(10) Ways To Save Money When Traveling to Ambergris Caye

10 Ways to Travel To Ambergris Caye on a Budget

1.  Do Not Fly Direct To Belize
Flights to Belize from the main hubs in North America are very expensive. Instead, fly to Cancun and catch the ADO bus. You will save about 50% off your airfare and get to see two countries at the same time. If you must fly direct to Belize, be flexible on your travel dates. Fly in the off season, airlines give out discounts that make flying to Belize not a bad idea. Expect discounts of about 10% to 40%. Most airlines have super saver discount alerts you can sign up for.

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2.  Stay At Belize Budget Suites - belizebudgetsuites.com
Email us at:  [email protected]
Telephone:  501-226-4402 or (501-632-3589 on What's Up)
Belize Budget Suites caters to the traveler looking for first class accommodations on a budget.  When other rooms on the island are charging $210-$550. USD per night, Belize Budget Suites is charging $65.-$99.USD per night.  The property is located 1.5 miles south of San Pedro (which equates to about a 10 minute drive) to and from the property.

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3.  Take Water Taxi, Instead of the Plane
There's a huge difference when it comes to traveling back and forth from the mainland to the island.  If you take a puddle jumper flight, it will cost you about $90.USD one way (travel time is about 15 minutes).  If you take the water taxi, it will cost you about $38.USD (travel time will be 1-1/2 hours).  By taking the water taxi, you will be saving $52.USD one way | $104.USD round trip. 

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4.  Travel In The Off Season
Off season is a time to save money on airfare and accommodations. It's a well known fact, the Belize tourism season lasts from about November to May.  Many hotels and resorts actually close down during the peak hurricane months (September & October) due to the lack of tourists.  You can drive a hard bargain and get discounts of as much as 50% off during low season.  Definitely a buyers market!

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5.  Use a bicycle to Get Around the Island
Golf carts rent for almost as much as a vehicle on the island.  In some cases your golf cart rental can be more than your nightly room rate.  To help keep your costs down, consider renting a bicycle to get around on the island.  Bikes rent for as little as $9-15.USD per day (depending on where you rent them).  At Belize Budget Suites, bikes can be rented for $10.USD per day, this is a huge savings over renting a golf cart at $62.USD for the day (which does not include insurance and gasoline).  With a bicycle, you can reach almost everything you need to in town, the only place you can't go is Secret Beach (unless you're up for an 18 mile round trip bike ride).

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6.  Avoid Luxury Resort Tourist Areas
If you're ordering drinks or food from a luxury resort, you're going to pay luxury resort prices.  Remember, live like a local and keep your costs to a minimum. 

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7.  Eat Like a Local (Street Food & Local Restaurants)
To help keep your costs down, eat like a local.  Which means stay away from the big fancy restaurants, with the big fancy prices.  There are a few local restaurant on island that serve up some nice grub for a very reasonable rate. You want to eat, where the locals eat.  First on the list (since it's close to Belize Budget Suites), is:
http://www.belizebudgetsuites.com/theneighborhood.html

La Davina Provincia (Located close to Belize Budget Suites) Great local food & homemade papupas. Most meals can be purchased between $6-$12.USD | $12.-$24.BZD

Waraguma's (Located downtown San Pedro)
Waraguma's is located in downtown San Pedro, about a 10 minute ride from Belize Budget Suites to the restaurant.  If you're looking for local seafood, this is the place.  Our families favorite entree, is the lobster/seafood burrito (which is to die for).  Prices range from $12.-15.USD | $24.-$30BZD.

Robyn's Kitchen BBQ (2-3 minute walk from Belize Budget Suites)

• Belizean BBQ Chicken - $7.USD | $14.BZD
• Jamacian Jerk Chicken - $7.USD | $14.BZD
• Curry Chicken - $7.USD | $14.BZD
• Fish Fillet $10.USD | $20.BZD
  

All dishes come with cole slaw (or potato salad), rice & beans.

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8.  Make Bottled Water Your Main Beverage
Always drink bottled water, don't risk getting a water-borne upset tummy that may cost you a couple hundred bucks on medical bills. Bottled water can be purchased here on the island in a small (16 oz.) container for $.50USD, a one liter bottle (32 oz.) for .75USD, a one gallon container for $1.50USD, and a five gallon container for $2.5USD.  Chances are, you're going to be having a fun vacation, so be sure to stay hydrated.  Water is cheaper than soda, beer, wine, and alcohol.  Don't buy bottled water at hotels, resorts or other touristy areas (where prices can be higher). Buy your bottled water where Belizeans shop – small supermarkets or corner groceries.

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9.  Keep Your Souvenir Purchases to a Minimum
Often times when we travel we feel the need to take something back home.  The only problem is, if you buy something for one person, then many feel obligated to buy something for everyone.  Tell friends and family before you leave on your vacation (to Belize), that you will NOT be purchasing and coming back with souvenirs.  This way when you return, there isn't this huge let down, that you didn't get everyone a gift.   

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10.  Drink Like a Local
First rule: do not open a bar tab. Like anywhere else, tourists can be targeted by a dishonest bar that will slap on more than you drink. Better yet, minimize drinking at tourist bars or hangouts. Even bars and nightclubs used by locals can be expensive, especially mixed drinks. Rum is one of the few liquors that is cheap here, as it's made in Belize.  Many bars offer drink specials (2 for 1) during happy hour.   
Click on the following link and it will tell you which bars are offering which drink specials.  http://www.belizebudgetsuites.com/thingstodoambergriscaye.html
Another great alternative, is to buy a bottle of your favorite liquor, and drink on the beach, in your room or with other hotel guests at the property.