Journey prices in Central America can fluctuate fairly a bit from one nation to the subsequent. That will help you out, I created this overview, which I final up to date in 2025 accounting for the current years of inflation.
All the precise costs for companies on this submit have been freshly researched based mostly on tour and transportation firm data, in addition to costs shared in social media teams for the precise locations.
I hope it will assist you to put collectively a tough price range on your journey!
Defining a price range journey type
In fact, totally different folks have totally different journey kinds, which is able to have an effect on your price range stage.
I ought to point out the typical room worth listed right here is for only a primary room in a hostel, hospedaje, or B&B, typically utilizing shared rest room services. These are simply easy locations so that you can sleep. For increased requirements of lodging, you’ll be able to simply double the typical budgets listed beneath.
Equally, the recommended every day budgets listed here are for price range journey and backpacking, in order that they assume you’ll usually keep in hostels, guesthouses, or smaller native accommodations, eat native meals, and use native transportation. The every day budgets are per individual.
Nevertheless, there are at all times individuals who handle to journey for a lot lower than I’ve acknowledged right here! I’ve met travellers in Central America staying in tents, shopping for meals instantly from farms, and by no means doing any excursions in any way. That’s not the journey type I’m specializing in right here: the recommended costs are for any budget-conscious traveller who nonetheless retains a roof over their head each evening and who engages in vacationer activites.
The room costs talked about are common for price range choices, however you will discover it cheaper! For example the typical we’ve discovered for Guatemala is about $60 per evening, however go searching and you will discover primary rooms for about $25 per evening even in stylish Antigua.
Not included in these day-to-day budgets are any pre-trip bills like your flights, journey insurance coverage, vacationer visa charges, and so forth.
Foreign money
I’m itemizing costs in US {Dollars} for comfort. Even in the event you’re not from the US (I’m European myself) you in all probability have a greater thought of its worth than that of a Guatemalan Quetzal or a Nicaraguan Córdoba. In El Salvador and Panama, the forex used is definitely simply straight up the US Greenback, and the Belize Greenback can be pegged to the USD (2 BZD is at all times 1 USD).
For reference, 1 USD is at the moment equal to: 0.97 Euro, 0.81 Pound Stirling, 1.45 Canadian Greenback, or 1.62 Australian Greenback. (The alternate charges on this textual content are dynamic and up to date every day.)
Budgets per individual.
Belize
Dorm mattress common: $22.77
Price range room common: $92.32
Steered every day price range: $60 or extra
Belize is usually referred to as a luxurious and cruise ship vacation spot, with costs to match. However in the event you’re simply there to absorb the ambiance, you’ll be able to nonetheless journey in Belize on a price range. It’s simple to keep on the Cayes for some time and easily benefit from the sunshine and Caribbean vibe.
However splash out on actions and Belize will get costly, simply on par with Costa Rica or many Western nations. For reference: a snorkeling journey on Caye Caulker prices about $45 – $65 USD, a cave tubing journey prices about $95 – $100 USD, and scuba diving the Nice Blue Gap prices about $360 USD for 3 dives.
Meals positively aren’t as low-cost as elsewhere in Central America, however go searching and also you’ll nonetheless discover price range eats within the $5 – $10 USD vary.
Backpackers often pay Belize a brief go to, specializing in Caye Caulker and the border city of San Ignacio. Whereas the Cayes are stunning, so are cheaper islands in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula or Honduras. Mayan temples in Belize are attention-grabbing, however there are extra spectacular ones in cheaper Guatemala.
Belize price range journey tip:
- The recommended price range assumes you may be taking some excursions. However in the event you keep away from any organized actions, you’ll be able to deliver it all the way down to a shoestring price range of about $30 a day. You’ll miss out on essentially the most thrilling stuff in Belize, although!
- For native transportation, take ADO.
Guatemala
Dorm mattress common: $20.63
Price range room common: $61.69
Steered every day price range: $40
Day-to-day journey prices like lodging and meals are extremely low in Guatemala, with dorm beds beginning round $15.33 and a half-decent non-public room beginning at $26 or so. Meals are hardly ever greater than a few {dollars} ($1.5 – $10), although as typical Western-style meals is dearer.
