Belize Trip Cost 2025: A Realistic Budget Guide

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. Having backpacked myself, I can also share money-saving tips to help you get the most of your stay.

And since I live in Belize, I'll be updating this post regularly based on real costs while sharing my local insight.

Here's what this budget guide includes: 👇

Quick Overview of Daily Budget

Check out the full breakdown here.

Why Is Belize Expensive?

If you're traveling Central America, you'll immediately notice that Belize stands out as an expensive country alongside Costa Rica. Neighboring countries like Guatemala & Mexico are relatively cheap in comparison.

For starters, one of the main reason Belize is expensive is that it caters to U.S. American tourists. In fact, the USA tourists make up close to 70% of the total visitors annually according to Belize Tourism Board Statistics.

As a result, most of the hoteliers, restaurants and tour companies cater for mid-range to luxury travelers.

Here are even more reasons why Belize is expensive:

1. ⛽️ Fuel Prices are insanely high - as a result, tours, food and transported items are expensive.
2. 🛳️ Products on island are transported - anything transported to the islands have higher costs.
3. ✈️ Almost everything is imported - the country produces little relying on agriculture & tourism.
4. 📈 Yearly inflation after covid - inflation especially for food has been up each year since covid.

So yes, Belize is relatively expensive compared to the neighboring countries, but with careful budgeting, you can enjoy the country still.

Belize Prices To Expect

In general, prices are high at the islands and at touristy locations. It can be slightly cheaper inland and at small towns where there are more local restaurants.

Accommodation is something you should prepare to spend on your trip to Belize as it's twice as high as countries like Guatemala & Mexico.

The prices I share below are updated and adjusted for this year's 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 In Belize

Activities in Belize are what will drain your wallet. If you're on a budget, my advice would be to pick your attractions very carefully and gravitate towards more self-guided activities.

While tours in neighboring countries can cost around $30.00 USD, tours in Belize are closer to $60.00 USD. Keep in mind these tours include transfer (by car or boat) and gas prices are high here.

Cost Of Accommodation In Belize

The cost of lodging in Belize is what most tourists complain about. Honestly, it's very high compared to Guatemala and Mexico. Hostels and private rooms are double the price in Belize.

My best advice as a local is to shop around like crazy. Check Airbnb, Booking and Hostelworld. The cheaper accommodations also don't have websites so you only know about them by asking locals.

If budget is not a problem and you want a unique experience, I would suggest staying at eco lodges which are normally outside of town and closer to nature.

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 In Belize

Getting around Belize by bus can be cheap in most cases. But to enjoy maximum freedom and do DIY tours, a car rental is the best option especially when exploring sites like Mountain Pine Ridge.

Taking the ferry is also a cheaper way to get to the islands compared to flying on the hopper planes.

Cost Of Food & Drinks In Belize

As a local, I can safely say that eating street food is fairly cheap and comparable to Mexico and Guatemala. Food was a lot cheaper pre-covid but it almost doubled after the pandemic.

If you'd like to save some money, I would recommend sticking to street food. Local vendors are out selling on the busy streets where workers rush to get their rice & beans for lunch. And at night, locals also love to eat food like burritos, pupusas and other fast food.

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 Shoestring Budget

Here are a few more tips to save money:

1. 🇲🇽 Fly into Cancún - fly to Cancún 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.

Final Thoughts

Belize is expensive. There's no doubt about that. Tours and accommodation will eat out your budget so be very mindful of tours you take and where you stay.

Prioritize your bucket list experiences and spend more time in smaller less touristy towns to extend your stay in Belize without breaking the bank.

I would highly recommend doing tours that can only be found in Belize like the ATM Cave Tour and diving or flying over the Great Blue Hole. Snorkeling the second-largest barrier reef is also high on the unique activities to do in Belize.

About Author

Everything written on this blog is based on first-hand experience or knowledge as a local living in Belize. No fluff, just honest information.