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

Should you visit Belize City or Liberia?

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

Should I visit Belize City or Liberia? 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 Liberia?

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.

Liberia

Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.

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 Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Liberia or Belize City?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $108, while the average daily cost in Liberia is $129. 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 Liberia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Belize City $49
    Liberia $60
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Belize City $98
    Liberia $120
Compare Hotels in Belize City and Liberia

Looking for a hotel in Belize City or Liberia? 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 Liberia


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 Liberia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Belize City $5.83
    Liberia $43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City

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

  • Belize City:, Transfer from Belize City Water Taxi to Flores Guatemala: $20
  • Flores, Peten: One way shared transfer to Belize: $25
  • 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
  • Belize City to Philip Goldson Airport BZE Departure Transfer: $60
  • Philip Goldson Airport (BZE) to Belize city - Private Transfer: $60
  • Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer: $68
  • Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $69
  • Private Transfer from Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize City Port: $69
  • Philip S.W. Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $107
  • Belize City to/from Placencia/Hopkins Shuttle Transfer: $113

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:


  • Bike Rental
    $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:

  • Transfer from San Jose Airport to Fiesta Resort Puntarenas : $170
  • Transfer from Playas del Coco to Liberia Airport (LIR): $90
  • Transfer from Nosara Beach to Liberia Airport (LIR): $280
  • Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Rio Perdido Resort: $210
  • Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playa Hermosa Guanacaste: $85
  • Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Planet Hollywood Beach Resort: $91
  • Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Nosara Beach Guanacaste: $283
  • Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Dreams Las Mareas Hotel: $149
  • Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Andaz Papagayo Resort: $115
  • Transfer from El Mangroove Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $94
  • Transfer from Dreams Las Mareas Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $148
  • Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Playa Nosara & Guiones Guanacaste: $295

Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or Liberia?

Prices for flights to both Liberia 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 $47
    Liberia $36

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

Typical Food Prices in Liberia

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


  • Snacks
    $1.98
  • Lunch at The Shack (for 1)
    $4.98
  • Lunch
    $12
  • Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)
    $14
  • Ginger Ale
    $1.29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.

  • 2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara : $65
  • Private Local Cooking Class in Nosara: $85

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Belize City $29
    Liberia $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: $40
  • Belize City Tour Shore Excursion: $40
  • Belizean Bits & Bites Food Tastings and City Tour in Belize: $60
  • Zip-line Canopy Tour from Belize City: $65
  • Belize: Altun Ha Tour "Water of the Rock": $69
  • Second largest Barrier Reef Adventure: $70
  • Charlie's Cave Tubing Tour for cruisers (lunch included): $75
  • Cave Tubing Paradise Tours From Belize City: $75
  • "Taste Bud EXPLOSION" Food Tasting City Tour : $79
  • Belize: Zip Line Canopy Tours: $80
  • Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
  • Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace and Manatee Watch Tour: $85

Tours and Activities in Liberia

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

  • Birdwatching Experience private tour : $300
  • 3-Hour Coffee and Chocolate Tour in Playas del Coco: $40
  • 4 Tours in 1 Action Package - Playa del Coco area: $189
  • 4-Hour Private Guided ATV Tour in Costa Rica: $122
  • ATV Tour 2hrs - Dreams Las Mareas: $135
  • ATV Tour and Local History in Guanacaste: $125
  • ATV Tour from Guanacaste: $65
  • ATV Tours Guanacaste Costa Rica: $130
  • ATV Tours at Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica : $135
  • ATV Tours with Fidel at hotel Dreams las Mareas Costa Rica: $116
  • ATV or UTV Tour Offroad from Dreams Las Mareas: $210
  • Active Volcano Tour in Costa Rica: $175

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Belize City $12
    Liberia $13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belize City and Liberia, we can see that Liberia is more expensive. And not only is Belize City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Belize City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Belize City 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 Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia than you might in Belize City.

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 Liberia Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Belize City or Liberia?

Belize City has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Liberia. When comparing the sizes of Belize City and Liberia, 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 Liberia?

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 Liberia in the Summer?

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

It's quite rainy in Liberia. Belize City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Belize City usually gets more rain in July than Liberia. Belize City gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 164 mm (6.5 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 Liberia. Belize City gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 164 hours of full sun.

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


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Belize City 28°C (82°F) 
    Liberia 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Belize City or Liberia in the Autumn?

Both Liberia 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 Liberia because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Liberia is December to April. The rainy season in Liberia is April to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Liberia. It's quite rainy in Belize City. In October, Belize City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Liberia. Belize City gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Belize City usually receives more sunshine than Liberia during autumn. Belize City gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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


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

Should I visit Belize City or Liberia in the Winter?

Both Liberia 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 Liberia year-round.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Belize City. Belize City usually gets more rain in January than Liberia. Belize City gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Liberia, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Belize City often gets less sunshine than Liberia. Belize City gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 264 hours of full sun.

Belize City is cooler than Liberia in the winter. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Liberia fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Belize City 24°C (74°F) 
    Liberia 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Belize City or Liberia in the Spring?

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

December to April in Liberia is the dry season. Also, April to December is the rainy season in Liberia. In April, Belize City usually receives more rain than Liberia. Belize City gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Liberia 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 Liberia during spring. Belize City gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In the spring, Belize City is around the same temperature as Liberia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Belize City in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Liberia averages at about 29°C (85°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Belize City 27°C (80°F) 
    Liberia 29°C (85°F)

Typical Weather for Liberia and Belize City

Belize City Liberia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in) 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in) 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in) 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Dec 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)