved and is a smooth ride.
Watch out for slow farming trucks in the harvest Season.
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Old Northern Highway
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The
Old Northern Highway, between Sand Hill and Orange
Walk Town, carries
with it a great deal of history. The narrow, paved road is in dire need
of repair; it's riddled with many potholes and washed out in many
sections. Along this Road are the Mayan Sites Altun
Ha, Colha and
Kichpanha.
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Western Highway
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The Western Highway
takes you 78 miles from Belize
City to the San
Ignacio. On the way you
pas Hattieville, the Belize
Zoo, Belmopan,
Santa Elena. From here you
can take the Benque
road to the Guatemala border. The Western Highway
has two-lane paved is in pretty good condition.
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Hummingbird Highway
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The
56 miles long Hummingbird Highway starts from Belmopan
down south to Dangriga.
Some of the Bridges are old Railway Bridges and have just
only a single lane. Gas is only available in Belmopan and Dangriga.
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Costal Highway or Manatee Road
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The
Manatee Road (Costal Highway) leading from a intersection at Mile 30
(close to Belize
Zoo), on the Western Highway passes Gales Point to Dangriga.
The Manatee Road, is unpaved, easily flooded after storms and
without services. Gales Point is well known for Manatee Watching.
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Southern Highway
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The
over 100 miles long Southern Highway runs from Dangriga,
down south to Punta
Gorda. Only a 5 mile part of the two line road is not paved. Gas
stations in Dangriga, Independence, Big Falls and around Punta Gorda.
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Roads
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Overall,
the roads in Belize are getting better and better. Bridges are often
mostly single lanes. Always top off the gas, before going to remote
areas. Speed bumps, the Belizean call them “sleeping policemen”, may
appear unexpectedly on roads near towns and schools.
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