A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Belize City vs. San Pedro de Atacama for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Belize City or San Pedro de Atacama?

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

Should I visit Belize City or San Pedro de Atacama? 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 San Pedro de Atacama?

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.

San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama is a gateway to northern Chile. It is a good jumping off point for exploring the area's impressive landscape, most of which is included in the Los Flamencos National Reserve. It is popular with both Chilean and international tourists, and because of its popularity, it is a relatively expensive destination, with many prices comparable to what you might pay in Santiago.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Belize, The Best Tours for Seniors to Chile, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, San Pedro de Atacama 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
    San Pedro de Atacama Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Belize City $108
    San Pedro de Atacama $69

The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $108, while the average daily cost in San Pedro de Atacama is $69. 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 San Pedro de Atacama in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Belize City $49
    San Pedro de Atacama $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Belize City $98
    San Pedro de Atacama $64
Compare Hotels in Belize City and San Pedro de Atacama

Looking for a hotel in Belize City or San Pedro de Atacama? 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 San Pedro de Atacama


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 San Pedro de Atacama Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Belize City $5.81
    San Pedro de Atacama $9.14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City

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

  • Private transfer from the Philip Goldson Airport to San Ignacio: $80
  • Private Transfer from Belize City and Airport to Placencia: $150
  • Private Transfer from Belize City To Hopkins Village : $115
  • Private Transfer from Belize City Port to Belize Airport (BZE): $72
  • Philip S.W. Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize city hotels -Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Philip S.W. Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $110
  • Belize City to Philip S.W. Belize Airport (BZE) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
  • Belize City to Belize Airport (BZE) - Departure Private Transfer: $54
  • Belize City Airport to Placencia Private Transfer: $150
  • Belize Airport (BZE) to San Ignacio - Arrival Private Transfer: $89
  • Belize Airport (BZE) to Belize city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro de Atacama

Also for San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • To/From El Loa Airport: San Pedro de Atacama Shared Transfer: $28
  • TRANSFER TO PURITAMA HOT SPRINGS: $40
  • Shared Transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama Airport: $29
  • Stargazing Experience with Transfer: $44
  • Puritama Hot Springs Transfer Tour: $45
  • Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $40
  • Etno-Stargazing Tour with Transfer: $40
  • Puritama Hot Springs Experience with Transfer and Entrance: $90
  • Private transfer from San Pedro de Atacama to Calama City: $190
  • Calama Airport: Transfer to/from San Pedro de Atacama: $30
  • Calama Airport Transfer to Atacama / Airport Lodging: $60
  • Atacama Airport Shuttle Transfer: $38

Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or San Pedro de Atacama?

Prices for flights to both San Pedro de Atacama 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
    San Pedro de Atacama $25

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

Typical Food Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Empanadas
    $1.26
  • Lunch
    $10
  • Dinner
    $11
  • Drink
    $0.94
  • Empanada
    $5.24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Local haute cuisine tasting menu dinner: $135
  • Private Dinner Under the Stars: $300

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Belize City $29
    San Pedro de Atacama $21

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 San Pedro de Atacama

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for San Pedro de Atacama's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Sand Boarding
    $56

Tours and Activities in San Pedro de Atacama

For San Pedro de Atacama, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Moon Valley Tour, the Best Seller: $49
  • The 3 Best Selling Tours in Atacama: $190
  • 1-Day Tour Altiplanic Lagoons and Piedras Rojas and Laguna Chaxa: $120
  • 2 Tours Valley of the Moon and Hidden Lagoons: $120
  • 23km downhill bike tour + trekking among giant cacti: $70
  • 3 Days and 4 Tours in San Pedro de Atacama: $190
  • 3 Main Tours in San Pedo de Atacama: $190
  • 3 or 4 days in San Pedro with Semi-Private tours: $300
  • 3-Day Tour in San Pedro de Atacama: $205
  • 4 TOUR IN ATACAMA IN 3 DAYS: $230
  • 4 Tour in 2 Days, in San Pedro de Atacama: $200
  • 4 Tours in 3 Days in San Pedro de Atacama: $198

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Belize City $12
    San Pedro de Atacama $4.93

Typical Alcohol Prices in San Pedro de Atacama

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in San Pedro de Atacama:


  • Alcohol
    $25


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belize City and San Pedro de Atacama, we can see that Belize City is more expensive. And not only is San Pedro de Atacama much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Belize City is in Central America and San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Pedro de Atacama 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 San Pedro de Atacama.

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 San Pedro de Atacama Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Belize City or San Pedro de Atacama?

Belize City has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of San Pedro de Atacama. When comparing the sizes of Belize City and San Pedro de Atacama, 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.