Exploring Belize: Budget-Friendly Travel Tips

Belize is a beautiful Central American country filled with jungles, ruins, wildlife, and pretty beaches. However, it is not the cheapest destination in the region. The good news is that with the right amount of planning, insider advice, and an open mind, this diverse country can be enjoyed on a budget.

- Visit during the shoulder season for more affordable accommodation. While the low season (June to October) is the cheapest time to visit, there is a risk of hurricanes and heavy rainfall. The sweet spots are right after the Easter break (late April or May) until early June, and late October to November before the Christmas rush.

- Fly to Cancún first and then travel overland to Belize. Flying to Cancún can cost up to BZ$500 less than flying directly to Belize, and travelers can take an overnight bus to Belize City for further savings.

- Seek out lesser-known destinations. While Ambergris Caye and the Placencia Peninsula are among the best places to visit, they also come at a high price. Consider staying on Caye Caulker or in San Ignacio Town and the surrounding Cayo District for more budget-friendly options.

- Delve into the Belize District to experience Afro-Caribbean culture and enjoy budget-friendly activities like wildlife encounters and cooking lessons in historic villages like Crooked Tree and Bermudian Landing.

- Eat like a local. Mom-and-pop restaurants offer a wide range of cuisines, including rice and beans, tamales, soups, stews, curries, and traditional desserts for less than BZ$20. Cheap eats like panades (deep-fried cornflour crescents filled with fish or beans) and tostadas (tortillas) are delicious and filling options.

- Opt for local drinks. Local alcoholic drinks like Belikin beer and rum-based cocktails are significantly cheaper than imported ones, with prices starting at BZ$4-5 at a bar.

- Take public transportation. Using buses and water taxis to get around Belize will greatly cut the cost of your trip while still offering beautiful views.

- Explore national parks and protected areas. Belize has 17 national parks and over 100 protected areas, offering cheap activities like caving, hiking, birding, and snorkeling for as little as BZ$10.

- Don't try to see everything in one go. Instead of creating a stressful must-do list, fully immerse yourself in the vibe and culture of each area to reduce spending on internal transportation and tours.

Visit during the shoulder season for affordable accommodation

Visit Belize During the Shoulder Season for Affordable Accommodation

When visiting Belize, it's likely that accommodation will take up the largest portion of your budget. Choosing the right time to travel can make a huge impact on how much – or how little – you spend.

The low season in Belize is from June to October. This is the cheapest time to visit, but there is a risk of hurricanes and heavy rainfall, so many tourist spots either close or operate a limited service.

The shoulder season is the ideal time to travel for cheaper prices – up to 50% less than the high season in some cases – without big crowds or heavy rains. The sweet spots fall right after the Easter break (late April or May) until early June, as well as late October to November before the Christmas rush.

During the shoulder season, a basic en-suite room for two can start at BZ$180. For comparison, a similar room during the high season can cost upwards of BZ$360.

If you're looking for budget and mid-range stays, San Ignacio Town and the surrounding Cayo District offer plenty of options. Hotels like Midas Resort (starting at BZ$250) and Cahal Pech Village Resort (starting at BZ$195) are a lot cheaper than high-end resorts, especially during the shoulder season. The area is also a great base for exploring caves, national parks, and Maya sites.

If you're visiting Belize for its beaches, Caye Caulker is an affordable alternative to Ambergris Caye. The smaller of the country's two northern islands, Caye Caulker offers a more budget-friendly option without compromising on the beautiful beaches and clear waters.

So, if you're looking to visit Belize on a budget, consider travelling during the shoulder season to take advantage of the lower accommodation prices. You'll be able to enjoy all that Belize has to offer without breaking the bank!

Fly to Cancún first, then travel overland to Belize

One of the best ways to save money on your trip to Belize is to fly to Cancún and then travel overland to Belize. Flying to Cancún can cost up to BZ$500 less than flying directly to Belize, and from there, you can catch an overnight bus to Belize City for around BZ$140. The journey takes approximately eight hours and is comfortable and convenient. This route started running again in July 2023, after being discontinued during the pandemic.

