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

Should you visit Belize City or Manaus?

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

Should I visit Belize City or Manaus? 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 Manaus?

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.

Manaus

Manaus is a Brazilian city, capital of the state of Amazonas, and is located on the Rio Negro a few miles before it meets the Rio Solimões to form the Amazon River. The city is a major departure point for those visiting the Amazon Rainforest, though there are a few sights worth seeing within the city itself as well.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Brazil, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Manaus 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 Manaus is $59. 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 Manaus in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Belize City $49
    Manaus $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Belize City $98
    Manaus $84
Compare Hotels in Belize City and Manaus

Looking for a hotel in Belize City or Manaus? 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 Manaus


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 Manaus Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Belize City $5.82
    Manaus $7.94

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City

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

  • We do transfers from airport to any where in Belize.: $49
  • Transfer Belize city to bacalar: $50
  • Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $150
  • Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $60
  • Belize: Belize City to/from San Ignacio Shuttle Transfer: $68
  • Belize city water taxi terminal to Airport transfer: $30
  • Belize City to/from Placencia/Hopkins Shuttle Transfer: $113

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manaus

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

  • Transfers from the airport to any place in Manaus City: $40
  • Transfer from Manaus Airport to Manaus City: $40
  • Transfer Privativo 24h aeroporto -> hotel em Manaus: $18
  • Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Eduardo Gomes International Airport: $72
  • Serviço de transfer privativo do Porto -> aeroporto de Mana: $20
  • Private Transfer 24h Airport to Hotel in Manaus: $15
  • Private Transfer - Airport - Hotel / Hotel - Airport: $35
  • Private 24-hour transfer from the Hotel to the Airport in Manaus: $16
  • Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus -Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
  • Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
  • Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) to Manaus - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
  • Manaus to Ponta Pelada Airport (PLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $23

Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or Manaus?

Prices for flights to both Manaus 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
    Manaus $12

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manaus

For Manaus, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Folklore Amazonian Dinner Show: $42
  • Food Tour: $50

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Belize City $29
    Manaus -

Tours and Activities in Belize City

For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure from Belize City: $167
  • Altun Ha Cave Tubing and Zip line Tours from Belize City: $208
  • Altun Ha Mayan Ruins & Zipline Tour from Belize City All Inclusive: $170
  • Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and Belize City tour: $100
  • Altun Ha Mayan Ruins and River Wallace and Manatee Watch Tour: $85
  • Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
  • Altun Ha, Monkey Sanctuary and Rum Factory Tour from Belize City: $170
  • Belize City Tour: $40
  • Belize City Tour Shore Excursion: $100
  • Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Full Day Tour: $190
  • Cave Tubing & Zipline Adventure Tour: $110
  • Guided Cave Kayaking Tour with Pickup: $77

Tours and Activities in Manaus

For Manaus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Adventure: 4-hour hike in the Amazon rainforest: $150
  • Amazon Experience: meet a native village and swim with porpoises: $80
  • Amazon Jungle Experience with Overnight: $300
  • Amazon Jungle: 3- or 4-Day Tour at Ipanema River Guest House: $200
  • Amazon Negro River Half-Day Expedition Tour: $55
  • Amazon Private Safari by Tuhiri Eco Tour - Leaving Manaus: $199
  • Amazon River Stand Up Paddling Tour: $124
  • Amazon and Negro Rivers Experience with Night Exploration Tour: $300
  • City Tour Plus Amazon River Tour: $100
  • City Tour in Manaus at Teatro Amazonas and Praça da Matriz: $50
  • City Tour no Centro Histórico de Manaus com um fotógrafo: $91
  • From Manaus Cruise Terminal: Amazon Rainforest Highlights: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Belize City $12
    Manaus $2.84

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 Manaus, we can see that Belize City is more expensive. And not only is Manaus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Belize City is in Central America and Manaus is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Manaus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manaus 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 Manaus.

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 Manaus Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Belize City or Manaus?

Manaus has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Belize City. When comparing the sizes of Belize City and Manaus, 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 Manaus?

Manaus has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Belize City experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Belize City or Manaus in the Summer?

Both Manaus and Belize City are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year.

In July, Belize City is generally around the same temperature as Manausin January. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 28°C (82°F), and Manaus fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Belize City. Belize City usually receives more sunshine than Manaus during summer. Belize City gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Manaus receives 114 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Manaus. It's quite rainy in Belize City. In July, Belize City usually receives less rain than Manausin January. Belize City gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 264 mm (10.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Belize City or Manaus in the Autumn?

Both Manaus and Belize City during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Belize City is around the same temperature as Manaus in the autumn. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Manaus fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in April.

In the autumn, Belize City often gets more sunshine than Manausin April. Belize City gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manaus receives 112 hours of full sun.

Manaus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Belize City. Belize City usually gets less rain in October than Manausin April. Belize City gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 311 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Belize City 26°C (80°F) 
    Manaus 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Belize City or Manaus in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Belize City and Manaus. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round.

In the winter, Belize City is cooler than Manaus. Typically, the winter temperatures in Belize City in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Manaus averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Manaus this time of the year. Belize City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Manaus during winter. Belize City gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Manaus receives 214 hours of full sun in the winter.

Belize City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Belize City usually receives more rain than Manausin July. Belize City gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 85 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Belize City 24°C (74°F) 
    Manaus 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Belize City or Manaus in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Belize City as well as Manaus. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Belize City is generally around the same temperature as Manausin October. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 27°C (80°F), and Manaus fluctuates around 29°C (84°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Belize City this time of the year. In the spring, Belize City often gets more sunshine than Manausin October. Belize City gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Manaus receives 171 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Manaus. Belize City usually gets less rain in April than Manausin October. Belize City gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Manaus receives 113 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Typical Weather for Manaus and Belize City

Belize City Manaus
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 264 mm (10.4 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 290 mm (11.4 in)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in) 27°C (81°F) 335 mm (13.2 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 311 mm (12.3 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 279 mm (11 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 115 mm (4.5 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 85 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in) 29°C (84°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in) 29°C (84°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 28°C (83°F) 174 mm (6.8 in)
Dec 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 220 mm (8.6 in)