Belize On A Budget: Is It Possible?

Belize is a beautiful country filled with jungles, ruins, wildlife, beaches, and friendly locals. However, it is not a budget-friendly destination. The small country imports most of its goods, resulting in higher prices. Basic infrastructure and the cost of food, accommodation, and transportation also make Belize an expensive place to visit.

The cost of a trip to Belize depends on the type of traveller you are, the activities you do, and the duration of your stay. A realistic daily budget for Belize is 80 euros per person. For a one-week trip to Belize, the budget is approximately €560 per person, excluding flights. This budget includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Accommodation in Belize can be expensive, with prices ranging from $34.58 to $250 per night. Transportation costs can also add up, with ferry rides between islands costing over €15 per person and taxis being as expensive as in the US. Food prices in Belize are similar to those in the US, with a simple meal costing around $15-20 for two people.

While Belize offers beautiful beaches, ruins, and reefs, it may not be the best destination for budget-conscious travellers.

Food and drink are expensive, especially on the islands

Food and Drink in Belize:

Belize is a small country that imports the vast majority of its goods, which results in higher prices. This, coupled with basic infrastructure, can make it hard to get excited about what you’re spending your money on. Food and drink in Belize are expensive, especially on the islands, and the prices are more in line with what you’d pay in the U.S. rather than neighbouring Mexico or Guatemala.

Eating Out in Belize:

In a sit-down restaurant, prices often depend on how fancy the restaurant is and what you order. You can expect to pay around $10 for standard breakfasts like sausage and eggs or a breakfast burrito. A local specialty of deep-fried dough stuffed with egg, cheese, and meat, called a stuffed fryjack, is delicious but not very healthy! Prices are usually $8-10 for a plateful. Later in the day, you’ll pay around $10 for jerk chicken, $15 for a burger, $20 for a shrimp curry, and $25 for a rack of ribs and sides.

Street Food in Belize:

It is possible to save money by eating at street stalls rather than in restaurants. Some of the most delicious meals can be found at stalls, including a seafood BBQ in Caye Caulker for $15-20. You can expect to pay around $5-7 for a simple but filling meal of rice, beans, and some kind of protein from a street stall, or a couple of dollars for a Mexican-style tamale.

Drinking in Belize:

The average person spends about $15 (BZ$30) on alcoholic beverages in Belize per day. The cost of a bottle of wine in a mid-range restaurant is around $7.40. A bottle of beer from a known brand costs around $1.30, and a beer in a bar or restaurant will cost $2.50.

Shopping for Food in Belize:

Food is much more expensive in Belize than in the USA—think 2-3x the price for many items. On average, people spend $1.86 (BZ$3.75) on bottled water in Belize per day, although the public water in Belize is considered safe to drink. A bottle or carton of milk (1 litre) costs $1.40 (BZ$2.80), and a loaf of fresh white bread (500g) costs $1.30 (BZ$2.60).

The country is small, so you won't need to travel far

Belize is a small country, covering an area of 8,867 square miles or 22,700 square kilometres. Its greatest length, from north to south, is 170 miles (274 km) and its greatest width, from east to west, is 68 miles (109 km).

Because of its small size, you won't need to travel far to get around Belize. The country is served by a network of buses, which are a fun and cheap way to get around. The buses are often former U.S. school buses that are well-decorated and an experience in themselves. Alternatively, you can wave down a bus from the side of the road. There is usually a driver and a conductor on each bus, who will collect your ticket money once you are seated.

Distances are short, but that doesn't mean travel days won't be long and sweaty. One traveller reported that it took them nine hours to travel 120 miles from San Ignacio to Placencia. However, days like that were a rarity.

If you prefer not to take the bus, you can hire a scooter or car, although this is more expensive and less safe.

Belize is good value for money if you're coming from the US or Europe

Belize is a moderately priced destination to visit. While it is about average with most other countries for travel costs, within Central America, Belize is very expensive compared to other countries in the region. It is in the top 10% of countries in Central America for its travel costs.

