By the time you depart from your place, go through customs, and gather your luggage, you’re probably looking for your next stop to grab a bite to eat or a nice cold drink to start your vacation. But how are you going to get to your destination? And where can you stop on the way?
Welcome to Belize!
By the time you depart from your place, go through customs, and gather your luggage, you’re probably looking for your next stop to grab a bite to eat or a nice cold drink to start your vacation. But how are you going to get to your destination? And where can you stop on the way?
What is the Coastal Highway?
The old way to travel from Belize City to Placencia or Hopkins was the Hummingbird Highway; which took you about 3.5 to 4 hours. The newly paved Coastal Highway takes about 2-3 hours.
The highway was officially paved and opened on July 6th, 2023. Previous to the paving, the highway was red-clay dust, potholes, and washed-out areas. While the highway has always been scenic, before the renovations, it was a challenge to enjoy.
Today, the highway is 36 miles (58 kilometers) long. It starts on the George Price Highway in La Democracia and ends on the Hummingbird Highway in Hope Creek. The highway hosts villages such as Mullins River and Gales Point.
If you’re traveling using shuttle services, expect your shuttle to pick you up outside the airport. They will take you directly to your destination unless you politely ask to stop at a location along the way. You can take public transportation, but it is not recommended for foreigners. It is slow and inconvenient, often difficult for tourists to navigate.
If you’re looking for more freedom and the ability to explore beautiful Belize, renting a car is the best option. Only a few areas on the coastal highway have access to the internet so you will want to download your navigation beforehand. This is easily done using the airport’s wifi connection. Just connect and download your map from Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport to your location. Remember to allow a bit of time for the navigation to download, so try to do this while waiting in the customs line, or earlier.
As you leave the airport you will travel the Geroge Price Highway for about 40 minutes. You will then take a left onto the coastal highway.
From the airport to Placencia it will take you 2 hours and 41 minutes
From the airport to Hopkins is 1 hour and 50 minutes.
On your way, experience beautiful hilltops, jungle, flora and fauna. As you coast down the highway, you will see signs for tapir and jaguars! But don’t worry, they aren’t common to see during the day.
So most importantly, where can I stop for a drink?
Billy Webb Bar & Grill and Excalibur Adventure Park are some of the newest developments on the coastal highway. Only 45- minutes from the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport this development is the perfect place to stop as you travel to your destination.
Billy Webb Bar & Grill offers everything in a restaurant that you want after a long morning of travel. Feeling Hungry? Hamburgers, fresh ceviche, or authentic Belizian rice and beans will surely satisfy your cravings.
And for drinks? Fresh, natural juices and sodas are always available to cool you down after a long trip. Looking to start your vacation on the right foot? Try Belizean beers such as Belikin, or Two 5 craft beers that come in a variety of tropical flavors. Indulge in one, or try them all! The bar also offers mixed drinks, fresh and made-to-order.
Are your kids eager to run around after sitting on the plane all morning? They’ve got you covered. The Panthera playground lets the little ones run, climb, and zip right next to the bar!
Traveling is stressful, so why not turn your road trip into an adventure? Traveling the coastal highway allows for a relaxing and scenic experience.
Hashtags
- Belize history
- Coastal highway
- Where to travel in Belize
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