โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
H.E. Alfredo Martinez Chan Pine Ridge Airstrip (ORZ), formerly known as Tower Hill Airstrip, is a domestic aviation facility serving Orange Walk Town in northern Belize. The airport features a small, basic passenger terminal building designed to facilitate regional 'puddle jumper' flights. It serves as a vital transportation link, connecting the Orange Walk District to Belize City and the offshore cays via domestic carriers like Tropic Air and Maya Island Air.
The terminal infrastructure is minimal and focused on essential transit services, providing basic seating and check-in areas for regional travelers. While the facility lacks modern commercial amenities like retail shops, restaurants, or lounges, it offers a sheltered space for passengers waiting for scheduled or charter flights. Ground handling is informal, and all operations are conducted under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) during daylight hours only.
The airfield features a 2,300-foot asphalt runway (Refurbished in 2014) located approximately 2 miles (3 km) southwest of Orange Walk Town. Due to the proximity of obstacles like electric cables and nearby antennas, pilots are advised to exercise caution during approach and departure. Ground transportation to the town center is readily available via local taxis, providing a quick 5 to 10-minute transfer for arriving passengers.
๐ Connection Tips
Orange Walk Tower Hill Airstrip (ORZ) serves the city of Orange Walk in northern Belize. It handles infrequent domestic flights from Belize City (BZE) via regional carriers like Tropic Air. Located about 3 kilometers from the city center, ground transport is primarily via local taxis which meet arriving flights.
A significant tip: for most travelers, the standard 'connection' to Orange Walk is via a 1. 5-hour road journey from Belize City (BZE). From the city center, frequent intercity buses provide reliable links to Belize City and Corozal. If you are arriving at ORZ via a sanctioned private flight, ground transport must be pre-arranged from the city center, as there are no services on-site.
The facility is utilitarian with no passenger terminal amenities. The area is a gateway for visiting the Lamanai archaeological site It is a classic example of an airstrip whose value is measured in access, not in passenger volume. The airstrip is there to shorten a journey into the bush, not to absorb much extra planning time. A pre-booked taxi from the city center or a planned return road journey is the real connection at this strip because there is nothing on site to improvise after landing there.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
90
minutes
Interline Connections
110
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Big Creek Airport (BGK) is a vital regional airfield serving the Stann Creek District in southern Belize. Located immediately adjacent to the Port of Big Creekโthe country's main deep-water port and a critical hub for the export of bananas and crude oilโthe airport provides essential air connectivity for port operations, local industrial workers, and the nearby communities of Independence and Mango Creek. This airport sits at 3 feet above sea level and operates with a single asphalt runway (designated 11/29) that comfortably accommodates the regional turboprop aircraft common to Belizean domestic aviation, positioned next to the coordinates 16ยฐ31.087'N and 088ยฐ24.29'W of the Port of Big Creek.
The terminal building at BGK is a compact and functional structure designed to facilitate quick and easy passenger movement. It serves as a primary stop for the country's main domestic carriers, Tropic Air and Maya Island Air, which provide scheduled links to Belize City, Dangriga, and Placencia. The terminal layout is straightforward, featuring a combined check-in and waiting area with basic seating. Because of its proximity to the port, the airport often sees a mix of business travelers involved in maritime logistics and tourists heading to the nearby coastal resorts and inland eco-attractions.
Amenities within the terminal are modest, focusing on essential traveler needs. There are basic restroom facilities and a shaded waiting area, though extensive dining or retail options are not available on-site; travelers typically find a wider selection of services in the adjacent towns. Ground transportation is conveniently arranged, with local taxis usually available to meet scheduled flights for the short journey into Independence or Mango Creek. The airport's strategic location also makes it an efficient jumping-off point for exploring southern Belize's natural wonders, including the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and various Maya archaeological sites.
๐ Connection Tips
Big Creek Airport (BGK) is a vital regional airfield serving the industrial Port of Big Creek and the neighboring towns of Independence and Mango Creek in southern Belize. The primary air connections are to Belize Cityโs international (BZE) and municipal (TZA) hubs, operated frequently by Tropic Air and Maya Island Air using rugged Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft. For many travelers, BGK serves as a scenic and cost-effective alternative gateway to the Placencia Peninsula. Upon arrival, taxis with green license plates are readily available outside the terminal; a five-minute ride to the town center or the water taxi dock typically costs between US$5 and US$10.
The most popular onward connection is the 'Hokey Pokey Water Taxi,' which departs from Mango Creek and crosses the lagoon to central Placencia Village. This boat ride takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes and costs about US$5. 50 (BZ$11) one-way. Boats run daily on a fixed schedule from early morning until late afternoon (typically 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM), arriving at the dock behind M&M Hardware in Placencia. From there, most village hotels are within walking distance, though northern resorts may require an additional taxi.
The BGK terminal is a minimalist, open-air facility with basic seating and no restaurants or ATMs. It is essential to carry small denominations of US Dollars or Belize Dollars (fixed at a 2:1 exchange rate) for local transport and boat fares. Because operations are limited to daylight hours under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), it is advisable to monitor weather conditions during the rainy season from June to November, as heavy coastal showers can occasionally cause short flight delays. Finally, BGK is an excellent jumping-off point for exploring the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and the Maya ruins of Nim Li Punit.
โ Back to H.E Alfredo Martinez (Tower Hill) Airstrip