If you’re planning to travel to Belize in Central America anytime soon, you’re probably wondering the same thing. Fortunately, we have all of the advice and information for you!
The lengthy Caribbean shoreline is where most people go. There is a sizable Afro-Caribbean population in this region of the country, which resembles several of Britain’s old West Indian island colonies. Native Mayan communities predominate in the more inland regions’ population. In these inland regions, Spanish is the most widely used language. In addition to Belize’s allure as a beach destination, lots of tourists go there to experience the country’s jungles, wildlife, and Mayan ruins.
While Belize is a tiny nation, traveling on public transit is not too difficult. The majority of your journeys will be rather brief and painless. The most effective and affordable mode of transportation is the bus. The majority of the public vehicles are former American school buses that are attractively designed and enjoyable to travel. Here, taking a local bus may be an adventure in and of itself.
Adventure sports fans frequently travel to Belize. You can engage in a variety of activities, including zip lining, scuba diving, kayaking, and cave exploration. Whatever your taste, you’re sure to discover something you like while visiting this stunning nation.
Belize is a fantastic destination, whether you’re traveling there on your honeymoon or with friends. You’ll undoubtedly want to know how much a trip to Belize costs before you pack your bags, though.
Presumptions: How much budget will you require for your Belizean holiday? The average daily
Belize vacation cost is BZ$169 ($85). BZ$34 ($17) on local transportation and BZ$46 ($23) on meals for one day. A couple can stay in a hotel for an average cost of BZ$149 ($74) in Belize. So, the average cost to travel to Belize for two individuals for one week is BZ$1274.20 ($633.08). To assist you in creating your travel to Belize on a budget, we have compiled all of these average travel costs from other travelers.
Here are some general estimates of what you can expect to spend in Belize:
- Accommodation: Accommodation costs can range from budget-friendly options at around $15-40 per night to high-end resorts that can cost $300 or more per night.
- Transportation: Domestic flights within Belize are relatively affordable, with one-way tickets ranging from $40-70 depending on the distance and airline. If you prefer to travel by bus, expect to pay around $5-10 for shorter trips and up to $25 for longer journeys.
- Food: Eating local food or at mid-range restaurants can cost around $10-15 per meal, while high-end restaurants can cost upwards of $20-35 per meal.
- Activities and Excursions: Activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and visiting archaeological sites can range in cost from $30-100 per person, depending on the tour and activity.
Overall, a daily budget of $100-200 per person can provide comfortable travel to Belize on a budget, but if you prefer more luxurious accommodations and activities, expect to spend more. It’s always a good idea to research and plan to get a better idea of how much you can expect to spend based on your specific travel plans.
The Most Economical Seasons to Visit Belize City!
The cheapest times, on average, to travel to BZE and stay in a hotel in Belize City are as follows:
- From May to June
- From August to Mid-November
Late October is typically the most affordable time of year to travel to Belize City.
Why Is Belize So Pricey?
Compared to surrounding nations, Belize is pricey. Nothing particularly jumps out as being incredibly is Belize expensive to visit. Nothing, though, is inexpensive. Because there is unquestionably nothing free. Belize is a pay-to-play destination, which is why I believe it feels so pricey. Every activity you want to engage in requires payment of some type, except the beaches (which are not the ideal beach holiday location). So, the answer to the question “Why Does Belize Cost So Much?” is that Belize itself doesn’t cost a lot, but doing things in Belize does.
- Belize Currency
I am not willing to do as much math while on the cost of Belize vacation as is necessary to pay for stuff in Belize. So, we just relied on other people to give us the right change, which I’m very sure they did. How come it’s so unclear? due to the Belize currency’s parity with the US dollar at $2 to 1. Yet almost everywhere took both US dollars and Bangladeshi rupees. This signifies that many currencies were used to make changes. If you need to convert, it makes the maths quite simple, but when you need change, it can be very perplexing to get “more money” back than you handed the individual because they give you BZD in return.
- Purchasing Items in Belize
Find out whether your suppliers provide discounts for paying with cash. For cash payments, many vendors, especially tour operators, may give you a few dollars off the listed price.
