Belize Food Costs: A Traveler's Guide

Belize is a beautiful Central American country, but it can be an expensive place to visit. The cost of food in Belize varies depending on your budget and preferences. If you're looking for budget-friendly options, street food, fast food, and local restaurants offer meals ranging from $2 to $15. For a more upscale experience, mid-range restaurants charge between $15 and $30 per meal, while high-end restaurants can cost anywhere from $30 to $100 or more. Additionally, drinks can range from $2 to $5 per drink. When dining out, don't forget to tip around 10% to 15% as gratuity.

When it comes to groceries, it's advisable to shop at local fruit stands and produce markets for fresh and affordable options. Imported items, especially those from North America, tend to be very expensive. To save money, opt for local brands and products whenever possible.

Eating at street stalls vs sit-down restaurants

Belize is an expensive country to visit, with food prices comparable to those in the US. However, eating at street stalls is a more affordable option than dining in sit-down restaurants.

Street Stalls

At street stalls, you can expect to pay around $5-7 for a simple yet filling meal of rice, beans, and a choice of protein. Mexican-style tamales cost a couple of dollars, and a seafood BBQ will set you back $15-20.

Some recommended street food options include:

• Ms. Bertha's Tamales, found along the Hummingbird Highway, serves spiced, gooey chicken-and-corn tamales with hot sauce and a cold soda.
• El Fogon in San Pedro, a traditional outdoor oven serving Mestizo dishes like salbutes and pig tail with split peas.
• A seafood BBQ in Caye Caulker, which was described as "almost certainly the best thing I ate in Belize".

Sit-Down Restaurants

In sit-down restaurants, prices increase significantly, especially in fancier establishments or when ordering certain dishes. While a standard breakfast will cost you around $10, the price of dinner varies: jerk chicken is around $10, a burger is $15, shrimp curry is $20, and a rack of ribs with sides is $25.

• Elvi's Kitchen in San Pedro: a sit-down restaurant serving Caribbean dishes like conch soup, fritters, mojo de ajo, and fried green plantains.
• Bird's Isle Restaurant in Belize City: a local favourite serving Belizean Creole dishes, seafood, and burgers.
• Sumathi Indian Restaurant in Belize City: authentic Indian cuisine with a lunch buffet that's one of the best deals in town.
• Wendy's Creole Restaurant & Bar in Placencia: a favourite among locals for its hearty breakfasts, lunches, and dinners at reasonable prices.
• Blue Water Grill in San Pedro: an open-air restaurant serving Belizean favourites for breakfast and creative, rustic dinners.

Imported vs local products

Belize is a small country that imports the vast majority of its goods, which results in higher prices. Basic infrastructure also makes it hard to get excited about what you’re spending your money on.

If you’re looking to save money on food, it’s best to eat at street stalls instead of sit-down meals in restaurants. 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. A seafood BBQ will set you back $15-20.

In a sit-down restaurant, prices go up, often substantially depending on how fancy it is and what you order. Expect to pay around $10 for standard breakfasts like sausage and eggs or a breakfast burrito. Be sure to try stuffed fryjacks if you see them on the menu: this local specialty of deep-fried dough stuffed with egg, cheese, and meat is delicious, if not necessarily 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.

If you’re on a budget, it’s worth noting that Belize will be more expensive than its neighbouring countries, and you won’t receive as much for your money.

Basic infrastructure

Belize's basic infrastructure can make it hard to get excited about what you're spending your money on. The country is small and imports most of its goods, which results in higher prices. While properties in Belize are far pricier than in neighbouring Mexico and Guatemala, they still offer great value for money, especially for those coming from the US or Europe.

Public transportation in Belize is inexpensive, and it is recommended to take the local buses over hiring a scooter or car for safety reasons and to save money. Distances are short, but travel days can still be long and sweaty. A memorable travel day saw a journey from San Ignacio to Placencia, a distance of 120 miles, take nine hours due to it being a public holiday.

When it comes to food, eating at street stalls is far cheaper than a sit-down meal in a restaurant. A simple but filling meal of rice, beans, and some kind of protein from a street stall will cost around $5-7, while a seafood BBQ will set you back $15-20. In a sit-down restaurant, prices go up, with standard breakfasts like sausage and eggs or a breakfast burrito costing around $10. Later in the day, you can expect to pay around $10 for jerk chicken, $15 for a burger, $20 for a shrimp curry, and $25 for a rack of ribs and sides.

For drinks, it is recommended not to buy imported wine or liquor, but instead to opt for local drinks.

Cost of seafood

Belize is a seafood lover's dream, with its close-to-200-mile-long shoreline and offshore islands. The country's cuisine features an array of seafood dishes, including conch, shrimp, fish, and lobster.

While seafood is a staple in Belize, the cost of this cuisine can vary. For example, during the summer, lobster is more affordable as the season runs from mid-June to mid-February, with an abundance of lobster available. During this time, Lobsterfest takes place, with outdoor food booths offering lobster prepared in various ways.

Outside of the summer season and festivals, the cost of seafood in Belize can be relatively high, especially in sit-down restaurants. A seafood BBQ in Caye Caulker, for instance, can cost around $15-20. In general, the price of food in Belize is comparable to what one would pay in the US.

However, it is possible to find more affordable options at street stalls and local eateries. For instance, a simple meal of rice, beans, and protein from a street stall can cost around $5-7, while a Mexican-style tamale may cost a couple of dollars.

When it comes to cooking your own seafood dishes, the cost of ingredients will depend on the market price and the type of seafood you choose. For example, shrimp and fish are likely to be more affordable options than lobster, which is considered a delicacy.

In conclusion, while Belize offers a variety of seafood options, the cost can vary depending on the season, type of seafood, and dining establishment.

Cost of alcoholic drinks

Belize is known for being an expensive country to visit, with prices comparable to those in the US. Drinking in Belize can be costly, with a beer at a local bar starting at $5 BZD (Belize Dollar) or $2.50 USD. Local rum is usually priced similarly, and prices increase significantly for imported liquors. Vodka or tequila-based drinks typically start at $12 BZD, while a glass of wine (often Chilean) can cost upwards of $15 BZD.

One way to save money on alcoholic beverages in Belize is to take advantage of the country's duty-free arrival shopping. The international airport has two duty-free stores offering a wide range of products, including liquor, at prices up to 50% lower than those outside the airport. For example, a 1-litre bottle of Absolut Vodka can be found for $18 USD ($36 BZD) in the first shop and $15 USD in the second, compared to a price of around $60 BZD in town.

When drinking in Belize, it's important to keep in mind that prices can vary depending on your venue and the type of alcohol you're consuming. A night out can quickly become expensive, especially if you're opting for imported liquors or wine. However, by taking advantage of duty-free shopping and choosing local bars and rum, you can help keep the cost of alcoholic drinks more manageable during your stay in Belize.

Frequently asked questions