However, Belize is good value for money if you're coming from the US or Europe. The country's accommodation is far pricier than in neighbouring Mexico and Guatemala, but it still offers great value for money, especially if you're coming from the US or Europe. You can find wonderful accommodation without having to pay hundreds upon hundreds of dollars for it. For example, a standard double room in Belize City will cost $116 per night, while a one-bedroom villa in Placencia will cost $131 per night.

Belize is also a small country, so you won't have to spend a lot on transportation. Public transportation is inexpensive, and the country is so small that distances are short. A bus from Belize City to San Ignacio, for instance, costs $10.

Food in Belize can be expensive, with the price of a meal in a sit-down restaurant often costing around $10. However, it is possible to save money by eating at street stalls, where a simple but filling meal will cost around $5-7.

Overall, while Belize may be more expensive than its neighbouring countries, it still offers good value for money, especially for those coming from the US or Europe.

The cost of living is high due to the small population and the need to import most goods

Belize is a small country that imports the majority of its goods, which results in higher prices. This is exacerbated by basic infrastructure, which makes it hard to justify the cost of goods. For example, the cost of accommodation in Belize is far pricier than in neighbouring Mexico and Guatemala, yet the quality of accommodation is arguably worse.

The cost of food in Belize is also high. A meal at a sit-down restaurant can cost around $10 for a standard breakfast, and up to $25 for a rack of ribs and sides. In comparison, a simple meal of rice, beans, and protein from a street stall will cost around $5-7.

The cost of transportation in Belize is also high, with taxi rides costing an average of $21 per person, per day. However, public transportation is relatively inexpensive, with local buses costing as little as $10 for a return trip.

The high cost of living in Belize is further compounded by the small population of the country. With a population of just under 400,000 people, the market base is small, which can lead to higher prices for goods and services.

Despite the high cost of living, there are ways to save money in Belize. For example, eating like a local and shopping at farmers' markets can help reduce food costs. Additionally, walking or taking public transportation instead of driving can save on gas and vehicle maintenance costs.

Overall, while the cost of living in Belize may be high due to the small population and the need to import most goods, there are ways to mitigate these costs and make living in Belize more affordable.

You can save money by eating at street stalls instead of restaurants

Belize is a moderately-priced destination to visit, but it is considered very expensive compared to other Central American countries. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable. However, food in Belize is quite expensive compared to neighbouring countries.

One way to save money on food is to eat at street stalls instead of restaurants. You will find plenty of street food options in Belize, from BBQ chicken and lobsters to pupusas.

Fry Jacks are one of the Belizeans' most famous foods. They are a puff pastry made of deep-fried wheat dough in the shape of a semi-moon or triangle. They are especially good when hot, with a crunchy exterior and soft, airy interior. They are typically eaten with eggs and beans, or as a sandwich, and are a staple breakfast food.

Another Belizean breakfast food is Johnny Cakes. These are small bread rolls made with wheat flour, coconut milk, baking powder, and shortening. They are dense yet soft, with a light taste of coconut, and are often served with refried beans, eggs, meat, or cheese.

Pupusas are a popular street food in Belize, originating from El Salvador. They are made with corn massa (a dough made with corn flour) and stuffed with different ingredients, like cheese, chicharrones, and beans.

Tamales are a traditional Mayan dish, made with corn dough and steamed in banana leaves. They can be savory or sweet, with fillings like meat, cheese, and vegetables.

For a more substantial meal, you can find Rice and Beans, the national dish of Belize, at street stalls. This dish is made with white rice and red kidney beans cooked until soft, and usually accompanied by coleslaw or potato salad and meat (chicken or beef).

In addition to these options, you can also find grilled fish, BBQ chicken, and grilled lobster at food stalls for a fraction of the price you would pay in a restaurant.

Frequently asked questions