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We're planning a visit to AC in April/May and wonder how much we might need to budget for meals on the Caye? We're looking forward to eating at small local places and might go for a few 'higher-end' meals. Any advice you can give would be appreciated.
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The range is huge. Anywhere from $ 8 bze at Neri's Tacos to the sky is the limit at some of the great high end restaurants, and everything in between. You will love it.
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$80-$100 per day average for two if you like a drink or two and dine out each meal.
$70 per day after you sort it all out and find the local hangouts.
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I am averaging about $45-$50 per day so far.. I eat a cheap breakfast, mid range Lunch and Dinner with a stop sometime with locals snack(farmers market style) with about 4-5 beers a day as one person...
Last edited by Greenthumb; 01/06/09 12:40 AM.
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Thanks for the help. We're looking forward to doing a bit of everything - high-end, average meals, and the occasional shop for ourselves.
Can't wait!
Thanks.
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Are you quoteing $USD or $BZD? Thanks!
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We always plan on about $100/day/2 people (US) for meals, drinks, maybe a bottle of wine, and some entertainment things. Even at that, if you drink imported spirits and wines, that's barely enough for 2 people. We eat cheap lunches/brunches with the locals, but tend to have better dinners - and all the food is wonderful!!!
M. Sjulstad
M&M Trivia - JAMPT UP Band
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Man ! What am I doing wrong ? It cost me (for 2) $150-$200 US per day. Lodging xtra
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Heck Ernie, that's just your bar tab! Stop ringing that bell at Pedro's! 
"Hold on Tight To Your Dreams" ELO
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As tourists, you can spend as much as you want on food, but you can certainly get delicious local food (which is exactly what traveling is all about) for $15.00 for a lunch entree at most local good eateries. If you drink beer, expect to pay $4-5 per bottle in restaurants. You'll pay about the same for a rum drink or fruit juice. Other types of drinks can get very expensive. A glass of wine in most places is at least $12.
For dinner, most good local places run from $15-$40 for a dinner entree, depending on whether you want lobster or chicken.
You can actually eat for cheaper if you are on a real budget, but it would be best to talk to people when you get here for cheap options. BBQ's $10 or so, empanadas and tostados start off about $.50 each. Tacos, 3 for $1.00. We have $5.00 lunches in my neighbourhood.
All prices above are in Belize dollars.
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My budget is $100 a day. Food, drinks, day trips and a few more expensive dinners with wine.  Most days I spend much less, some days more. I budget airfare, lodging and travel type expenses separately. That's for one person....
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Wow Ernie - that does seem high, unless you are drinking most of it! Drinks were a little pricey.
We averaged $62 US for 2 of us. That includes all beverages.
BUT, we ate at out-of-the way places, cooked in our loft and on the grill (2 lbs fresh lobster $25 US was 2 meals & a snack), and mixed drinks for the pool and the start of excursions around town. We also drank our way down the beach to town several times. Our most expensive meal out was at Fido's. We also brought some dried snacks and nuts from home. I highly advise bringing your own snack foods. We did stop for ice cream in town though. Mmmm Mmmm Yummy.
We went prepared for more expensive and do not hold back when it comes to food/drink. You can easily run up a large tab from what I saw. Next trip we will probably spend more as there were several places we would like to go.
Play, Love, Share and Enjoy - it doesn't last forever make sure you get the most out of it.
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We have progressed to eating in a lot - Small markets are great as well as veggie stands. We bring basic condiments, spices, box-o-wine and snacks with us. For eating out we have also progessed to eat at the little local places and in the park. It's a lot cheaper and really, really, really good. We save a dinner or two for El Patio, Warumguma or Wild Mangos. We spend about $75US a day for 2 and eat and drink like kings. I love eating BBQ chicken on a golf cart : )
38 more sleeps - WOOOHOOO!!!
Last edited by HavinFun; 01/07/09 03:33 PM.
Time flys - have fun!
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I love eating BBQ chicken on a golf cart : )
Careful...the chicken grease makes the seats slippery.
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Well, if we aren't talking alcoholic drinks, we average about $7 to $12 per day US per person on our cheap days (bakery breakfast, taco lunch and dinner at the park). If we average it out I would bet we spend about $15 to $30 per day per person. Unless we end up at Blue Lotus. You don't want to know what we spend there.
Last edited by deadserious; 01/09/09 06:29 PM.
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WOW ! I dont want to budget myself when there, Blue Lotus, dinner and drinks for two $225.00. Capricorn for two $180.00, Sunset Grill for two $150.00. Portofino $180.00 (USD)
Plus BCs, drinks for two $40 - $50 per day, Pedros, oh well, I just walk my tab there !
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I can not imagine how much food you must consume Ernie for two at Capricorn. I just went there for someone's birthday. The two of us had 2 glasses of wine, 2 or 3 rum and cokes, 2 huge entrees larger than most on the island, and a HUGE delicious keylime pie and the total bill was only $175 BZ and I had the filet which is one of the most expensive items!
