Has anyone driven from USA to Belize and how was it?

Question

I am thinking of moving to Belize and want to haul a few things with me and was wondering if it is feasible to drive down in a four wheel drive SUV?

Answer 1

I actually drove from Montreal to Belize. That was a real trek. I had hassles at the border at Chetumel and in Belize.

If you are moving to Belize you need to have proof of purchase for your car (who keeps their receipt when buying a car). A copy of your registration is not good enough.

I was held at the border for 3 days before I fronted enough "lunch money" to be allowed to go through.

Once in Belize, if you are moving there, your car will be held at the customs compound in Belize City where you have to pay duty (on what the car would cost in Belize, not what you paid). Needless to say that it is exorbitant. This process takes 2 months so be prepared to buy a cheap car or survive on taxi's for a while. This is not the process if you are on vacation.

I am in full agreement with the post above, please think twice about moving to Belize. I lived there for 18 months and was shot at, attacked with a crowbar by a crackhead and my wife was harassed almost daily. The crime is horrendous and there is talk that the Belize dollar will not be regulated to the US dollar for much longer. Your investment will disappear overnight when this happens.

I have lived in Australia, South Africa, the USA, Canada, England, Belize and India (at least 6 months in each) and I have travelled to almost 100 countries.

I would rank my least favourite countries as Bangladesh, Sudan and Belize. Please stop at Playa Del Carmen and look there before you make a huge mistake.

Answer 2

I have driven from Houston all the way to Belize.  It's a pretty straight forward drive, justs very long.  Passing the Mexico border is going to be your first hurdle.  Contact a Mexican embassy near you to get a permit for your car.  The permit will say that you are just passing through Mexico.  We didn't get the permit, but we just gave the officer a little bit of money "for his coffee" and we got one right at the border.  Bribes work well in Mexico.  Then you just drive along the gulf coast, using toll ways as much as possible.  Pay the tolls, the free roads are horrible.  You will end up in Chetumal, which is the Mexican town that borders Belize.  From there you clear your papers with customs and you're in Belize!

As far as retiring in Belize, let me suggest 2 things.  One, for information on retiring in Belize check this page http://www.belizeretirement.org/   Two, LIVING IN BELIZE IS NOT THE SAME AS VISITING IT.  Although the government and all the condo sellers will try to convine you of moving there, I highly suggest living for a couple of months there before making the final jump to move permanently.  Living in Belize is not for everyone.  

I hope this was helpful.  If you know anyone interested in just travelling to Belize, you can help me out by referring them to my website http://www.DiscoveringBelize.com

Cheers, Alex