Any time is a good time to visit Belize because of the warm weather year-round, but April and March are definitely the Spring months to consider if you’ve been contemplating an affordable trip. Not only is it already considered as the low season, but the weather is crisp and cool. Strong winds shake the palm trees and make for a refreshing respite from the tropical weather. This makes it the perfect excuse to spend your Spring Break vacation in the Caribbean country. But if you’re wanting to visit Belize on a shoestring budget, here are some tips that might help.
Use a travel agent
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Contrary to popular belief, you don’t necessarily need to pay extra when using a travel agent. That means you can plan a Belize vacation to the T in Spring, yet still stay affordable. Travel advisors usually work on a commission basis with industry partners, which means you get the care and detail of a personalized advisor with no extra fees. This not only saves you money but saves you time and stress, too, when planning a trip. Especially since travel advisors are familiar with deals, best times to visit, best places to go, and are available around the clock. But don’t take it from us—we spoke one on one with a Belize-based travel agent here.
Book group excursions
Taking a group tour instead of a private one can save you loads of money in the longer run. Many operators often offer a big discount if you sign up for a tour that already has people in it. When staying at a hotel, keep a lookout at the available daily tours so you can snag a spot at one that already has a few others. If you prefer to book tours on your own, the company usually shares what dates have available spots left. A good tip is if you’re looking to land a spot on a snorkeling tour off Caye Caulker or San Pedro, you just need to walk around the island and look at the tour companies that are already advertising excursions to those sites.
Look for last-minute deals
The bedroom beachfront suite at The Lodge at Jaguar Reef, a Belize Collection Resort.
If hotels operating in the off-season love one thing it’s last-minute specials. Keep your eyes peeled for hotels’ social media and emails offering any flash offers. Belize hotels also often offer exclusive giveaways to their social media followers, meaning you get to stay basically for free. If a particular Belize resort has caught your eye, check their socials and emails periodically for any discounts they may have coming up.
Eat like a local
A Belizean Breakfast Burrito @ Neri’s Tacos in San Pedro. Photo by FoodFunTravel
A great thing about visiting Belize is you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy delicious food. The cuisine at the hotels are commendable in their own right, but you can always taste authentic cuisine at the local eateries. A full plate of delicious rice and beans goes for about $5 in the cities. A good tip to keep in mind is if you see lots of Belizeans lining up to order, it’s a good indicator the food won’t disappoint. Don’t be put off by any street vendors selling out of a humble wooden lean-to. Usually, these are the spots no other five-star restaurant can beat.
Cheap or Free activities
Xunantunich Maya Site.
There are many sights in Belize you can enjoy without spending a dime – or shelling out just a fiver, which means you can stay affordable while on Spring Break. Take the popular Maya site of Xunantunich, for instance. The entrance fee to this sacred site costs you about the price of a large drink at Starbucks – $5. You could always opt to book a tour guide for a few bucks more, which we highly recommend if you want to learn the detailed history.
The Split at Caye Caulker. Photo via Unsplash
Other sites around Belize are completely free to visit. Like Caye Caulker’s “Lazy Lizard” beach at The Split, or Belize City’s Baron Bliss Lighthouse monument. These landmarks are just a few photo ops that are free to explore. Ask your travel agent or local guide for any other inexpensive attractions around Belize worth checking out.
Header image courtesy Ka’ana Resort.
Editor's Note: This post was first shared on February 16, 2022
