Nov
Tropical Life
Cost of Living in Belize
This post goes out to everyone who is working out living the Belize dream in their own way. It is my biggest comparison shopping post ever, 8 places in total – Caye Caulker Belize – Playa Del Carmen Mexico – San Ignacio Belize – San Pedro Online Grocery – San Pedro Belize – Prescott Arizona – Houston Texas – and Mississauga Canada. Thanks to azbob and Brenda – Jo – Shannon – Michele – Macarena and Yvette for helping me fill in the list for what prices are like where they live.
Many people write and ask me about moving to Belize and cost of living associated with living abroad. Along with a scouting trip to Belize one of the other things I recommend is for people to price compare to help get a concrete idea on what it will cost them think in terms of groceries – water – electricity – internet – rent. I often include posts on those topics in my useful information category. You can also go to the SPOG site below and find a full range of groceries to compare with your hometown.
I got the idea to this big comparison shopping post while on Caye Caulker – figured I could do San Pedro – SPOG aka San Pedro Online Grocery and find a few people to fill in some blanks from mainland Belize – Mexico and other parts of the globe.
All locations in Belize are priced in BZD and everywhere else is USD. $2BZD = $1USD
400ml pantene shampoo conditioner
Caye Caulker Belize – $11.98 $14.95
San Pedro Belize – $11.30 both
SPOG Belize – $11.99 both
San Ignacio Belize – $ 11.85 $10.75
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $3.74 for both
Prescott Arizona – 375ml size $3.97 each
Houston Texas – $3.50
Mississauga Canada – $4.88 both
9.46ml treseme shampoo conditioner
Caye Caulker Belize – $12.62 $13.98
San Pedro Belize – $11.95 $11.59
SPOG Belize- $13.49 both
San Ignacio Belize – $12.75 both
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $3.83 for both
Prescott Arizona – $3.64 both
Houston Texas – $3.96 both
Mississauga Canada – $5.28 both
200g Nescafe classico Dolca
Caye Caulker Belize – $13.75 $10.95
San Pedro Belize – $13.75 $10.25
SPOG Belize – Dolca $12.99
San Ignacio Belize – $10.50 $680
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $4.35 $3.39
Prescott Arizona – 226g $5.32 Great Value Brand $3.64
Houston Texas – n/a
Mississauga Canada – $3.91
Box milk La la light
Caye Caulker Belize – $3.95
San Pedro Belize – $3.85
SPOG Belize – Rainbow light 2.99
San Ignacio Belize – $2.75
Playa Del Carmen – Mexico $.82
Prescott Arizona – $2.18 fresh 1 gallon 2 % milk (no box milk found)
Houston Texas – n/a
Mississauga Canada – n/a
1lb pasta Ronzoni Linguini
Caye Caulker Belize – $7.49
San Pedro Belize – Muellers $5.55
SPOG Belize – Cento Anna Linguini $3.89
San Ignacio Belize – $3.6o
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $.96
Prescott Arizona – $1.18
Houston Texas – $.56
Mississauga Canada – $.86
737 can hunts sauce no sugar added
Caye Caulker Belize $4.50
San Pedro Belize – $5.15
SPOG Belize – $4.99
San Ignacio Belize -$5.15
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $2.16
Prescott Arizona – 822G $1.42
Houston Texas – 425g $.63
Mississauga Canada – $1.66
Kraft mac and cheese thick and creamy
Caye Caulker Belize – $2.75
San Pedro Belize – the cheesiest $2.20
SPOG Belize – $2.49
San Ignacio Belize – $2.oo
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $1.14
Prescott Arizona$1.32
Houston Texas – n/a
Mississauga Canada – $1.46
8 oz kraft cheese Monterrey Jack
Caye Caulker Belize $8.25
San Pedro Belize – pepperjack $9.36
SPOG Belize – $14.49 – note same size other flavors are cheaper
San Ignacio Belize $8.55
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $2.72
Prescott Arizona $2.00
Houston Texas – n/a
Mississauga Canada – $3.91
16.9 oz/500ml Olive Oil Vigo
Caye Caulker Belize – $20.50
San Pedro Belize – $ 15.30
SPOG Belize – Goya 17 oz 20.99
San Ignacio Belize – $9.oo
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $4.63
Prescott Arizona – $3.74 (17oz) Great Value brand
Houston Texas – many brands ranging from all prices
Mississauga Canada – $5.38
Campbells chicken noodle soup vegetable
Caye Caulker Belize – $3.19 $3.78
San Pedro Belize – $3.15
SPOG Belize – $2.99 $4.29
