Belize: English-speaking Caribbean With a Tiny Price Tag
From its Caribbean shores to its jungle interior, Belize has great natural beauty—blue water, deserted beaches, and inland retreats where you can explore Mayan ruins, tall waterfalls, rainforests, and rivers.
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View Belize in a larger map Fast Facts about Belize
View Belize in a larger map
Population: 327,719
Capital City: Belmopan
Climate: Tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May)
Time Zone: GMT-6
Language: English, Spanish, Creole, Mayan dialects
Country Code: 501
Coastline: 386 km
Read more articles about Belize below
Belize Articles
The Five Places Everyone Should Visit in BelizePosted on May 13, 2013 by Suzan Haskins
Belize has a lot going for it. For a tiny country, it packs a big wallop when it comes to charm and scenery. For the would-be expat—especially if you’re looking for real value—there are many places that deserve your attention. Places where you can live the laid-back, Caribbean lifestyle of your dreams.
Work on a Caribbean Island?Posted on May 12, 2013 by Domini Hedderman
Since moving to Belize full-time in 2012, empty nesters Christine Cotten and her husband Tom ease into their day. Morning time for them on Ambergris Caye starts with a coffee on the pier in front of their beachfront condo, watching the sun rise, golden and glowing, in a purple sky.
Beach-Town Life, Belize (from $55,000)Posted on May 10, 2013 by Margaret Summerfield
We’d finished dinner almost an hour earlier. But we were still in the restaurant. Our host was back after a few weeks away and it seemed the whole town wanted to catch up.
Simple, Laid-Back, Caribbean LifePosted on May 8, 2013 by Elizabeth Wright
So there we were, my husband David and I, retired in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, we had a lovely home in a great development and spent our time remodeling, doing volunteer work, and getting on with our lives.
The Freedom to Do Things Your Way in BelizePosted on May 7, 2013 by Erica Mills
For such a small country, Belize packs a big punch in terms of what it offers expats. It tops IL’s list for ease of integration, with expats reporting that they fit easily into the local community there.
Making Money Doing What You Love in BelizePosted on April 30, 2013 by Carrie Dow
“This may sound a little chauvinistic, but I think every man has the desire to build a home for himself in the wilderness with his bare hands,” says Elbert Greer. It was this desire, to carve out a place in paradise, that led the former teacher to his new life on Ambergris Caye, a Caribbean island just off the northeastern tip of Belize. After many years teaching vocational education…
Visit Belize: It’s Quirky, Diverse and FunPosted on April 29, 2013 by Margaret Summerfield
Once you stroll Belize’s unspoiled beaches and explore the flora and fauna of its rainforests, you may become afflicted with what’s known as the “Belize Factor.” Simply put: you find that once you return home, you have an uncontrollable compulsion to return. Time and again …Perhaps even to stay.
Freedom and Joy of Life in BelizePosted on April 15, 2013 by Domini Hedderman
Michael and Amanda Cyphers retired early partly to give their 14-year-old son, Colin, a better way of life, away from the hustle-bustle of their Las Vegas suburban home. They find they have more quality family time now in Belize. “I have more time with my husband and son, because I’m away from the 101 things, the 3,800-square-foot house, the cars, everything we had.” We live a humble life here.
- In Pictures: Laidback and Affordable Belize
Posted on April 15, 2013 by Laura Doyle
For many years Belize has attracted people from all over the world who want to live in the sun while taking advantage of the country’s real estate bargains, low cost of living, protection of assets and terrific fishing and diving.
The Perfect Day in BelizePosted on April 2, 2013 by Rachel Denning
All is quiet in the condo where we’re staying on the paradise island of Ambergris Caye, Belize. I’m up early. The world hasn’t yet come to life. When my five children wake up we share a breakfast of fresh mangoes and pineapple with black beans and rice seasoned with coconut oil. We wash it down with some cold coconut water. Locals call it pipa and it’s cheap and plentiful on a palm-fringed island like this one. After breakfast, it’s time for the pool where we laugh and splash and play until lunchtime.
