Transport in Belize

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The most popular methods of transport in Belize include buses, ferries/water taxis, and airplanes. Belize maintains two major highways, the Northern and Western Highways, as well as several smaller highways. Off the two main highways, many roads are rough and in poor condition. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road, as in the United States. Currently, there is no type of train service.

Most Belizeans travel by bus as their main form of transportation. In the large cities, such as Belize City, tickets can be bought ahead of time at a bus terminal. However, the most common way of catching a bus is by flagging it down on the road. On the Northern and Western Highways, bus service is more frequent than on smaller highways and other roads. In some locations, like small towns, buses may run only once a day. Many buses are old Greyhounds or school buses, although newer express buses travel the two main highways. The express buses have air conditioning and cost slightly more than other buses. Many of Belize's bus companies have merged in recent years, making Novelo's and Southern Transport the country's main providers. Both are now owned by the same company. Shuttle vans also operate, providing direct service to cities for a higher price.

Taxis are unmetered, with fare schedules varying by city. Fares for travel outside the cities are based on the distance covered. Because taxis are unmetered, discussing the fare with the driver first is recommended.

Bicycles have grown in popularity, but motorcycles and mopeds are scarce.

Belize's coastal areas are home to many ferry services. Ferries travel between coastal cities, as well as to several cayes. In Punta Gorda, a water taxi provides service to two cities in Guatemala, Livingston and Puerto Barrios.

1 Railways
2 Highways
3 Waterways
4 Ports and harbours
5 Merchant marine
- 5.1 ships by type
6 Airports
- 6.1 Airports - with paved runways
- 6.2 Airports - with unpaved runways:
7 References

[edit] Railways

Main article: Rail transport in Belize
None; 0 km
Stann Creek Railway operated between Dangriga and Middlesex Estate in 1913 - 1937.

[edit] Highways

total: 2,872 km
paved: 488 km
unpaved: 2 384 km

(1999 est.)

Highways include the Hummingbird Highway, Southern Highway, Western Highway, Northern Highway.

[edit] Waterways

825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft; seasonally navigable

[edit] Ports and harbours

Belize City, Big Creek, Corozal Town, Punta Gorda

[edit] Merchant marine

total: 414 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,647,452 GRT/2,339,134 DWT

[edit] ships by type

bulk 36, cargo 275, chemical tanker 7, container 9, liquified gas 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 51, refrigerated cargo 14, roll-on/roll-off 9, short-sea passenger 3, specialized tanker 4, vehicle carrier 2 (1999 est.)
note: a flag of convenience registry; includes ships of 7 countries: Cuba 2, Cyprus 1, Greece 1, Singapore 2, UAE 12, UK 1, and US 1 (1998 est.)

[edit] Airports

As of 2005, an estimated 43 airports were in operation. The main international airport is Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Ladyville, outside of Belize City. In addition, a number of local airports and airstrips provide for flights within Belize. Flights are readily available between Belize City, Corozal, Dangriga, Placencia, Punta Gorda, and San Pedro on the mainland. Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, two small islands off Belize's coast, can also be reached by plane. Local flights are relatively inexpensive, beginning at about $36 (US).

[edit] Airports - with paved runways

total: 5
- 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
- 914 to 1,523 m: 2
- under 914 m:2

(2005 est.)

[edit] Airports - with unpaved runways:

total: 38
- 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
- 914 to 1,523 m: 11
- under 914 m: 26

(2005 est.)

[edit] References

This article contains material from the CIA World Factbook which, as a US government publication, is in the public domain. 2000
Transportation in Belize