
Least Expensive Belize Tours and Snorkeling
Hey World Nomads,
I'm traveling to San Ignacio, Belize and Hopkins, Belize at the end of April, and I'm interested in traveling to Tikal for a day, going to Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM), and snorkeling. For Tikal I'm being quoted $130 a person (before border re-entry fee), and for ATM I'm being quoted $110 a person (quotes from my hotel, both a minimum of two people). I don't have a price on snorkeling yet.
Both of these seem VERY steep for a third world nation whose minimum wage is $1.65USD. I understand the economics of tourism supporting their economy, and they are providing a commodity that I can not get otherwise, however, there must be a cheaper way to get around.
I just highly doubt my tour guide Elmer is pocketing $200+ USD for a few hours of work, while the rest of Belize is pulling in an average of $10/day. So some fat cat is lining his coffers. I'm also being quoted some pretty steep prices for transportation.
Google hasn't returned the results I've been hoping for, so I hope World Nomads can help out! And I'd probably being doing more tours if they didn't cost so much.
Thanks,
BeWanderlustful

2 Answers
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Hey BeWanderlustful,
Not sure about from the Belizean side but I arranged a tour for Tikal from Flores in Guatemala last Sept. I think it was about 110 quetzal pp ($20 Australian) for transport there and back + a tour guide (approx 12 in group) for the day.
I would be surprised if any tour in Belize cost $130 pp unless it was scuba diving, definitely worth checking out other providers as your hotel seems to be over charging.
As for transport, we got a bus from Belize city to Flores and I think it was around $30 USD? Could easily have been less than that.
Hope that helps,
Pearse almost 4 years ago -
We took a family cruise (15 of us) in 2015 on a Carnival cruise and did not book a tour with the ship. we went into port and there was nothing there but the usual trinket shops. There was a day trip offered for about $80 that went out to a reef for snorkeling. The boat ride was about 20 minutes out and there were about 35 to 40 people. what a great day. the little island they took us to was beautiful and some of snorkeled and some just lounged on the beach. A little boat came in with fresh fish and lobster that was cooked on the grill. The cost was about $10 to $12 US dollars. Bathroom facilities and picnic tables were available.. That day was one of the best things we remember from our cruise. almost 4 years ago
Answered by Luann viaWorldNomads.com