Chetumal, Q.R. — After being out of service for nearly two years, water taxis that run between Chetumal and San Pedro Belize are being readied to run again. A water taxi vessel was seen docked Tuesday.
Port officials clarified that it was to carry out procedures and prepare engines for the eventual resuming of the service. Boats from the island of San Pedro last arrived at the Maritime Terminal of Chetumal during March 2020, just before the service was halted due to the covid-19 pandemic.
The Integral Port Administration of Quintana Roo (Apiqroo) is reported as saying that the two companies that provide the San Pedro to Chetumal water service, Water Jets International and San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi, are preparing to resume activities, however, they did not provide a date as to when.
The Chetumal port terminal offers the routes Chetumal – San Pedro, Belize, Chetumal – Cayo de Caulker, Belize and Chetumal – Belize City, Belize. In the first three months of 2020 prior to covid, 5,840 passengers used the service. In 2019, 23,840 people used the service in 7,200 round trips.
Eloy Quintal Jiménez, president of the Business Coordinating Council (CCE) of Chetumal, says that travelers who arrive in Chetumal by sea are very important for businesses. He says tourists from other countries visiting Belize also take advantage of the water taxi service, using it to travel to the southern region of Quintana Roo.