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Mexico is a country rich in culture, history, and Spanish heritage; and it is home to hundreds of ancient ruins, colonial cities, and nature reserves – with many of these attractions even considered as World Heritage sites.
Its neighboring country on the south, Belize, also offers an equally interesting blend of culture and history, but with British heritage.
Still, Belize has so much in terms of Mayan history and Afro-Caribbean heritage that in my opinion, it is one of the most culturally diverse countries in Central America.
If you’re traveling to the beautiful Cancun soon and wish to make a road trip down to Belize, here’s all the information you need to get to Belize by bus.
The ADO bus from Cancun to Belize is a stunning trip that serves coastal views and dense tropical forest moments as it crosses several regions in both countries.
Definitely, a trip to include in your travel plans, especially if you’re considering stopping in a few of the cities along the way.

Travel from Cancun to Belize City by Bus
UPDATE
For a few years since 2020, the direct ADO bus from Cancun to Belize City was not operational, but as of December 2023, it is back in service! (Please double-check that your booked ticket includes the leg after immigration.)
In case the service stops again, or if you’re interested in breaking the trip with a few stops in between, you can still go from Cancun to Belize City (and vice versa) by taking the bus from Cancun to Chetumal (the city closest to the border with Belize).
You can check the cheapest and most convenient bus fares with Busbud.
Once there, grab a taxi to the Mexican border ($10-$20). That same driver will drop you at the Belize border, where you can grab another taxi to Corozal ($20-$30) and, from there, take a bus to Belize City. The same applies in the opposite direction.
Traveling from Cancun to Belize City is a fairly lengthy but beautiful trip along the southeast coast of North America.
You can choose between an overnight commute and catching up on some sleep, or you can take in the gorgeous seaside scenery on a day trip.
The most common bus company to use for this trip is Autobuses de Oriente (ADO). Known for its luxurious first-class and executive-class buses, it is no wonder ADO is one of Mexico’s largest and most popular bus companies.
The buses used by ADO for this service are large and modern, with air conditioning, comfortable seats, an onboard restroom, and tv screens.
From experience, I recommend wearing (or having accessible) warm clothes or a jacket no matter at which time of the year you’re traveling. The bus’s air conditioning is usually quite cold – especially at night.
Purchasing your Bus Ticket from Cancun to Belize City
If you are wondering how far Belize is from Cancun, it is approximately a ten-hour transit with seven stops where you can hop off. One of those stops is a border crossing, so be sure to have your passport on hand before boarding the bus.
The bus schedule from Cancun to Belize lists two different options. If you just want to get to your destination without “losing” a day, you can choose the overnight bus, which leaves Cancun around 10:15 pm and arrives in Belize around 6:30 the next morning.
If you would love to sight-see on the go, there is a day trip option. The bus leaves the terminal around 6:10 am and arrives at the Belize bus station around 4:35 pm.
Keep in mind that the above schedules can change. I recommend going to the ADO website to check their latest schedule.

