Travelling mexico to belize and onto guatemala
 

My wife and I have booked our honeymoon trip, flying into cancun and then travelling down the riviera maya to bacalar, onto the hidden valley inn in central belize and tikal national park in guatemala before returning to belize, ambergris caye. We then travel back to cancun via tulum and playa del carmen. All very exciting!

My question(s) for this forum are:

1. We understand ADO run a good "first class" bus service up and down the riviera maya. I've looked at the ado bus schedule and although some sites (rome2rio) suggest these are regular, the ado site suggests there are only a few a day and normally depart late. E.g. Buses from playa del carmen to bacalar;

I. Are they regular ie every few hours?
Ii. Do the buses operate strict door to door stops ie can we get on a bus from pdc to chetumal and get off at bacalar?
Iii. Presume it is fine to book tickets on the day/day before?


2. Travelling between belize city and flores. Few questions on this route:

I. Again, are buses regular on this route? If we get dropped at the belize/guatemala border, can we get on a bus easily from there?

Ii. Understand there are no ado buses and these buses are more like old school buses. Can anyone give us an insight into this experience? How difficult is it to do this trip with luggage?

Yes, the ADO express buses are first class. I rely on two webites for schedules: the ADO website and another one called "ticketbus".

I haven't looked up the Playa to Bacalar ADO run, but I would suspect there might be only a few per day. Note that other bus lines might also do the same run -- thses schedules might not be on websites, so you'll have to ask at a bus terminal. Mayab is a good bus line. Other services might be second class buses (maybe no a/c). In Playa, it would be best to make inquiries at the bus terminal on 5th Ave because you'll have a better chance of the staff being able to speak English.

I know that ADO express buses between Cancun to Chetumal run every couple of hours. These express buses don't stop at Bacalar, so you'll have to go to Chetumal and backtrack to Bacalar on a smaller bus (ask at the bus terminal) or taxi. The smaller buses might run more frequently.

It is fine to book tickets on the day/day before. I prefer the day before so I have a better chance of choosing where I want to sit (all seats are numbered).

Between BC & Flores, you have two options: go all the way on one of the three express buses, or go to Benque by Belizean bus, continue to the border by taxi, cross over, then continue by Guatemalan bus or taxi. I don't know the frequency of the Guatemalan buses (don't expect first class). I'd prefer to go all the way on one of the express buses, but a taxi from Melchor can get you to Tikal for US$50 or $60.

The "BelizeBus" website has details for both options...
http://belizebus.wordpress.com/

Belizean buses ARE old school buses. Some Guatemalan buses are first class, others are as bad as or worse than Belizean buses and commonly known as "chicken" buses.

Luggage...
ADO express buses have a separate luggage compartment under the seating area.
Belizean buses place luggage at the back of the bus in front of the emergency exit door or wherever there's enough space (sit near it or keep an eye on it).

There are two bus terminals in Playa del Carmen. You can buy tickets at either one, but make sure you know which terminal the bus departs from.

Another option...

San Juan Travel operate an express bus between Chetumal and Flores. Details on the BelizeBus site.

Thankyou very much MisterB2, extremely helpful.