Which place is cheaper, Copan or Belize City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Belize City or Copan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Belize City or Copan? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Belize City or Copan?
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It was once the capital of the country, but due to massive hurricane damage in 1961, the country decided to relocate it capital. With a population of 57,000 people, Belize City is located right at the mouth of the Haulover Creek.
This gorgeous tropical city experiences a monsoon climate – meaning there are warm and humid conditions throughout the course of the year. There is a wet season from May to January, so plan for a little bit of rain in that time.
Copan
If you are a lover of history, or just really want to tap into your inner Indiana Jones, a trip to Copan, Honduras is right up your alley. Located in western Honduras, the cobblestone lined streets and white adobe buildings topped with red roofs provide the beautiful backdrop to this once powerful city.
Occupied by the Maya for 2,000 years, Copan was the ruling city in the southern Mayan kingdom. Settled nicely in a fertile river valley among rolling hills, this city is absolutely fascinating and the perfect place to explore history.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBelize City $88Copan $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $88, while the average daily cost in Copan is $89. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Belize City and Copan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBelize City $49Copan $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelize City $98Copan $44
Compare Hotels in Belize City and Copan
Looking for a hotel in Belize City or Copan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Belize City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Belize City $5.81Copan $78
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City
Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer from Belize City to San Ignacio: $170
- Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize - Arrival Private Transfer: $72
- Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize Round-Trip Private Transfer: $143
- Belize City to Philip Goldson Airport BZE Departure Transfer: $24
- Belize City to/from Placencia/Hopkins Shuttle Transfer: $113
- One way shared transfer to Flores, Peten: $25
- Belize city water taxi terminal to Airport transfer: $30
- Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer: $68
- Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Belize: $25
- Philip Goldson Airport (BZE) to San Ignacio - Private Transfer: $56
- Philip Goldson Airport BZE to Belize city Round Trip Transfer: $48
- Private Transfer from Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize City Port: $63
Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or Copan?
Prices for flights to both Copan and Belize City change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayBelize City $27Copan $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belize City
For Belize City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Altun Ha Mayan Site & Food Tour - fish farm & restaurant : $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Belize City $29Copan $25
Tours and Activities in Belize City
For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Belize City Tour Shore Excursion: $30
- Belize City Tour: $40
- Belizean Bits & Bites Food Tastings and City Tour in Belize: $50
- Guided Cave Kayaking Tour with Pickup: $59
- Charlie's Cave Tubing Tour for cruisers (lunch included): $65
- Zip-line Canopy Tour from Belize City: $65
- Belize: Zip Line Canopy Tours: $80
- Howler Monkey Sanctuary Tour from Belize City: $80
- Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
- Belize: Cave Tubing Adventure: $85
- Belize: Altun Ha Tour "Water of the Rock": $85
- Cave Tubing Experience from Belize City: $85
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBelize City $12Copan $7.15
Sample the Local Flavors in Belize City
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Belize City:
- Belize: City Highlights Tour with Rum Distillery Visit: $33
When comparing the travel costs between Belize City and Copan, we can see that Copan is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Central America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Belize City Expensive? and Is Copan Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Belize City or Copan?
Belize City has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Copan. When comparing the sizes of Belize City and Copan, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.