Belize-Chetumal Water Taxi: Early November Cancellations

Published on Nov 6, 2025, 1:43 pm CST

4 min read

Key points

San Pedro Belize Express canceled the Chetumal international run on November 2 and November 4, 2025
Operator notices cite operational reasons and advise checking updates before travel
Tickets are typically non-refundable and changes may incur a 25 percent fee with a 48-hour window
Carry cash and cards for border fees that are not included in the ferry fare
Use the Subteniente López, Santa Elena road crossing with bus or shuttle as a backup

Impact

Check Sailings Day-Of: Confirm your exact departure on the operator's site or social feeds before heading to the pier
Plan Refunds & Changes: Expect non-refundable tickets and a rescheduling fee unless the carrier opens specific waivers
Budget Border Fees: Bring cash and a card for Belize exit and Mexico entry fees which are paid to border agencies
Have An Overland Plan: If the boat cancels, cross at Subteniente López and continue by bus or shuttle to San Pedro or Belize City
Time Windows: Border operations generally run from early morning to evening so avoid late arrivals if you must reroute

San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi announced same-day cancellations of its Chetumal international run on Sunday, November 2, 2025, and again on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, citing operational reasons. While other services continue, these date-specific disruptions show the route remains subject to short-notice changes. Travelers should verify departures on the morning of travel and keep an overland backup via the Subteniente López, Santa Elena crossing between Quintana Roo, Mexico, and northern Belize.

San Pedro Belize Express Chetumal route

The Chetumal service links Mexico's Chetumal Maritime Terminal with San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, with typical run times of about 1 hour 30 minutes when operating. Official pages list the Chetumal destination, schedules, and booking flows, but day-of status is communicated most quickly on the operator's social channels.

Latest developments

Operator posts confirmed the cancellations on November 2 and November 4. Additional notices around the same week referenced further suspended Chetumal departures, underscoring a period of irregularity for this international leg. If you are booked in the coming days, monitor the feed and contact terminals before you set out.

What to expect with tickets, fees, and documents

San Pedro Belize Express terms indicate most discounted and advance-purchase tickets are non-refundable. Changes are typically allowed only if requested at least 48 hours before travel and may incur a 25 percent rescheduling fee processed at a terminal. These are carrier rules and are separate from any border taxes.

For the international leg, border-management fees are paid directly to authorities and are not part of the ferry fare. Current FAQ guidance notes a Belize departure fee of about BZD $ 40.00, about $ 20.00 (USD), usually paid in cash, and a Mexico Quintana Roo entry fee of MXN 861, commonly paid by card at Chetumal immigration. Bring both cash and a card to avoid delays.

Overland fallback via Subteniente López, Santa Elena

If the boat cancels day-of, the most reliable backup is the road crossing at Subteniente López, Mexico, to Santa Elena, Belize. Typical published guidance puts operating hours from early morning through evening on both sides, which makes daytime reroutes feasible. After clearing the border, travelers can continue by ADO coach or Belize domestic buses toward Belize City, or transfer to Corozal Town for local flights and island boats. Allow time for inspection queues and document checks.

Background

The Chetumal-San Pedro corridor mixes sea and land options. When ferries run on time, they are the fastest direct link to the islands. When service is irregular, the road crossing plus bus or shuttle restores connectivity with longer but predictable legs to Belize City or Corozal, where onward boats and short hops by Tropic Air or Maya Island Air connect to San Pedro and Caye Caulker.

Practical planning

Build a same-day "go/no-go" checkpoint three to four hours before departure and re-confirm again one hour before you leave for the terminal. If the sailing is pulled, shift to the border immediately to stay within operating hours. Keep at least BZD $ 40.00 in cash and a bank card for the Mexican entry fee, plus extra for taxis between terminals and border posts. Save the operator's Chetumal and Belize terminal contacts and bookmark the schedule and FAQ pages for quick reference.

Final thoughts

Early November cancellations on the Belize-Chetumal water taxi show that international legs can change with little notice. Confirm sailings the morning you travel, carry funds for border charges, and be ready to pivot to the Subteniente López crossing if needed to keep your itinerary intact.