Driving Belize City to Tikal
 

We are arriving in Belize City at 1pm. Plan to rent an SUV and drive to Flores. Is it realistic? How long will it take? Any recommendations on where to stay in Flores?

Hi Roman:<BR><BR>I am not sure if you would want to drive all the way to Flores your first night. Maybe consider somewhere in the San Ignacio area. Plan on an hour, or more to get your luggage and go through customs, and then pick up your car. It is about 2-2 1/2 hours to the border. Then about 1 1/2 hours after that. I don't think that you would want to be on the roads at night time, but I could be wrong.<BR><BR>I might be off a little on my times, but this reply should bring it back to the top and Lan might see it. If so, he is much better at times than I.

I'm no expert on the times but I believe &quot;pjr&quot; is offering good advice. Driving at night in Belize itself is not a great idea but driving in Guatemala at night is definitely inadvisable. All the advice I've ever seen about going to Tikal from Belize has including a warning advising against nighttime travel in Guatemala.

The info you've already gotten is good. I'd agree that it would be better to overnight in the San Ignacio area rather than risk driving in Guatemala after dark.<BR><BR>I'd only add that few car renters allow their vehicles to be taken out of Belize. Crystal is one that does. Thrifty may still allow it, too. But even if you get the okay, you may not be able to get Guat insurance at the border.<BR><BR>--Lan Sluder

Thank you everyone. I truly appreciate your advice.