What budget to travel Belize? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Belize?

It may seem expensive to spend a few days on one of the marvellous islands that dot the barrier reef, but in doing so you'll often have free access to numerous activities such as kayaking, snorkelling and even sometimes, as on Ray Caye for example, a range of water toys available to guests. Excursions on the mainland are quite expensive, as they are usually guided by a professional, but they can also be made with your own vehicle, which represents a considerable saving. Divers should expect to pay at least US$ 375 to discover the Great Blue Hole...

If you stay next to Lamanai, at the Lamanai Outpost lodge, you'll have the chance to visit the Mayan city early in the morning, before the tourists arrive - an experience that alone is worth spending at least one night there.

Belize is not the place where you'll find great bargains, as taxes are high and the cost of materials high, except for sculptures and handcrafted jewelry made from natural materials. Remember to carry Belize dollars in cash when you visit markets or small craftsmen.

Club entry fees vary by location and may be subject to change depending on the event and occasion. Generally, ladies get in free if they're on the guest list and come before 11pm. Expect to pay around BZ$ 25 for entry on a weekday with no special event.

What budget to eat Belize?

There are many small local restaurants where you can eat for less than US$15, but if you choose to visit the more "Western" restaurants, you should expect to pay more than US$30 for a meal. All restaurants offer a take-away option, and this is often the case, as the dishes are copious. If you choose to bring a bottle of wine to a restaurant, you will often be asked to pay a corkage fee.

Count BZ$2-3 for a coffee, BZ$6 for a beer in a bar and between BZ$10 and BZ$20 for a cocktail. Wine is quite expensive: expect to pay at least BZ$12 for a glass of wine in a restaurant, and much more in high-end establishments. Along the roads, you'll often find beautiful fresh coconuts to drink, for as little as 2 BZ$. Have them opened in front of you, if only to admire the gesture.

What is the budget for accommodation Belize?

Belize is a fairly expensive destination for those who choose to stay in a hotel and rent a car. In this case, you should expect to pay at least US$200 per day for both. If you choose to use public transport and stay in small guesthouses, you should still expect to pay a minimum of US$60 per day per person. Expect to pay around BZ$100 in guesthouses and at least BZ$200 in hotels for a double room. Many special offers are available on hotel websites, particularly in low season. A 9% tax is paid by all accommodation operators to the Belize Tourism Board, which is responsible for promoting tourism to Belize.

It is often a good idea to pay in cash to avoid bank charges on cards.

Travel budget Belize and cost of living

Contrary to what you might think, given its geographical location between Mexico and Guatemala, Belize is a country with a high cost of living. It is close to that of the United States, and high prices particularly affect the tourism industry. Low-cost hotels are hard to find in the country, and when they do exist, they generally offer very basic services (between US$20 and US$30 per person). Many backpackers from Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala find themselves a little disoriented once they arrive in Belize, as hostels can be counted on the fingers of one hand. The large number of expatriates in the tourism industry, both American and European, has helped to drive up prices. When it comes to restaurants, it's hard to find a meal for less than BZ$25, but on the other hand, the country doesn't have many high-class establishments in this area. It is therefore rare to find an establishment offering prices above BZ$ 80 for a dish. Renting a car is also quite expensive, with daily rentals starting at no less than BZ$160. Guided excursions are also quite expensive, and rates are often unified according to the sites visited, so it's hard to find more affordable solutions. Public transport, on the other hand, is very affordable, and it's easy to travel around the country by bus for very little money.

Here is a short list of the cost of the most commonproducts and services in Belize. Fuel: approx. 3.80 BZ$ per liter; bottle of mineral water (1.5 l): approx. 2 BZ$; beer (33 cl): 4 BZ$ (Belize), 6 BZ$ (imported); meal in a popular restaurant (single course and cold drink): 15 BZ$; bus ticket for a one-hour trip: approx. 4 BZ$; double room without bathroom in a modest hotel: approx. 70 US$ for 2 people; stamp to Europe: 0.40 BZ$; 500 grams of tomatoes at the market: 3 BZ$; day trip: approx. 200 BZ$ per person.

Small budget: BZ$110 per day per person for a youth hostel with room, street food and public transport.

Medium budget: BZ$300 per person per day for a room with bathroom, restaurant, bus and cabs.

Big budget : 800 BZ$ per person per day for a luxury hotel, high-end restaurants, private vehicle and plane.

Payment by credit card. As a general rule, avoid carrying too much cash. It could be lost or stolen without recourse. Pay with your bank card whenever possible. Charges are lower than for ATM withdrawals, and the spending limit is often higher. Note that when paying by credit card, you may not need to enter your pin code. You may, however, be asked to provide a signature and, if necessary, proof of identity.

Tipping. A tip of around 15% of the bill in a restaurant. Service may be included in the bill brought to you at the end of the meal, but this is very rare. You'll also need to allow 15% of the tour price for the guide who accompanies you on your adventure.

Haggling. There's not much haggling in Belize. Prices are fixed in all establishments (hotels, restaurants, stores and stalls) and clearly displayed. Occasionally, Belizeans will try to haggle at the market, but this is quite rare.

Taxes. In the vast majority of cases, taxes are not indicated in the prices displayed by Belizean establishments (hotels, restaurants, stores and stalls). So always bear in mind that you'll have to add a fairly substantial sum (around 15-20%) to your bill.

Duty Free. Since your final destination is outside the European Union, you can benefit from Duty Free (tax-free shopping). A flight to Belize City from the European Union will usually have a stopover in the USA. You can therefore take advantage of American Duty Free before arriving in Belize and on your return. However, on your return from Belize City, it's best not to buy products in the Belize Duty Free that could be confiscated during your stopover in the USA (food products, liquids). You won't be able to put them in your luggage, which has already been checked in, and you run the risk of losing them when passing through US customs.