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:
- Fuel Prices are insanely high - as a result, tours, food and transported items are expensive.
- Products on island are transported - anything transported to the islands have higher costs.
- Almost everything is imported - the country produces little relying on agriculture & tourism.
Belize Prices To Expect
All prices have been updated and adjusted for 2024 inflation.
Street Food
$2.00–$5.00 USD
Public Transport
$3.00–$4.00 USD
Mainland Taxis
$3.00–$5.00 USD
Car Rental
$35.00–$75.00 USD
Fuel
$8.00 USD per gallon
Ferry To Cayes
$22.00–$32.00 USD
Flight To Cayes
$75.00–$150.00 USD
Half Day Tour
$45.00 USD
Full Day Tour
$90.00 USD
Souvenirs
Starts at $4.00 USD
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:
- Location - touristy areas like Placencia & San Pedro have some of the highest prices in Belize.
- 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:
🎒 Daily Backpacker Budget
For the backpacker budget, I'm making the assumption that you will be eating street food, taking the bus, staying at hostels and doing self-guided tours.
Mainland
$37USD
Island
$61USD
| Backpacker Budget Breakdown | Price On Mainland (USD) | Price On Island (USD) |
| Hostel Shared Room | $15.00 | $18.00 |
| Bus From Belize City To San Ignacio | $7.00 | Not Applicable |
| Ferry From Belize City To Caye Caulker | Not Applicable | $21.50 |
| Street Food Breakfast | $3.00 | $4.00 |
| Street Food Lunch | $4.00 | $10.00 |
| Day Trip To Mayan Ruin | $8.00 | Not Applicable |
| Bike Rental For 24 Hours | Not Applicable | $7.50 |
| Total | $37.00 | $61.00 |
🏆 Daily Mid-Range Budget
For the mid-range budget, I'm making the assumption that you will be eating at restaurants, taking shuttles, staying at hotels and taking some paid tours. I'm also assuming you will visit more touristy locations like Placencia & San Pedro.
Mainland
$192USD
Island
$167.50USD
| Mid-Range Budget Breakdown | Price On Mainland (USD) | Price On Island (USD) |
| Airbnb Within Town | $55.00 | $75.00 |
| Shuttle From Belize City To Placencia | $85.00 | - |
| Ferry From Belize City To San Pedro | - | $31.50 |
| Breakfast At Cafe | $7.00 | $8.00 |
| Lunch At Restaurant | $7.00 | $8.00 |
| Guided Tour To Mayan Ruin | $38.00 | - |
| Half Day Snorkeling Tour | - | $45.00 |
| Total | $192.00 | $167.50 |
💎 Daily Luxury Budget
For the luxury budget, I'm making the assumption that you will be eating at more upscale restaurants, flying to your destinations, staying at resorts and doing many paid tours. I'm also assuming you will visit more popular locations like Placencia & San Pedro.
Mainland
$412USD
Island
$478USD
| Luxury Budget Breakdown | Price On Mainland (USD) | Price On Island (USD) |
| Jungle/Beach Resort | $180.00 | $210.00 |
| Shuttle From Belize City To Placencia | $85.00 | - |
| Flight From Belize City To San Pedro | - | $150.00 |
| Breakfast At Cafe | $7.00 | $8.00 |
| Lunch At Upscale Restaurant | $15.00 | $20.00 |
| ATM Cave Tour | $125.00 | - |
| Full Day Snorkeling Tour | - | $90.00 |
| Total | $412.00 | $478.00 |
Belize On A Budget
The three best ways to save money on your trip are:
- Visit during the low season - between June & November, most accommodations are 20% lower and there are smaller crowds which gives you way better value.
- Limit your time on the islands - things get pricey on the islands. Touristy destinations like San Pedro & Placencia cater to luxury travelers.
- 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:
- Fly into Cancun - fly to Cancun instead of directly flying into Belize to save money.
- Eat what the locals eat - street food is cheap, tasty and found in every city/town center.
- Use public transportation - buses are very economical compared to shuttles and flights.
- Book tours directly - online platforms like Viator normally have a high fee for their service.
- Buy inland to take to islands - get your groceries inland to save a big chunk of money.
- Travel as a couple or group - prices are lower when purchasing food, lodging & transport as a group.
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