Entrance to the Mayan ruins of Tikal is $20 although count on to pay as much as $99 for a guided tour. Guided hikes to the volcanoes round Antigua price between $59 and $69. A full day of actions at Semuc Champey (caving, tubing, swimming across the waterfalls) prices about $35.
As a rule of thumb, in the event you use the so-called native hen buses (transformed US college buses), you’ll pay about $2 for each 1 or 2 hours traveled. Sooner minivan shuttles (principally for vacationers) price extra. A minivan from Guatemala Metropolis to Antigua prices about $18.
Guatemala price range journey suggestions:
- Flores, Quetzaltenango or Lake Atitlan are nice to hang around for some time; on common the lodging in these locations is 30% cheaper than in Guatemala Metropolis or Antigua.
- Eat native! Overlook about burgers or pizza: there may be loads of cheap and yummy Guatemalan meals in every single place.
- Hen buses are low-cost however in addition they aren’t so snug. Be sure you ask in regards to the security state of affairs (they’ve a poor popularity inside Guatemala Metropolis).
Honduras
Dorm mattress common: $13.12
Price range room common: $94
Steered every day price range: $40
Journey prices in Honduras are at an analogous stage as its neighboring nations. The Mayan ruins at Copan Ruinas price about $15 to enter. If you happen to add entrance to the tunnels and a personal information, that price can go as much as $40.
A day of white-water rafting the Cangrejal river prices about $50 – $160 per individual, whereas snorkeling and ziplining excursions vary from about $25 to $50.
The Bay Islands are massively well-liked for scuba diving. A 3-day Open Water certification course prices about $350 – $480 there, which is among the many least expensive on this planet. Enjoyable Dives are about $50 – $60 a pop (in the event you join a number of dives), so scuba divers will really feel like a child in a sweet retailer right here.
Apart from scuba diving and Copan Ruinas, Honduras doesn’t have that many established vacationer sights. However there are many sleepy cities the place you’ll be able to benefit from the Latin American vibe and never spend very a lot in any respect.
Honduras price range journey tip:
- Ebook excursions and actions if you’re there, not on the web. On-line costs are massively inflated, notably for any actions concentrating on cruise ship vacationers. You may typically discover far cheaper offers in individual at native costs.
- Ebook price range lodging in cities like La Ceiba and Copán Ruinas, that are extra backpacker budget-friendly.
El Salvador
Dorm mattress common: $22.64
Price range room common: $68.63
Steered every day price range: $40
El Salvador one of many least expensive nations in Central America. A dorm room in a well-rated hostel will set you again round $22.64 USD and a personal room about $38 – $97 USD.
Meals could be very low-cost, particularly in the event you don’t thoughts the nationwide dish of pupusas which might be discovered just about wherever. Pupusas are a easy dish that’s mainly a corn and rice flour tortilla full of cheese, greens, beans or meat. A cheese and bean pupusa nearly at all times prices $.50 – $2.00USD.
A standard meal in an area restaurant shall be round $3 – $10 USD, whereas eating places in vacationer areas like El Tunco cost $12+ USD or extra for a most important.
El Salvador doesn’t have as many vacationer actions as different close by nations, however as an unbiased traveler you’ll be able to discover by yourself and actually save on prices. Browsing is the commonest paid exercise. The usual charge for surfboard rent alongside the coast is $15 – $35 USD a day. Personal surf classes are $20 – $45 USD for an hour.
El Salvador price range journey tip:
- Use the reasonably priced public transport system, which makes it simple to navigate between locations.
Nicaragua
Dorm mattress common: $15.77
Price range room common: $63.57
Steered every day price range: $35
Nicaragua is definitely among the many least expensive locations on this planet. The typical price of a dorm mattress that we’ve calculated is $15.77, although it’s attainable to seek out beds for as little as $12.82. Primary rooms with shared services in a hospedaje or guesthouses begin at about $15.
A Nicaraguan meal of gallo pinto (rice and beans with some sides) prices as little as $2. Even in touristy San Juan del Sur you may get recent lobster or a grilled crimson snapper with rice and salad for about $10 – $12. Western meals shall be dearer.