Affordable-Living by the Beach in Placencia, BelizePosted on March 28, 2013 by Domini Hedderman
“In 2004 we’d looked at property in Belize and decided to let the euphoria settle down while we really thought it out. But then a day came when it took me two hours to go 60 miles on the Florida Turnpike and cost me $13 in tolls. That was the final straw. I had it. That was the turning point. I called Kim and told her to contact the real estate agent.”
The Relaxed Freedom of Life in BelizePosted on March 25, 2013 by Domini Hedderman
Living on a hillside in San Ignacio, Belize, just a short car ride away from the Guatemalan border, Michael and Amanda Cyphers have finally found the simplicity they looked for so long. “I wake up every day and think, ‘What do I do with all this freedom?’” says Amanda. “At home, we had to do, we had to perform. We had bills to pay, places to go, schedules to keep. So much so that we were up at night worrying about how to get it all done.”
Belize, a Country that will Leave you Captivated!Posted on March 4, 2013 by International Living
It’s easy to understand why so many people love Belize. It’s quirky, diverse and fun…with tropical landscapes and stunning beaches. It’s close to the U.S. – and it’s English-speaking. One little peninsula in Belize offers the relaxed Caribbean beach lifestyle so many of us dream of. It’s a barefoot paradise with plenty of charm and a laid-back atmosphere. Come and explore this tranquil location for yourself and check out the hottest properties on the market on a personalized property tour.
Open a Beach Bar in BelizePosted on February 27, 2013 by Domini Hedderman
Tired of the risks and weary of working for someone else, Craig dreamed of opening his own beach bar. “I was sick of jumping out of bed each day to an alarm clock and fighting the crazy traffic. And each year, when the weather began to turn in the fall, I found myself wishing for the warmth of a tropical climate,” Craig says. So when a friend suggested he look into Belize, he did exactly that. “My friend had heard it was a great place to make a fresh start…”
Opening a Beach Bar in BelizePosted on February 25, 2013 by Domini Hedderman
After 25 years as a union glazier, Craig Pearlman was ready for a change. “I installed windows in commercial buildings, sometimes as high as 42 stories up,” says the 47-year-old New Jersey native. “We worked right on the window ledge of high-rises in Jersey City and Hoboken. I almost fell a couple of times. That scared the hell out of me.”
Three Watery Adventures to Remember in BelizePosted on January 24, 2013 by Glynna Prentice
As the plane sets course toward the mainland I spy the blue Caribbean below. The water is so crystal-clear that I can see the rocks and sand along the seabed. Belize’s little commuter airplanes are the best way to appreciate the diversity of this small Caribbean country. From the air you appreciate the beauty—and isolation—of its white-sand cayes and the rolling green hills of its jungle interior.
Adventure Travel in BelizePosted on January 18, 2013 by Terri Marshall
My prior career as a tax preparer meant I was used to navigating endless flowing rivers—of paperwork—and I always seemed to be going against the current. I’ve since had a river-related experience in my new career as a travel writer…but it was a lot more fun. Here’s how it happened. My destination was the rugged Toledo District in southern Belize where an Indiana Jones-worthy cave begged exploration.
The Simple Life in BelizePosted on January 2, 2013 by Domini Hedderman
Five hours of driving on paved highways with jaw-dropping views of mountains and farmland brought us from the international airport in Belize City to our destination: Monkey River Village in the Toledo District, the southernmost area of Belize. We parked our truck and hopped on a boat taxi for the five-minute ride to our new but temporary home, a two-story Caribbean-style home…
Off the Grid and Loving It in BelizePosted on December 21, 2012 by Domini Hedderman
When my husband and I first started dreaming about taking a six-month “family sabbatical” with our four young kids somewhere in Central America, we’d considered Costa Rica and Panama as well as Belize. But then I met a British couple who lived in southern Belize. We stayed in touch and they often gave me advice about our unfolding plans.
