Belize Guatemala Border Crossings Overview

Planning to head from south from Belize towards Guatemala? Or perhaps you are heading northly through Belize? Even to Mexico?

Traveling to and fro between Guatemala and Belize is a common undertaking for travelers, especially among the backpacker communities. Guatemala shares Belize’s largest stretch of border. Although a large majority of the Belize Guatemala border is covered by thick brush and nature reserves, there are a few common crossing points. It is a well trodden route.

When you look at the map, you may notice that there seems to be two land border crossings between Guatemala and Belize. One is located in Belize’s southern district of Toledo, known as the Santa Cruz crossing. The other around the middle of Belize in the Cayo district, is known as the Melchor de Mencos border.

Unfortunately, the Santa Cruz crossing is not currently accessible for tourists and is not a route commonly driven as there are mixed reports about cars being able to cross. Therefore, unless something changes, you’ll be wasting your time here regardless of the direction. Thus, if you need to cross the border by land to Guatemala or into Belize, then you will need to exlusively use the Melchor de Mencos border. Alternatively, there is another way that isn’t so clear on the map, by water.

Traveling from Belize to Guatemala by boat (or vice versa) is actually quite easy and seamless as long as you know the steps. The most commonly known route is between Punta Gorda in Belize and Livingston in Guatemala. Livingston is a small, yet charactered, coastal town which gives travelers access to the Rio Dulce and surrounding areas. Alternatively, some venture to Puerto Barrios, which is just slightly farther from Punta Gorda and closer to Honduras.

Now that you know your options for the border crossings, let’s discuss some of the details.

Taking the ferry to Guatemala

Taking the ferry in Punta Gorda to Livingston Guatemala is quite easy. Essentially, you need to organize your transportation with a boating company, then pay to receive your ticket. There are several companies offering services, particularly Memo’s Boat Service and Requena’s Charter Service. Both have Whatsapp numbers so get in touch with them before you arrive in Punta Gorda and organize your seat. Requena’s seems to only have one trip a day, per their Facebook page and Whatsapp responses. Memo’s has 1-2 services per day. Definitely check with them directly as these are locally run companies and their hours may change at any time.

After you receive your ticket from the ferry company, then you need to pass through immigration. If you arrived to Punta Gorda by bus, then the immigration office will be located very close to the James bus terminal or station. In fact, it’s basically just a block and a half away.

The Belizean immigration process was pretty straightforward. You do need to have a ticket from your boat captain because they will ask which vessel you are exiting the country on. Further, you will need to pay the exit tax. Yes, there is an exit tax from Belize and it is very well documented and official, unlike the Mexican border scam in Chetumal when crossing into Belize. At the time of writing this post, the Belizean exit tax is $20 USD or $40 BZD.

After you pay, then you bring your proof of payment receipt to the immigration official at the next window and they stamp your passport with a Belizean exit stamp. Once you have your exit stamp, then make your way down the path and get on the ferry boat with your captain.

Now, once you get arrive in Guatemala you have an important task: make your way to the immigration office for your stamp. This is crucial.

Immigration office in Livingston

Interestingly enough, the Livingston border is relatively relaxed. This is partly because Livingston is only accessible by sea. There are no paved roads between Livingston and the rest of Guatemala.

Once you arrive at the dock in Guatemala, you will need to walk to the Immigration Office. Let’s call it an honor system. (We experienced similar when traveling between Peru, Colombia and Brazil at the famous Amazonian intersection!) The Maps location below should take you to it!

Keep in mind that Guatemala can be extremely humid and it is a decent walk UPHILL to the immigration office. If you have a lot of luggage, then expect to sweat. If you have too much luggage then perhaps just get a tuk tuk to help you. The tuktuks are not fixed price nor metered, ask the price before you get in. An average short ride like this in Guatemala should be no more than 5-10 Quetzales.

Once you have your stamp, ¡Bienvenido a Guatemala! Now it is time to enjoy Livingston as your gateway to Rio Dulce. Livingston is a small town, but it has charm if you know where to look.

Immigration office in Puerto Barrios

If arriving in Puerto Barrios, then you’ll want to head to this office here.

Taking the ferry from Guatemala

Although we traveled from Belize into Guatemala, taking the ferry to Belize from Guatemala is presumably just as easy. In transparency, we did not try to organize travel from Livingston to Punta Gorda; however, one thing that would make a lot of sense is still contacting the same companies in Punta Gorda. Normally they do one way trips from Belize to Guatemala, but you could effectively jump on their return trip just by contacting them.

