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

Should you visit Belize City or Isla de Ometepe?

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

Should I visit Belize City or Isla de Ometepe? 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 Isla de Ometepe?

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.

Isla de Ometepe

Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.

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, Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe is $34. 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 Isla de Ometepe in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Belize City $49
    Isla de Ometepe $13
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Belize City $98
    Isla de Ometepe $26
Compare Hotels in Belize City and Isla de Ometepe

Looking for a hotel in Belize City or Isla de Ometepe? 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 Isla de Ometepe


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Belize City $5.82
    Isla de Ometepe $11

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or Isla de Ometepe?

Prices for flights to both Isla de Ometepe 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
    Isla de Ometepe $13

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Belize City $29
    Isla de Ometepe $13

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

Tours and Activities in Isla de Ometepe

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla de Ometepe are as follows:

  • A great tour day for the ISLAND OF OMETEPE.: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Belize City $12
    Isla de Ometepe $8.85

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


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belize City and Isla de Ometepe, we can see that Belize City is more expensive. And not only is Isla de Ometepe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Isla de Ometepe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe.

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 Isla de Ometepe Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Belize City or Isla de Ometepe?

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 Isla de Ometepe in the Summer?

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

It's quite rainy in Isla de Ometepe. Belize City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Belize City usually gets more rain in July than Isla de Ometepe. Belize City gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe. Belize City gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Isla de Ometepe receives 175 hours of full sun.

In the summer, Belize City is around the same temperature as Isla de Ometepe. Typically, the summer temperatures in Belize City in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Isla de Ometepe averages at about 27°C (81°F).


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

Should I visit Belize City or Isla de Ometepe in the Autumn?

Both Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

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

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

In October, Belize City is generally around the same temperature as Isla de Ometepe. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 26°C (80°F), and Isla de Ometepe fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


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

Should I visit Belize City or Isla de Ometepe in the Winter?

Both Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe year-round.

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

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

Belize City is cooler than Isla de Ometepe in the winter. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Isla de Ometepe fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).


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

Should I visit Belize City or Isla de Ometepe in the Spring?

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

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

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe during spring. Belize City gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Isla de Ometepe receives 242 hours of full sun in the spring.

In the spring, Belize City is around the same temperature as Isla de Ometepe. Typically, the spring temperatures in Belize City in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Isla de Ometepe averages at about 29°C (84°F).


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

Typical Weather for Isla de Ometepe and Belize City

Belize City Isla de Ometepe
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)