Driving in Belize

ABOVE: I guess it would be O. K. to offer them a ride. Hitchhikers in downtown San Ignacio, Belize.

Driving in Belize can be challenging. Poor road infrastructure and an abundance of derelict vehicles on the highways make defensive driving a top priority.

Highways are sub-standard. One of the first impressions visitors have of Belize are the narrow roads. The two-lane highways are actually about the width of a single lane on a North American highway. Worse, Belize engineers make highways high-crowned which makes it easier for vehicles to flip over.

Pedestrians, dogs and cyclists compete aggressively with motor vehicles for use of the highways. Cyclists are regarded by motorists as particularly insolent – it is not uncommon to come across cyclists leisurely pedaling in the middle of a highway lane - many balancing children or cargo on their handlebars. Belize laws tend to blame motorists who hit errant cyclists or predestrians.

Most highways are in relatively good repair: read not too many potholes. However, what road engineers describe as resurfacing is carried out infrequently. This leads to highways becoming extra slick at times of rain. Import taxes on motor vehicles, car insurance, tires and parts are exorbitant (a new car pays almost 100% duty) with the result that many vehicles on the road are not roadworthy.

Those planning to get an auto rental and drive around Belize need to be aware of another hazard – wayward and unmarked traffic bumps, known locally as “sleeping policemen”. Traffic bumps come in all sizes, shapes and colors. A few are of the vibrating type (with ridges to cause a vibrating sound when a car’s wheels roll over them), some are a crazed mix of both vibrating and pedestrian crossing, some are a thin strip of compacted stone chips and asphalt and - we are not making this up – some are actually ridges of compacted dirt laid across severely potholed dirt roads – as if any motor vehicle would be capable of speeding along a severely rutted road.

Many of Belize's once beautiful highways have been ruined by having lots of speed bumps erected - thus making them no longer qualify for the term highway where one can get a good driving experience and make good time from one destination to the other. The most dodgy highway by far is the Western Highway. The portion between Belmopan and San Ignacio is littered with no less than 25 speed bumps in a portion of only 28 miles.

So, is it worth the while to rent a car and drive though scenic Belize? Yes, just take note of the above and drive defensively. Most of the big car rental companies are represented in Belize – including Avis, Budget, Hertz and Thrifty. There are also several home-grown auto rental companies, for example Crystal, Pancho’s, Kia, Lewis and JRs.

ABOVE: A common sight on Belize highways after a rain. Everybody got out O.K.

The quality of vehicles offered by the auto rental companies in Belize is variable to put it kindly. Because of the high cost of vehicles, some companies offer very small vehicles without airbags which wise visitors tend to avoid. We recommend not renting in advance. It is preferable to reserve a vehicle and then look it over before taking it.

Belize is only 185 miles from North to South, and 70 miles from East to West. There are three main highways. The Northern Highway starts at the northern border with Mexico, then runs for 12 miles to Corozal Town, then 32 miles to Orange Walk down, then finally 60 miles to Belize city. The Western Highway runs 52 miles from Belize City to Belmopan, then another 30 miles to San Ignacio, then another 14 miles to Benque Viejo del Carmen and the Western Border with Guatemala. The Hummingbird Highway runs 50 miles from Belmopan to Dangriga. Then becomes the Southern Highway which runs from Dangriga to Punta Gorda. There is a new shortcut from the Northern to the Western Highway. This is a well-paved and well-marked road from the Burrell Boom cutoff that exits at Hattieville. This road has some sharp curves and embankments so travelers should resist the urge to speed on it.

Other roads shown on maps have variable conditions depending on the weather. It is always wise to ask. We do not recommend picking up hitchhikers - unless they are your friends.

Related Article: Drivers Guide To Beautiful Belize