A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Belize City vs. Puerto Madryn for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Belize City or Puerto Madryn?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Belize City or Puerto Madryn? 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 Puerto Madryn?

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.

Puerto Madryn

Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, The Best Camping Tours in Argentina, and The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Madryn 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.

  • Belize City Prices
    Belize Prices
    Puerto Madryn Prices
    Argentina Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Belize City $108
    Puerto Madryn $61

The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $108, while the average daily cost in Puerto Madryn is $61. 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 Puerto Madryn in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Belize City $49
    Puerto Madryn $41
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Belize City $98
    Puerto Madryn $82
Compare Hotels in Belize City and Puerto Madryn

Looking for a hotel in Belize City or Puerto Madryn? 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.

Hotels in Belize City


Hotels in Puerto Madryn


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 Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Belize City $5.81
    Puerto Madryn $2.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City

Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Belize City to Belize Airport (BZE) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
  • 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
  • Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $72
  • Private transfer from the Philip Goldson Airport to San Ignacio: $80
  • Belize Airport (BZE) to San Ignacio - Arrival Private Transfer: $89
  • Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
  • Philip S.W. Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $110
  • Private Transfer from Belize City To Hopkins Village : $115
  • Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $150
  • Belize City Airport to Placencia Private Transfer: $150

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:

  • Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $42
  • Puerto Madryn Airport Private Transfer: $216
  • From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $138

Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or Puerto Madryn?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Madryn 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 day
    Belize City $47
    Puerto Madryn $7.60

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 $29
    Puerto Madryn $45

Tours and Activities in Belize City

For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • The Historic Belize City Tour: $35
  • Belize City Tour: $40
  • Cucumber Beach and City Tour: $49
  • Cave Kayak tour for Belize Car Rental : $59
  • Belizean Bits & Bites Food Tastings and City Tour in Belize: $60
  • TukTuk Belize History & Culture Tour : $60
  • Taste Bud Explosion Food Tasting Belize City Tour : $74
  • Charlie's Cave Tubing Tour for cruisers (lunch included): $75
  • Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $85
  • The Incredible Cave Tubing Adventure from Belize City: $85
  • Turtle Garden Snorkeling Tour and Island Break : $90
  • Private Altun Ha Maya Ruin & Belize City Adventure From Belize City: $107

Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Madryn are as follows:

  • 3 hour 4x4 tour around Puerto Madryn: $110
  • Cruise Shore Exc. Ea San Lorenzo (Penguins) Lunch Included: $159
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Ea San Lorenzo Peninsula Valdes - Patagonia - Argentina: $159
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes - Box Lunch Included: $105
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes - Pto Madryn - Patagonia - Argentina: $95
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Pta Tombo (penguins): $105
  • Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo - From Puerto Madryn Patagonia: $120
  • Cruise Shore Punta Loma and city overview: $83
  • Day trip in an all-terrain vehicle: 4x4 adventure + lunch at a Patagonian ranch: $160
  • Dolphin Watching Adventure: $105
  • El Doradillo Whale Watching Half-Day Tour from Puerto Madryn: $60
  • Exclusive Full Day Tour Penguin Colony in Punta Tombo from Madryn: $200

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Belize City $12
    Puerto Madryn $12


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belize City and Puerto Madryn, we can see that Belize City is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Madryn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Belize City is in Central America and Puerto Madryn is in South America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Puerto Madryn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Madryn and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Belize City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Belize City than you might in Puerto Madryn.

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 Puerto Madryn Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Belize City or Puerto Madryn?

Puerto Madryn has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Belize City. When comparing the sizes of Belize City and Puerto Madryn, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Belize City or Puerto Madryn?

Puerto Madryn has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Belize City experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Belize City or Puerto Madryn in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Belize City as well as Puerto Madryn. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Belize City is a little warmer than Puerto Madryn in the summer. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 22°C (71°F)in January.

Belize City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Belize City usually gets more rain in July than Puerto Madrynin January. Belize City gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Belize City 28°C (82°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Belize City or Puerto Madryn in the Autumn?

Both Puerto Madryn and Belize City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year.

In the autumn, Belize City is much warmer than Puerto Madryn. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Belize City in October average around 26°C (80°F), and Puerto Madryn averages at about 14°C (58°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Belize City. In October, Belize City usually receives more rain than Puerto Madrynin April. Belize City gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Belize City 26°C (80°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Belize City or Puerto Madryn in the Winter?

Both Puerto Madryn and Belize City during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Belize City is generally much warmer than Puerto Madrynin July. Daily temperatures in Belize City average around 24°C (74°F), and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In Puerto Madryn, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Belize City often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Madrynin July. Belize City gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Madryn receives 209 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Belize City. Belize City usually gets more rain in January than Puerto Madrynin July. Belize City gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Belize City 24°C (74°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Belize City or Puerto Madryn in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Belize City and Puerto Madryn. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Belize City year-round.

Belize City is much warmer than Puerto Madryn in the spring. The daily temperature in Belize City averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Puerto Madryn fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in October.

In April, Belize City usually receives more rain than Puerto Madrynin October. Belize City gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Puerto Madryn receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Belize City 27°C (80°F) 
    Puerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Madryn and Belize City

Belize City Puerto Madryn
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 22°C (71°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 21°C (69°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in) 18°C (64°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in) 14°C (58°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 10°C (51°F) 17 mm (0.7 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in) 7°C (45°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in) 7°C (45°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in) 11°C (53°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in) 14°C (58°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Dec 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)