Belize's Food And Drink Costs: A Traveler's Guide

Food and drink in Belize can be quite expensive, with prices comparable to those in the US. A meal at a budget restaurant can cost around $5-15 per person, while a meal at a mid-range restaurant can cost $10-30 per person. For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay $30-100 or more per meal. Basic items such as a loaf of bread or a litre of milk can cost around $1-3.

In terms of transportation, a one-way ticket on public transport typically costs $1-5, while a taxi ride will be significantly more expensive at around $21 per person, per day.

Accommodation is also a significant expense, with budget options starting at $30 per night and luxury hotels costing up to $300 or more per night.

Street food and stalls are cheaper than restaurants

Belize is a moderately priced destination for food and drinks. The average cost of food in Belize is $29 (BZ$57) per day, based on the spending habits of previous travellers. This includes an average meal costing around $11 (BZ$23) per person. Breakfast prices are usually cheaper than lunch or dinner.

For those on a budget, street food and stalls are cheaper than restaurants. In Belize City, you can sample the national dish of rice and beans with stewed chicken for around $6.10. You can also try a Belizean seaweed shake, and there is often an adult version available with rum!

Across the country, roadside stands and food stalls offer delicious homemade tamales, and two miles down the road, you can find homemade cashew wines. Belizean tacos are another popular, cheap option, especially in the town of Orange Walk, which hosts an annual taco festival.

In San Pedro, you can try a Belizean breakfast on the beach, fresh meat pies, or a massive stuffed fry jack. For seafood, ceviche and conch fritters are popular choices.

In Caye Caulker, you'll find amazing barbecue and local eats, especially during lobster season. Both Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye host impressive Lobsterfest celebrations in mid-June.

In Punta Gorda, the Toledo District hosts an annual Chocolate Festival in May. All the chocolate produced in Belize comes from this region, so it's the perfect place to satisfy your sweet tooth.

A meal at a sit-down restaurant can cost $10-15

Belize is a moderately priced destination for visitors, with fairly reasonable prices for food, accommodation, and transportation. However, it is considered one of the most expensive countries in Central America. The country primarily imports goods, which results in higher prices.

The Belize dollar is pegged at 2:1 to the US dollar, so if you want the price in local currency, just double it.

A meal at a sit-down restaurant in Belize can cost you around $10-15. For instance, a standard breakfast like sausage and eggs or a breakfast burrito will cost you around $10. Local specialties like stuffed fryjacks, which are a type of deep-fried dough stuffed with egg and cheese, usually cost between $8-10.

Later in the day, you can expect to pay around $10 for jerk chicken, $15 for a burger, $15-20 for a seafood BBQ, $20 for a shrimp curry, and $25 for a rack of ribs and sides.

Some restaurants may not list prices on the menu, which may mean you will be charged based on the market price, which can be higher than expected. It is always good to clarify before ordering.

If you are looking for cheaper options, street food is a great alternative. You can find simple but filling meals of rice, beans, and some kind of protein from a street stall for around $5-7. Mexican-style tamales will cost you a couple of dollars.

For drinks, a bottle of water will cost around $1.86, and alcoholic drinks will cost around $15 per day on average.

A beer is $1.30, a bottle of wine is $7.40

Belize is a beautiful country filled with jungles, ruins, wildlife, pretty beaches, and friendly locals. However, it can be quite expensive, especially when compared to neighbouring countries like Mexico and Guatemala. The country imports the vast majority of its goods, which results in higher prices. Basic infrastructure is also lacking, which can make it hard to get excited about the money you're spending.

The Belize dollar is pegged at 2:1 to the US dollar. A beer in Belize will cost you $1.30, while a bottle of mid-range wine is $7.40. A typical fast-food meal, such as a McMeal at McDonald's, costs around $3.70, and a cheeseburger is about $1.10. If you're looking for a cheaper option, street stalls offer simple but filling meals of rice, beans, and protein for around $5-7.

Accommodation in Belize can also be pricey, with some places charging over $250 a night. However, there are more affordable options available, such as hostels, which can cost around $31 a night. Transportation is relatively inexpensive, with a one-way ticket for local transport costing $0.87, and taxi rides starting at $1.70.

Overall, while Belize has a lot to offer in terms of natural beauty and culture, it can be an expensive destination, especially for budget-conscious travellers.

A fast-food meal is around $3.70

Belize is a moderately priced destination, with the cost of food, accommodation, and transportation being fairly reasonable. The country's fast food is no exception to this, with a typical fast-food meal costing around $3.70. This includes options such as a McMeal at McDonald's or Burger King, or a similar combo meal. For those looking for an even cheaper option, a cheeseburger will only set you back around $1.10. If you're a coffee lover, you can also grab a cappuccino for $1.60 or an espresso for $1.10.

While there are no fast-food franchise restaurants in Belize—no Kentucky Fried Chicken or McDonald's—there are plenty of fast-food joints, often small mom-and-pop establishments or even just a small table mounted on a sidewalk. Weekends and evenings see an increase in street-side vendors as working Belizeans seeking extra income haul out the barbecue grill and sell their fast food from street corners.

The foods available at these fast-food outlets are typically Belizean fare, cheap and filling. They include the usual beef and cheese burger and fries, fried chicken and rice and beans, as well as more exotic options such as barbecued game meat (deer or gibnut). Other popular items are panades, garnaches, tostadas, tacos, and salbutes.

For those looking for a more substantial meal, a Belizean-style breakfast of fry jacks, refried beans, scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheese will cost around $3.50 to $6.00. And remember, when you're quoted a price, assume it's in Belize dollars, which are half the value of US dollars.

A coffee is $1.60

Belize is known for its delicious coffee, and a coffee in Belize is $1.60. This is a great price for a high-quality cup of coffee, and it's even cheaper if you opt for an espresso, which will only set you back $1.10.

The country is not a large producer of coffee beans, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality. The beans are grown and hand-picked by dedicated farmers and local villagers under the cool shade of the Mayan rainforest at the Gallon Jug Estate in western Belize. This unique growing environment allows the beans to mature slowly, giving them time to absorb important nutrients from the soil, resulting in a superior product.

Belizean coffee is predominantly Arabica, and the beans are carefully wet-processed, sun-dried, and roasted to perfection. You can buy Gallon Jug Coffee, the country's leading coffee brand, in most supermarkets. Another popular brand, Caye Coffee, can be found in grocery stores across the country and offers a range of blends and roast levels.

Whether you're looking for a quick pick-me-up or a leisurely coffee break, a cup of coffee in Belize is a great way to start your day or recharge in the afternoon. With its rich history and vibrant culture, Belize is a fascinating place to explore, and its coffee is definitely worth a try.

So, if you're planning a trip to Belize, be sure to budget for a few cups of coffee. With prices like these, you can afford to indulge in a delicious local brew without breaking the bank.

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