How Much Does it Cost to go to Belize?

How much does it cost to go to Belize is a question that should be on the minds of more North Americans. The country offers good value, is conveniently located just south of Mexico, and is the only country in Central America where English is the national language. Best of all, the country offers both adventurous things to do and plenty of relaxation options.

If you’re thinking about heading to Belize, I recommend a 7-night itinerary. Belize is a relatively small country, so you could easily explore up to three locations during this time. Most people will spend some time on one of the cayes before going inland. That said, if your goal is to dive, you might as well stay by the water the entire time.

In this how much does it cost to go to Belize guide, I’ll cover everything you need to budget for. From flights to attractions, here’s what to budget for your trip to Belize cost.

Expenses	Estimated cost
Airfare	$450 – $650
Accommodations	$1400
Local transportaion	$200
Attractions	$400
Food and drink	$315
Random spending	$120
Total	US $3,085

The above estimate is in American dollars (USD), so please use xe.com to determine the average costs in your home currency.

Note that Belize has their own currency called the Belize dollar. That said, American dollars are accepted everywhere at an exchange rate of 1 American dollar to 2 Belize dollars. Unless otherwise noted, always assume Belize prices are being quoted in Belize dollars. For example, if you’re told a taxi is 15 dollars, you should assume that’s Belize dollars. Some hotels use American dollars as the default currency, which will be clearly displayed on all menus.

When paying with American dollars, it’s not uncommon to get Belize dollars back as change. American Express credit cards are not commonly accepted in Belize.

How much does it cost to fly to Belize?

Even though Belize is just south of the United States, the cost to fly to the country isn’t as cheap as you’d imagine due to a lack of competition. Generally speaking, you should budget about $450 for round-trip plane tickets from the U.S. If you’re flying from Canada, you could easily spend $100 – $200 more. 

Despite the lack of competition, Belize City international airport (BZE) still gets direct flights from many major cities, including Miami, Atlanta, Seattle, Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Houston, and Dallas. With a few exceptions, most of these airlines only fly once or twice a week.

Besides your primary flight into the city, visitors might need to take a short plane ride via Tropic Air or Maya if they’re headed to destinations such as San Pedro, Caye Caulker, or Placencia. This will set you back about $100 each way, so you’ll need to budget another $200 if you’re taking a return flight. 

It is possible to take a ferry from Belize City to Caye Caulker or San Pedro, but you’ll need to take a taxi to the ferry station from the airport first (about $30), and then the water taxi (San Pedro Belize express) is about $30. Doing this will save you money, but it’s a 2-hour journey vs. a 15-minute flight.

Accommodations

Your trip to Belize cost will vary depending on the type of accommodations you choose. Generally speaking, you should budget about $200 a night for hotels. That would mean a 7-night stay will run you about $1,400. 

It’s worth noting that the type of accommodations you’ll get will vary depending on where you’re staying and what your preferences are. San Pedro has some nicer properties, so they could easily cost $200+ a night. If you’re looking for cheaper accommodations, head to Caye Caulker, where you’ll find hostels and guest houses.

If you’re staying in San Ignacio, prices tend to be much lower. You’ll find various hotels, resorts, hostels, and guesthouses. The lower prices here will balance out the more expensive properties in San Pedro.

If you’re looking for some property recommendations, consider the following.

Victoria House, San Pedro

The Victoria House Resort and Spa is located a 10-minute drive south of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. Simply put, this is one of the best properties I’ve ever stayed at. The resort features only 42 rooms, so it never feels busy. You can get traditional rooms that are similar to hotels, or you can opt for a private casita. They even have a villa with 2 bedrooms and a private pool, which is perfect for families. The property has its own beach, so it’ll feel like you’ve got it to yourself. Non-motorized watersports are included, and a massage at their spa is highly recommended. 

The Palmilla restaurant serves traditional Belizian dishes with a modern presentation. Alternatively, you can dine poolside or at Admiral Nelson’s beach bar, which is the best place to meet other guests.

Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection

The Alaia is the only Marriott property in Belize and is the largest hotel on Ambergris Caye. As an Autograph Collection property, you can expect top-notch service and dining. The hotel has three distinctive structures. The main buildings feature studio and one-bedroom suites. Beachfront villas have 3 bedrooms and a plunge pool. You could argue the best value is the Reef House which features a 2-bedroom suite. The Reef House is to the side of the property, away from the crowds. It has its own pool, so it’s perfect for families and those who prefer privacy. All guests aged 18+ get access to the top-floor lounge and pool.

If you collect Marriott Bonvy points, studios/1 Bedroom suites/ Reef House will cost you about 55,000, 70,000, and 105,000 points, respectively. This is a pretty decent value for your points.

San Ignacio Resort Hotel

The San Ignacio Resort Hotel is the best property in the area. It has a rich history since the Queen stayed at the hotel in 1994, followed by Will and Kate in 2022. The rooms will feel a touch dated compared to modern comforts, but the service and amenities are excellent. There’s a pool, tennis court, and you’re within walking distance from Cahal Pech (Mayan Ruins) and the San Ignacio Market. What makes this property unique is the iguana project. They literally care for injured iguanas and release them back into the wild when they’re ready.

Another highlight of the property is the Running W restaurant. A lot of their dishes are inspired by traditional Belizian and Mayan cuisine. They also source their beef locally, so be sure to try their steak.

