Crossing the Mexico Belize Border in a Rental Car

Looking at renting a car to take across the Mexico Belize border, and maybe even into Guatemala? We are sharing what we learned – Where to rent a car. What it is going to cost. Crossing the Mexico Belize border and what to expect.

Where to Rent a Car for Crossing the Mexico Belize Border

You may already know that not every rental car company allows border crossings. But with a little research, we found at least one that does, American Car Rental. They have several locations in Quintana Roo including a couple in Cancun which is where our Mexico Belize road trip began.

Online reservations are very easy. You don’t have to pay in advance. You can pay in country when you pick up the car.

Permit to Take the Rental Car from Mexico to Belize or Guatemala

When you make your reservation you can request border crossing permits for Belize, which is free, and Guatemala, which is not. If you want a border crossing permit to take your Mexican rental car to Guatemala it is going to cost $180 USD.

A Few Money Saving Tips and Things to Remember

  • Get a better rate by booking a full week, or even better, a full month (four weeks).  
  • If possible, avoid the airport tax by picking up your rental car from a location other than the Cancun airport.
  • To make navigation easy, download offline Google maps onto your cell phone for the areas you are planning to travel.
  • Remember to bring your cell phone accessories… a car mount and mobile phone charger.

Cost of Crossing the Mexico Belize Border at Chetumal

The Mexico Tourism Tax

  • 580 pesos or $35 USD per person

Fumigation Fee

  • $30 BZD or 15$ USD

They didn’t actually fumigate our car, but we were still required to pay.

Belize Car Liability Insurance

You get Mexican liability insurance when you rent your car in Mexico. At American Car Rental it is included with the price. The Belize insurance is going to be extra and will depend on how long you plan on having the car in Belize.

  • $12 BZD ($6 USD) / day
  • $29 BZD ($14.50 USD) / week
  • $60 BZD ($30 USD) / year

This insurance is purchased at the border as the last step before you are clear to enter the country. You will receive a sticker to place in the windshield of the car as proof of insurance. If you go through any police checkpoints in Belize they will ask for your driver’s license and proof of insurance.

Belize Exit Fee

Leaving Belize on your return to Mexico you only need to pay the Belize exit fee.

  • $40 BZD or 20$ USD

VIDEO: Crossing the Mexico Belize Border with a Rental Car

Our Intro to International Digital Nomad Life… A Month in Mexico

We’ve been working toward location independent, digital nomad life for a while and we’ve finally achieved it! Sometimes we’re in the PNW living the RV Life, sometimes we are traveling the US on business, but this video comes to you during a month we spent in southern Mexico testing the waters of international digital nomad life.

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY SUBSCRIBE to Our YouTube Channel!

You can also find us here…

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Thanks for stopping by! And until next time… life is too short to stay in one place. Happy wanderings!

Jim + Tania

AT HOME ON THE GO


Showing 5 comments
  • Gene
    Reply

    anyone know which rental car companies allow you to rent a car in mexico, but return the car in guatemala? or vice versa. thanks!

    • Tania Kenner
      Reply

      We were not able to find a car rental company that allowed you to pick up in one country and drop off in another.

  • Mikel Bruce
    Reply

    This post is awesome. Thanks so much! I’ve been to Belize several years ago and recall needing a vehicle that will travel on dirt roads. Do you recommend a 4 wheel drive vehicle or a standard SUV? We will be picking up in Cancun and driving throughout Belize, Thanks!

    • Tania Kenner
      Reply

      Standard SUV is fine. Some of the roads in Belize get pretty rough and we find it’s better just to stick to the better roads. Plenty to see. Have fun and enjoy your trip! Make sure you hit the San Ignacio weekend market!

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