Which place is cheaper, Belize City or San Cristobal de Las Casas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit San Cristobal de Las Casas or Belize City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit San Cristobal de Las Casas 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: San Cristobal de Las Casas or Belize City?
San Cristobal de Las Casas
Far away from the luxuries of Cancun and Cabo, Mexico's San Cristobal de las Casas is a stunning colonial city located in the southern state of Chiapas. Due to its strategic location, the town is commonly used as a transfer point for travelers looking to cross the border between Guatemala and Mexico. San Cristobal also has an immensely strong appeal among budget-minded travelers as it's one of Mexico's most affordable cities.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Mexico City, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize.
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San Cristobal de Las Casas Prices
Mexico PricesBelize City Prices
Belize Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $107Belize City $108
The average daily cost (per person) in San Cristobal de Las Casas is $107, while the average daily cost in Belize City is $108. 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas and Belize City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Cristobal de Las Casas $42Belize City $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Cristobal de Las Casas $84Belize City $98
Compare Hotels in San Cristobal de Las Casas and Belize City
Looking for a hotel in San Cristobal de Las Casas 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: San Cristobal de Las Casas Hotel Prices and Belize City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Cristobal de Las Casas $29Belize City $5.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Cristobal de Las Casas
Also for San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Hotel in San Cristobal de las Casas to TGZ Airport: $53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City
Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfer from the Philip Goldson Airport to San Ignacio: $80
- Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $150
- Private Transfer from Belize City To Hopkins Village : $115
- Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $72
- Philip S.W. Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize city hotels -Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Philip S.W. Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $110
- Belize City to Philip S.W. Belize Airport (BZE) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Belize City to Belize Airport (BZE) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
- Belize City Airport to Placencia Private Transfer: $150
- Belize Airport (BZE) to San Ignacio - Arrival Private Transfer: $89
- Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
Is it cheaper to fly into San Cristobal de Las Casas or Belize City?
Prices for flights to both Belize City and San Cristobal de Las Casas 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 daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $37Belize City $47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Cristobal de Las Casas
For San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- City Tour with Dinner Pizza and Wine: $71
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Cristobal de Las Casas $13Belize City $29
Tours and Activities in San Cristobal de Las Casas
For San Cristobal de Las Casas, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Adventure through the Grottos del Arcotete, and Rancho Nuevo: $39
- Adventure to the Sumidero Canyon Viewpoints and Chiapa de Corzo: $42
- Bike Tour Chiapas Indigenous Peoples: $61
- Canyoning El Chorreadero Cave- Adventure Chiapas: $156
- Food Walking Tour San Cristobal de las Casas: $71
- From San Cristobal : Sima Tour of the Cotorras and El Aguacero: $112
- From San Cristobal Tour to Agua Azul, Misol Ha and Palenque: $83
- Full Day Tour of Montebello Lakes and El Chiflon Waterfall: $60
- Full-Day Sumidero Canyon Tour with Boat Cruise from San Cristóbal de las Casas: $84
- Maya Cultural Tour From San Cristobal: Chamula, Zinacantan: $45
- Montebello Lakes and Chiflon Waterfalls Tour: $48
- Palenque Archaelogical Site, Agua Azul and Misolha Waterfalls Combo Tour: $105
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: $195
- ATM Cave Adventure "Actun Tunichil Muknal" (from Belize City): $235
- Altun Ha Cave Tubing and Zip line Tours from Belize City: $268
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins & Zipline Tour from Belize City All Inclusive: $210
- Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
- Altun Ha and Howler Monkey Sanctuary Tour: $200
- Belize City Tour: $40
- Belizean Bits & Bites Food Tastings and City Tour in Belize: $60
- Birding by Boat Cruise at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary from Belize City: $300
- Cave Kayak tour for Belize Car Rental : $59
- Cave Kayaking and Jungle Zip line Adventures : $175
- Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure from Belize City: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Cristobal de Las Casas $27Belize City $12
When comparing the travel costs between San Cristobal de Las Casas and Belize City, we can see that Belize City 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas is in North 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 San Cristobal de Las Casas Expensive? and Is Belize City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Cristobal de Las Casas or Belize City?
San Cristobal de Las Casas has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Belize City. When comparing the sizes of San Cristobal de Las Casas 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.
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.