Belize On A Budget: Real Prices You Should Expect 2024

Compared to most countries in Central America, Belize is undoubtedly more 💰 expensive. But if locals can live on the cheap, you can visit on a budget 👌 as well.

In this post, I'll give you the exact prices to expect while visiting Belize. As a backpacker at heart, I can also share money-saving tips to help you get the most of your stay in Belize.

Here's what this budget guide includes: 👇

Why Is Belize So Expensive?

There are three main reasons for this:

1. 📈 Fuel Prices are insanely high - as a result, tours, food and anything that requires transportation is expensive.
2. 🚚 Products on island are transported - due to expensive fuel, anything transported to the islands have higher costs.
3. 🛩️ Almost everything is imported - being reliant on agriculture & tourism, the country doesn't produce many things.

Belize Prices To Expect

All prices have been updated and adjusted for 2024 inflation.

Cost Of Activities

Here are real prices for activities and tours you can expect to pay:

Cost Of Lodging

Here are real prices for lodging you can expect to pay:

Two factors dictate the cost of lodging in Belize:

1. Location - touristy areas like Placencia & San Pedro have some of the highest prices in Belize.
2. Seasonality - low season is between June & November which can have lodging discounts of up to 30%.

Cost Of Transportation

Here are real prices you can expect to pay for transportation:

Cost Of Food & Drinks

Here's what you can expect to pay for meals in Belize excluding drinks.

Belize Trip: Daily Cost Breakdown

These are three general travel budgets:

Belize On A Budget

The three best ways to save money on your trip are:

1. Visit during the low season - between June & November, most accommodations are 20% lower and there are smaller crowds which gives you way better value.
2. Limit your time on the islands - things get pricey on the islands. Touristy destinations like San Pedro & Placencia cater to luxury travelers.
3. Pick only your favorite tours - compared to neighboring countries, tours can be twice the price. Consider renting a car and doing self-guided tours.

Belize On A Tight Budget

Here are a few more tips to save money:

1. Fly into Cancun - fly to Cancun instead of directly flying into Belize to save money.
2. Eat what the locals eat - street food is cheap, tasty and found in every city/town center.
3. Use public transportation - buses are very economical compared to shuttles and flights.
4. Book tours directly - online platforms like Viator normally have a high fee for their service.
5. Buy inland to take to islands - get your groceries inland to save a big chunk of money.
6. Travel as a couple or group - prices are lower when purchasing food, lodging & transport as a group.