If you're travelling from the US, another option is to take a bus from Cancún to Belize City, which costs around $66.

Seek out lesser-known destinations

While Ambergris Caye and the Placencia Peninsula are among Belize's best-known destinations, they also tend to be the most expensive. However, there are plenty of alternatives that offer a more affordable experience.

For budget and mid-range stays, consider San Ignacio Town and the surrounding Cayo District. Hotels like Midas Resort and Cahal Pech Village Resort offer cheaper rates than high-end resorts, especially during the shoulder season. The area is also a great base for exploring caves, national parks, and Maya sites.

If you're visiting Belize for its beaches, Caye Caulker, the smaller of the country's two northern islands, is an affordable alternative to Ambergris Caye. The Garifuna village at Hopkins combines beautiful stretches of sand with immersive cultural experiences.

For a budget-friendly and culturally rich experience, delve into the often-overlooked Belize District. Head to the Belize River valley, where communities like Crooked Tree and Bermudian Landing offer wildlife encounters, cooking lessons, and a glimpse into Belize's Afro-Caribbean culture.

Eat at local restaurants and food trucks

Belize is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable. However, it is one of the more expensive countries in the region.

If you're looking to save money on food, eating like a local will help you save money in Belize. Mom-and-pop restaurants serve a wide range of cuisines, including rice and beans, tamales, soups, stews, curries, and traditional desserts, all for less than BZ$20. Cheap eats like panades (deep-fried cornflour crescents filled with fish or beans) and tostadas (tortillas) cost even less, while still being delicious and filling. You might even find a few food trucks here and there, selling affordable eats like burgers and tacos.

For those on a shoestring budget, local drinks are also significantly cheaper than imported ones. For around BZ$4 at a bar, you can enjoy an ice-cold Belikin beer (which also comes in seasonal flavors), a rum and coke, or a coconut rum and pineapple juice cocktail.

• Snack on fruit—it's cheap, abundant, fresh, and delicious!
• Street food is generally very cheap. For less than BZ$5, you can snack on tostadas, empanadas, and other filling local staples.
• Groceries for a week cost about BZ$80. This gets you basic staples like rice, beans, vegetables, and some chicken or fish.
• If you plan on cooking, be sure to find accommodation that includes a kitchen.
• Expect about 30% higher prices on the popular tourist Cayes.

Take the scenic route with public transport

Using public transport in Belize will significantly reduce the cost of your trip while still allowing you to enjoy beautiful views. A water taxi ticket from Belize City to Caye Caulker with a local operator like San Pedro Belize Express costs BZ$75 for a return trip. The journey takes about 45 minutes and includes views of the open sea and tiny islands.

If you're heading inland, Belize's bus system covers all major highways. Fares range from BZ$10 to BZ$40. You'll need to arrange a shuttle from the airport to the bus terminal if you're flying in, and be sure to catch an express bus for the most comfortable trip.

The water taxi is another fun way to get around the country. The main company is the San Pedro Belize Express, and the easiest place to pick up the water taxi is the Brown Sugar Terminal in Belize City.

Buses are a fun way to get around Belize. You can buy tickets at any of the bus stations around the towns, or you can stand on the side of the road and wave a bus down. There is usually both a driver and a conductor on the bus. The conductor will collect your ticket money once you are seated.

Scuba diving is a very popular activity in this country. If you're looking for affordable diving options, you can go through one of the vendors found along Ambergris Caye or Caye Caulker. The most popular excursions go to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. These dives typically cost about US$35.

When quoted a price for an item, always assume you are being given the price in Belize dollars, which are half the value of US dollars. If you assume the price has been given in US dollars, vendors will charge you twice as much. Always assume the lowest cost and begin negotiating from there.

Frequently asked questions