Belize on a Budget Guide 2020: Top 5 Low-Cost Activities You Must Try

Belize is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Central America. This small country is actually a mix of the Caribbean and Central American cultures.

It has peaceful islands, archeological wonders, amazing rainforests, and amazing wildlife in both land and water.

There are so many things to do in Belize on a budget. You don’t need to spend too much money as long as you know what to do.

In this article, we will talk about Belize as a tourist destination and how to save money on Belize (trip).

This post might include affiliate links. All opinions are unbiased but I might receive a small commission referring to some products and companies.

Getting to Belize on a Budget

If you plan to visit Belize and you are on a tight budget, there are so many ways to go there and enjoy without spending too much.

The best way to get to Belize is through Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) located near Belize City.

You should also know the airlines that are flying directly to Belize:

• US Airways
• United Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• American Airlines
• Copa Airlines
• Avianca Airlines
• Tropic Air
• WestJet

I use and recommend Skyscanner to find the most convenient flights. It has many flexible options, which makes it easy to find the cheapest flight option.

There are many options to get from the airport to your resort or any place where you stay. The most popular and convenient option is a shuttle transfer from Belize Airport to your destination.

Another popular option is car rental. I recommend booking your car in advance, as renting on spot is usually more expensive and limits your vehicle options.

Similarly to flights, I use an aggregator called Discover Cars which shows prices at most of the popular car rentals.

Learn more about Belize Airport transportation options.

If you want to know more about how to travel to Belize on a budget, you should use an online travel agency like MustGo. It will be easy to find cheap flights and book flights in advance. They can handle itineraries for you and you can visit all the popular tourist destinations at affordable prices.

Belize Low-Cost Accommodations

Traveling to Belize doesn’t have to be expensive and although it is more expensive than traveling to Honduras or Guatemala, there are a few simple tricks to stretch your money when looking for accommodations.

If you are on a tight budget, it is not a good idea to stay in a fancy resort. Yes, it is cheaper compared with hotels and resorts in the United States, but there are cheaper alternatives that you can try.

You should start looking for small hotels, vacation rentals, and hostels as they are cheaper and very comfortable. Although they are usually very small, you won’t spend a lot of time inside the hotel so it is not really an issue if it is very luxurious or not.

You can also look for rental houses or rooms as they are definitely cheaper. If you don’t have an account on Airbnb, you can use this link to get $30 off your first booking.

If you are traveling with your family, renting a vacation home might be a better idea than looking for a resort or hotel to check in. We will list down some of the most popular Inns and hotels that you can book if you are traveling to Belize.

• Belize City – The Red Hut Inn
• Caye Caulker – Sophie’s Guest Rooms
• San Ignacio – D’s Hotel
• Caye Caulker – Dirty McNasty
• Caye Caulker – Travellers Palm Backpackers Hostel
• San Ignacio – The Old House Hostel
• Placencia – Anda Di Hows Hostel

Getting Around Belize on a Budget

Getting around Belize is pretty much the same as in other countries, but if you are on a budget, you will have to spend some time traveling. Basically, you can opt for a tourist package where everything is already included.

The only problem is that the destinations are fixed and you cannot make your plans.

Public transportation is the best and the cheapest way to get around Belize when you are on a budget. Most destinations are actually walkable when you get to the city and you won’t have to rent a car if you only plan to tour the city.

You can also rent a bicycle to go around the city as it is very cheap. Renting a bike costs around $20 BZD or $10 USD per day and you can go to different places. 

However, this is only applicable for solo travelers. If you are with your family, it is better to just rent a car so you can move around easily.

Public buses are definitely the cheapest way to travel around the country. The fares range from $2 to $20 BZD depending on the distance.

If you are going to Orange Walk from Belize, which is a 2-hour ride, it would only cost $12 BZD. If you are going to Placencia from Belize City, it will only cost around $20 BZD.

Good Food & Places to Eat in Belize on a Budget

If you have a Belize budget itinerary, you have to think about the food that you are going to eat once you are there. A large portion of your budget will surely be allocated to food and most people would say that you can just focus on foods when you are in Belize.

You can still enjoy great food in Belize while on a budget as long as you know where to eat. Ambergris Caye actually has one of the best and cheapest selections of bars, restaurants, and eateries in Belize and it is also the place that you should check out if you are on a budget.

There are inexpensive local spots as well as pizza joints that you will surely enjoy. Most restaurants are focused on seafood, but there are a lot of restaurants that serve pork and chicken on their menu.

For cheap meals, you can eat at a local restaurant for $7 or below. Some restaurants are moderately-priced costing around $7 to $15.

Learn more about the foods you need to try in Belize here

Best Activities to Try in Belize

Since you are on a budget, you have to look for activities and tours in Belize that are either cheap or free. Here are some cheap things to do in Belize that you will surely enjoy.

1. Lamanai

The fee to enter the Maya Site is very cheap as it only costs $5. You can instead use your money to take a boat ride instead of driving so you can enjoy the scenery.

You can also book a tour to Lamanai

2. Belize City Tour

If it is your first time in Belize City, you can go around it free of charge or take an inexpensive guided tour around the city.

To get around the city easier, you can rent a bike to check all of the popular sites in the city.

3. Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

The entrance fee is only $5 per person. You can hike to the Tiger Fern Double Waterfall and enjoy the amazing sceneries in the area.

4. The Split – Caye Caulker

It is definitely one of the best and loveliest islands that you can visit. It is free of charge and you just have to spend money on getting to the island.

5. Lobster Fest

If you go to Belize during the summer, you can enjoy the Lobster Fest. It is better to visit here in June. Attending the festival is free and you can just spend your money on amazing lobster cuisines.

Inexpensive Backpacker Destinations in Belize

This Belize backpackers guide will give you some inexpensive options that you can take if you plan to go backpacking in Belize. Here are some cheap backpacking destinations to consider.

1. Belmopan

One of the best stops in Belmopan would be the farmer’s market as you can see the locals swap and trade food and items. The city also has an amazing parliament building and you can see many things here.

2. San Ignacio

It is the second-largest city in Belize and it is also the gateway to the west part of the country. There are so many things to see in the town and you can experience various cultures as well.

3. Caye Caulker

It is located about 20 miles (ca. 32 km) from the coast of Belize City and the motto of the island is “No shoes, no shirt, no problem”.

4. Placencia

It can be found in the southeastern part of Belize and it is a fast-growing tourist destination. You can check the main street and see some of the murals and foods around it.

Conclusion

Traveling to Belize at a low cost is definitely easy as long as you know where to go and what to do. If you are planning an itinerary, you can check out some destinations mentioned above and you will surely save a lot of money.

You can also check Skyscanner where you can compare flight deals to get the cheapest option.

About the Author

Richard Cole is a Marketing and Content Manager at MustGo.com and has been working in the Digital Marketing industry since 2002. He writes about marketing, lifestyle, travel and everything else in between. As a conversion-driven marketer, he is passionate about helping businesses expand their online visibility and reach their goals.