You spend $180 US for two?? Just thinking about Capricorn makes me hungry for their stuffed grouper or their filet!
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totally agree with reaper, isle & havin fun. we bring $100 US a day for the two of us. some days are more (that meal at el patio), some less (a bag of spicy ham & cheese rolls from casa pan dulce bakery). all yummy & satisfying.
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Ok I Do, you went and mentioned the stufed grouper at Capricons. Now my mouth is watering and we can wait. We always make that out last supper, have never spent less than $200 and I don't care. It is worth every cent of it. 22 more days and we be there.
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I'll bow out of this topic. I dont really give a damn who spends what. JMHO
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I've never eaten at Capricorn but my mouth is watering as well!
Last edited by KathyA; 01/09/09 07:29 PM.
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Ernie, I care that you spend way too much on food. (did I needle you back in?)
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Ernie, you have great point. Doesn't matter who spends what so long as they are enjoying it. I was just surprised you spent so much there as I can't imagine fitting any more in my stomach than I did for half the price you spent
Dan, that is actually the other meal we ordered. I usually get the fabulous stuffed grouper but friend got that and I went for filet since it's so hard to get a good on in SP. I just can't figure out how two spent that much there. I find their prices really reasonable for the quality of food, excellent service, beautiful atmosphere and not much higher priced than a nice meal in town.
Kathy, you have got to eat there!!
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And I will take Ernie and make him order a Happy Meal!
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A happy meal it is , as long as you buy
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Or in his case a Pappy Meal
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I'd love to go with you. Need to make myself enjoy good meals from time to time.
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Do you mean "Poor old grey haired Pappy"
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Keli, I will be there from the 18th thru the 22nd.
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As tourists can we bring in food as long as it's not meat, dairy or vegetable? Does anyone remember how the declaration form is worded?
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just got back from about my 10th trip and love the native food the best! Estels for breakfast is about 10us. and i have always eaten whatever was cooking on the plaza and liked it the best!
saturday BBQ chicken with rice and beans and slaw or potato salad is around 4US and is my hands down favorite!
Julia@touchstonefineproperties.com
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Thank You Juila for mentioning Estel's. My favorite place in San Pedro. Charlie providing the local color (and the great music) and his family providing good food at reasonable prices. Charles' BBQ on the weekends is not to be missed.
God Bless The Reef!
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Actually you can bring in meat as long as it has a USDA sticker on it and is properly packed and declared. At least that's what I've been told on this board.
Edited to add: Sorry Northern Canuck - I'm sure a Canadian food inspection sticker will do as well if you want to bring in your own meat.
Last edited by ExOkie; 01/10/09 08:29 PM.
God Bless The Reef!
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Thanks Okie.. but I'm more interested in bringing in other stuff like coffee, spices etc for our personal use. I'm not sure that if you bring that stuff in if you have to declare it pay taxes etc...
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Great info in this thread. We will be in San Pedro April 24th and spending a long awaited week there. Good to hear we can bring in some staples without any hassel.
The fresh meats and produce and such we plan on purchasing there. I cant imagine briging these things from Michigan.
Any suggestion as to where I could find info on what would be an issue or not?
Thanks!
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We have brought coffee, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, vacuum packed tuna (Don't ask why - I don't know), splenda, pasta that sort of stuff and have never been asked about or charged anything. I think customs pretty much knows if it is for personal use or not. This way we also have room for the stuff we bring back like...rum! I think it is very worth the effort to bring dry goods if you plan on eating in at all.
Live Laugh Love
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We have brought coffee, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, vacuum packed tuna (Don't ask why - I don't know), splenda, pasta that sort of stuff and have never been asked about or charged anything. I think customs pretty much knows if it is for personal use or not. This way we also have room for the stuff we bring back like...rum! I think it is very worth the effort to bring dry goods if you plan on eating in at all. This is great to know. While on vacation we always enjoy the local food, but eating out 3 meals a day for 7 days is not my idea of fun. I love to cook and we will be traveling with 6 couples, so saving money on food is an easy fix with bringing some in. Bad part is now the airlines are charging for each piece of checked luggage...ugh That should be ok since I plan on packing my toothbrush, flip flops and sarong for clothes ... lol
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Check with your airline--most are not charging the extra for the first bag for international travel--at least not yet.
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I think the $25 for luggage offsets the cost of the groceries and eating out, especially as expensive as things can be on an island. We like to take our time in the mornings and have coffee and breakfast in. Often the dinner meals are large enough you can take a leftovers container home and we would snack on that. It is a must for us to have dinner out though and have spent anywhere from $5 - $200US per couple.
Live Laugh Love
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On one trip there we packed a overhead sized suitcase with only frozen Stoufer dinners. There were not acknowledged and we had no problems getting them there still frozen. We left Cleveland at 7 am thou Charlotte and were at the Banana Beach by 1pm.
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Danny - that is kind of funny really! I would never have thought of taking tv dinners, good thought. I am glad they didn't lose your bag.