Transportation is reasonable with attending to the distant Corn Islands maybe being the one exception. This often takes a home flight — returns from Managua are about $164.
Most day journeys and actions in Nicaragua (like mountain climbing, browsing, kayaking) price between $40 – $80 USD. A volcano boarding day journey close to Leon will price about $25 – $37 USD. A guided climb to the highest of the energetic volcano Mt Telica prices about $35 – $65, or about double that in the event you go along with the charity non-profit Quetzal Trekkers, which helps deprived youth across the nation.
Nicaragua price range journey tip:
- Lodging on Ometepe Island and town of Leon is about 40% cheaper on common than within the capital or in San Juan del Sur, making these wonderful locations to stay round for some time.
Costa Rica
Dorm mattress common: $20.71
Price range room common: $76.35
Steered every day price range: $60+
Costa Rica has essentially the most established tourism trade in Central America. It’s recognized for its wonderful wildlife parks, eco-resorts, seashores, and journey sports activities. Costs are excessive as many vacationers from america come to Costa Rica for holidays and are keen to spend. Costa Rica isn’t just the area of backpackers but additionally of honeymooners, households, fishers, birdwatchers, and US retiree expats.
Most prices are about double that of neighboring Nicaragua. A typical meal in an area soda restaurant will price about $5 – $10 (e.g., a plate of rice, beans, fried plantains and a few hen). Depend on spending a minimum of double that for consuming in a vacationer restaurant.
Fortunately, in the event you use native transportation, you gained’t need to spend various {dollars} for just a few hours of journey. The buses are of a extra fashionable normal than the hen buses of Nicaragua or Guatemala.
Organized actions can eat into your price range in a short time in Costa Rica. Zip-lining and cover excursions price round $59 – $85, whereas kayak or mountain climbing excursions (1 day) are sometimes additionally within the $36 – $70 vary. A guided two-hour wildlife evening hike in Monteverde prices about $33 – $44, although some guides cost as a lot as $50 per individual.
Costa Rica has a well-oiled eco-tourism trade, however in the event you keep away from the premium facet of issues and do the native stuff, you’ll be able to nonetheless journey on a price range there.
Costa Rica price range journey suggestions:
- Contemplate staying on the less-touristy Caribbean facet the place it’s loads cheaper
- Attempt to keep away from the vacationer excessive seasons round Christmas, New Years, and Easter
- Skip the guided excursions and discover nature independently (if you are able to do so responsibly). You’ll find strolling trails listed on Wikiloc.
- Keep away from expensive vacationer hotspots like Manuel Antonio. As an alternative, go for lesser-known parks reminiscent of Tenorio or Barra Honda for a extra budget-friendly expertise.
Panama
Dorm mattress common: $20.07
Price range room common: $78.97
Steered every day price range: $50
Panama is sort of the mid-budget nation in Central America. Whereas lodging prices are near Costa Rica, I nonetheless recommend a decrease every day price range as many excursions in actions are cheaper. For instance, touring a espresso farm prices about $30, scuba diving is about $140 – $155 per 2 dives (which is identical as Honduras), and a go to to the Panama canal prices about $17.22. For some concepts on the place to journey, try my high locations to go to in Panama.
It’s simple to be a price range traveler in Panama, particularly on the coasts. One attainable greater costly is to cruise across the beautiful San Blas Islands. You are able to do daytrips, however if you wish to journey onwards to Colombia, a San Blas cruise will price about $420 to $660 for 4 or 5 days. It’s an unbelievable expertise and a greater solution to go onwards to South America than flying.
Panama price range journey suggestions:
- Use the environment friendly and reasonably priced public transit.
- Go for dormitories or homestays as an alternative of pricier resorts in locations like Bocas del Toro.
- Discover free sights just like the Miraflores Customer Heart.
P.S. I do my greatest to maintain the costs updated, however they do typically change. Prices are based mostly alone travels in addition to reserving web site information and up to date updates from my contributors. If you happen to spot an error, please share it within the feedback.
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