Belize Travel Guide: See, Do, Stay, Save, And More! (Updated 2022)

Belize Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Belize can be a very expensive country and costs here can add up super quickly if you aren’t careful. It’s one of the more expensive countries in the region (though the islands are more expensive than the interior towns). To help you save money, here are a few budget tips for Belize:

Travel off-peak – The most expensive time to visit is between October and April. By traveling in the off-season, you can significantly reduce prices for accommodation and flights.

Hitchhike – It’s a common custom among the locals to simply hitchhike everywhere they need to go. You see old ladies, children, and families on the side of the road looking for a ride. It’s just what they do. My friends and I met great people thumbing it across the country without spending any money at all.

Use public transportation – Aside from hitchhiking, the most cost-effective way to get around Belize is by using public transportation. The country’s bus system covers all major highways and cities. See the How to Get Around section for more information.

Combine excursions – Many tour operators offer trips that combine popular excursions. These are a good way to save on transfers to each tourist destination as well as possibly get dropped off at your next destination.

Embrace happy hour – Most bars have a happy hour in the late afternoon and offer cheap drinks. Ask your hotel/hostel staff for suggestions on where to go for the latest deals.

Bring your own food – Because many day trips and excursions charge extra for lunch, bring your own food and save money. There are tons of grocery stores that sell things to make sandwiches with.

Eat local – Rather than dining in restaurants in touristy areas, seek out neighborhood joints for more affordable prices. Better yet, fuel up on street food from vendors. This is almost always the cheapest option.

Stay with a local – If you plan ahead, you can usually find really nice Couchsurfing hosts all throughout the country. This way, you not only have a place to stay, but you’ll have a local host who can share insider tips and advice. There aren’t a ton of hosts here, so send your requests early.

Pack a water bottle – The tap water can be hit or miss so bring a reusable water bottle with a filter. Not only will you save money but you’ll reduce your single-use plastic usage as well. My preferred bottle is LifeStraw since it has a built-in filter to ensure your water is always clean and safe.