Fleeing the Daily Grind of the Office to BelizePosted on December 19, 2012 by Terri Marshall
At just 25 years old, Emily made a decision it takes most people years to make. She was working 50 plus hours a week in a stuffy office building in Boston. Although her work in the field of environmental advocacy was interesting, Emily realized she was settling into a typical career path of long hours and little sunshine. She wanted something more…
Belize: Affordable Island-Living in the CaribbeanPosted on December 13, 2012 by Glynna Prentice
Belize, the little Central-American nation, casts a spell—especially on those with a spirit of adventure. Attractions include the warm, English-speaking people, the natural beauty and the air of freedom and opportunity. A young country (only independent from Great Britain since 1981), Belize has a low population and plenty of empty, wide-open spaces.
Stress-Free in BelizePosted on December 7, 2012 by Len Galvin
Wedged against the Caribbean Sea, Belize has no strategic importance to anyone. Maybe that’s why it has such a peaceful history. Four hundred years ago, pirates would lie in wait among the 200 islands scattered off the coast. But these days, all you’ll find hiding on the cayes and islands are divers, sailors and anyone looking for an affordable way to enjoy total privacy.
Affordable Property on Caye Caulker, BelizePosted on December 5, 2012 by Glynna Prentice
These days Caye Caulker, a five-mile-long island off Belize’s Caribbean coast, has the laid-back, beach-bum vibe that brought expats to nearby Ambergris Caye 20 years ago. The streets on Caye Caulker are still packed sand. Most people get around by bicycle. And for those who come here, life is all about the water.
Laidback Living on Belize’s REAL Caribbean EscapePosted on November 28, 2012 by Glynna Prentice
I arrived in Caye Caulker, Belize by water taxi from Ambergris Caye, as many people do. The trip takes half an hour, costs $7.50, and is worth the money—skimming across the Caribbean’s blue waves, you can watch the island’s white-sand shores, fringed with palms, gradually grow closer. This approach also drives home a reality of life here: On Caye Caulker, you really are away from it all.
What Do the Happiest Expats Have in Common?Posted on November 27, 2012 by Jennifer Stevens
It doesn’t matter where they came from or what they did back home—teacher, entrepreneur, dentist, secretary, taxi driver, journalist—the happiest expats we meet overseas have one thing in common: They brought their sense of adventure with them. I’m not talking dare-devil tendencies. I mean, simply, that they went overseas ready to try new things, to be confounded, to be impressed, to be surprised… I bring this up because you should know: Living overseas works best when you’re pulled there and not just pushed.
- The Pull of Adventure…and Freedom Abroad
Posted on November 26, 2012 by Jennifer Stevens
It doesn’t matter where they came from or what they did back home—teacher, entrepreneur, dentist, secretary, taxi driver, journalist—the happiest expats we meet overseas have one thing in common: They brought their sense of adventure with them.
Belize: Adventure, Freedom and Wide-Open SpacesPosted on November 26, 2012 by Glynna Prentice
When Chicago native Lee Nyhus first visited Placencia, Belize, 16 years ago she loved the small-village feel and the people. “I felt right at home after just a few days,” she says. Farther south in Punta Gorda, expat Jo Audinett tells a similar story: “I’m one of those people who came for a week and never left! After five years I still call it home.”
Cheap and Off the Grid in BelizePosted on November 22, 2012 by Glynna Prentice
On a recent visit to Belize’s Cayo District, near the border with Guatemala, I found something interesting happening… It wasn’t the low prices—I expected those. The Cayo has long been popular with expats for its low cost of living, and it lived up to its reputation. In and around the town of San Ignacio, where most expats live, I saw a number of small homes renting for $400 to $600 a month…
Living in Punta Gorda, BelizePosted on November 12, 2012 by Glynna Prentice
Lots of tourists to Belize never make it to little Punta Gorda. It’s just a bit too far off the beaten path for most folks. PG, as it’s called, is way down in southern Belize. It’s small (only about 5,500 people), and—although it’s right on the Caribbean—there isn’t much beach. Yet it’s one of my favorite places in the whole country. And if you love nature, it probably will be one of your favorites, too… Sea and sky seem to go on forever here. And inland is lush green jungle, just waiting to be explored.