Credit cards are accepted at most larger businesses and restaurants in Belize. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover were accepted. But in Belize, be sure to bring cash. Several establishments, such as street sellers, do not accept credit cards. Tipping for food and excursions is also customary in Belize. There was typically no space for a tip on credit card receipts.
The Foundations of Our Budget Vacation to Belize
The cost of living Belize trip expenses listed here reflect the time we spent traveling through Belize on what we would deem a flashpacker budget. Basically, no to dorms, yes to a/c almost always (with regrets when we skipped it!), and no to major luxuries.
Budget And Spending In Belize:
- 7 days are involved.
- Spending totals in Belize are BZD6205.93, €2847.67, and $3,085.
- Belize’s daily spending average is BZD886.55, €406.81, or $428.57.
Averaging $440.71 per day for two people, we traveled in Belize for 7 full days. (Flight cost excluded). Everything has the potential to be more or less expensive.
We divide the budget into sections such as transportation, lodging, entertainment, dining, and more to calculate the price of a Belize holiday. In addition, for complete openness, we even disclose our expenditures!
Flights Costs to Belize
The most convenient method of travel to Belize is typically by air. You may even find some good deals depending on when you fly!
Finding flights should be simple thanks to the airport’s service from Delta, United, American, Alaska, and even Southwest. A round-trip flight from a medium-sized city should cost between $450 and $600 per person.
Flight prices to Belize can vary significantly depending on where you fly from, the season, and how far in advance you book. Here are some broad estimates for airfare to Belize:
- Domestic flights: One-way tickets for domestic flights within Belize typically cost between $70 and USD 200, depending on the distance and airline.
- International flights to Belize can be more expensive, with round-trip tickets costing anywhere from $300 to $800 from North America, depending on the departure location and season. Much more expensive flights can originate from Asia or Europe.
To locate the greatest offers, it’s always a good idea to compare costs across different airlines and reservation systems. Additionally, you can frequently discover lower fares by planning your trip for off-peak times or booking your flights far in advance. Even as little as $370–450 per person round-trip is possible for bigger destinations like New York City.
A fantastic chance to use points also exists here! You may find bargains for round-trip flights with American Airlines points, for instance, starting at just 20,000 points per person! Taxes and fees (about $80 per person) would be your only expenses.
Note: June through August is considered the peak travel period for flights to Belize; expect to pay at least $960 for your return ticket. The months of September through November are regarded as the low season when airfares are typically less expensive. On average, a round-trip ticket costs around $798 at this time. If you’re fortunate, you could even be able to discover a better deal!
Our flight total cost around $853/per person
Accommodations
Depending on the kind of lodging you select, your Belize cost of travel differs. In general, you should plan to spend roughly $200 per night on hotels. So, a 7-night stay would cost you roughly $1,400.
The location, season, and type of lodging you select can all have a significant impact on the cost of lodging in Belize.
To give you an idea of what to anticipate, the following are some things to take note of:
- Affordable Accommodation: You can stay in hostels or guesthouses for as little as $15 to $20 per night.
- Mid-range lodging: Mid-range hotels and resorts can range in price from $50 to $150 per night if you’re searching for a more pleasant stay.
- Luxurious Accommodation: If you want to spend a lot of money on a holiday, you may stay in upmarket resorts and hotels for more than $300 per night.
Some of the fancier residences in San Pedro can easily run you $200 or more per night. Go to Caye Caulker to find hostels and guest homes if you’re looking for less expensive lodging.
Prices are typically substantially less expensive if you stay in San Ignacio. There are many different hotels, resorts, hostels, and guesthouses. The more affordable real estate in this area will counteract the more costly ones in San Pedro.
It’s also important to keep in mind that rates are generally higher during the busiest travel times (November to April) and big holidays, so you might be able to get a better deal if you go when demand is lower.
Our accommodation total cost is around $840 ($120/night)
Food Cost of Belize
Rice and red beans are a staple food in Belize. The primary meat choice is chicken if you choose to dine at neighborhood restaurants, which is your least expensive alternative. You can find more seafood dishes and a greater range of alternatives in tourist restaurants, but you will pay significantly more. But whether you’re on a budget or not, you should taste the regional delicacies at least once or twice. Local eateries can be extremely good.