Should the ADO bus not be available for purchase online, you can buy a ticket or check the departing status by calling 52 (983) 832-9877. Or, you could purchase the ticket in person at the bus station in Cancun.
While prices fluctuate, the average fare is roughly MX$1,186 or $69.
ALTERNATE NON-DIRECT BUS OPTION
Should you split the trip into two parts, make sure to buy the bus ticket from Cancun to Chetumal, and from Corozal to Belize City.
You can check the cheapest and most convenient bus fares with Busbud.
Unfortunately, the Corozal to Belize City bus ticket has to be bought either at the bus station or on board. But, you can check the schedules here for the various companies operating this route.
The Journey from Cancun to Belize City
In short, the bus route makes seven stops before reaching its final destination. These are:
- Cancun City Center, Mexico (Start)
- Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Tulum, Mexico
- Bacalar, Mexico
- Chetumal, Mexico
- Subteniente Lopez, Mexico (Border Crossing)
- Corozal, Belize
- Orange Walk, Belize
- Belize City, Belize (End)
Your journey begins in Cancun at the ADO bus terminal. There are many different and exciting activities to do when here, including snorkeling, kayaking, bungee-jumping, and so much more. After you have explored all day, you can party all night. The Cancun nightlife oozes vibrance and culture.
The first stop on your trip is Playa del Carmen, a beautiful resort town located on the Caribbean coast. It is known for its stunning beaches lined with palm trees and its colorful coral reefs.
With golf courses, Mayan ruins, and dance clubs, you are guaranteed to never get bored if you hop off at Playa del Carmen.
Next, the bus stops in Tulum, a city famous for its well-preserved ancient Quintana Roo ruins of the Mayan port city.
Tulum offers a jungle paradise with white-sand beaches and is also home to the world’s largest natural aquarium. On top of this, you can also explore the cenote caves, visit the Biosphere Preserve, and so much more.
Further south, you’re getting to Bacalar, which offers some of the most beautiful crystal clear waters in the peninsula without the crowds seen in Tulum and Cancun.
And then, there’s Chetumal, which serves as your hopping point between Mexico and Belize.
The Border Crossing Between Mexico and Belize
This border crossing is pretty smooth and easy going. Once you get to the border, you will be asked to get off the bus to go through immigration for both exiting Mexico and entering Belize.
While this takes some time, it is a very smooth process and in less and an hour (or even faster if there’s not a long queue), you’ll be back on the same bus.
Shortly after crossing the border over into Belize, your third stop is Corozal – yet another town full of heritage with so much beauty to offer.
Although there is not much to see or do here, Corozal is well-liked for its calm atmosphere and sleepy seaside scene. If you are not yet tired of exploring the Mayan ruins, you can also find the remains of Cerro Maya here.
ALTERNATE NON-DIRECT BUS OPTION
If you’re not taking the direct ADO bus, you’ll cross the border by taxi instead of the ADO bus.
Next, the bus stops in Orange Walk Town, located along the New River. Although the town’s citrus farming is a vital part of its growing agricultural economy, Orange Walk is locally referred to as “Sugah City.”

It is known for its sugarcane farming and the sweet smell that fills the air. With even more Mayan ruins, a lagoon, some bird-watching areas, and a distillery, this is a great spot to hop off at and explore.
Finally, you will arrive at the heart of Belize, at the Belize City bus terminal. After just a short eight hours, it’s finally time to hop off and start adventuring. The city is centered between the Belize Barrier Reef and dense rainforests.

Once you are in Belize, be sure to explore the mystery of the Crystal Skull at the Lubaantun ruins, roam around the stunning Xunantunich Mayan ruins, and see the crystal maiden skeleton at the Actun Tunichil Muknal caves.
Other activities include the Belize Zoo, the museum, St. John’s Cathedral, a wildlife sanctuary, and just indulging in the Caribbean culture.
And, of course, don’t miss going to the stunning islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye – especially if you like diving. These are two of my favorite spots in Belize. No place compares to the chill atmosphere of Caye Caulker.
And when you are ready to leave, you can hop on a return bus from Belize City to Cancun, or simply continue your adventure down the coast towards the gorgeous country of Guatemala.
Take a Trip from Cancun to Belize

Quick, convenient, and coastal – the Cancun-Belize bus trip is a must when visiting the southern region of North America. Whether you prefer the overnight or daytime bus option, it is the perfect activity to include in your Mexico itinerary.
Lastly, Can You Do The Same Trip From Belize City To Cancun?
Sure thing! From Belize City, the bus leaves at 11:00 am and 7:30 pm. It makes all the same stops in reverse, with its final destination being the main terminal in Cancún.
To purchase your ticket to travel from Belize City, you must buy it from one of the following vendors. If you’re calling from outside of Belize, add a 501 area code to the numbers below.
- Belize City: Gilberto Carlos Pérez, cell 600-8100.
- Orange Walk: San Francisco Restaurant, 302-2240 or cell 624-8200.
- Corozal: Cruzob Travel, cell 607-7930.
The ADO bus terminal is located on West Collet Canal in Belize City, commonly known as “Novelo’s.”
To board the bus in Belize City, you need to pay part of the fare in Belizean Dollars (around BZ$19 or $9), and the rest of the fare is paid in Mexican Dollars (roughly MX$700 or $35) upon arrival in Cancun or at the border.
Are you ready for an adventurous round trip between Cancun and Belize City?


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