Which place is cheaper, Liberia or San Pedro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit San Pedro or Liberia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Pedro or Liberia, 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 Pedro or Liberia?
San Pedro
San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Pedro $135Liberia $112
The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro is $135, while the average daily cost in Liberia is $112. 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 Pedro and Liberia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Pedro $66Liberia $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Pedro $132Liberia $120
Compare Hotels in San Pedro and Liberia
Looking for a hotel in San Pedro or Liberia? 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: Liberia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Pedro $34Liberia $43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:
- Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $205
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Costa Rica Private Airport Transfer : $6.00
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Papagayo Peninsula: $12
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Riu Hotel and Vice Versa: $15
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Riu Guanacaste: $17
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Riu Guanacaste: $18
- Private or VIP Transfer: Liberia Airport to RIU Hotels & More: $19
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Tamarindo Beach: $20
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Peñas Blancas Nicaragua: $26
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Playa Grande - Arrival Private Transfer: $31
- Direct Transfer Liberia Airport to Guanacaste Hotels: $35
- Liberia Airport (LIR) to Peñas Blancas - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Private Transfer From Playas Del Coco To Nosara Guanacaste: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro or Liberia?
Prices for flights to both Liberia and San Pedro 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 Pedro $40Liberia $21
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Pedro.
- Belizean Sunset and Cultural Dinner Cruise: $120
Typical Food Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.97
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.95
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- 2-Hour Cooking Class in Nosara : $65
- Private Local Cooking Class in Nosara: $85
- Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.San Pedro $33Liberia $25
Tours and Activities in San Pedro
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:
- Sunset Tiki Bar Cruise in Caye Caulker, Belize: $45
- Shark & Ray Afternoon Swim Tiki Bar Cruise: $45
- 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $54
- Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $75
- SAN PEDRO; Belizean Food Experience: $86
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $89
- Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $93
- Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $95
- Hol Chan, Shark Ray Full-Day Snorkeling Tour From San Pedro Belize: $110
- All-Inclusive Full-Day Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour : $120
- Mexico Rocks Day Sail Shared Guided Tour: $129
- Exclusive All-in-1 Full Day Shared Guided Tour: $139
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- (Private) La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike: $41
- La Leona Waterfall: Private tour in Rincon de la Vieja!: $43
- Bird-Watching and Wildlife Tour: $43
- Night Tour in Nuevo Arenal: $43
- La Leona Waterfall Adventure Hike (Private Tour): $45
- Skip the Line: Diamante Eco Adventure Park: Animal Sanctuary Discovery Ticket: $49
- Zip-line Adventure: $53
- Horseback Riding at Diamante Eco Adventure Park: $56
- Horseback Riding Tour: $59
- Rincón de la Vieja Bird-Watching Tour: $62
- ATV Tour from Guanacaste: $65
- Ponderosa Adventure Park Admission Ticket: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySan Pedro $16Liberia $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Pedro and Liberia, we can see that San Pedro is more expensive. And not only is Liberia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Liberia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Liberia 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 San Pedro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro than you might in Liberia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Pedro Expensive? and Is Liberia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Pedro or Liberia?
Liberia has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro and Liberia, 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 Pedro or Liberia?
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 San Pedro or Liberia in the Summer?
Both Liberia and San Pedro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Pedro throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Liberia because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Liberia. It's quite rainy in San Pedro. In July, San Pedro usually receives more rain than Liberia. San Pedro gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. San Pedro usually receives more sunshine than Liberia during summer. San Pedro gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, San Pedro is generally around the same temperature as Liberia. Daily temperatures in San Pedro average around 28°C (82°F), and Liberia fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySan Pedro 28°C (82°F)Liberia 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit San Pedro or Liberia in the Autumn?
Both Liberia and San Pedro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Pedro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Liberia year-round.
December to April is the dry season in Liberia. April to December is the rainy season in Liberia. Liberia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. San Pedro usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Liberia. San Pedro gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, San Pedro often gets more sunshine than Liberia. San Pedro gets 196 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 169 hours of full sun.
San Pedro is around the same temperature as Liberia in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Pedro averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Liberia fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSan Pedro 26°C (80°F)Liberia 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Pedro or Liberia in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Pedro and Liberia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Pedro year-round. Liberia attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
San Pedro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, San Pedro usually receives more rain than Liberia. San Pedro gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Liberia this time of the year. San Pedro usually receives less sunshine than Liberia during winter. San Pedro gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, San Pedro is cooler than Liberia. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Pedro in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Liberia averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySan Pedro 24°C (74°F)Liberia 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit San Pedro or Liberia in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to San Pedro as well as Liberia. San Pedro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Liberia throughout the year.
Also, December to April in Liberia is the dry season. April to December in Liberia is the rainy season. San Pedro usually gets more rain in April than Liberia. San Pedro gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Liberia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Pedro this time of the year. In the spring, San Pedro often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Liberia. San Pedro gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 255 hours of full sun.
In April, San Pedro is generally around the same temperature as Liberia. Daily temperatures in San Pedro average around 27°C (80°F), and Liberia fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSan Pedro 27°C (80°F)Liberia 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Liberia and San Pedro
| San Pedro | Liberia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.