What does it cost for a vacation in Belize and San Pedro?
Is a vacation on Ambergris Caye expensive? Well, yes and no. Compared to a stay in a small village in the Yucatán or on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica, San Pedro is fairly expensive. Compared with St. Barts or Anguilla in the Caribbean, is it is inexpensive.
Overall, excluding airfare, I’d say a vacation in San Pedro costs about the same as a vacation in Florida. On Ambergris, as in Florida, there’s a range of vacation costs, depending on whether you’re staying at budget hotels and eating burritos, or staying in beachfront resorts and dining well.
Here’s an estimate of what it costs, for a week’s vacation, per person, at budget, moderate and luxury levels. This is based on two people traveling together, in-season (mid-December to Easter). You can get by on somewhat less, or spend a good deal more. Off-season, the hotel will cost 20% to 40% less, but other items will be about the same. Figures shown are estimates and don’t include air fare to Belize, international departure fees, any airport transfer fees or gifts. Hotel rates include service, if any, and 7% hotel tax.
Budget Level
(Per Person for Week’s Vacation)
Round-trip ferry from Belize City to San Pedro US$25
Room at a budget hotel US$175
Meals at budget restaurants US$105
Entertainment (informal activities; rum drinks at local bars) US$35
1 snorkel trip US$15
Miscellaneous (tips, personal purchases, fees) US$49
Total: US$404
Moderate Level
(Per Person for Week’s Vacation)
Round-trip air fare from Belize Municipal Airport to San Pedro US$46
Room at attractive mid-priced beachfront hotel: US$385
Meals at moderate restaurants US$175
Entertainment (drinks, dancing) US$105
1 snorkel trip US$17
2 two-tank dives US$95
1 day’s golf cart rental US$60
1 day cruise US$55
1 day excursion to Altun Ha US$60
Miscellaneous US$70
Total: US$1,068
Luxury Level
(Per Person for Week’s Vacation)
Round-trip air fare from Belize International to San Pedro US$90
Room at upmarket resort US$700
Meals at expensive restaurants US$350
Entertainment (drinks, dancing) US$175
2 snorkel trips US$34
Atoll/Blue Hole diving trip US$185
2 days’ golf cart rental US$120
1 day excursion to Lamanai US$125
1 day fishing charter US$190
1 day trip via air to Tikal US$250
Miscellaneous US$140
Total: US$2,359
I think this needs updating big time. Just returned for the trip of a lifetime, can‘t wait to go again.All prices USD:Tropic Ferry from BZE to AC - $135/ rt/ppSnorkel to Hol Chan and Shark/Searay alley - $80/pp (coraldiversbelize.com)Fishing trip/snorkel and BBQ (Mexican rocks same company) - $75/ppDive shallow and deep - $130/pp (two tanks same company)Rental - from $110 - $750/pn (depends on if need rooms or whole house and season). I highly recommend Casa Bajamar.Rent golf cart - $300 - $350 for the week (7 days). Used Tropicana golfCartsGroceries - not cheap, we spent around $1100 for 3 couples. Half of that was beer. Get your liquor at the duty free shop at air port. We had enough liquor for the week and then some for $250USBar tabs were big sometimes, for 6 - 12 people $350 or so was the highest one. I recommend beer at most places, as I had 5 drinks without any buzz. Had 2 panty rippas at Matachita and they blew me away.Nice dinner was about $150 per couple. Simple was $50 per couple or less, street venders are much less, but risky.Go to Fido‘s great entertainment, but if you stay beyond 10:30 pm, you need to find alternate way home other than coastal taxi as they stop as the party is just getting going. Local food was good at El fogon. We tried to go to Portofino, but they were booked. Get a reservation if you go there - and they have boats that will come get you and take you home.Shop groceries at Caye Mart - best beer prices. Find fresh produce at local stand though. Mata Gorda is great for convenience but pricey and the produce is not so good. Plan to consume any produce within the day. We received a melon that was passed the date, but they replaced it. Other items lasted about a day or two for produce. Meat was good and should be frozen if not planning to eat that day.Getting around, if you plan to go to town more than 4 times during your stay, golf cart is worth it. Else use the taxi, 10/pp per trip (each way). Cart will cost you $350 with unlimited prepaid gas, but the bridge is $5 every time you go to town. The 40 min ride on some really rough road is a beating, but adventurous. It is fun the first few times, then became a dread. So, unless you plan to go a lot, take the taxi instead. It is nice to have the freedom the cart offers, but that road is tough and the town is like NYC at 15mph. If you want to stay out, check into coral divers belize and see if they are available for a private ride to and from, that way you should be able to stay a little later at the bars and clubs. Geni is great host at that.Have fun, this is a trip of a lifetime.