Texas to Belize

[jax88]

Considering a trip from San Antonio, Texas to Ambergris Caye, Belize.  Does anyone have any experience with stopping in Veracruz, Mexico or with landing on Ambergris Caye?  From what I have read, I'll need to stop in Belize City first and get permission to land in Ambergris Caye.

 

Pertaining to Veracruz, is it safe to spend the night?  Do they speak pretty good English?  Pesos for fuel?

[231flyer]

I assume you are headed down for the fantastic diving around the Belize Barrier Reef, Hol Chan marine preserve, and the Blue Hole.....true wonders of nature and still unspoiled for the most part.  San Pedro (MZ10) is the largest settlement on the island and has a small airport with regular Cessna Caravan commercial service from Belize City.  Its a short 15 minute flight from BZE so lack of facilities (gas, hangars, MX) isn't an issue but you might be alarmed by the lack of security. I last visited in 2009 and the airport had a perimeter security fence and a strategically placed hole so locals could cross the runway on bikes to the slums on the other side. Security was absent along with any services although the people were very helpful with tying down the plane.  You do need to stop at BZE and be prepared to pay dearly for everything.  I think Island Handlers still provides agency services and highly recommend you get a service to help you with all the procedures including procuring 100LL at BZE.  Lots of Americans around and English is the official language. The pilots at Tropic Air and Maya Island Air are very helpful and will help sequence you as you approach San Pedro. Its all VFR flying once you leave BZE.  Don't be alarmed if locals cross the runway as you touch down...they seem to be experts!. We rented a private home on the beach and my wife still claims it was her the best beach vacation ever.. Info at http://www.goambergriscaye.com

 

 

The transit through Mexico has become very expensive lately though I had no issues with security.  MMVR has good facilities but you are better off making pre-arrangements.  We used an agent for our entire trip but I believe the FBOs in Mexico will help with all formalities for a fee .  I like Veracruz and neighboring Ixtapa. One of my UT college friends is from Ixtapa and I have even driven down from Austin back in the 80s.  IMHO Mexico gets a bad rap for security outside the border areas.  People are very friendly although things are not cheap anymore.  Long gone are the days of $2 cases of Corona .  

 

Its an easy flight down with the stop in Veracruz but it WILL be expensive.  Its a shame flying into Mexico has become such a hassle and so expensive. AA and UA have direct flights from DFW and IAH and Tropic Air will get you to Ambergris for a lot less money! 

[231flyer]

Xalapa not Ixtapa (auto spell).  Ixtapa is on the pacific side.

[FoxMike]

Randy,

I have been thru MMVR on several occasions.  The airport is ok but as was mentioned expensive.  I would suggest the Empiro Hotel or Holiday Inn Boca Del Rio for a place to stay (neither is cheap).  Hard to guess the airport fees but $200 in and out should do it.  You might consider stopping in Villa Hermosa.  Either place will be money pit and a bit of a hassle.  Last time I stopped in Villa Hermosa they brought a drug dog out to sniff the baggage and plane.  I have not been to Belize but I think the earlier post is pretty accurate.  After you get out of the airplane at your destination you be glad you did the trip by Mooney. 

[crxcte]

Randy, Let us know how the trip went.  I have been thinking of going to Belize too.  I think I could fly through Mexico nonstop to Belize in my F model.  I'm interested in knowing the costs to land at Belize City.

[Becca]

Please don't give my husband any ideas about us taking this trip.

[jax88]

Probably not going to do this trip in the Mooney.  As indicated above and by some of my former instructors who now fly corporate all over central/south America, the fees are likey high enough that it makes more sense to go commercial.  If we were planning on hopping around the region I might do it, but we are house hunting on Ambergris only.