San Ignacio Belize – $2.85 $3.25
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $1.27 $1.19
Prescott Arizona – $.68 $1.25
Houston Texas – 305g chicken noodle and 289g veg both sale for $1
Mississauga Canada – .77 on sale
1 litro Juice Valle Jumex
Caye Caulker Belize – $5.98 $4.00
San Pedro Belize – Valle $6.35
SPOG Belize – $6.99 $4.29
San Ignacio Belize – $5.65 $4.00
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $1.25 $1.04
Prescott Arizona – Could not find Juice Valle Jumex nectar $1.00
Houston Texas – n/a
Mississauga Canada – $1.95
5.8oz colgate tartar control toothpaste
Caye Caulker Belize – $6.55
San Pedro Belize – $6.55
SPOG Belize – $6.49
San Ignacio Belize – 6.4oz $5.50
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $1.31
Prescott Arizona – $3.44
Houston Texas – 6.0oz various types all $3.69
Mississauga Canada – $4.20
Oral B toothbrush comfort grip
Caye Caulker Belize – $4.25
San Pedro Belize -n/a
SPOG Belize – n/a
San Ignacio Belize – $3.70
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $3.19
Prescott Arizona – $3.47
Houston Texas – couldn’t locate comfort grip
Mississauga Canada – 2.93
500ml Listerine antiseptic fresh breath – citrus
Caye Caulker Belize – $12.95 $15.95
San Pedro Belize – fresh breath $11.70 vanilla 15.72 citrus $13.65
SPOG Belize – $12.49
San Ignacio Belize Total Defense mint – $11.75
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $4.95 $4.59
Prescott Arizona $2.37 $3.37
Houston Texas – 500ml either blue/green were $7.18
Mississauga Canada – $4.25
1.89 Liters Cranberry juice
Caye Caulker Belize 12.98
San Pedro Belize – $12.50
SPOG Belize – $15.99
San Ignacio Belize -$8.10
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $3.83
Prescott Arizona – $2.98 ocean spray
Houston Texas – n/a
Mississauga Canada – $3.22
2lbs flour
Caye Caulker Belize – $1.70
San Pedro Belize – $1.50
SPOG Belize -$1.98
San Ignacio Belize – pre sifted $3.20
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $.80
Prescott Arizona – 5lbs $1.84
Houston Texas – n/a
Mississauga Canada – $2.44
2lbs sugar
Caye Caulker Belize – $1.30
San Pedro Belize – $1.20
SPOG Belize – $1.18
San Ignacio Belize – 5lbs $2.50
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $1.52
Prescott Arizona – 5lbs $2.54
Houston Texas – n/a
Mississauga Canada – $2.44
1.13kg peanut butter Jiff R&W 510g
Caye Caulker Belize – $15.75 $6.45
San Pedro Belize – $11.75
SPOG Belize – 40 oz $17.99 Skippy Chunky $10.69 for 340g
San Ignacio Belize – $11.18 $6.00
Playa Del Carmen – Mexico – 510g $3.02
Prescott Arizona – $4.64 Jiff/$1.88 510g Great Value brand
Houston Texas – 510g Jiff $1.99 1.13kg Jiff $5.25
Mississauga Canada – $2.94
473ml Kraft real mayo
Caye Caulker Belize – $6.75
San Pedro Belize – 350g $5.55
SPOG Belize – 8oz $4.49
San Ignacio Belize – 3.50 g $4.20
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $1.62 $3.11
Prescott Arizona – 887ml $2.50
Houston Texas – 488ml Hellmann’s $3.15
Mississauga Canada – $3.16
24 loads/1.47l Purex liquid
Caye Caulker Belize – $13.47
San Pedro Belize – $12.85
SPOG Belize – $11.99
San Ignacio Belize – 52 loads 4oz $9.70
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $4.63
Prescott Arizona – $3.72
Houston Texas – 46 loads, 2.12L $9 on sale
Mississauga Canada –
1.47L 26 loads Tide pure liquid
Caye Caulker Belize – $25.95
San Pedro Belize – $29.05
SPOG Belize – Tide 2x Ultra 26 loads 26.69
San Ignacio Belize – 2x Ultra Tide liquid 1.47L 32 loads $28.30
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $4.55
Prescott Arizona – $7.97
Houston Texas – regular tide liquid, 26 loads $6.99 (sale)
Mississauga Canada – $8.12
2.21l Tide essentials 39 loads liquid
Caye Caulker Belize – $37.50
San Pedro Belize – $36.96
SPOG Belize – Tide pure essentials citrus 30 loads $33.49
San Ignacio Belize – n/a
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $10.27
Prescott Arizona – n/a
Houston Texas – regular tide liquid, 39 loads $21.58
Mississauga Canada – $12.69
850ml Palmolive
Caye Caulker Belize – $8.50
San Pedro Belize – $10.15
SPOG – $8.39
San Ignacio Belize – $6.95
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $1.49
Prescott Arizona – $3.77
Houston Texas – 887ml $2.32 (sale)
Mississauga Canada – $2.24
Charmin 12 roll
