Driving and Hitching
Driving in Belize is subject to the same limitations as bus travel. The Northern, Western and Hummingbird highways offer easy motoring and smooth roads, as does much of the Southern Highway, but off these highways roads can be rough. If you want to head off the beaten track you'll need high clearance and 4WD. Unleaded petrol is easily available, but expensive at US$3.15 per gallon. Insurance (around US$7-10 a day for your own car) is available from an agent just inside either of the land border crossings or in Belize City. Under Belize's seatbelt law you'll be fined US$12.50 for not belting up. All the main car rental companies offer cars, Jeeps and 4WDs for between US$75 and US$125 a day, plus up to US$15 per day for insurance. You'll usually have to be over 25 and will need to leave either a credit card, travellers' cheques or a large cash deposit. Many outfits do not offer comprehensive insurance, so the renter is likely to be held liable for any damage to the vehicle, however caused. Note that some companies consider driving a car on minor dirt roads (especially in the south) to be taking the vehicle "off-road", which may invalidate your insurance. Check carefully before signing anything. In the more remote parts of Belize the bus service will probably only operate once a day, if at all, and unless you have your own transport, hitching is the only option. The main drawback is the shortage of traffic, but if cars or, more likely, pick-up trucks, do pass they'll usually offer you a lift, though you may be expected to offer the driver some money.
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