*pricing info as of May 1, 2024
OPTION 1: SHARED SHUTTLE
Company: William Hofman
$120usd trip price for 1- 2 persons – (trip charge NOT per person).
Note: A solo traveler also pays the same $120usd trip fee minimum so it’s worth calling William Hofman in advance to see if there are any other travelers with similar arrival times going toward LOWER DOVER (located in the village of UNITEDVILLE). Ask if you can ride share with others for a discounted shared shuttle price.
Belize Shuttle by William (Hofman)
+501-620-3055 whatsapp
THIS SHUTTLE WILL DROP YOU OFF AT THE FRONT DOOR OF LOWER DOVER
You can whatsapp William Hofman anytime with questions. He will need:
*Pick up date from the BZE Phillip Goldwin International Airport
*Flight number/Airline name
*Estimated Time of Arrival
*Number of travelers in your party
You must also follow-up Email him with the above info in order to complete reservation arrangements. No final verbal phone orders – only EMAIL confirmed orders accepted.
OPTION 2: PUBLIC TRANSIT
– good and cheap, but not fast
THE PUBLIC BUS WILL DROP YOU OFF AT THE LOWER DOVER HIGHWAY SIGN IN UNITEDVILLE, 1/2 MILE FROM LOWER DOVER.
Unitedville is exactly halfway between Belmopan and San Ignacio.
Taxi from BZE to Belize City Bus Terminal $35 or 40usd CASH ONLY (2 persons). Next take a Non-express bus westbound to BENQUE. This is the same bus that travels to San Ignacio
OR
The airport taxi may take you to a bus shelter on the outskirts of Belize City. It’s a bigger fare but you will avoid the crowds (and pick pocketers) at the bus terminal.
Tell the bus conductor you wish to exit at LOWER DOVER in UNITEDVILLE. Fee is $5usd/10bzd. CASH ONLY (BZD or USD) paid to the conductor. Also tell other bus passengers sitting near you for help with directions as you are nearing UNITEDVILLE since the driver and conductor may have forgotten to stop for you. Look for U STORE IT rental units and a small Hardware Store. If you see a school or a store with a gas pump you have traveled 1 block too far.
Note A: An express bus between Belize City and BENQUE will NOT stop in UNITEDVILLE but will stop in BELMOPAN where you change to a NON-EXPRESS bus bound for BENQUE that will stop in UNITEDVILLE. If so, buy your ticket at the Belmopan Bus Terminal Office.
Note B: The buses are overcrowded Friday and Saturday afternoons. Try not to travel during those days as you may have to stand for some of the bus journey.
Note C: Watch your baggage on the bus. No loose shoes or bottles hanging off baggage to temp thieves. When there are many passengers, the conductor will move your luggage to the rear of the bus so you sit in the rear of the bus too. Ask the conductor if you can enter from the rear of the bus (big step up) if there are many passengers blocking the aisle.
Western Zone – Belize City to Benque Viejo Del Carmen (130 km / 81 miles)
The bus companies authorized to operate on the highway in the Western Zone are BBOC, D and E, Guerra’s Bus Service, Middleton’s, Shaw Bus Service and Westline. Westbound buses depart from Belize City about every half hour beginning at 5am; last departure at 9:30 pm. There is also bus service to the rural areas. There is a main bus terminal in the central part of Belmopan. In San Ignacio, the buses stop in the central part of town.
A Regular bus fares from Belize City:
to Belize Zoo (29 miles) is about 45 minutes & $3.usd
to Belmopan (50 miles) is about 1.5 hours & $4usd
to Lower Dover in UNITEDVILLE (59 miles) is about 2 hours & $4.50usd
to San Ignacio (73 miles) is about 2.5 hours & $5usd
to Benque is about $6usd
Express bus fares are $1usd more than Regular bus fares. Totally worth it. Never as crowded.
WESTERN ZONE BUS Schedules EAST TO WEST https://www.belmopanonline.com/belize-bus-schedules
URGENT: LET US KNOW YOUR BUS ETA SO WE CAN PICK YOU UP AT THE HIGHWAY. Otherwise, you will have to walk our entrance road with your luggage (20 minutes – may be muddy – don’t walk here at night). A good place to wait (out of the sun and rain) for our pick up is on the veranda of NASH’s Hardware Store located next to the Lower Dover highway sign in Unitedville. Tip the shopkeeper there $1 to call us so we can come get you, saving a hot walk with luggage on a dirt road.
OPTION 3: DIRECT TAXI
– good and fast, but not cheap
Airport taxi to Lower Dover $140 USD (2 persons) CASH one way, picked up at the airport as you exit customs. Most likely, the airport driver may not know about Lower Dover, so make sure you have our whatsapp number +501-674-4200 in Unitedville, Cayo District.
SOMETHING ELSE TO CONSIDER if you are going to Caye Caulker/San Pedro after checking out of Lower Dover. Atlantic Express( Whatsapp +501-652-6565) has a $20usd per person shuttle that passes by Lower Dover daily at 930AM. You can book that when you get here. Way cheaper than a car rental.
You can watch a video on www.lowerdoverbelize.com under BLOG TAB regarding how-to travel from Caye Caulker to Lower Dover. It’s the reverse video of what will happen when leaving Lower Dover for Caye Caulker. Same company (Atlantic Express) offers to/from service to San Ignacio – Lucky for us Lower Dover’s Unitedville location is on their route.
MADE A RESERVATION FOR LOWER DOVER? PLEASE EMAIL US if you have any FOOD RESTRICTIONS (dinner is automatically made for you on arrival night) and your Estimated Time of Arrival at Lower Dover. LowerDover@gmail.com