Caye Caulker Belize – $11.50
San Pedro Belize – 8 roll $24.30
SPOG Belize – 4 roll $8.99
San Ignacio Belize – $26.95
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $1.52
Prescott Arizona – $5.97 (438 sq ft) 1 ply
Houston Texas – ultra strong $7.99
Mississauga Canada – n/a
Cottenelle 12 roll
Caye Caulker Belize – $28.95
San Pedro Belize – n/a
SPOG Belize – 4 roll $13.99
San Ignacio Belize – n/a
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $5.19
Prescott Arizona $5.97 (246 sq ft) 2 ply
Houston Texas – $5.97
Mississauga Canada – $8.81
350g cornflakes
Caye Caulker Belize – $ $6.25
San Pedro Belize – $5.75
SPOG Belize – 200g $5.99
San Ignacio Belize – $4.15
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $1.60
Prescott Arizona – $2.48
Houston Texas – 510g $2.78
Mississauga Canada – $2.54
397g Cheerios
Caye Caulker Belize – $11.50
San Pedro Belize – $13.75
SPOG Belize – $11.34
San Ignacio Belize – $7.65
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $3.27
Prescott Arizona – $2.88
Houston Texas – 396g $2.88
Mississauga Canada – $3.91
184.2g Ruffles chips
Caye Caulker Belize – $8.50
San Pedro Belize – n/a
SPOG Belize – $8.99
San Ignacio Belize – $7.50
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $2.08
Prescott Arizona – 269g $3.28
Houston Texas – 283.5g $3.69
Mississauga Canada – $2.44
454g Mustard Country Barn
Caye Caulker Belize – $4.50
San Pedro Belize – $3.90
SPOG Belize – 8 oz Frenches 5.79
San Ignacio Belize – n/a
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $2.00
Prescott Arizona – $1.54 (680g) Plochmans
Houston Texas – French’s 396g $1.09 HC brand 453g $.75
Mississauga Canada – n/a
198g Black Pepper Badia brand
Caye Caulker Belize – $7.50
San Pedro Belize – $7.45
SPOG Belize – $9.49
San Ignacio Belize – $6.50
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $2.39
Prescott Arizona – $3.42 (226g) McCormick
Houston Texas – n/a
Mississauga Canada – $2.93
Hunts 3.5 0z snack pack pudding 4 pack
Caye Caulker Belize – $5.00
San Pedro Belize – $5.15
SPOG Belize – $4.69
San Ignacio Belize – not available
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $.84
Prescott Arizona – $1
Houston Texas – $2 on sale
Mississauga Canada – $1.85
1 gal jug water
Caye Caulker Belize – $4
San Pedro Belize – $3
San Ignacio Belize – $3.00
SPOG Belize -n/a
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $1.27
Prescott Arizona – $.78
Houston Texas – n/a
Mississauga Canada – $.97
eggs
Caye Caulker Belize – 3/ $1.00
San Pedro Belize – 3/$1.00
SPOG Belize – n/a
San Ignacio Belize – $3/ $1.00
Playa Del Carmen Mexico – $1.60
Prescott Arizona – $1.53 per dozen large eggs
Houston Texas – n/a
Mississauga Canada – $2.44
The trouble is, it would take a lot of small stuff and then you have to face bringing it in and customs Gary. I know you are talking food but you can never go wrong with tech stuff. I would say flash drives, micro sim chips, extra long usb android charger chords and the plugs to go with and any small tech stuff might be something but it is hard to predict what individual merchants would want.
Hi – Just wondering if I was to bring certain products / items to san pedro if merchants would be willing to barter for food or services and what would be a sought after item(small stuff) that I could barter with.
thanks
Gary
Great Jason thanks for sharing – I am on my way to look right now.
FYI, I posted some prices from a receipt I received on my last trip in September.
http://jasonsouthwell.com/cost-of-living-in-belize
How perfect and very funny about a suitcase full of straps Bob.
Thanks for the switch flops link Laurie. So happens there are three locations in our town and her birthday is on the 22nd. Now we can have one pair of flip flops and a suitcase full of straps! LOL seriously though, thanks. I am typically male challenged on gifting ideas.
That is funny about the shoes. Switchflops would make a great present for your wife one pair of flip flops and then you buy different straps to go with you outfits – totally solves the problem of how many pairs of flop flops to pack – making more room in your suitcase. http://www.lindsay-phillips.com/switch-flops.aspx
I just flew in direct from Houston, and boy are my arms tired!
