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How Much Does it Cost to Visit Belize from the UK? A Budget Breakdown
If you’ve landed here, you’re probably wondering how much it costs to visit Belize from the UK. You’ve landed in the right place!
Belize is a truly special country, with endless activities and cultural nuggets round every corner. You’ll never be short of things to see, do and eat, but that means planning a budget is pretty handy.
That’s why The Bucket List Company is here to take you through the key (estimated) costs you can expect to pay on your trip to Belize, so you can make it the adventure of a lifetime without having to break the bank.
Flights
Unfortunately, flying to Belize isn’t exactly cheap, and it’ll likely be one of the biggest expenses on your trip.
And because there aren’t any direct flights from the UK to Belize (frustrating, I know), you’ll need to factor in a layover somewhere, normally the US or Canada.
The rough cost of a return flight from London to Belize City (BZE) is anything between £500 and £1200 (or potentially even more). This will depend on how far in advance you book, the airline you fly with, and the time of year you travel.
Peak season is between December and February, so this period – as well as school holidays – will generally see higher prices. So if you’re looking to save a bit of cash, consider travelling during the shoulder seasons (May, early June, September, October), and use flight comparison websites to find the best deals.
Accommodation
After a long day’s adventuring, you’ll want a comfy spot to catch 40 winks. Belize offers a wide range of great places to stay, to suit all price points.
Your budget-friendly options, like hostels and guesthouses, only cost £15-£30 a night. They’re perfect if you’re not bothered about sleeping like royalty, and they’re a great way to meet the locals and other travellers as well.
Your mid-range accommodation will be between £50-£150 a night, and usually takes the form of a comfortable hotel or an Airbnb. This is the kind of place you’d generally stay if your budget has a bit more wiggle room, or if you’re travelling with kids.
And then there’s the crème de la crème of accommodation in Belize. High-end, beachfront resorts and private villas offer something completely different to your other options, and they’ll definitely get you feeling fresh and recharged. Just expect to pay upwards of £200 a night, but if you can afford it, go for it.
One thing to note is accommodation costs can vary massively depending on where in Belize you’re staying. The Cayes (like Ambergris and Caye Caulker) tend to be pricier than inland areas, so just keep that in mind.
And wherever you choose, make sure to book well in advance, especially during the high season.
At The Bucket List Company, all your accommodation is taken care of – click here to see where you’ll be staying.
Food and drink
Belize has some delicious local foods to try, from seafood dishes to rice and beans (more interesting than it sounds, I promise). And the best part is, if you stick to where the locals are eating, you’ll save money AND sample the best spots Belize has to offer.
For just £3-£8 per meal, street food and local ‘cook shops’ are a no-risk option. They offer delicious, inexpensive and authentic meals, perfect for when you need a quick bite to eat without spending too much.
There’s also lots of tourist-friendly restaurants where you can expect to pay between £10-£20 per person. If you’re not feeling brave enough to try the street food, or you’re travelling with slightly pickier eaters, these are the place to go.
And for those nights you fancy treating yourself, you can dine in upscale restaurants for as little as £25 per person (though do expect to pay more if you order the lobster with caviar!).
As far as drinks go, besides water and soft drinks – which are the price you’d expect them to be – why not try a local beer like Belikin for just £2-£4? And if you’re more of a cocktail connoisseur, that’ll cost £5-£10+ per drink.
UK traveller tip: Look for local markets for fresh fruit and light snacks. Not only will these taste better than shop-bought alternatives, but they’ll also keep your costs down. If your accommodation has a self-catering option, this’ll save you money on meals too.
Activities and Tours
It’s no overstatement to say Belize is an adventure playground, and you’ll never be short of things to see and do there. Here are my top picks and what you can expect to pay for them.
If you’ve never done snorkelling before… do it! It’s one of the coolest things to do and the perfect way to enjoy Belize’s fascinating marine life. Half-day tours are between £35-£60 per person, while full-day trips (with lunch included) can be £70-£110 or more.
