Island hopper flights are often the best way to get around tropical paradises. It’s how I travelled around Hawaii with Hawaiian Air in recent years.
In the Caribbean country of Belize, Tropic Air are one of two airlines (the other being Maya Island Air) to provide regular service between the main destinations of the country and its many islands.
Last week, I took a return journey from the international airport in Belize City to the southern resort area of Placencia, saving several hours on the roads.
Here’s everything you need to know about the experience…
On both legs, check in closes 30 minutes before departure, and boarding commences about 5 minutes before departure, with the flight time at about 25 minutes.
The aircraft are small – Cessna Model 208Bs, with room for a pilot and 14 passengers, if there’s no co-pilot. Yes that’s right – you can often sit in the co-pilots chair as a passenger, which for most of us has not been an option since 2001 (thankfully I enjoyed a few times sitting in the cockpit of the 747, in the before times, but that’s a story for another time).
There’s little room for your bag at your feet, so anything more than a backpack will need to be checked. No seats are assigned so you grab the furthest in seat available upon boarding. On the flight up, which was full, they moved some passengers around for appropriate weight balance. Though this wasn’t necessary on the flight back, which was only half full.
There’s no bathroom on board, and certainly no service, but I do believe all flights with the airline are far less than an hour – so just make sure you use the bathroom and have some snacks and water for the flight if you need it!
Here’s a bit more detail on my journey…
FLIGHT: BELIZE CITY – PLACENCIA
I first arrived on my flight to Belize City from Toronto, Canada – from where Westjet and Air Canada both offer limited direct flights per week. It’s a small airport, though there was a decent amount of traffic at the time my Westjet flight arrived. It took an hour and a half to get through customs, where you presented the physical forms that were provided and filled out on board the earlier flight. After collecting bags, you were able to leave the arrivals hall and check in with Tropic Air at their desk.
Anything larger than a backpack needs to be checked in at this time, and you’re presented with a hand written, paper boarding card and baggage receipt that would need to be presented to collect your bag(s) on arrival.
Flights between Belize City and Placencia often leave hourly, so they kindly moved me onto a flight an hour earlier than I had originally booked. A quick run through security took me to my gate and the crowded departure hall. A number of food, beer and souvenir options awaited me (and a chance to get your hands on some Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce, a favourite of the region).
Five minutes before departure we boarded the small aircraft via the tarmac (there are no jet bridges here) which offered incredible views of the country as we soared slightly above the first layer of clouds.
Is this what travel used to be like? Things tracked by hand written systems? Easy moves onto earlier flights when available? Quick and friendly service?
The only flight I’ve experienced anything similar was when I flew on a seaplane from Victoria (on Vancouver Island) to Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada.
On arrival, we walked up a dirt path next to the Tropic Air check in building, where our bags were distributed. Taxis were available and they accepted USD or BZD (at a rate of 1:2, respectively).
FLIGHT: PLACENCIA – BELIZE CITY
For my return flight, there was no security to speak of at Placencia Airport. Just a small, air conditioned room with some chairs, self service water, bathrooms and the check-in desk. No food or drink options are otherwise available.
Here I was given a plastic boarding card, with a colour designating which flight I was on. My carry on roller bag was also tagged outside the building, and when I checked in I provided the agent with my baggage receipt. This would be used to collect the bag when we arrived in Belize City, which were distributed inside the terminal.
The experience was otherwise much the same as my trip down to Placencia, except it wasn’t as full a flight.
All in all, it felt like travel from another era, with an easy walk onto the plane moments before departure, and the ability to literally sit next to the pilot. Nervous flyers may feel shaky on such a small flight, but let’s not forget this was also a great way to see the country. Just look at this view of Placencia taken shortly after take off!
All this comes with a decent price tag – around $125 USD each way. So, if you’re a large group, travelling this way would not be as cost effective as hiring a car, driver or even a boat. But if you’re a party of one or two, this is a fantastic way to jump around Belize.
To fly Tropic Air, and for more details about the airline, head to tropicair.com
The author flew at his own expense. Photos by the author.
