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journeybound20:44 UTC16 Aug 2009

Hi, I'm planning a trip to Belize (coming from Guatemala) and am looking for the best way to get from San Ignacio to Punta Gorda. From what I can tell so far, it may be a long, bumpy ride by bus. Is a flight the best option? If so would I want to fly from BZE or is there another closer option? I'm looking for affordable but don't want to be too exhausted from the trek. Any ideas??

Thanks!

lansluder22:10 UTC16 Aug 2009

It's not a bad ride anymore, as the Western, Hummingbird and Southern highways are all now paved, except for about 5 miles of the Southern. Just bus to Belmopan and catch a James Line bus heading to PG. It's about a 5 1/2 to 6 hour ride from San Ignacio to PG, depending on connections. Think there's one James Line express bus from Belmopan and seven or eight locals.

If you want to fly, you'll have to go back to Belize City. A bus will take 2 1/2 hours or so to Belize City. A shuttle van will be a little faster, but cost about 10 times as much (the bus is only US$4 or $5.) Fly from the municipal airport, not from the international airport (BZE), and you'll save a few bucks. No flights from San Ignacio or Belmopan. Flights take about an hour from Belize City to PG.

All in all you'll only save about 2 or 3 hours if you fly.

Only catch about busing it is that the temporary Kendal bridge over the Sittee River just south of Maya Centre is sometimes flooded after heavy rains. That will either stop you or slow you down if they're transporting people by boat across the river.

--Lan Sluder
http://www.belizefirst.com

john50001:00 UTC17 Aug 2009

Here's a site with information about buses in Belize. There is a link to the James Bus schedule... http://belizebus.wordpress.com/

hickatee16:03 UTC19 Aug 2009

Depending on where you are in Guatemala, another option could be to do the trip in reverse - catch the water taxi from Puerto Barrios or Livingston to Punta Gorda, and then take the bus up to San Ignacio. There are 3 daily water taxis from Puerto Barrios, leaving 10am, 1pm, and 2pm.

journeybound20:44 UTC20 Aug 2009

Thank you all for your suggestions. Will be traveling from Tikal into San Ignacio. The bus isn't sounding so bad afterall.

Getting from San Ignacio to Punta Gorda Country forums / Central America / Belize
journeybound20:44 UTC16 Aug 2009	Hi, I'm planning a trip to Belize (coming from Guatemala) and am looking for the best way to get from San Ignacio to Punta Gorda. From what I can tell so far, it may be a long, bumpy ride by bus. Is a flight the best option? If so would I want to fly from BZE or is there another closer option? I'm looking for affordable but don't want to be too exhausted from the trek. Any ideas?? Thanks!
lansluder22:10 UTC16 Aug 2009	It's not a bad ride anymore, as the Western, Hummingbird and Southern highways are all now paved, except for about 5 miles of the Southern. Just bus to Belmopan and catch a James Line bus heading to PG. It's about a 5 1/2 to 6 hour ride from San Ignacio to PG, depending on connections. Think there's one James Line express bus from Belmopan and seven or eight locals. If you want to fly, you'll have to go back to Belize City. A bus will take 2 1/2 hours or so to Belize City. A shuttle van will be a little faster, but cost about 10 times as much (the bus is only US$4 or $5.) Fly from the municipal airport, not from the international airport (BZE), and you'll save a few bucks. No flights from San Ignacio or Belmopan. Flights take about an hour from Belize City to PG. All in all you'll only save about 2 or 3 hours if you fly. Only catch about busing it is that the temporary Kendal bridge over the Sittee River just south of Maya Centre is sometimes flooded after heavy rains. That will either stop you or slow you down if they're transporting people by boat across the river. --Lan Sluder http://www.belizefirst.com	1
john50001:00 UTC17 Aug 2009	Here's a site with information about buses in Belize. There is a link to the James Bus schedule... http://belizebus.wordpress.com/	2
hickatee16:03 UTC19 Aug 2009	Depending on where you are in Guatemala, another option could be to do the trip in reverse - catch the water taxi from Puerto Barrios or Livingston to Punta Gorda, and then take the bus up to San Ignacio. There are 3 daily water taxis from Puerto Barrios, leaving 10am, 1pm, and 2pm.	3
journeybound20:44 UTC20 Aug 2009	Thank you all for your suggestions. Will be traveling from Tikal into San Ignacio. The bus isn't sounding so bad afterall.	4

Getting from San Ignacio to Punta Gorda