Belize Hostels: Do They Sell Out?

Belize is a popular destination for backpackers and budget travellers, offering beautiful beaches, excellent scuba diving, and a fascinating culture. With its long Caribbean coastline, unique jungles, deep-sea fishing, and Mayan ruins, it is a relatively affordable country to visit. Most tourist destinations in Belize offer hostels or budget accommodation options. The facilities may be basic, and hot water can sometimes be limited, but the price is usually reasonable. While some hostels offer mosquito nets with each bed, Wi-Fi can be patchy in smaller towns.

Hostel prices in Belize

Belize is a relatively affordable country to visit, with a range of budget-friendly hostels and accommodation options. While facilities may be basic and hot water can sometimes be limited, the price is usually reasonable, and many hostels provide mosquito nets.

Average Prices

According to Budget Your Trip, the average price of a dorm bed in Belize is $16.08, while a private room costs around $17.56.

Location, Location

Location also plays a role in determining the price of hostels in Belize. For example, the cheapest month to stay in Belize City is when prices drop by 74%, while the most expensive month sees prices rise by 144%.

Specific Examples of Hostel Prices in Belize

• Drift Inn, San Pedro: Modern, clean, and comfortable, with dorm beds and private rooms. Located in the heart of San Pedro, right by the water. Prices start at $21.60 for a dorm bed and $16.85 for a private room.
• Sandbar Beachfront Hostel & Restaurant, San Pedro: Features a bar and restaurant, two outdoor pools, and a deck on the dock with lounge seating. Dorm beds start at $14.85, and private rooms start at $14.85.
• The Funky Dodo Backpackers, Hopkins: A rustic and affordable hostel with a 14-bed dorm and eight private rooms. Friendly and welcoming owners. Prices start at €15.01 per night.
• A Piece of Ground, Punta Gorda: A pleasant and comfortable hostel in southern Belize, located a short walk from the town centre. Offers dorm beds and private rooms. Prices start at $14 for a dorm bed and $18.75 for a private room.
• Lower Dover Jungle Lodge & Maya Ruins, San Ignacio: A relaxing hostel surrounded by nature and wildlife, located outside of San Ignacio. Staff can help organise tours. Prices start at $13 for a dorm bed and $14.44 for a private room.
• Royal Rat Hostel, Placencia: Features an outdoor pool and free WiFi in public areas. Prices start at $48 per night.
• The Old House Hostel, Caye Caulker: Located 0.19 km from the city centre. Prices start at €15.01 per night.
• Yellow Belly Backpackers, San Ignacio: Located 700 metres from Cahal Pech, this hostel offers free bikes, free private parking, and a shared lounge. Prices start at $40 per night.
• Bella's Backpackers, San Ignacio: Features a rooftop terrace, free WiFi, and a microwave in a common area. Prices start at $50 per night for a private room.

Tips for Finding Deals

To find the best deals on hostels in Belize, consider visiting during the low season, typically in August and October. Booking more than 90 days in advance can also help you secure lower rates. Additionally, staying on a Thursday is generally cheaper than a Tuesday, which is the most expensive day for bookings.

Popular hostels in Belize

Belize is a great destination for divers and snorkelers, as it is home to the second-largest coral reef in the world. The country also boasts a lush jungle, where you can find several endemic species, including jaguars.

While Belize has not seen mass development, there are still some excellent hostels to choose from. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Lower Dover Jungle Lodge & Maya Ruins

This legendary hostel is hidden away in the Western Belizean jungle and offers a unique combination of hostel, jungle lodge, and travel operator. It is an excellent choice for outdoor enthusiasts, with activities like zip-lining, tubing, and exploring the ATM cave. Lower Dover provides traditional Belizean cuisine for breakfast and dinner at an additional cost and offers a relaxing atmosphere with hammocks where you can listen to the sounds of the jungle.

Bella's Backpackers

Bella's Backpackers in San Ignacio is a great budget option for travellers looking to save money by cooking their own meals. It has a fully equipped kitchen and regularly hosts communal dinners, making it easy to meet other travellers. The staff can also help arrange various tours and activities, such as reef tours and kayak rentals.

Tropical Oasis

Tropical Oasis in Caye Caulker is a great choice for digital nomads. It offers a chilled-out island vibe while still providing a suitable environment for sending emails or getting work done. There are security lockers available to store your laptop and other valuables, and you can unwind with a BBQ in the evening.

