How Much I Actually Spent Travelling Central America (6 Weeks Budget Breakdown)

How Much I Actually Spent Travelling Central America

(6 Weeks Budget Breakdown)

I never really considered travelling to Central America – until I was living in Canada and suddenly it felt like it was right on my doorstep, with some of the most affordable flights I’d probably ever find. After doing a fair bit of research, I realised these countries offered the kind of sights and adventures I’d been craving for a long time. So when my time in Canada came to an end, it felt like the perfect opportunity to finally go and explore.

One of the biggest factors shaping this trip was cost. While I know I may only visit some of these places once – and I’m more than willing to splurge on those once-in-a-lifetime experiences – I still like to be mindful of my spending and keep things as affordable as possible overall. Because budget plays such a big role in any trip, I wanted to break down exactly what I spent over 6 weeks in Central America, to give you a realistic idea of what it can cost.

Of course, everyone travels differently – budgets, priorities, and travel styles all vary – but hopefully this gives you a helpful starting point for planning your own trip.

Over those 6 weeks, I visited five countries: Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Each one offered something completely different, from unforgettable highlights to chaotic travel days – and this is everything I spent along the way. From souvenir magnets I brought home to the energy drink that got me through a 17-hour journey between El Salvador and Nicaragua.

Return Flights

I paid $570 USD return for my flights, including a checked bag. This covered Vancouver to Belize (via Toronto) and Liberia to Vancouver (also via Toronto). Considering the distance and flexibility, I was really happy with this price.

🇧🇿 Belize

Time spent: 5 days / 4 nights
Total spent: $822.10 USD
Average per day: ~$164.42 USD
Overall vibe: Affordable overall, but with high activity costs

Accommodation

I stayed at the Sandbar Beachfront Hostel in a 6-bed dorm, which came to $108.60 total (about $28 per night). It wasn’t the most luxurious time – mainly due to the smell of sargassum (seaweed) from the beach – but it was cool (very necessary in the 35°C heat) and in a great location within walking distance of everything in San Pedro.

Food & Drinks

I spent $127.50 on food, averaging around $25.50 per day. This included a mix of eating out and cheaper meals, although I did find myself going back more than once for some very good birria tacos. Overall, I found food prices in San Pedro pretty reasonable.

Transport

Transport came to $112 total. This included $60 return from the Belize water terminal to San Pedro, $42 for a water taxi to Caye Caulker (easily one of my favourite days), and $10 for a taxi back to the ferry terminal.

Activities

Activities were my biggest expense here at $418 total. This included a scenic flight over the Blue Hole ($263), as well as snorkelling in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and a sunset cruise (roughly $150 combined). These were definitely splurge experiences – but ones I wouldn’t skip.

Extras

I spent $56 on miscellaneous costs, including souvenirs, sunscreen (very necessary!), and the border fee before heading to my next stop, Flores.

My Thoughts

At first glance, the daily average looks high – but this is mainly due to the activity costs. Without those, my daily spend drops to around $80.82, which feels much more in line with a typical budget. Belize was the perfect start to my trip, with a great balance of relaxation and adventure.

Total: $822.10 USD | Daily average: ~$164.42 USD

🇬🇹 Guatemala - Flores, Semuc Champey, Antigua, Lake Atitlán & El Paredón

Time spent: 21 days / 20 nights
Total spent: $1,785.09 USD
Average per day: ~$85.00 USD

🇬🇹 Flores

Time spent: 4 days / 3 nights

Total spent: $323.57 USD
Average per day: ~$80.89 USD
Overall vibe: Affordable, with slightly higher accommodation costs

🏠 Accommodation

I stayed in a 10-bed dorm at Los Amigos Hostel, which came to $108.96 total (about $36 per night). While not the cheapest dorm I’ve stayed in, it was a really beautiful hostel that was comfortable and a great base for exploring Flores and nearby attractions.

🍽 Food & Drinks

I spent $85.20 on food, averaging around $21 per day. This included a mix of eating out and cheaper meals – especially breakfasts. Despite being a small town, Flores had plenty of options, so it was easy to balance budget meals with the occasional treat.

🚐 Transport

Getting from Belize to Flores cost me $38.73 via shuttle, which was a straightforward border crossing. I also spent $11 on a lancha to visit Jorge’s Rope Swing, which is both a fun activity and one of the main ways to get around the area.

🎟 Activities

Activities came to $63.30, which was the cost of a day trip to Tikal. I thought this was great value – it included transport, early access for sunrise, entrance fees, a guide, and lasted roughly 9 hours.

💸 Extras

I spent $16.38 on miscellaneous items, including my first load of laundry and a Guatemala magnet.

💭 My Thoughts

Flores felt like a great balance between affordability and experience. While accommodation and activities were slightly higher than expected, everything still felt reasonable overall – and it was the perfect introduction to Guatemala.

Total: $323.57 USD | Daily average: ~$80.89 USD