It may not longer be the capital of this small Central American nation, but there are plenty of reasons to visit Belize City. The largest city in the country has lots of colonial history. And, its coast on the Caribbean Sea means it’s a great place to spend a few days soaking up the white sand beaches and turquoise waters.
If you’ve planned to include the largest city in Belize on your Central America itinerary, you’ll need to know where to stay in Belize City. But what fits into a backpacker budget? Well, we’ve decided to help you plan your trip.
That’s right, in this post we’ve put together a list of the best cheap places in town. Yes, we’ve included the best hostels in Belize City, with some budget hotels and Airbnbs thrown in too! Hopefully, this list will help you make the most of your trip and have a great time in Belize!
Quick Answer – Best Hostels in Belize City
- Best Cheap Hostel in Belize City – The Red Hut Inn
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Belize City – Sir Angel’s Guesthouse (Airbnb)
Best Hostels in Belize City
If you’re backpacking Belize, you’ll probably end up in Belize City sooner or later. It’s the state’s biggest city and hosts the largest harbour in Belize. With its amazing location, it attracts quite a few tourists all year round.
There are loads of awesome hostels in Belize, but the ones found in Belize City are truly special. Perfect for backpackers on a budget, they can enjoy a super comfy bed, the chance to meet like-minded travellers from all over the world while keeping the costs low.
The Red Hut Inn – Best Cheap Hostel in Belize City
- $
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Airport pick up/drop off available
- Near the sea!
For the best budget hostel in Belize City, look no further than the Red Hut Inn. There is a mixture of dormitories and private rooms, so it’s suitable for all budgets really! To keep your costs as low as possible, pick some food up at the nearby supermarket and prepare it in the fully equipped kitchen, rather than spending money on restaurants! Also, if you’re unsure about getting to or from the airport, you’ll be pleased to know this Belize City backpackers hostel offers pick up and drop off. That should take away some of the stress!
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View on Osprey View on REISir Angel’s Guesthouse (Airbnb) – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Belize City
- $$$
- Complimentary Tea and Coffee
- Free shuttle to/from water taxi
- Salon and massage services
When you’re travelling as a digital nomad, sometimes you need a break from hostels. Yes, they’re great for meeting people, but if you need to get your head down and work you could probably do without the distractions. This guest house is one of the coolest places to stay in Belize City! And essentially for remote workers, there’s a laptop-friendly workspace and a fast Wi-Fi connection. Another bonus is that all the essentials are provided for you – meaning that you can keep your suitcase lightweight!
McKay’s Hostel – Overall Best Hostel in Belize City
- $$
- Free drinks on arrival
- Shared Lounge
- Breakfast available
Let’s kick off our list of the best hostels in Belize City with a cool and friendly place to stay – McKay’s Hostel. It’s just 150 metres from the centre of Belize City, so you really are spoiled in terms of location! There are plenty of place in the hostel to meet other travellers too, such as the garden, shared lounge, or outdoor terrace. Rooms come equipped with air-conditioning and a flat-screen TV, so you’re welcome to enjoy a night in too! Last but not least, start the day with breakfast to fuel yourself up before exploring the town. There are American, continental, and vegan options!
Caribbean Palms Inn – Best Hostels for Solo Travellers in Belize City
- $$
- Tour desk
- Terrace with Outdoor Dining
- Laundry Available
You can be at the ocean within two minutes of checking into this awesome Belize City backpackers hostel! So, it’s ideal for solo travellers. You have the choice of heading down to the beach and making friends, or checking out who is sharing your dorm. Of course, if you want the vibe of a hostel without sharing a dorm, you can always book a private room instead! If you want to explore the cayes surrounding the hostel, there’s a tour desk here which can take you wherever you want to go!