I don’t want to give you inaccurate information about traveling from Livingston or Puerto Barrios to Punta Gorda, so instead will say that you have the option to contact the Belizean companies and jump on their return. If you decide to take a boat from Guatemala to Belize, please let us know how your experience was in the comments below!

Immigration office in Punta Gorda

The immigration office in Punta Gorda is more controlled. You must dock at the actual office and present yourself there. The office is located here.

Crossing by land

If you are planning to travel between the two countries by land, then you really only have one option: to cross the border at Melchor de Mencos. In Belize it is called the Belize Western Border Station Immigration. In Guatemala it is called Aduana y Migración SAT Delegación Melchor De Mencos.

Tips for crossing the land border

Given the wealth of information available in the Maps reviews on both sides of the border, I took the liberty to summarize the comments for you so that you can get an overview of what everyone is saying.

🛂 Administrative & Legal Rules

The Belizean side is reported as more “extortionate” with fees for pets and other special entry cases while being more aggressive toward travelers of certain nationalities. The Guatemalan side is generally described as friendlier and faster for individuals but a bureaucratic nightmare for vehicles.

• CHECK YOUR STAMP (Crucial – Guatemala): There are multiple reports of Guatemalan officers “forgetting” to stamp passports. Without an entry stamp, you are considered illegal in the C4 region (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua). You may be fined $100+ or denied exit at the next border. Do not leave the window until you see the physical ink.
• Print All Documents (Belize): Digital reservations on your phone are often rejected. You must have physical printouts of hotel bookings, return flights, and onward travel.
• Verify Permit Dates (Guatemala): If driving, ensure the date on your SAT vehicle permit matches the date in your passport. If they differ, you will be fined upon exit.
• Nationalities to be Alert: Travelers with Greek, Israeli, Brazilian, and Saudi Arabian passports should expect significant delays and extra questioning on the Belizean side. Note: these are among the the commenters who left reviews.

💰 Fees & Financials

• Exit Tax (Belize): You must pay $40 BZD ($20 USD) to leave Belize. While card machines exist, they frequently “fail,” so keep cash as a backup.
• The “Photocopy” Requirement (Guatemala): Even though they have machines, officers often force you to leave the building to use a private shack across the bridge to copy your passport and car docs. It costs about $0.50–$2.00 USD.
• Avoid “Hustler” Guides (Both Sides): Men wearing “Official” or “Honest” insignia may offer to “validate” your bank payments for a fee. This is a scam; go directly to the bank (Bancular/Banrural) yourself.
• Currency Exchange (Guatemala/Belize): Change small amounts at the border for immediate needs, but beware of short-changing. Most reviewers recommend the banks in town for larger amounts.

🚗 Vehicle & Driving Rules

• Fumigation (Guatemala): All vehicles entering Guatemala must be sprayed with disinfectant. The fee is roughly 18 Quetzals and can usually be paid by card.
• Mandatory Insurance (Belize): Third-party insurance is required for driving in Belize. Do not buy it from the “hustlers” at the gate for $18; go to the official booth 100m past customs where it costs approximately $12 USD.
• No Proof of Sticker (Guatemala): When leaving Guatemala, you must return your vehicle sticker. Take a photo of yourself handing it to the officer, as travelers have reported being fined later for “failing to return” it because no receipt was provided.

⏱️ Logistics

• Best Crossing Time: Weekdays at 6:30 AM reported the fastest transit (under 10 minutes). Midday and weekends can result in 2–3 hour waits due to understaffing.
• Fruit Ban (Belize): Belizean customs are very strict about organic material. Any fruit (apples, oranges) left on your bus or in your car will be confiscated and thrown away during the quarantine check.
• Walking is Faster: If you are not driving, crossing on foot is significantly simpler. Collectivos (shared vans) to Flores are available a short walk across the bridge on the Guatemalan side for about 40 GTQ.
• Refresh: If you need a break, the Guatemalan side has clean bathrooms available for about $1 (7–8 GTQ).

Mexico and Belize border

Belize also shares a border with Mexico to the north, in two separate land locations. The border at Santa Elena or Chetumal is particularly known for having some issues on the Mexican side. We wrote a blog about it, so if you ever head that way, make sure you are prepared!