BUDGETING OTHER EXPENSES

MEXICO & BELIZE BIRDING EXPEDITIONS

Although you will be paying in pesos in Mexico and dollars in Belize, all of the following costs are converted to US Dollars.

Mexico & Belize vehicle insurance
Required to drive in these countries.  In Mexico it varies with the value of vehicle.  We can provide an estimate.  On the Belize Express in 2006, the Belize portion for two vehicles for two months coverage was $129.

Border crossing expenses including fees, visas, departure fees, fumigation fees, etc.
Mexico & Belize 2006 expenses totaled $226 for two people with motor home and tow car

ChetemalCamp8.JPG (7936 bytes)Campgrounds
Central Mexico & Belize 2003 trip averaged $14/night
Yucatan & Belize 2004 trip averaged $15/night
Belize Express 2006 trip averaged a bit over $15/night
Budget $16/night X 65 nights = $1040

Diesel
In 2003 for 36-ft. motor home @ 9.5 mpg for 3661 mi. was $599
In 2004 for 41-ft. motor home @ 8 mpg for 3246 mi. was $675
In 2005 in Mexico, diesel was $1.75/gal (much cheaper than U.S.).
In 2006 our itinerary was 3326 miles for the RV's and diesel was $1.92/gal (again cheaper than U.S.).

Gasoline
In 2003 a Nissan Xterra traveled 3012 mi. for $445
In 2004 a Nissan Xterra traveled 2436 mi. for $377
In 2005 in Mexico, gasoline was $2.14/gal (20% more than the U.S.) and in Belize it was $4.05/gal.
In 2006 most of our driving for birding was in Belize where gasoline was $4.70/gal for 1800 miles. Gasoline in Mexico was $2.349/gal.
(Note, most travelers use their tow car less than the above Wagonmaster)

Tolls
Central Mexico & Belize 2003 trip totaled $308 for motor home plus tow (4 axles)
A similar itinerary in 2005 totaled $377 for the same vehicles
Yucatan & Belize 2004 trip totaled $291 for motor home plus tow (4 axles)
Belize Express 2006 tolls were only during our travel through Mexico and totaled to $293.

Entrance fees, ferries, excursions, boating trips, etc.
These will vary from $1 to $50 per person per event.  All are optional.  Budget $200 per person if you plan on participating in most events.

Personal expenses
Of course, you still have all the ordinary expenses of food, dining out, souvenirs, etc.

Note!  The above prices do not include optional side trips.  See the descriptions of side trips for individual pricing.

Budget

Tom Schall, in a feature article he wrote for Winging It, the newsletter of the American Birding Association, gave the following rough breakdown of his expenses:

  • Food ... $1100
  • Fuel ... $625
  • Campground fees ... $900
  • Miscellaneous ... $1000

Tom was on our 2002 caravan trip to the Yucatan & Belize.

For 2007, we suggest the following budget per couple:

  • Fuel ... $1300
  • Tolls ... $300
  • Campground fees ... $1040
  • Entrance fees, etc ... $380
  • Belize liability insurance ... $130
  • Border crossing fees ... $226
This web site is designed by Bert Frenz.
Copyright © 2004-06 Bert Frenz. All rights reserved.
Revised: April 14, 2006.