Hiring a driver in Belize
 

We are planning a March 2011 trip to Belize. I am getting close to confirming the lodging, but I am having trouble finding a driver to make it work. The plan is as follows:

Fly into Belize City and head to Chaa Creek for 3 nights.

From Chaa Creek, go to La Lancha on Lake Peten Itza in Guatemala where we will spend 2 nights. The second day will be a trip to Tikal, hopefully with a private driver and not through the hotel as it is really pricey.

From there, we would like to fly from Flores to Ambergris where we will spend the last 4 nights at Victoria House.

So, obviously I need to find a driver to make this itinerary work. La Lancha can arrange transportation from Chaa Creek to their hotel, but it is really expensive. Does anyone have experience with hiring a driver to go from Belize to Guatemala and any recommendations? Would renting a car be crazy?

Topping in hopes that someone has some advice...

I can't help with a driver, but there are lots of threads over on Trip Advisor with specific reommendations.

Very few rental car companies will let you take their cars into Gautemala. And, if you do, you will be completely uninsured. I wouldn't risk it.

Get rates for the road transfer from both CC and LL. Otherwise, you can be dropped at the border and take a mini van to LL.

I wouldn't rent a car. I believe there is still one company that allows you to cross the border with a rental, but you'd be without insurance on the Guatemala side.

Private shuttles are expensive in that part of the world. We hired a driver from Adrenalina Tours to take 5 of us from Flores to Belize City last summer so I know they cross the border; I think it was $200 - great service and a comfortable ride plus he helped with the immigration process and saved us quite a bit of time. www.adrenalinatours.com Good luck!