Renting a car in a foreign country can be so intimidating. Foreign languages and signs, weird laws and the basic unknown of the area are plenty of reasons for me to say screw it and hire transport. Embarking on trip to Belize, I had to find transport 5 hours south to the Cotton Tree Lodge in the Toledo District. Renting a car in Belize was the option I went with, mainly to see the incredible mountainous scenery throughout the country. After learning the ins and outs of the roads, I’ve put together a list of tips and costs from my experience self-driving in Belize.
Here’s all about Renting a Car in Belize: Costs + Tips:
Renting a Car in Belize isn’t Cheap
It cost me just shy of $300 USD to rent a car for 72 hours from Thursday to Sunday. I originally arranged the rental through Alamo but with our delayed flights, my rental became unavailable. Searching for other options, I end up booking through Dollar Rental.
I would highly suggest reserving a car online or by phone ahead of time as the companies were very busy upon arriving to Belize. After walking outside from the terminal at Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE), cross the street to the plaza full of rental car companies.
A credit card is required for renting so the company can place a $1500 deposit as a hold on the account. After returning the vehicle, this amount is refunded back. I didn’t purchase insurance through the company since my personal insurance covers me on rentals. If you don’t have that, definitely consider paying the extra for insurance. Also think about adding on an authorized driver for $25 so you don’t have to be behind the wheel for the whole trip.
Prepare with the Right Rental Car
I highly suggest spending the extra money for a compact SUV, 4 wheel drive vehicle like a Jimmy or Suzuki. These vehicles got the best gas mileage of all the options at around 35 miles to the gallon. The roads in Belize aren’t very maintained so having the extra stability and well-treaded tires of an SUV is almost a necessity.
Gas Stations are Far and Few
You’ll stumble upon a gas station about every 30 to 40 miles. I truly only recall seeing 8 on the entire 5+ hour drive to the Cotton Tree Lodge. Most of the stations close down at 6 PM so always keep your tank full!
Attendants pump the fuel for you at gas stations. Definitely budget in the gas prices to your expenditures. The average price is nearly $10 BZ a gallon, or about $5. It cost us around $60 USD to fill up the tank.
Don’t Trust Google Maps
Specifically in reference to driving time, don’t trust what Google Maps says! It said it would take 4 hours from the airport to the Cotton Tree Lodge and we made it just under 6, only stopping twice. Many roads in Belize are simply gravel pathways so the satellites from Google Maps may not pick this up.
Don’t Take the Coast Highway Road
There’s this little teeny windy road on Google Maps’ directions that begins in La Democracia and ends to a T at the Hummingbird Highway, just past the Melinda Forest Reserve.
DO NOT TAKE THIS ROAD!
The lady at the rental company crossed this path out on the map she provided. Apparently there’s barely civilization out in this area and if we were to get stuck, it could be hours before anyone finds us.
Sure enough, when we approach that road, Google Maps instructs us to head that way. I ignore it and keep on driving west towards Belmopan. At Belmopan, you can then take a left for Hummingbird Highway, which is the route you take all the way to the Southern Highway near Dangriga.
Follow the Road Signs
It honestly seems like everyone goes as fast as they want, especially down in the southern region of Belize. Mostly all of the signs are in kilometers so it’s sometimes hard to tell exactly how fast you’re going. There were moments I was going faster than the speed limit and people were still flying past me!
The good thing about driving in Belize is how the first language is English so reading road signs are simple. On paved roads, a solid line doesn’t seem to mean much as everyone passes anyways as long as another vehicle isn’t coming.
Keep Your Eyes on the Road
I have a terrible habit of wandering eyes while on the road and that only gets worse in a place as gorgeous as Belize! You’ll be flying down the “highway” going about 80 mph when out of nowhere a speed bump appears. And these things aren’t little bumps, you’ll about fly out of your seat hitting them at top speeds!
One-way bridges are also a common thing to see on the highways in Belize. Be sure to slow down and stop completely before crossing to ensure another vehicle isn’t coming. Dogs, pigs, chickens and especially people on bikes or walking with dark clothing is all too common on the side of the highways in Belize!
Road Blocks are a Thing
Nothing seems more sketchy than being in a foreign country and coming up to a road block. What will they say to me and how do I explain where I’m going? Road blocks are very common in Belize and there’s absolutely nothing to worry about.
We went through three altogether during our 3 days of driving. The process is very simple and goes by quickly. Stop at the cones and have your passport/vehicle registration on hand for the police officers to ensure you’re legal within the country.
Don’t Be Afraid to Explore
While the roads are extremely primitive and seeing men wave as they wield their machetes is a little intimidating, you literally don’t have to worry for a second about being afraid in Belize. I’ve never been to a country where people are as friendly as they are here.
Read More: The Toledo District of Southern Belize: Where, What & Why You Should Visit
Renting a car in almost every destination is the norm for me. I love driving through little villages and seeing first-hand how the locals live. Belize was no exception to that. The beautiful Mayan farmlands tended to by hand on was incredible to see as we continued on to the old Mayan ruins like Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun.
Read More: Nim Li Punit Mayan Ruins / Lubaantun Mayan Ruins
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