Which place is cheaper, Belize City or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta del Este or Belize City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este or Belize City, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Punta del Este or Belize City?
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98Belize City $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, while the average daily cost in Belize City is $88. 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 Punta del Este and Belize City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55Belize City $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110Belize City $98
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Belize City
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este or Belize City? 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.
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: Punta del Este Hotel Prices and Belize City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22Belize City $5.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $30
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $55
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
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 Punta del Este or Belize City?
Prices for flights to both Belize City and Punta del Este 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
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Food Meals for one dayPunta del Este $31Belize City $27
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $11Belize City $29
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- Colonia Wine Experience for Food & Wine Lovers: $180
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- East Coast of Uruguay – Private Multi Day Tour: $2,600
- From Cabo Polonio - Full Day Private Tour: $1,000
- Full Day Private Shore Tour Montevideo from Punta Del Este Port: $292
- Full Experience Tasting Menu Viña Edén: $157
- Gourmet Food & Wine Experience from Punta del Este: $205
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Half Day Tour in Punta del Este and Jose Ignacio: $170
- La Vista 360 ticket de admisión: $11
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70Belize City $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
- Wine Tasting: $42
- Half Day Private Canelones Wine Tour from Montevideo : $158
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 Punta del Este and Belize City, we can see that Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este is in South America and Belize City is in Central 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 Punta del Este Expensive? and Is Belize City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Belize City?
Belize City has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este and Belize City, 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 Punta del Este or Belize City?
Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este or Belize City in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and Belize City. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Punta del Este is cooler than Belize City in the summer. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Belize City fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Belize City this time of the year. In Punta del Este, it's very sunny this time of the year. Punta del Este usually receives more sunshine than Belize City during summer. Punta del Este gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Belize City receives 226 hours of full sun in the summer.
Belize City receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Punta del Este usually receives less rain than Belize Cityin July. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPunta del Este 23°C (73°F)Belize City 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Belize City in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as Belize City. The warm climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year.
In the autumn, Punta del Este is much colder than Belize City. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Punta del Este in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Belize City averages at about 26°C (80°F)in October.
In the autumn, Punta del Este often gets less sunshine than Belize Cityin October. Punta del Este gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belize City receives 196 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Belize City. Punta del Este usually gets less rain in April than Belize Cityin October. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPunta del Este 17°C (63°F)Belize City 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Belize City in the Winter?
Both Belize City and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Punta del Este is generally much colder than Belize Cityin January. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 10°C (50°F), and Belize City fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
Punta del Este usually receives less sunshine than Belize City during winter. Punta del Este gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Belize City receives 199 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Belize City. In July, Punta del Este usually receives less rain than Belize Cityin January. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPunta del Este 10°C (50°F)Belize City 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Belize City in the Spring?
Both Belize City and Punta del Este during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round.
Punta del Este is much colder than Belize City in the spring. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Belize City fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.
In Belize City, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Punta del Este. In the spring, Punta del Este often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Belize Cityin April. Punta del Este gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belize City receives 256 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in October than Belize Cityin April. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPunta del Este 16°C (61°F)Belize City 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Belize City and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | Belize City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.