Transport in Belize

This article is about transport in Belize.

Roads

* total: 2,872 km
* paved: 565 km
* unpaved: 2,307 km

Belize has four major asphalt-paved two-lane roads: the Hummingbird Highway, Southern Highway, Western Highway, Northern Highway. The remaining roads are unpaved, rough and in poor condition. A 9-mile stretch of the Southern Highway near Big Falls is unpaved as well. Driving is on the right-hand side of the road, as in the United States.

Airports

Paved runways

* total: 5
**1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
**914 to 1,523 m: 2
** under 914 m:2 (2005 est.)

Unpaved runways

* total: 38
** 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
** 914 to 1,523 m: 11
** under 914 m: 26 (2005 est.)

As of 2005, an estimated 43 airports and airstrips were in operation. The international airport is Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Ladyville, outside of Belize City. Currently, the international airport is served by American, Continental, Delta, TACA and US Air, along with local airlines Maya Island and Tropic. A runway expansion program set to be completed in 2007 may allow larger aircraft to land and may encourage new direct or nonstop service from Europe and Canada. Also in Belize City is the Municipal Airport.

Two airlines, Tropic Air and Maya Island Air, provide frequent service around Belize. In most cases, both airlines have service from the international airport, Philip S. W. Goldson, in Ladyville 9 miles north of Belize City, and from the Belize City Municipal Airport in the city, to San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Dangriga, Placencia, Punta Gorda, and to Flores in Guatemala, and one airline serves Savannah at Big Creek. There is also service from San Pedro to Sarteneja and to Corozal Town. The airlines typically fly small single-engine equipment, such as the Cessna Caravan.

Waterways

Belize waterways consist of a 825 km river network used by shallow-draft craft which is seasonally navigable.

Ports and harbours

* Belize City
* Big Creek
* Corozal Town
* Punta Gorda

Merchant marine

Belize's coastal areas are home to several water taxi services. Water taxis run frequently from Belize City to the northern cayes-- Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker and Caye Chapel. The Caye Caulker Water Taxi Association operates most water taxis to the cayes, with fast, open boats seating around 30 to 35 people leaving from the Marine Terminal near the Swing Bridge in Belize City. In Punta Gorda, Reqena's and other water taxis provide daily service to two towns in Guatemala, Livingston and Puerto Barrios. Water taxis also operate between Dangriga (twice weekly) and Placencia (weekly) to Puerto Cortes, Honduras.

= Railways =

Currently, Belize does not offer any rail transport. In 1913, "Stann Creek Railway" operated between Dangriga and Middlesex Estate and was abandoned in 1937 leaving some railway bridges along the Hummingbird Highway.

The flagicon|World FERISTSA Railway which would connect the United States and Mexico with Panama with a 1435mm gauge would bypass Belize unless a branch were built. [ [http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/FERISTSA Reference.com/Encyclopedia/FERISTSA ] ] This line was proposed in 2007.

See also

* Belize
* Roads in Belize

References

* [http://www.guidetobelize.info/en_bus.html Belize Bus Schedule]
*factbook