Are taxis readily available in Cayo, Belize, including San Ignacio and Belmopan, and what do taxis cost in Cayo, Belize, including San Ignacio and Belmopan?

Taxis are widely available in the Cayo District in Belize.  There are different associations because they run different routes. For example, there is one that goes to the western border because it connects to people going into Guatemala.  The fare for the 12 mile ride from San Ignacio to the border is Belize $5 (US $2.50) per person.

 

And then there's another one that runs the three mile Bullet Tree route, which costs Belize $3 (US $1.50)...

Taxis are widely available in the Cayo District in Belize.  There are different associations because they run different routes. For example, there is one that goes to the western border because it connects to people going into Guatemala.  The fare for the 12 mile ride from San Ignacio to the border is Belize $5 (US $2.50) per person.

 

And then there's another one that runs the three mile Bullet Tree route, which costs Belize $3 (US $1.50) one-way per person. And then there's one that runs everything in town for both San Ignacio and Santa Elena and they cover all the neighborhoods in both towns.  The fares for these are pretty cheap.  If they have to stay of this side of the bridge (the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena are separated by a bridge), meaning here in San Ignacio, it's usually between Belize $5 - $6 (US $2.50 to $3.00) to your home from to downtown. Now if you have to go to Santa Elena it's usually Belize $7 or $8 (US $3.50 or $4.).

 

You don’t have to bargain with the taxi drivers here. When you get into the taxi you ask them for a fare. You say, "Sir, I'm going to Santa Elena on ‘XYZ Street’.  What much does it cost?" And he'll give you the figure. There are no meters on the taxis here.

 

(George Price Highway between San Ignacio and Belmopan, Belize, pictured.) 

There are many, many taxis available in the Cayo District.  A lot of people use them.

 

To take a taxi from a certain town center to your house. It’s a pretty standard fair, BZ $5 (US $2.50). If you want to go to the airport in Belize City, which is about 70 – 80 miles away, they’re going to charge you US $100. 

 

Of course, some people use their private cars as well, but don’t forget that, in...

There are many, many taxis available in the Cayo District.  A lot of people use them.

 

To take a taxi from a certain town center to your house. It’s a pretty standard fair, BZ $5 (US $2.50). If you want to go to the airport in Belize City, which is about 70 – 80 miles away, they’re going to charge you US $100. 

 

Of course, some people use their private cars as well, but don’t forget that, in Belize, many local people don’t have a car because Belize is a poor country.  As a result, sometimes, they take taxis.

 

(Traditional Belizean food at The Caladium Restaurant , Belmopan, Belize, fifty miles away from the San Ignacio, but also in the Cayo District, pictured.)  

Taxis are readily available in Cayo. However, taxis in Cayo are different than the ones we are used to in developed countries. Taxis do not have meters that measure the time or distance of your trip so most of the time, they have a fixed price for certain distances. As an example, the guests who come to our lodge can take a taxi in San Ignacio and pay between $12 and $15 Belize (US $6 and $7.50). 

 

There are different types of taxis here in Cayo as...

Taxis are readily available in Cayo. However, taxis in Cayo are different than the ones we are used to in developed countries. Taxis do not have meters that measure the time or distance of your trip so most of the time, they have a fixed price for certain distances. As an example, the guests who come to our lodge can take a taxi in San Ignacio and pay between $12 and $15 Belize (US $6 and $7.50). 

 

There are different types of taxis here in Cayo as well. We also have what is called the colectivo taxi, which drives back and forth from San Ignacio and Bullet Tree and vice versa. If you get on that cab on the road, you only pay $2 Belize (US $1) going to town but you might have to share your ride.

 

We use two very reliable taxi drivers, whom I call on the phone and they will be at our lodge within 10 minutes. In the beginning, it was difficult for me. A couple of times I called a taxi, and the driver said, yes he’s coming “right now”, but I ended up waiting and nobody showed up. Meanwhile we know whom to use.

 

(Painting of village life at the home gallery of Creek Art, Bullet Tree, Cayo, Belize, pictured.)