Chetumal to Belize Border Crossing: 2026 Visa Run Guide
The Subteniente López to Santa Elena crossing, just outside Chetumal, is the main land border between Mexico and Belize. It is the classic visa run for people living in Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Bacalar and Cancún, and the start of the overland route into Central America.
Quick Facts
- Mexican side: Subteniente López, near Chetumal, open about 06:00 to 22:00
- Belize side: Santa Elena, near Corozal, open about 06:00 to 20:00
- Belize exit fee by land: BZ$40 (about US$20)
- Mexico FMM: free for 7 days or less by land; 983 MXN for longer stays
Getting There
ADO buses run to Chetumal from Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Bacalar. The Maya Train also stops at Chetumal. Through buses go on to Belize City, stopping at both immigration posts. For a quick run, take a taxi from Chetumal to the border and walk across, then take a taxi or bus to Corozal.
Fees You Will Pay
Leaving Mexico: if you flew into Mexico, the FMM fee was included in your airfare, so keep proof of that. If you entered by land and stayed more than seven days, you pay the fee when you leave. Some travelers report being asked to pay twice, so carry your airline receipt.
Entering Belize: there is no published land entry fee. Most visitors, including US citizens, get 30 days.
Leaving Belize by land: BZ$40, made up of a BZ$30 departure fee, a BZ$2.50 border development fee and a BZ$7.50 PACT conservation fee, according to Belize’s Border Management Agency.
How Long To Stay In Belize
There is no official minimum, but crossing straight back looks exactly like what it is. Many runners spend at least a few nights in Corozal, Orange Walk or the cayes before returning.
Mexico’s FMM And How Many Days You Get
Every visitor entering Mexico needs an FMM (Forma Migratoria Múltiple). By land, it is free if you stay seven days or less. For longer stays the 2026 fee is 983 MXN, roughly US$55. You can fill in the FMM online before you arrive, but it still has to be stamped by an immigration officer at the border. See our Mexico tourist card guide.
The FMM allows up to 180 days, and the officer decides the number. In 2025 and 2026 travelers have reported receiving far fewer days, sometimes 30 or less, especially when their passport shows a pattern of visa runs. Ask politely for the days you need, have a hotel booking and proof of funds ready, and show when you plan to leave.
Bring Proof Of Onward Travel
Border officers on a visa run are deciding one thing: will you leave again on time? A confirmed onward or return booking is the quickest way to answer that. It matters most when you are re-entering a country you only just left, and on the flight leg if your run involves one. See whether Mexico asks for proof of onward travel.
If you do not want to commit to a real ticket yet, Fast Onward Tickets issues an onward flight reservation in minutes. See our complete guide to proof of onward travel for what officers and airlines accept.
FAQs
Can I do a same-day run from Chetumal?
Physically yes. Whether you get a useful number of days back in Mexico is the officer’s call.
Is there a ferry instead?
Yes, boats run from Chetumal to San Pedro and Caye Caulker, with immigration at the ports.
Do I pay the Belize fee in US dollars?
Belize dollars or US dollars are accepted, and cards often work too. Carry cash in case.
The Bottom Line
Chetumal to Belize is straightforward. Budget for the Belize exit fee, keep your FMM paperwork, and arrive back in Mexico with a clear onward plan.