Which place is cheaper, Belize City or San Ignacio?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Ignacio or Belize City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Ignacio 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: San Ignacio or Belize City?
San Ignacio
So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.
You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.
This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!
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 Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, and The Best Adventure Tours to Belize.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Ignacio $72Belize City $88
The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $72, 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 San Ignacio and Belize City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Ignacio $19Belize City $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Ignacio $38Belize City $98
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Belize City
Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio 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 Ignacio Hotel Prices and Belize City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Ignacio $3.11Belize City $5.82
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $20
- From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20
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: $160
- Private Transfer from Belize city hotels to Belize City Port: $60
- Tours&airport transfer : $128
- Transfer Belize city to bacalar: $50
- We do transfers from airport to any where in Belize.: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into San Ignacio or Belize City?
Prices for flights to both Belize City and San Ignacio 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 Ignacio $21Belize City $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.
- Xunantunich & Food Tour with local chocolate experience: $135
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.San Ignacio $100Belize City $29
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Excursions in Cayo with Waterfalls Experience: $174
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour and Picnic: $125
- Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave Tour from San Ignacio : $120
- Barton Creek Tour: $98
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
- Caracol Maya Ruins Tour Including Rio On Pools, Rio Frio Cave and a Picnic Lunch: $125
- Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
- Cave Tubing Adventure at Nohoch Che'en and Jaguar Paw : $115
- Cave Tubing and Zip line Adventure from San Ignacio: $144
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
- From Xunantunich Mayan Tour & Optional Combos: $75
- Full day, 7 Miles Cave Kayaking adventure in Belize: $135
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
- 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
- Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
- Cave Tubing Experience from Belize City: $85
- Half-Day Altun Ha Temple & Belize City Tour: $86
- "Taste Bud EXPLOSION" Food Tasting City Tour : $89
- Turtle Garden Snorkeling Tour and Island Break : $90
- Saint Herman's Cave Hiking and Blue Hole Tour from Belize City: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Ignacio $17Belize 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 San Ignacio and Belize City, we can see that Belize City is more expensive. And not only is San Ignacio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Ignacio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Ignacio Expensive? and Is Belize City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Ignacio or Belize City?
Belize City has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of San Ignacio. When comparing the sizes of San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio or Belize City in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to San Ignacio as well as Belize City. San Ignacio 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. San Ignacio receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Ignacio usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Belize City. San Ignacio gets 243 mm (9.6 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 San Ignacio this time of the year. In the summer, San Ignacio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Belize City. San Ignacio gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belize City receives 226 hours of full sun.
In the summer, San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Belize City. Typically, the summer temperatures in San Ignacio in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Belize City averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Ignacio 28°C (82°F)Belize City 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Belize City in the Autumn?
Both Belize City and San Ignacio are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio. In October, San Ignacio usually receives around the same amount of rain as Belize City. San Ignacio gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
San Ignacio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Belize City during autumn. San Ignacio gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Belize City receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, San Ignacio is generally around the same temperature as Belize City. Daily temperatures in San Ignacio average around 26°C (80°F), and Belize City fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Ignacio 26°C (80°F)Belize City 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Belize City in the Winter?
Both Belize City and San Ignacio during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Ignacio 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. San Ignacio usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Belize City. San Ignacio gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Belize City receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, San Ignacio often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Belize City. San Ignacio gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Belize City receives 199 hours of full sun.
San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Belize City in the winter. The daily temperature in San Ignacio averages around 24°C (74°F) in January, and Belize City fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Ignacio 24°C (74°F)Belize City 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit San Ignacio or Belize City in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both San Ignacio and Belize City. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Ignacio year-round. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, San Ignacio usually receives around the same amount of rain as Belize City. San Ignacio gets 52 mm (2 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 San Ignacio, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Ignacio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Belize City during spring. San Ignacio gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Belize City receives 256 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Belize City. Typically, the spring temperatures in San Ignacio in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Belize City averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Ignacio 27°C (80°F)Belize City 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Belize City and San Ignacio
| San Ignacio | Belize City | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.