Which place is cheaper, Machu Picchu or Belize City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Belize City or Machu Picchu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Belize City or Machu Picchu? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Belize City or Machu Picchu?
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It was once the capital of the country, but due to massive hurricane damage in 1961, the country decided to relocate it capital. With a population of 57,000 people, Belize City is located right at the mouth of the Haulover Creek.
This gorgeous tropical city experiences a monsoon climate – meaning there are warm and humid conditions throughout the course of the year. There is a wet season from May to January, so plan for a little bit of rain in that time.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a site of ancient Inca ruins located about 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Cuzco, Peru, in the Cordillera de Vilcabamba of the Andes Mountains. It is perched above the Urubamba River valley in a narrow saddle between two sharp peaks, Machu Picchu ("Old Peak") and Huayna Picchu ("New Peak"), at an elevation of 7,710 feet (2,350 metres). One of the few major pre-Columbian ruins found nearly intact, Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Thus, Machu Picchu is not only an impressive remnant of the Inca civilization, it is also one of the world's most important archaeological sites. A stop at Machu Picchu is an essential part of any traveler's itinerary in Peru, as it is one of the seven wonders of the world.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, The Best Eco Tours in Peru, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Peru.
-
Belize City Prices
Belize PricesMachu Picchu Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBelize City $108Machu Picchu $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $108, while the average daily cost in Machu Picchu is $122. 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 Belize City and Machu Picchu in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBelize City $49Machu Picchu $44
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelize City $98Machu Picchu $88
Compare Hotels in Belize City and Machu Picchu
Looking for a hotel in Belize City or Machu Picchu? 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: Belize City Hotel Prices and Machu Picchu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Belize City $5.81Machu Picchu $32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City
Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Belize City Airport to Placencia Private Transfer: $150
- Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $150
- Private Transfer from Belize City To Hopkins Village : $115
- Philip S.W. Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $110
- Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
- Belize Airport (BZE) to San Ignacio - Arrival Private Transfer: $89
- Private transfer from the Philip Goldson Airport to San Ignacio: $80
- Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $72
- Belize City to Philip S.W. Belize Airport (BZE) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Philip S.W. Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize city hotels -Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Belize City to Belize Airport (BZE) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or Machu Picchu?
Prices for flights to both Machu Picchu and Belize City 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
-
Food Meals for one dayBelize City $47Machu Picchu $35
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belize City
For Belize City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Altun Ha Mayan Site & Food Tour - fish farm & restaurant : $80
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Belize City $29Machu Picchu $78
Tours and Activities in Belize City
For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure from Belize City: $195
- ATM Cave Adventure "Actun Tunichil Muknal" (from Belize City): $235
- Altun Ha Cave Tubing and Zip line Tours from Belize City: $268
- Altun Ha Mayan Ruins & Zipline Tour from Belize City All Inclusive: $210
- Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
- Altun Ha and Howler Monkey Sanctuary Tour: $200
- Belize City Tour: $40
- Belizean Bits & Bites Food Tastings and City Tour in Belize: $60
- Birding by Boat Cruise at Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary from Belize City: $300
- Cave Kayak tour for Belize Car Rental : $59
- Cave Kayaking and Jungle Zip line Adventures : $175
- Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure from Belize City: $115
Typical Entertainment Prices in Machu Picchu
For Machu Picchu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
Gardens of Mandor$2.87
Tours and Activities in Machu Picchu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Machu Picchu.
- Machu Picchu Morning Combo: Entrance Ticket, Bus and Guide: $196
- Machu Picchu Small-Group Combo: Entrance Ticket, Bus & Guide: $196
- Private Tour Guide Service: $98
- Private & Flexible 3-Hour Guided Tour of Machu Picchu: $60
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBelize City $12Machu Picchu $7.28
When comparing the travel costs between Belize City and Machu Picchu, we can see that Machu Picchu is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Belize City is in Central America and Machu Picchu is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Belize City Expensive? and Is Machu Picchu Expensive?.
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.