Moving to Belize With My Dog... and the Adventures I Never Saw Coming! 🐾

Moving to Belize with my beloved dog, Cooper, seemed like a dream come true. However, the journey has been filled with unexpected twists and turns. In this blog post, I'll share the mistakes I've made so far in the hopes that it helps fellow pet owners planning a similar adventure.

Flying Woes with WestJet: My initial plan was a direct flight from Toronto to Belize City on WestJet in April 2024. Little did I know that bringing Cooper along would be more complicated than expected. WestJet's website lacked crucial information, and a call to the airline revealed that dogs couldn't fly in the cargo area to Belize. After reaching out to the Belizean and pet travel communities on Facebook, I discovered the solution: a detour through Mexico. The only other option was to ship him with an animal transportation company which all quotes between $2,000-6,000... not happening!

Mexico-bound: Having to change our plans, my mom and I opted to fly into Cancun instead. The next challenge was getting from Cancun, Mexico to San Pedro, Belize. While I initially considered ADO buses, they didn't allow dogs inside the bus and I didn't feel comfortable with having Cooper under the bus with the bags, with no AC for many, many hours. Instead, we found a private charter company as a backup plan in case we couldn't find any other options. A helpful contact in a Facebook group mentioned the Tren Maya (train) will be opening shortly, offering a cost-effective alternative. Though the leg from Cancun to Chetumal wasn't open at the time, the projected February opening aligned perfectly with our April plans, and provided us a little wiggle room.

The New Plan: Our revised itinerary involves flying from Toronto to Cancun, staying overnight, and then taking Tren Maya to Chetumal. We'll spend a couple of nights there, taking advantage of more affordable shopping before boarding the water taxi to San Pedro. However, the adventure doesn't end there, as long-term accommodation arrangements in Belize still need to be sorted out.

Lessons Learned:

1. Research Thoroughly: While planning, rely on more than just airline websites. Connect with fellow travellers and pet owners who have navigated similar journeys for invaluable insights.

2. Flexibility is Key: Plans may change, and having alternative routes or modes of transportation in mind can save you from unnecessary stress.

3. Community Support: Engage with online communities on Facebook. The wealth of information shared by experienced individuals can be a game-changer.

4. Budget Wisely: Unexpected costs can arise, especially when travelling with pets. Be prepared for potential expenses and explore cost-effective alternatives.

Stay Tuned: Our adventure is far from over, and there's more to unfold as we finalize our long-term accommodations. Follow along to see if our plan works out and to gain further insights into navigating the intricacies of moving to Belize with a furry friend. The journey continues, and the lessons learned will undoubtedly shape our future travels.