Local transportation

It’s now time to talk about local transportation in this how much does it cost to go to Belize guide. As mentioned, a one-way flight on the local airlines within the country will run you about $100 – $120 each way.

If you’re staying on Ambergris Caye, golf carts are the most common mode of transportation. These cost about $30 – $55 a day. Taxis are about $7.50 (15 Belize dollars) to get to the airport or San Pedro, but note that you can’t just wave them down. You’d have to arrange for pick up through your hotel.

For those headed inland, you have some options. Rental cars cost about $50 to $70 a day. You could also take public transportation. The public bus to San Ignacio is about $15 and will take 2 – 3 hours. Placencia is about a 5-hour journey and will set you back $20.

Note that most resorts will offer some kind of shuttle service for a fee. This is the most convenient way to get to your hotel. In addition, when booking attractions through your hotel, transportation is included. In other words, you likely won’t need a rental car if you’re headed to San Ignacio or Placencia.

Overall, I recommend budgeting about $200 for local transportation.

Attractions

Your trip to Belize cost will fluctuate quite a bit depending on what attractions you choose to do. For reference, the most popular attractions in Belize are as follows:

• Blue Hole flyover
• Snorkelling or scuba diving in the Belize Barrier Reef
• Hol Chan marine reserve/Shark ray alley
• Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave
• Tubing in caves
• Belize zoo
• Mayan ruins

Generally speaking, half-day tours such as snorkelling and Mayan ruins will cost you $60 – $85 per person. Scuba diving starts at around $200. Cave experiences are $100 – $150 a person. Blue Hole tours are about $110.

It’s worth noting that even if you’re staying in San Pedro or Caye Caulker, you can still do the inland tours. The trip cost is the same. You just need to add in the cost of the flights. For example, if you wanted to do the ATM from San Pedro, a full-day tour would cost you about $350 per person. It’s even possible to combine a Mayan ruin tour with caving for one long adventure. 

Generally speaking, I recommend budgeting $400 for local attractions, but this assumes you want to do all the major things. Some people are happy coming to Belize just to relax by the water or simply explore the towns. 

Food and drink

When it comes to food and drinks, Belize prices can vary quite a bit. Simple local dishes such as pupusas, rice and beans, or beef stew will only cost you a few dollars. Restaurant prices in the most popular areas are more expensive but are still pretty reasonable by North American standards. 

I recommend budgeting the following each day:

• Breakfast – $5
• Lunch – $15
• Dinner – $25

That’s a total of $45 a day or $315 for a week-long stay. As you can imagine, restaurants are where food costs more. However, Belize has many vendors that are set up on the side of the streets that sell fresh food, smoothies, and more for cheap. Many people will also go to the local grocery store to pick up some breakfast items and drinks to keep costs down.

You won’t find any fast food chains in Belize. Their fast food is Chinese food. $3.50 will get you fried chicken and rice. For a similar amount, you can have rice and beans with chicken at many local markets. The quality of food in Belize is outstanding, so don’t be afraid to try things outside of your comfort zone.

Random spending

Besides small souvenirs, it’s unlikely you’ll buy anything to bring home from Belize. One thing you will need to budget for is tipping. For meals, a standard tip is 12% – 15%. If you’re taking a tour, it’s pretty common to tip your guide $5 – $10 per person. For this reason, I suggest budgeting $120 for random spending. This also gives you a buffer if you decide to do an additional tour.

Trip to Belize cost

So how much does it cost to go to Belize? I recommend budgeting US $3,085 for a 7-night stay. This is a pretty reasonable amount and will likely allow you to stay at better properties and enjoy nicer meals. The unique experience you’ll experience in Belize is worth the money paid. For more inspiration, check out my guides to Hawaii, Jerusalem, Kyoto, Switzerland, and Ireland.

FAQ

What are the best places to vacation in Belize?

Most travellers will head to Caye Caulker/Ambergris Caye, San Ignacio, and Placencia. If you’re looking for water adventures, head to one of the Cayes or Placencia. For those that prefer to connect with nature, jungles, wildlife, and the local culture, San Ignacio is where you want to stay.

Is Belize expensive?

Overall, I don’t find it to be expensive unless you plan on doing every tour possible, staying at the nicest resorts, and eating out every meal. There are different types of accommodations, such as lodges, throughout the country, so it’s easy to find rooms for less than the $200 a night I estimated above. Food can also be incredibly cheap if you stick to local food and visit the grocery store. Getting around is also possible by public transportation. 

Can Belize on a budget be done?

Yes, you could easily spend less than $100 a day in Belize if you desired. To keep your costs down, you’d have to look for hotels or guesthouses that aren’t located on a beach. Forget the golf cart and just walk or hitchhike (which is more common than you’d think in Ambergris Caye). If you don’t bother with any tours or excursions, you can significantly cut your expenses. You can also cross over to Guatemala by land from San Ignacio if you want to continue to another country for cheap.

Is Belize safe?

Some violent crime does happen in Belize City, where there are gangs, but tourists usually won’t spend much time there. Overall, Belize is safer than most parts of Mexico. You wouldn’t run into any issues walking around at night in San Pedro, San Ignacio, or any of the other major tourist areas. That said, common sense always applies.

What is the best time to visit Belize?

Some visitors will arrive in Belize in November when the rainy season is starting to taper off. Expect crowds to pick up in mid-December. The official dry season is from February to March, so you could argue that’s the best time to visit. September and October aren’t bad either if you prefer to visit when there are fewer people around.