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

Should you visit Belize City or Montanita?

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

Should I visit Belize City or Montanita? 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 Montanita?

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.

Montanita

Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.

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


Which place is cheaper, Montanita 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 Montanita is $96. 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 Montanita in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Belize City $49
    Montanita $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Belize City $98
    Montanita $82
Compare Hotels in Belize City and Montanita

Looking for a hotel in Belize City or Montanita? 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 Montanita


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
    Montanita $39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City

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

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or Montanita?

Prices for flights to both Montanita 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
    Montanita $28

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
    Montanita $31

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Belize City $12
    Montanita $7.86

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 comparing the travel costs between Belize City and Montanita, we can see that Montanita 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. Even though Belize City is in Central America and Montanita is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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 Montanita Expensive?.



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

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Belize City or Montanita in the Summer?

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

Belize City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Belize City usually receives more rain than Montanita. Belize City gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In Belize City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Belize City usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during summer. Belize City gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 107 hours of full sun in the summer.

Belize City is around the same temperature as Montanita in the summer. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Montanita fluctuates around 25°C (78°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Belize City 28°C (82°F) 
    Montanita 25°C (78°F)

Should I visit Belize City or Montanita in the Autumn?

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

Belize City receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Belize City usually gets more rain in October than Montanita. Belize City gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Belize City often gets more sunshine than Montanita. Belize City gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 117 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Belize City is around the same temperature as Montanita. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Belize City in October average around 26°C (80°F), and Montanita averages at about 26°C (78°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Belize City 26°C (80°F) 
    Montanita 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Belize City or Montanita in the Winter?

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

It's quite rainy in Belize City. In January, Belize City usually receives more rain than Montanita. Belize City gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Belize City usually receives more sunshine than Montanita during winter. Belize City gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Montanita receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Belize City is generally cooler than Montanita. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 24°C (74°F), and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Belize City 24°C (74°F) 
    Montanita 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Belize City or Montanita in the Spring?

Both Montanita and Belize City during the spring 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 Montanita year-round.

Belize City usually gets less rain in April than Montanita. Belize City gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Montanita receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Belize City. In the spring, Belize City often gets more sunshine than Montanita. Belize City gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montanita receives 133 hours of full sun.

Belize City is around the same temperature as Montanita in the spring. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Montanita fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Belize City 27°C (80°F) 
    Montanita 27°C (81°F)

Typical Weather for Montanita and Belize City

Belize City Montanita
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in) 27°C (81°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in) 27°C (81°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in) 25°C (78°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in) 25°C (78°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in) 26°C (78°F) 3 mm (0.1 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Dec 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)