Sorry couldn’t resist that old joke. It might sound strange, but I for one am glad of the baggage limit. I remember one trip ten or so years ago the two of us brought down 9 (thats nine!) duffel bags of baggage for a two week trip. Got some looks at the customs desk when I had nothing to declare I’ll tell you. I passed it off at customs as to my wife’s inability to make up her mind what to wear. My back was never the same after schlepping all of that through customs, tropic air etc. On the return flight we had 3 duffel bags. One each for our dirty clothes and another stuffed with the other empty duffel bags.
Of course most of that was stuff for friends. The only things I ever got hasselled about was a dozen or so bottles of sunscreen that we were going to leave in the owners closet and a couple bottles of wine on which we had to pay duty.
The worst bad joke on me, and after which i put my foot down (no pun intended) about how much luggage I would carry in the future was when I opened one of my wife’s suitcases and it had nothing in it but shoes! She has gotten better about it and I still get a chuckle out of that one. I mean, coming to San pedro with shoes for a vacation! You could get by barefooted the whole time for chrissake!
Most stuff has duty on it and I have no idea how they decide what costs – they say there is a book [and I am sure there is] but I have never seen them look at it to determine. Examples books are duty free – skincare will cost you a lot.
Laurie, when you order stuff from ebay, like you mentioned, I assume you have to pay incoming duty on them. How much is the duty? Is it a % of the purchase price? Thanks!
Good comparison Klaus. I forget what average price we used to pay in Toronto was but I am ok to pay a few cents more for no snow ha ha.
wonderful info tg. BTW, I paid BZ$ 5.00 /lb for bell peppers in Corozal this fall while they were CAD $1.99 at Safeway in Calgary!
Will be interesting to see hwo it all unfolds for you both Debra.
We are with you Laurie…we just know we need to be in Belize and we will adapt ourselves as we go to living the Belizian Lifestyle.
Good you re read Bob’s post Cindy – he well traveled and knows his way around getting to Belize.
Thanks Marty.
CT the intangible benefits definitely factor in too – there is a whole other post topic. I will say in our case we knew we needed to be here and cost of living was not part of our deciding factor list – we just figured out how we could make it work and adapted ourselves along the way.
Shoes are available but choice is limited. I sometimes order them from eBay like I did for Paul’s Merrel water runners. Cant find stuff like that here and he needed something more than the cheap flat foot kind of water shoes. As for mp3 and wii you can get those here but I am guessing they cost a lot more.
sorry bob… just re read your post. you were not talking about SP. my apologize.
Bob is on drugs if he thinks he had a direct flight from houston to the island. people make me laugh every day from stupidity.
killer post. will be help to many….
Seems to prove that if one wants to live “a la American” it will cost considerably more in Belize.
The real question is how to cost out the intangible benefits of living in a beautiful country from San Ignacio to San Pedro, Punta Gorda to Corozal, and points in between. Or do we even bother? Those who come and stay have done the math and it works for them.
Good effort all!
Yes it was a great price on lobster tails. What I noticed most, and I can’t give any specifics were the low prices on lodging. I can look back and see what we paid but it was a whole lot cheaper than belize.
Chips, crackers, any kind of prepared US snack or cereal was expensive just like San Pedro. What really saved a ton of money was the direct flight to the island from Houston without the shuttle flight necessary to San Pedro.
One last question or comment: Everyone always wants me to bring shoes, mp3 players and wii machines to San Pedro. Are these just not available or are they prohibitively expensive?
Houston pricing was from Walmart and Heb Grocery Store Bob. Interesting about Honduras – great deal for lobster tails.
Laurie I don’t know where you got your Houston prices from but they seem high. I just purchased laundry soap here in texas at Sam’s club, 197 loads for $13.00 and 36 rolls of TP for $12, 96 oz Dawn dishwashing liquid for $7.50. No doubt though prices are going higher fast especially for meat and cereal products.
On a side note, I observed prices in Roatan, Honduras to be much cheaper than Belize last summer. Beer was $1.00 a bottle in the grocery store (Port Royal brand very good) and a two pack of lobster tails was $6.00! The selection and availability of items was as good as here in the states.
I know Belize makes money from charging duty on imported product, but that should guarantee availability but that is not reality at all.Duty charges should increase the availabilty of items, I mean more items sold more duty collected right?.
Thanks Gwen.
As mentioned in the post Greg all Belize places are Belize prices and everywhere else is in USD.
Thanks for all the hard work, Laurie. Hopefully this will help all those curious about cost of living, and quell those rumors that it’s cheap to live here.
Laurie, were all the items based on American dollars?
That is a tough one to answer Debra cause we tend to buy things as we need them where as in Canada we would do a big shop with our roommates every week or 2 and completely load up for the house. I kept meaning to track monthly spending but never seem to be able to finish – lot of work writing every single thing down that you spend money on.
Hey Laurie…thanks for the comparison. How much do think that you and Paul spend a month on groceries and eating out?