Go Slow Hostel

Go Slow Hostel is located in the centre of Caye Caulker, just a 5-minute walk from the beach, restaurants, and bars. It provides a fully equipped kitchen, allowing you to prepare your own meals and save money. The colourful and vibrant atmosphere makes it a fun place to stay.

Travellers Palm Backpackers Hostel

Travellers Palm in Caye Caulker is another excellent budget option, offering free tea and coffee. It features a roof terrace kitchen, where you can cook your own meals while enjoying stunning views. The hostel also provides kayaks for rent, allowing you to explore the open ocean.

Wild Panther's Guest House & Hostel

Wild Panther's Guest House & Hostel caters to a range of travellers, including solo travellers, couples, and families. It offers a variety of rooms, and for a small fee, you can enjoy an American or à la carte breakfast. The location is convenient, with markets, cafes, restaurants, and a barrier reef all within a mile.

Anda Di Hows Hostel

Anda Di Hows Hostel in Placencia is right on the beach and offers a beautiful setting for sunbathing and swimming. It is also close to the village centre and Placencia Sidewalk, the smallest main street in the world. You can relax in a hammock on the covered veranda with a cocktail from the bar.

Sandbar Beachfront Hostel & Restaurant

Sandbar Beachfront Hostel & Restaurant in San Pedro is a sociable option, with a bar that stays open until midnight and many other drinking spots nearby. The dorm beds have privacy curtains, and the hostel offers various excursions, including dives, snorkelling, and trips to the mainland forest.

The Funky Dodo Backpackers Hostel

The Funky Dodo is located in Hopkins, an up-and-coming resort town that retains its Afro-Central American village charm. The hostel is just a 5-minute walk from the shore, and the friendly owners offer a range of reef and jungle tours at excellent prices. The rooms are situated in Belizean weatherboard huts under the palm trees.

The Old House Hostel

The Old House Hostel in San Ignacio is conveniently located in the town centre, with restaurants and bars nearby. While the rooms are well-kept, there are no single-sex dorms. The hostel features a bar and an upper-floor deck lounge, and the staff can organise day tours to Mayan sites, the rainforest, and even Tikal in Guatemala.

Hostel facilities in Belize

Belize is a popular destination for backpackers and budget travellers, offering beautiful beaches, excellent scuba diving, and a rich cultural heritage. The country boasts a range of hostels, from beachfront properties to those nestled in the jungle, providing a variety of facilities and amenities to suit different needs and preferences.

Basic Amenities

Most hostels in Belize offer essential amenities such as free parking, free Wi-Fi in public areas, laundry facilities, and lockers or luggage storage. Some hostels, like the Sandbar Beachfront Hostel & Restaurant in San Pedro, provide free outdoor parking for guests who drive to the property. Many hostels also have front-desk staff who can assist with tour bookings, dry cleaning, and other guest queries.

Food and Beverage

Several hostels in Belize have on-site restaurants, bars, or common kitchen areas. For example, the Sandbar Beachfront Hostel & Restaurant and the Drift Inn in San Pedro both have restaurants and bars, while the Funky Dodo Backpackers Hostel in Hopkins Village offers a common kitchen for guests to prepare their own meals.

Leisure and Recreation

Belizean hostels cater to a range of interests, with some providing swimming pools, sun decks, and games for guests' entertainment. The Royal Rat Hostel in Placencia, for instance, features an outdoor pool and a picnic area. The Drift Inn in San Pedro also organises snorkelling, diving, and boat trips for its guests. For those seeking a more tranquil experience, the Lower Dover Jungle Lodge & Maya Ruins in San Ignacio offers a peaceful location surrounded by nature and wildlife.

Pet-Friendly Options

A few hostels in Belize cater to guests travelling with pets. El Canton in San Ignacio and the Funky Dodo Backpackers Hostel in Hopkins are both pet-friendly, providing food and water bowls for furry companions.

Group Accommodations

Belizean hostels offer a range of accommodations to suit solo travellers, couples, families, and groups. Dormitory-style rooms with multiple beds and private lockers are common, while some hostels also offer private rooms that can accommodate larger groups. The Funky Dodo Backpackers Hostel, for instance, has a 14-bed dorm and eight private rooms that can sleep between one and three people.