- Ceviche: Don’t confuse this tasty dish with salsa. It is a well-marinated seafood mixture, frequently made with conch and veggies. Because of the citrus marinade, the raw fish is cooked.
- Fried jacks: This tortilla-like food is typically offered with breakfast. They frequently come with cheese, refried beans, eggs, or cereal, which together make up a traditional Belizean breakfast. It’s a satisfying way to begin your morning.
- Escabeche: A typical Belizean soup made with chicken, onions, and seasonings. Before making the soup, the onions are frequently thoroughly marinated in vinegar to produce an acidic base.
The price of meals varies in Belize based on the kind of restaurant or eating place you go to. To give you a basic idea, the following ranges are provided:
- Local cuisine: For $5 to $10 per meal, you can discover native food options including rice and beans, stewed chicken, and ceviche at tiny restaurants or on the streets of Belize City. Belizean cuisine is a fusion of Caribbean, Mexican, and Mayan influences.
- Mid-range eateries: You should budget $15 to $25 for each dinner at mid-range eateries.
- High-end restaurants: Meals at high-end restaurants can cost more than $50 to USD 100 per meal.
Certain regions are more expensive than others, such as Placencia and Ambergris Caye, which are famous tourist attractions. Furthermore, eating at neighborhood eateries and street vendors may be more affordable than doing so at upscale restaurants.
Some grocery and general expenses in Belize!
A list of common travel expenses for food is shown below:
- BZD$5, $2.50 for a cappuccino
- Bananas cost BZD$3, or $1.5 per kilogram
- BZD$7, or $3.5 per kg of apples
- Avocado: BZD$1.50 or $0.75
- You must try bread and avocado. genuinely excellent
- Coca-Cola bottle (0.3L): BZD$1.50 or $0.75
- Yogurt (500 ml): BZD$6 or $3
- Bread (2 pieces): BZD$5 or $2.5
- French bakery on Caye Caulker and his baguettes were fantastic!
- 3.3-liter bottle of water: BZD$3 or $1.5
- A glass of wine costs BZD$ 12 or $6 in a wine bar.
- Belize has a high cost of living for wine. A Cuba Libre or Gin Tonic is more affordable!
- Local beers cost BZD$7 ($3.50) at a bar.
Belize’s location on the coast means that there is a lot of fish available. As an illustration, we had fresh lobster for BZD$20! Delicious!
Our food total costs around: $464 ($63/person)
Getting Around Belize
It’s time to discuss local transportation in this guide on how much it costs to visit Belize. As previously stated, you should expect to pay between $100 and $120 for one-way travel on a national airline.
- Golf carts are the most widely used form of transportation for visitors staying on Ambergris Caye. Each day, these run between $30 and $55.
- To go to the airport or San Pedro, a taxi costs around $7.50 (15 Belize dollars); however, you cannot simply wave one down. You would need to make pick-up arrangements with your hotel.
- There are some possibilities for individuals traveling inland. An average rental automobile costs $50 to $70 per day. You might also use a public transit system.
- Public transportation costs $15 and takes two to three hours to reach San Ignacio. It will cost you $20 to travel to Placencia, which takes about 5 hours.
The majority of resorts will charge a fee for some type of shuttle service. This is the simplest way to travel to your accommodation. Transport is additionally included when you reserve attractions through your hotel. Therefore if you’re going to San Ignacio or Placencia, you most likely won’t need a rental car.
Overall, I advise allocating $200 to local transit:
- Taxis: Taxis in Belize are not metered, so it’s important to negotiate a price before getting in the car. Short trips within a city or town can cost around $5-10, while longer journeys can cost upwards of $50-100.
- Buses: Buses are a popular and affordable way to travel around Belize, with fares ranging from $5-25 depending on the distance and route.
- Domestic flights: Domestic flights within Belize are relatively affordable, with one-way tickets ranging from $50-100 depending on the distance and airline.