Live Laugh Love
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Im just happy colomojo admits to spending $200 for dinner. Guess im not the only one.
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LOL - more than once (or twice) in my lifetime!
Live Laugh Love
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The way I figured it If I had to give up the bag it wouldn't go to waste.
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I think thoes who claim to spend $50 on dinner take their meals at the park
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By the way, with breakfast at the Banana Beach, beliken throughout the day , pizza from and at Pedro's and a late Stoufer we ate very good plus some fish we caught. Plenty.
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Lunch at Aji -beer chicken with philly mashed potatoes and deep fried onions,zuccini and sweet pepper -starter garlic shrimp and a bottle of wine -for two 85usd -fabulous meal-best paella this side of Spain-Hugo is an amazing chef not a cook-they only have seating for 16 -open wed -sun for lunch and dinner
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We Love our neighbors Victoria and Hugo @ Resturant / Bar - AJI (AKA Pirate House).
Excellent food, Fantastic Landscaping, Feels like you are in a jungle hideaway. Can't wait to go see them this week!!!
Ernie, It is located just north of Grand Caribe On the Water You will see Three Private Homes all with red roofs, It's the house with the Pirate flag on the roof. There is also a sign and entrance on the road near the Lazy Croc BBQ (Also Very good food, Lazy Croc is Open Fri to Sun lunch/ dinner)
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OK, where is Pirate House ?
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Thanks 2miles, I'll check it out.
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Just to step back a page or so. You are not allowed to bring in Meat without a Permit. People do and don't get caught or get away with it, but you run the risk of it being confiscated.
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We always bring peanut butter for snack after diving. I have also brought the kids favorite snacks - just in case wokred out well on the way home last time had them in my carry on and had 2 hour delay.
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Late night munchies - BRILLIANT!! I bet if you can find a stouffers dinner on the island it is more than $10 BZE.
Live Laugh Love
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Why tha hell would someone take Stouffer to Belize with all the fantastic places to eat ?
Last edited by Ernie B; 01/12/09 07:49 AM.
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Ernie, I'm with you. I do wish I could find good "nuts" there, other than the imported stuff!
"Hold on Tight To Your Dreams" ELO
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The Lazy Croc BBQ is awesome.
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Pretty sad when one meal out is a weeks wage for many here. I am assuming it is in large part due to the wine. How come wine is soo expensive, is it the duty?
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Wine ? Everything is expensive.
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Ok, so the Pirate House and Lazy Croc are close to each other? These are new this year right? We love to walk and are staying at Captain Morgan's so if we walk along the beach we will see them?
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The Lazy Croc is fabulous. It is on the road just about next door to the north of Grand Caribe.Walking from Capt Morgan south on the on the beach you will first come to the Pirate House. Further south turn down the little side road to the main road, Lazy Croc will be to your right at the junction.They are only open fri,sat,& sun.
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Renee-md, Both places are new within the last 6 or 8 months. they are about 1 mile south of Capt Morgans. Its an easy walk or bike ride on the beach. Natalie p has posted easy directions above for you to follow.
Look for the Pirate flag on the top of the house for Resturant AJI. Enjoy!!
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Natalie and 2miles thank you so much. We will definetely put them on our list to try. Nice to have some new restaurants within walking distance.
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First of all we were staying for 15 days and we were sure the Stoufers fresh and safe and not out of date. WE didn't go there to eat out but to eat for the energy to have fun. That we did.
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What about buying groceries in the area? I just saw that a small grocery store opened up, doesnt seem to have a lot in it yet though...........
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Renee-md, Also don't forget Bar / Resturant AK'BOL It is about 1/4 mile south of Gran Caribe on the beach (closer to Palappa Bar). Breakfast and lunch (don't know about dinner). Great outside Bar and very affordable good local food not to metion nice owners Kierston & Emilleo (sp).
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I will definitly second Ak'Bol. Have gone up twice for my yoga fix and love it. They are really great people and the resort is (IMHOp) everything the island should be. Lovely place and lovely people. Lovey
R.B. Mernitz
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I will definitly second Ak'Bol. Have gone up twice for my yoga fix and love it. They are really great people and the resort is (IMHOp) everything the island should be. Lovely place and lovely people. Lovey
R.B. Mernitz
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Is it frozen yoga? I prefer ice cream.
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This thread seems to have gotten off topic, but the comments are interesting none the less.
To answer the original question, I would budget a daily minimum of US$100 per couple if eating only in restaurants, and that's nothing fancy and limited to maybe one drink each at dinner, so I guess US$150 is more realistic. Tipping is the usual. Most places take all the major credit cards.
Moose Keep an open mind and something good may fall in.
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Thanks 2Mile, we will definetely try it. So nice to have so many new choices. We love eating at local places and trying new things. We love El Fuegon(sp?) near the airport in town.
25 more days!!!
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OP
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Thanks for all the great advice - we cannot wait to get there....
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I usually dont eat but I drink about 150-200 us dollars worth of booze a day. Eating is overrated!!!
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