Fishman, on your question about getting to Roatan. Until Maya Island starts its planned service from BZE to Roatan, there's not an ideal way to get there from Belize. Here are some options to San Pedro Sula (from which you can fly to Roatan on Sosa) and to Puerto Cortez. From La Ceiba there's a large, high-speed ferry to Roatan.
Keep in mind that with tourism arrivals falling off a cliff in May and June, some of these services may decide to temporarily cut back, so you should check for current schedules.
--Lan Sluder
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BY WEEKLY FERRY
There are two weekly boats between Belize and Puerto Cortes, Honduras: D- Express leaves from Placencia on Friday morning (check in at 9 a.m.) and the Nesymein Neydy from Dangriga on Saturday morning (check in at 8:30 a.m.) D-Express returns from Puerto Cortes Monday morning and Nesymein Neydy on Tuesday morning. Cost is US$55 each way. To confirm times, etc. for D-Express check with the BTIA office in Placencia – email tourism@placencia.com or call 501-202-4506. For NN try 501-522-0063 in Dangriga. You could also check with Mundo Maya Travel in the Marine Terminal in Belize City, 501-223-0457 or email mundomayatravels@yahoo.com, as they'll make reservations and sell you a ticket.
There are other options.
BY WATER TAXI FROM PUNTA GORDA TO GUATEMALA
You can bus or fly to Punta Gorda and take one of the three daily water taxis from Punta Gorda to Puerto Barrios, Guatemala (three different outfits – Requena’s, Pichillingo and Marisol -- with departures at 9:30, 2 and 4 respectively, around US$20--$22), and then from there make your way by shuttle to the border and bus to San Pedro Sula. You may also be able to get a taxi between Puerto Barrios and San Pedro Sula– cost is probably around US$40 to $50.
FLY MAYA ISLAND AIR
Another option is to fly from Savannah (across the lagoon from Placencia, with connections from other points in Belize) on Maya Island Air to San Pedro Sula. Fare is US$163, with discounts sometimes available. Maya Island says it plans to begin service all the way to Roatan soon. The web site suggests the San Pedro Sula flight is daily, but it's not -- email or call Maya for the current days they fly (
www.mayaislandair.com ).
WEEKLY SHUTTLE BELIZE CITY—SAN PEDRO SULA
Another, fairly recent option is a weekly shuttle van/bus from Belize City to San Pedro Sula. It leaves Belize City at 6 a.m. Saturday from the Marine Terminal and is supposed to get to San Pedro Sula at 6 p.m. that same day. Cost is US$60 one-way. Check with Mundo Maya Travel for tickets. Email mundomayatravels@yahoo.com or call 501-223-0457.
PUBLIC BUSES
The other option is to take public buses from Belize's western border at Benque Viejo through Guatemala to Honduras.
EXIT TAXES
Note that the above prices don't include exit taxes and fees. The exit tax by boat from Belize is US$3.75, by land US$18.75 and by air up to almost US$40 if flying out of the international airport. Guatemala and Honduras also have exit taxes.