A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Belize City vs. Granada for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Belize City or Granada?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Belize City or Granada? 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 Granada?

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.

Granada

Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, The Best 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.


Which place is cheaper, Granada or Belize City?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $88, while the average daily cost in Granada is $40. 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 Granada in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Belize City $49
    Granada $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Belize City $98
    Granada $34
Compare Hotels in Belize City and Granada

Looking for a hotel in Belize City or Granada? 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.

Hotels in Belize City


Hotels in Granada


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 and Granada Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Belize City $5.82
    Granada $8.57

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City

Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Belize city water taxi terminal to Airport transfer: $30
  • We do transfers from airport to any where in Belize.: $49
  • Transfer Belize city to bacalar: $50
  • Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $60
  • Private Transfer from Belize city hotels to Belize City Port: $60
  • Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer: $68
  • Belize City to/from Placencia/Hopkins Shuttle Transfer: $113
  • Tours&airport transfer : $128
  • Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $160

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:

  • One-Way Private Transfer From/To Airport or Hotels in Granada: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or Granada?

Prices for flights to both Granada 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Belize City $27
    Granada $14

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: $80

Typical Food Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:


  • Pizza
    $2.29

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Belize City $29
    Granada $10

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: $40
  • Belizean Bits & Bites Food Tastings and City Tour in Belize: $50
  • Charlie's Cave Tubing Tour for cruisers (lunch included): $65
  • Second largest Barrier Reef Adventure Snorkeling: $70
  • Guided Cave Kayaking Tour with Pickup: $77
  • Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace and Manatee Watch Tour: $85
  • Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
  • Cave Tubing Experience from Belize City: $85
  • Half-Day Altun Ha Temple & Belize City Tour: $86
  • "Taste Bud EXPLOSION" Food Tasting City Tour : $89
  • Turtle Garden Snorkeling Tour and Island Break : $90
  • Saint Herman's Cave Hiking and Blue Hole Tour from Belize City: $95

Typical Entertainment Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:


  • Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour
    $8.17

Tours and Activities in Granada

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Granada are as follows:

  • Bird Watching Tour: $90
  • Boat Tour and Granada City Tour: $120
  • Charming Granada Outdoor "Private Tour" : $92
  • Experience Granadas Best Sights Carriage ride + Local Guide: $65
  • Fabulous Night Tour in Masaya Volcano from Granada: $157
  • From Full-Day Tour to 6 Attractions with Lunch incl: $125
  • Full Day Tour Isletas + Pueblos Blancos + Laguna from Granada: $120
  • Full Day Tour in Granada with Volcano Visit: $222
  • Full-Day Tour: Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
  • Granada City Tour: $40
  • Granada Colonial City Tour and Masaya Volcano: $130
  • Granada Kayak Tour: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Belize City $12
    Granada $7.50

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: $49

Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:


  • Tequila
    $1.36


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belize City and Granada, we can see that Belize City is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Belize City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belize City than you might in Granada.

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 Granada Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Belize City or Granada?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 45% larger than the population of Belize City. When comparing the sizes of Belize City and Granada, 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.


When is the best time to visit Belize City or Granada?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Belize City or Granada in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Belize City as well as Granada. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Granada. Belize City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Belize City usually gets more rain in July than Granada. Belize City gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Granada receives 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Belize City this time of the year. In the summer, Belize City often gets more sunshine than Granada. Belize City gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 175 hours of full sun.

Belize City is around the same temperature as Granada in the summer. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Granada fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Belize City 28°C (82°F) 
    Granada 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Belize City or Granada in the Autumn?

Both Granada and Belize City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Granada. It's quite rainy in Belize City. In October, Belize City usually receives more rain than Granada. Belize City gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Granada receives 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Belize City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Granada during autumn. Belize City gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Belize City is around the same temperature as Granada. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Belize City in October average around 26°C (80°F), and Granada averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Belize City 26°C (80°F) 
    Granada 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Belize City or Granada in the Winter?

Both Granada and Belize City during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Belize City. Belize City usually gets more rain in January than Granada. Belize City gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Granada receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Belize City often gets less sunshine than Granada. Belize City gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Granada receives 244 hours of full sun.

In January, Belize City is generally cooler than Granada. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 24°C (74°F), and Granada fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Belize City 24°C (74°F) 
    Granada 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Belize City or Granada in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Belize City and Granada. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Belize City usually receives more rain than Granada. Belize City gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Granada receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In Belize City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Belize City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Granada during spring. Belize City gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Granada receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.

Belize City is around the same temperature as Granada in the spring. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Granada fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Belize City 27°C (80°F) 
    Granada 29°C (84°F)

Typical Weather for Granada and Belize City

Belize City Granada
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in) 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in) 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in) 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)