New Chon Sing Restaurant and Guest House – Best Hostel for Couples in Belize City
- $$
- Chinese restaurant on site
- Private bathroom
- Near Water Taxi
If you’re travelling with your other half, you won’t want to be in a sweaty, smelly, or noisy dorm. Instead, here’s a recommended Belize City Hostel. New Chong Sing Restaurant and Guest House not only offers you a lovely double room with a private bathroom, but there’s a Chinese restaurant on site. So, there’s your romantic evening meal sorted too! It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump from the water taxi too, so you can easily get to the surrounding cayes!
Belcove Hotel & Guesthouse – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Belize City
- $$
- Sun terrace with sea view
- Airport shuttle
- Vending machines in lobby
You might want to stay in one of the coolest hostels in Belize City without having to share a dorm. So, instead, let’s check out a guesthouse with awesome private rooms! If you’re a long term traveller who needs a break from parties and late nights, check into a single room at this cool guesthouse. Likewise, it suits a couple on a budget too! You can relax with a sea view from the sun terrace and get chatting to other guests in the evenings!
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Great Hostels in Belize City
Bella Sombra Guest House Kings Park
- $$
- Tropical Gardens
- Air conditioned rooms
- Private bathrooms
There are lots of top hostels in Belize City, but if you’re on a budget you might want to explore some other options such as guest houses. One of our favourites is Bella Sombra Kings Park, which set around a gorgeous tropical garden! This is a great shout for families as it is equipped with family rooms. In the rooms, you’ll find a flat-screen TV, private bathroom, Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. Everything you could need from a cosy and comfy stay!
Bella Sombra Guest House Downtown
- $$$
- Garden
- Basic kitchenettes
- Free private parking
If you like Bella Sombra but you’d rather be close to the centre of town, no worries. This one offers basic kitchenettes in rooms and it’s just a 15-minute walk from one of the most important landmarks in town – St John’s Cathedral! Another great plus of staying here is for travellers who have their own transport. Yep, if you’re exploring Belize by car, you’ve got a private parking space here at no extra cost! The guest house can also help you plan day trips and excursions – just talk to the friendly staff at the desk if you fancy a change of scenery!
Private Guest Queen Room in the City (Airbnb)
- $
- Safe neighbourhood
- Outdoor gazebo and patio
- Homely and welcoming
Other than Belize City Backpackers hostels, you can keep your costs down by choosing an Airbnb. This guest queen room is a homestay, which will not only save you money, but give you an authentic experience of Belize City! You’ve got your own bathroom and you’re welcome to the communal areas of the home, including zen gardens, a patio, and a gazebo! Best of all, it’s in one of the safest neighbourhoods in town! For a unique and local experience, go for a run with your host family and their friends at the local football stadium. That’s if you can keep up, of course!
Bagels on the Beach (Airbnb)
- $
- Swimming Pool
- Private bathroom and entry
- Right on the beach!
Last but not least on our list of the best hostels in Belize City is another Airbnb! And these units are right on the beach at Caye Caulker! If you’re a beach bum, there truly is no better place to stay in Belize City on a budget! In the village, you’ve got restaurants, shops, and everything you could need when it comes to convenience. On-site, you’ve got a swimming pool if heading out into the sea is a bit nerve-wracking for you! The perfect place to round off our list.
What to Pack for your Belize City Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from us, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straight forward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art we have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
FAQ about Hostels in Belize City
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Belize City.
Travel Safety Tips for Belize City
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
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Final Thoughts on the Best Hostels in Belize City
So, that’s all from our list of the best hostels in Belize City. We think you’ll agree there’s a lot of choice. Whether you want to make new friends in a dorm style room, get some privacy with the one you love, or wake up literally on the beach, there’s a hostel in Belize City for you!
We just hope you haven’t been overwhelmed by our selection. If that’s the case, take a deep breath and go with our favourite hostel in Belize City. That’s McKay’s Hostel. It’s the perfect combination of good value for money, a great location, and a friendly atmosphere.
Now, all that’s left is for us to wish you happy holidays in Belize City. We hope you have a great time!
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