Belize's tourist attractions

Belize is an emerging regional jewel with emerald-hued Caribbean seas and vibrant Central American jungles. The country offers a unique tapestry of natural and human-made attractions, from ancient Mayan ruins to vast reefs and underwater treasures.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a beautiful nature reserve in an area world-famous for its excellent diving. It offers pristine coral gardens and the chance to swim with marine wildlife such as sea turtles, nurse sharks, and stingrays.

Actun Tunichil Muknal

Actun Tunichil Muknal is a remote cave filled with relics left over from the Mayans. It has been carefully restored by archeologists and offers a glimpse into the ancient rituals and culture of this civilization.

Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is a small island with a relaxed and authentic Caribbean island experience. There are no cars, only golf carts and bikes. It offers a different kind of "beach" vacation with a laid-back vibe and a focus on nature and wildlife.

The Belize Zoo

The Belize Zoo is an institution dedicated to the care and conservation of over 150 native wildlife species. It is also the first nature destination in Belize that is accessible to visitors with physical disabilities. The zoo offers guided tours and a chance to get up close and personal with the animals.

Green Iguana Conservation Project

Located in San Ignacio, this project aims to conserve and protect the endangered Green Iguana species. Visitors can interact with the iguanas and learn about their incubation, hatching, rearing, and releasing process through interactive exhibits and programs.

The Maya Ruins of Caracol

The Maya Ruins of Caracol is a 30-acre complex and the largest Mayan ruin in Belize. It features dozens of surviving structures and a museum. Visitors can explore the ancient Mayan city and learn about their history and culture.

Lamanai Archaeological Reserve

Lamanai is one of the largest and oldest Mayan archaeological sites in Central America, with ruins dating back to 1500 BC. Visitors can explore the ancient city and marvel at monuments such as the towering High Temple and the Jaguar Temple.

San Pedro Town

San Pedro Town, located on Ambergris Caye, is a quaint fishing village and a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It boasts alluring beaches, crystal clear waters, and a variety of places to kick back and enjoy the sun. It also offers underwater adventures like snorkelling and diving, as well as historical sites to explore.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve

The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve offers lush tropical forests and dazzling blue rivers just an hour and a half drive from Belize City. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, swimming, and birdwatching.

Secret Beach, Ambergris Caye

Secret Beach is a Caribbean paradise located on Ambergris Caye. The journey to the beach is an experience in itself, offering boat rides over crystal-clear waters and passing white sand beaches. Once there, visitors can relax on the pristine beach, try fishing or snorkelling, and enjoy the nearby bars and restaurants.

Belize offers a range of attractions, from natural wonders and wildlife to cultural experiences and historical sites. With its diverse landscape and rich history, there is something for everyone to enjoy and discover in this Central American country.

How to book a hostel in Belize

Step 1: Research

Before booking a hostel in Belize, it's a good idea to do some research on the different options available. You can use websites like Booking.com, Hostelworld, TripAdvisor, and Orbitz to compare prices, read reviews, and view photos of the hostels. Consider what amenities are important to you, such as air conditioning, free WiFi, or a swimming pool, and use that to narrow down your options.

Step 2: Choose Your Location

When choosing a location, consider what activities you want to do during your trip. If you're interested in beach activities, you might want to look for hostels in San Pedro or Placencia. If you're more interested in exploring Mayan ruins, San Ignacio could be a good option.

Step 3: Check Availability and Book

Once you've found a few hostels that you like, check their availability for your desired travel dates. You can usually book directly through the hostel's website or through a third-party booking site. Keep in mind that some hostels may require a deposit or pre-payment when you book.

Step 4: Prepare for Your Stay

After booking your hostel, take note of any instructions provided by the hostel, such as check-in procedures or directions to the property. If you're travelling from abroad, make sure you have all the necessary travel documents, such as a valid passport and any required visas. It's also a good idea to purchase travel insurance in case of any unexpected events or medical emergencies during your trip.

Step 5: Enjoy Your Stay

Once you arrive at your hostel in Belize, take some time to familiarise yourself with the property and the surrounding area. Get to know your fellow travellers and don't be afraid to ask the staff for recommendations on things to do and see. Most hostels offer tours and activities, so take advantage of those to make the most of your time in Belize.

Frequently asked questions