Taking the Ferry from Punta Gorda, Belize to Puerto Barrios, Guatemala

There are usually three boats that leave Punta Gorda each day.  Most of the time there are departures at 9am and 4pm on boats run by two different companies going from Punta Gorda to Puerto Barrios.  There is also a boat that leaves at 10am to Livingston, Guatemala, however I have never taken it so I don't know much about it.

The dock is located at the customs office down on the water in the main area of town.  You can buy a ticket there for about $18.  The boats are relatively small (ferry is a generous term) but there are usually seats.  Have your passport stamped at the Belizean immigration.  

If the water is choppy at all be prepared to get a little wet from the seaspray if you have a side seat.  The ride into Puerto Barrios can be pretty scenic especially if there is a big Dole Banana cargo ship there be loaded up with Guatemalan bananas.  When you arrive in Guatemala you have to get stamped in at Guatemalan immigration which is actually a few blocks away from the water; just head straight inland from the dock and you should see a sign; follow the street a few blocks and you will see guatemalan immigration in a small office on the left.

If you are heading in the other direction and going from Puerto Barrios to Punta Gorda be sure and check the boat departure schedule as the last boat leaves relatively early in the afternoon.  If you miss the afternoon boat then you are forced to spend the night in Puerto Barrios which is what happened to me; atleast the Guatemalan beer is cheap.

On the trip from Guatemala to Belize a lot of the time they load up the empty seats with cheap Guatemalan goods making the ferry one of the smallest international cargo ships out there.