What Destinations in Belize Offer Domestic Flights?
In Belize, the domestic flight industry runs a bit like buses might in larger countries. You'll find flights between most destinations. The dozen airports/strips in Belize typically run flights at the same times each day, and prices rarely go up.
All international flights land at Phillip Goldson International Airport (BZE), just outside Belize City. The two domestic airlines, Maya Island Air and Tropic Air, also have hubs there. Furthermore, 12 miles from here and even closer to Belize City is Belize Municipal Airstrip (TZA), the major hub connecting domestic flights.
Domestic flights are also offered on most of the islands in Belize, including Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and Caye Chapel.
Most of Belize's major cities have small airports, including Placencia Village, Dangriga, Corozal, Orange Walk, Cayo, and Punta Gorda. Besides the airport in Punta Gorda, there is another airport in the Toledo District called the Independence Airport (also known as the Savannah or Mango Creek Airport).
Related Questions
- What Are The Roads Like in Belize?
- What Are the Driving Times Between destinations in Belize?
- Can I Take Public Buses Around Belize?
- Is Belize Bike Friendly?
Destinations: Where to Go in Belize
Wondering where to go in Belize? There are more options than you think. A Belize beach getaway is just the beginning! Where to go and stay in Belize is a matter of what you want to do, and who you’re traveling with. Snorkeling at Glover’s Reef Atoll, trekking to the Maya ruins of Tikal from San Ignacio, or exploring the rainforests of the Rio Blanco National Park before returning to Punta Gorda are great destinations if you’re wondering where to go in Belize with family.
Domestic Flights in Belize
Belize is well connected by domestic flights, and these can be a quick and convenient way to get around the country. Domestic flights allow you to comfortably travel from one destination to another, as well as see a good bit of scenery along the way. These small airplanes often fly low, and passengers will enjoy awesome views of the coast, jungle, and Belize Barrier Reef during a flight.
Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island and the most well known destination in Belize. Located at the northern end of Belize’s waters, a small channel dug by the Maya separates Ambergris Caye from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The narrow, 25-mile (40-km) long island is surrounded by the Caribbean’s aquamarine waters and consists of mangroves, lagoons, and the laid back town of San Pedro, which sits upon a low sandy plateau near the southern end of the island.
Belize City
Almost all visitors to Belize find themselves in the country’s largest city at one point or another, but unfortunately Belize City is not an attractive destination for most. The majority of travelers who come here are merely passing through – Belize City is the transportation hub for all international and domestic flights, as well as ferries leaving to Ambergris and Caye Caulker. But Belize City has some hidden jewels and nearby attractions that make it worth a visit.
Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker is a sleepy, 5-mile (8-mile) long island with 1,300 residents. It’s just 21 miles (34 km) northeast of Belize City and is directly south of Ambergris Caye. With no cars or paved roads, the quiet sandy streets on Caye Caulker are only occupied by golf carts, beach cruisers, and pedestrians. Travelers come here to relax and enjoy the slow pace of island life, whether that be swaying in an ocean-front hammock, kayaking around the island’s calm waters and mangroves, or sunbathing at the popular hangout called the Split, a channel that separates the northern and southern half of the island. Like Ambergris Caye, the island sits just one mile west of the Belize Barrier Reef, offering easy access to the area’s best snorkeling and scuba activities.
Corozal
Corozal is a pleasant seaside town at the very northern end of Belize. Less than 8 miles (12 km) from the Belize-Mexico border, most visitors pass through Corozal on their way to or from popular destinations in Mexico such as Tulum and Chichen Itza.
Dangriga
After Belize City, Dangriga is the largest coastal town in Belize. With 12,500 residents, it is a bustling commercial center where nearby residents come to buy food, tools, and other necessities. Dangriga really doesn’t offer much in the way of tourism amenities, but curious travelers who find themselves wandering the busy streets will observe wheelings and dealings among locals, and get a real look at daily life on the Belize coastline.
Orange Walk
Orange Walk doesn't have much for tourists to see, with one major exception: the New River. New River skirts the east edge of town and gently flows all the way into the New River Lagoon where you can spot crocodiles, river turtles, black howler monkeys, and a wide array of birds.
Placencia Village
Beachfront reggae bars, colorful guesthouses, and a spacious expanse of beach attract tourists to Placencia Village. Located at the end of the 16-mile (28-km) Placencia peninsula, it is the most lively destination in the region. It offers restaurants, shopping, nightlife, accommodations, and tour services.
Punta Gorda
Located 195 miles (315 km) south of Belize City, Punta Gorda is the southernmost coastal town in Belize. Punta Gorda serves as the gateway to Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve, a group of shallow island atolls known for their colorful coral gardens and vibrant marine life. It’s also a good base for a visit to the Rio Blanco National Park and some of the off-the-beaten path jungles lodges in the southern Maya Mountains.