And once you’ve got the hang of snorkelling, why not go below the surface with a diving trip. For a half-day excursion, with equipment provided, you’ll be paying £80-£120+. That’s an absolute bargain for this awesome activity if you ask me.
Haven’t had your fix for adventure yet? Look no further than cave tubing and ziplining, two very popular things to do in Belize. They’ll typically cost between £50-£90+ per person but they’re certain to get your blood pumping and create memories for a lifetime.
Belize is brilliant for cultural enrichment too. Go on a tour of some Mayan ruins for between £40 and £100 per person depending on the site and whether you hire a guide.
Or experience one of Belize’s most popular attractions, the giant marine sinkhole known as the Great Blue Hole. This is often a full-day excursion including multiple stops, and can cost £150-£250+ per person.
And if you’re after something really on the cheap end, National Park entrance fees are usually no more than £5.
For the full itinerary of our trip to Belize, click here to have a gander.
Transportation
Getting to Belize from the UK can be a bit of a trek but once you’re there, you’ve got loads of ways to get around the country.
The most affordable option for travelling between towns and cities on the mainland is local buses, which cost just a few pounds. Short taxi rides in towns are a similar price but make sure you agree the fare before you start moving.
If you’d rather make things simpler and just hire a rental car, that is an option, but it’s relatively expensive at £50-£80+ per day. Driving conditions can vary so make sure you’re definitely comfortable with the prospect of driving in Belize.
You’ll no doubt want to see what the Cayes have to offer as well, and you’ve got a few ways to get to them. The primary way is a water taxi; a round-trip fare from Belize City to Caye Caulker is £20-£30, and around £30-£50 to San Pedro (Ambergris Caye).
Another option is a domestic flight to the Cayes – this is faster but also more expensive at £70-£150+ one way.
Once you’re on the Cayes, golf carts are a popular (and pretty cool) way of getting around, and they only cost £30-£50 per day.
If you’re planning on visiting multiple locations within Belize, it’s a good idea to factor in transportation costs when planning your itinerary – click here to see where our Bucket List Company trip takes you.
How much should you budget?
Ultimately this question depends on the type of experience you’re after, so here’s a potential budget breakdown based on different travel styles.
- Budget traveller: £50-£80 per day (hostels, local food, limited paid activities, local buses). For a 10-day trip, you’ll want to put aside £500-£800 per person, excluding flights.
- Mid-range traveller: £120-£200 per day (comfortable hotels/Airbnbs, mix of local and tourist restaurants, a few tours, some taxis/water taxis). That’s £1200-£2000 per person, excluding flights, for a 10-day trip.
- Luxury traveller: £400+ a day (high-end resorts, fine dining, private tours, domestic flights/private transfers). This’ll cost you upwards of £4000+ for you whole trip, excluding flights.
Obviously these are all rough estimates, and you can mix and match cheap with high-end as well. For instance, you might want to do as many paid activities as you can, but then save on dining and accommodation. The choice really is yours!
A couple of other things to remember when visiting Belize is that the currency is Belize Dollar (BZD), though US dollars are widely accepted.
And as always when travelling abroad, be aware of exchange rates and tipping culture (in Belize, this is customary in tourist areas like restaurants, and sits around the 10-15% mark).
Travel insurance is also essential for any overseas trip to cover medical emergencies, cancellations and lost luggage.
And that’s it! Everything cost-related you need to know about visiting Belize from the UK. As with any trip, it can be as cheap or expensive as you make it but as long as you’re having a great time, it doesn’t matter what you’re paying.
At The Bucket List Company, ensuring every traveller has the trip of a lifetime is our number one goal. And by paying for it in monthly instalments, you don’t have to cough up a big chunk of cash in one go, and by the time the trip rolls around? It’s all been paid for.
Your next big adventure (with a group of like-minded travellers and under the care of our expert guides) awaits – check out everything to do with our trip to Belize here.
If you don’t book it now… will you ever?
