By Bus in The Southern Coast

In the south, National Transport and James Bus Line run from Belize City via Belmopan to Dangriga and Independence and then Punta Gorda. Other, smaller lines also cover this route. Schedules are subject to change, but James Bus Line has about five to six buses daily, with departures starting at 5:30 AM and ending at 5:30 PM. Two of the James Line buses leave Dangriga at 11:30 AM and 5:15 PM daily and stop in Placencia, while the other buses stop in Independence across the lagoon, en route to Punta Gorda. National Transport also has several buses a day from Belize City to Dangriga, with two buses (at 10:30 AM and 4 pm) daily from Dangriga to Placencia. Fares from Belize City are around BZ$15 to Dangriga and BZ$20 to Placencia (BZ$5 from Dangriga to Placencia).

With connections, the trip from Belize City to Dangriga and Hopkins is three to four hours; Placencia is around five to six hours or more, depending on the number of stops. Buses are usually old U.S. school buses or ancient Greyhound buses, are often crowded, and don't have air-conditioning or restrooms. The James Bus Line buses generally are in the best condition. You'll arrive much more refreshed if you go by air—the flight's less than an hour.

The main bus stop in Placencia is in the village near the Shell station. Some buses also stop at Hopkins, near the T-intersection from the Southern Highway. The bus station in Dangriga is seven blocks south of town on the main road, near the Texaco and Shell stations.

Contacts

James Bus Line (7 King St., Punta Gorda. 702/2049). National Transport Services (West Collet Canal, Belize City. 227/6372).