Belize's Culinary Conundrum: Exploring The Country's Costly Cuisine

Belize is a moderately priced destination for travellers. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs, but within Central America, it is very expensive compared to other countries in the region. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.

For example, a simple but filling meal of rice, beans and some kind of protein from a street stall will cost you around $5-7, or a couple of dollars for a Mexican-style tamale. In a sit-down restaurant, prices go up, with breakfasts costing around $10 and lunches and dinners costing $10-25.

Accommodation is likely to be your greatest expense, with properties in Belize far pricier than in neighbouring Mexico and Guatemala. A one-bedroom apartment on the water with air conditioning in Cayo will cost around $1000 per month, while a two-bedroom apartment near the beach with air conditioning in San Pedro or Placencia will cost $1200 to $1500 per month.

Local transportation is inexpensive in Belize, with local buses costing around $1 for a ticket. A taxi ride will cost you significantly more, with a one-way trip costing around $21 on average.

Eating out in tourist areas can be expensive

Belize is a moderately priced destination to visit, with the cost of food, accommodation, and transportation being fairly reasonable. However, it is considered very expensive compared to other Central American countries. In tourist areas, such as Placencia, Ambergris Caye, and Caye Caulker, eating out can be expensive.

A simple rice and beans meal with chicken, the national dish of Belize, can be found for around $6 to $8 at roadside stands. However, in tourist restaurants, you will pay substantially more for similar dishes.

If you plan to eat out regularly, it is advisable to ask locals for recommendations. They can direct you to less well-known restaurants where you can eat for much cheaper. Eating at local restaurants or street food markets, such as Central Park in San Pedro or the San Ignacio Market, can save you a significant amount of money. At these locations, meals typically cost around $5, compared to $10 or more at mid-range restaurants.

Additionally, some activities in Belize can be costly. For example, a one-way ticket on a water taxi between the islands and the mainland can cost over €15 per person, and a golf cart rental on Ambergris Caye can be expensive, although prices may be negotiable during the low season.

Overall, while it is possible to find affordable options, eating out in tourist areas of Belize can be expensive, and budgeting for meals and activities is essential to avoid overspending.

Local food is cheap, especially chicken and rice

Belize's national dish is rice and beans, served with either beef, chicken, pork, lobster, shrimp or game meat. This is a cheap and filling meal, often served with a fresh garden or potato salad. The chicken is cooked with recado, a spice made from annatto seed, and garlic. The meat can be fried, stewed or grilled, and when stewed, the gravy is poured generously over the rice and beans.

Chicken and rice is a cheap and cheerful meal, and can be found at roadside stands for $6 to $8. It is a staple of the Belizean diet, and is a great way to eat like a local.

Other cheap local dishes include panades, salbutes, garnaches and tacos, which can be bought from hole-in-the-wall places. These are all tasty, filling and inexpensive.

If you are looking for a cheap and easy breakfast, try a Johnny Cake. These are small baked bread cakes, made with flour and coconut milk, and are often served with butter, refried beans and cheese. They are a great option for those on a budget.

For a cheap and delicious lunch, head to a local deli. Here you can find a range of options, including fried chicken with rice and beans, or french fries. This will usually set you back much less than a sit-down meal in a restaurant.

If you are looking for a cheap and cheerful meal, there are plenty of options to choose from in Belize. The local food is tasty and filling, and you can eat like a king on a budget!

Imported goods are expensive

Belize is a small country that imports the vast majority of its goods, which results in higher prices. This is coupled with basic infrastructure, which can make it hard to get excited about what you're spending your money on.

Belize's customs tariff is modelled on the Caribbean Community's Common External Tariff. The two main duties applied to imported goods are the Import Duty and the Revenue Replacement Duty. Import duties range between zero and 120%, with the average rate applied to commodities at 20%.

Other taxes on imports include the General Sales Tax and the Environmental Tax. The GST is applied at a rate of 12.5% based on the aggregate of the customs value and other duties. The Environmental Tax is charged at a rate of 3% on all imports, excluding some medicines and food items.

Imported goods are also subject to excise taxes, customs duties, and import duties, which accounted for 35% of Belize's revenue in 2021.

As a result of these taxes and duties, the price of imported goods in Belize is significantly higher than in neighbouring countries such as Mexico and Guatemala. For example, the price of food in Belize is more in line with what you would pay in the US rather than in neighbouring countries.

To save money on food in Belize, it is recommended to eat at street stalls or local restaurants instead of tourist spots. Eating at street stalls can cost around $5-7 for a simple meal of rice, beans, and protein. Local restaurants typically offer cheaper options such as Mexican-style tamales for a couple of dollars.

Imported goods are also more expensive in Belize due to the cost of transportation. The country has a public transport system, but distances can be long and sweaty, even though the country is small. Additionally, the roads in Belize are reportedly in poor condition, making it difficult and expensive to transport goods by road.

Eating out is more expensive than eating in

Belize is a small country that imports most of its goods, which results in higher prices. Eating out in a restaurant in Belize is more expensive than eating at a street stall. In a sit-down restaurant, you can expect to pay around $10 for a standard breakfast, and $10 for jerk chicken, $15 for a burger, $20 for a shrimp curry, and $25 for a rack of ribs and sides.

In comparison, a simple but filling meal of rice, beans, and some kind of protein from a street stall will cost you around $5-7. A Mexican-style tamale will cost a couple of dollars.

If you're on a budget, it's best to eat at street stalls rather than restaurants. Some delicious meals can be found at stalls, including a seafood BBQ in Caye Caulker for $15-20.

If you're looking to save money on food, it's important to shop like a local and rely on local produce rather than imported brands. For example, replace your Doritos or Pringles with locally-made tortilla chips or fried plantain chips.

A beer costs around $1.50

Belize is a moderately priced destination for travellers. The cost of food and drink in the country is largely dependent on where you choose to eat.

For example, a beer at a bar in Belize can cost around $2.50, whereas a beer at a resort will be more expensive. A beer at BC's Beach Bar is $2.00, and a case at the distributor is about $25.00.

If you're eating at a restaurant, a meal can range from $5 for chicken to $100 for a fancy lobster dinner with wine. A typical fast-food meal will cost around $3.70, and a cheeseburger is around $1.10.

For those on a budget, eating at street stalls is a cheaper option. A simple but filling meal of rice, beans, and some kind of protein will cost you around $5-7, and a Mexican-style tamale will be a couple of dollars.

Frequently asked questions