A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint John's vs. Belize City for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint John's or Belize City?

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

Should I visit Saint John's or Belize City? 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: Saint John's or Belize City?

Saint John's

If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.

St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.

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 G Adventures Tours to Belize, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize.


Which place is cheaper, Belize City or Saint John's?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $222, 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 Saint John's and Belize City in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    Belize City $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    Belize City $98
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Belize City

Looking for a hotel in Saint John's 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.

Hotels in Saint Johns


Hotels in Belize City


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.
    Saint John's $17
    Belize City $5.82
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:


  • Local Bus
    $1.52
  • Taxi From Airport
    $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:

  • VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $74
  • Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $45
  • Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
  • Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Island Hotels: $78
  • Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $112
  • Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
  • Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $99
  • Private One-Way Antigua Airport Transfer To/From Antigua: $45
  • Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
  • Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax. Zone C: Hotels: $120
  • Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax Zone D: Hotels: $130
  • JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City

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

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Belize City?

Prices for flights to both Belize City and Saint John's 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
    Saint John's $68
    Belize City $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.

  • City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
  • Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
  • Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150

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.
    Saint John's $103
    Belize City $29
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's

Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu
    $3.00

Tours and Activities in Saint John's

Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2-Hours Stingray City Experience in Antigua: $73
  • 6-Hours Guided Stingray Tour in the East Coast of Antigua: $161
  • Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $125
  • Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $190
  • Animal Lovers Dream Tour: $180
  • Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
  • Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
  • Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
  • Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $135
  • Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
  • Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
  • Antigua Sunset Catamaran Cruise From St. John's: $116

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
  • Hassle free Cave Tubing Adventure from Belize City with Lunch: $55
  • 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
  • Cave Tubing Experience from Belize City: $85
  • Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
  • Half-Day Altun Ha Temple & Belize City Tour: $86
  • Turtle Garden Snorkeling Tour and Island Break : $90
  • Howler Monkey Sanctuary Tour from Belize City: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Belize City $12

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 Saint John's and Belize City, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Belize City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Belize City is in Central 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 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's 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 Saint John's Expensive? and Is Belize City Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Belize City?

Belize City has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's 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 Saint John's or Belize City?

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 Saint John's or Belize City in the Summer?

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

It's quite rainy in Belize City. Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint John's usually gets less rain in July than Belize City. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Belize City. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the summer, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Belize City. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belize City receives 226 hours of full sun.

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


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    Belize City 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Saint John's or Belize City in the Autumn?

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Belize City. It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In October, Saint John's usually receives less rain than Belize City. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Belize City during autumn. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Belize City receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    Belize City 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Saint John's or Belize City in the Winter?

Both Belize City and Saint John's during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round.

Belize City gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint John's usually gets less rain in January than Belize City. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the winter, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Belize City. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belize City receives 199 hours of full sun.

Saint John's is around the same temperature as Belize City in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Belize City fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Belize City 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Saint John's or Belize City in the Spring?

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

Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Belize City. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Belize City this time of the year. In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Belize City during spring. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Belize City receives 256 hours of full sun in the spring.

In the spring, Saint John's is around the same temperature as Belize City. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John's in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Belize City averages at about 27°C (80°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Belize City 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Belize City and Saint John's

Saint John's Belize City
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)