- Rental cars: Rental cars are available in Belize, but can be expensive and come with additional fees such as insurance and gas. Expect to pay around $50-100 per day for a rental car, depending on the type of vehicle and rental company.
Overall, taking buses and negotiating prices with taxis can be a more budget-friendly option for transportation in Belize. Additionally, if you plan on staying in one location for an extended period, renting a bicycle or scooter can be a cost-effective way to get around.
Our transportation total cost is around $700/ 2 person
Activities
Belize is a country full of adventure even though it can be tempting to just sit back and enjoy the beach all week, especially if you live in a coastal town.
To begin with, Belize’s Great Barrier Reef is the second-largest coral reef system in the world. In addition, this nation gives the possibility to go ziplining, river tubing, and cave tubing. There are many areas by the shore where you may unwind. But you should get out and explore Belize!
Old Belize: This tourist destination, which is situated in Belize City, provides you with a special chance to travel back in time and experience life as it might have been centuries ago. The exhibit provides a unique viewpoint on the region and is a useful method to learn more about the local way of life. It highlights historical relics and cultural traditions from throughout Belize.
Depending on the attractions you decide to do, the cost of a trip to Belize will vary considerably. Below are Belize’s top tourist destinations:
- Flypast of Blue Hole
- Snorkeling or scuba diving at the Belize Barrier Reef Hol Chan marine reserve/Shark Ray Alley
- Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave
- Cave tubing
- Zoo in Belize
- Mayan ruin sites
Here are a few of the excursions we took from Hopkins, along with their prices:
- $195 for three activities: Swimming in a blue hole, cave tubing, and exploring Xunantunich Mayan Ruins.
- The Scuba divisor is roughly $200.
Spend $100 per person to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef. - The cost per person for a ziplining and river tubing tour is $195.
The pricing of the many trips offered across the nation varies, though. According to the tour, most range from $75 to $200 per person. - Cost of excursions and activities in Belize: If you’re visiting for a week, I suggest taking 3–4 tours. This would cost you, depending on the tour, anywhere from $200 to $780 per person.
In general, half-day excursions like snorkeling and visits to Mayan sites cost between $60 and $85 per person.
Our activities total cost around $920 for 2 person
Other expenses
In addition, you’ll need to factor other expenses into the price of your Belize trip. The following few are important to be aware of:
Travel Insurance: A good idea is always to purchase travel insurance in case of illness or emergency. During our trip to Belize, which we always take with Global Nomads, we were each given a $75 reimbursement.
Tipping: Pay attention to the tipping! 10-15% is a decent amount to tip for restaurants, bars, tour guides, and hotel workers since tippiaren’tn’t as common as it is in the US. Each participant should set aside an additional $100–200 for this.
Souvenirs: You probably won’t purchase anything to bring back from Belize other than a few tiny trinkets.
Plus: It’s a good idea to keep a cushion on hand because you never know. I often add an extra $100 per person.
FAQs
Can I Go On My Own To Belize?
The distinct Caribbean vibe of Belize was captivating after passing through Mexico and Guatemala. I learned a lot about myself from Belize’s distinctive people and way of life. I met people, gained knowledge of Garinagu culture, and discovered how to genuinely appreciate quiet and solitude.
Is Belize A Friendly Nation?
Belize is a well-known tourist destination, making it both safe and vulnerable to opportunistic crimes. Belizeans are often quite welcoming to visitors. The most frequent incidents for both locals and tourists are little crimes (such as the aforementioned pickpocketing) and guys “catcalling” ladies.
Is Scuba Diving Pricey In Belize?
This is a pricey location for us because of the diving. We would have saved nearly $300 if we had skipped scuba diving. But the cash was very worthwhile! Belize has an incredible underwater world!
Final Words
So how much does it cost to go to Belize? For a stay of seven nights, set up US $3,085 in your budget. This is a rather affordable sum that will probably enable you to eat at nicer restaurants and stay at better hotels. Your trip to Belize will be an unforgettable experience that is worth the cost of travel. Check out my travel guides to Japan, and Greece for more ideas.