Belize: Freedom and AdventurePosted on November 12, 2012 by Glynna Prentice
Caribbean, English speaking…just two of the reasons Belize is attracting more expats than ever before. Listen now as IL Editor Glynna Prentice reveals what she discovered on her recent mission to this little Central American nation.
Visiting the Mayan Ruins of BelizePosted on November 7, 2012 by Terri Marshall
With the Maya Calendar coming to an end this year, speculation on the fate of the world is rampant. What better time to visit Belize and learn about this ancient culture? I decided that a good place to start was with a visit to a Mayan ruins site. Belize has many sites to explore, but I chose to travel to the far southern reaches of the country to a site often overlooked by tourists.
Unexpected and Beautiful – Life in BelizePosted on October 23, 2012 by Nancy French
Fifteen years ago, Diane and David Hisle took a vacation from the Caribbean island of Nevis to visit a friend in the interior of Belize. At the time they were living on a 65-foot schooner called The Alexander Hamilton. Life on board was good, and the couple had no plans for a change. Yet what they found in the small riverside town of San Ignacio enchanted them so much that they never left.
Affordable Islands of the CaribbeanPosted on October 23, 2012 by Glynna Prentice
These days Caye Caulker, a five-mile-long island off Belize’s Caribbean coast, has the laid-back, beach-bum vibe that brought expats to nearby Ambergris Caye 20 years ago. The streets on Caye Caulker are still packed sand. Most people get around by bicycle. And for those who come here, life is all about the water. Small-town, island beach life isn’t for everyone. But if it’s for you…
Turnips, Russian Wine, and a Monkey BuffetPosted on October 22, 2012 by John Joe Worrall
Experience the Day of the Dead in Mexico on November 1 when people gather to honor their departed love ones with big parties across the country. If you’re in India the first two weeks of November, then head to the capital, Delhi, where you’ll find music, theater, dance, film, and poetry in 50 venues across the city for the Delhi International Arts Festival.
Find Your Niche When Opportunity Knocks in an Overseas ParadisePosted on October 22, 2012 by International Living
In the U.S., you cannot do what I have done here in Ecuador… you’d have too much debt to worry about,” says Kevin Sheehy, who bank-rolled his first venture—a Vietnamese restaurant—in the cool-weather capital of Quito with just $14,000. One business opportunity led to another, and today his success overseas means that Kevin enjoys the flexibility to live in a place he loves (the weather is spring-like year-round) and spend four months every year traveling.
Discover the Caribbean Retreats of BelizePosted on September 4, 2012 by Sharon Hiebing
Many visitors to Belize head east to the Cayes (pronounced “keys”) to sail and scuba dive on the world’s second largest barrier reef. Others drive west to explore the country’s extensive Mayan ruins. Some hike in the central rainforests. But few people make it to the—still authentic—Caribbean retreats of the south.
Overlooked Village in Caribbean BelizePosted on August 24, 2012 by Sharon Hiebing
Many visitors to Belize head east to the Cayes (pronounced “keys”) to sail and scuba dive on the world’s second largest barrier reef. Others drive west to explore the country’s extensive Mayan ruins. Some hike in the central rainforests. But few people make it to the—still authentic—Caribbean retreats of the south.
The small fishing village of Hopkins is one such place. This Garifuna community, located in the Stann Creek District, is lapped by warm turquoise waters and home to deserted white-sand beaches sprinkled with coconuts.
There are daily scuba diving, snorkelling and island-hopping. You can hike up to Antelope Falls in the Mayflower Bocawina National Park and zipline through the rainforest. Or you can take a Sittee River kayak tour and discover some of the 500 species of birds that call Belize home.
Outdoor Adventure PadsPosted on August 24, 2012 by International Living
Your perfect oceanfront retreat is just a five-minute boat ride from one of the world’s premier diving destinations, the Belize Barrier Reef. It’s on Ambergris Caye, with the Caribbean spread out before you. Diving spots nearby include the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, known for its formations of elkhorn, brain, and staghorn corals. The coral is 20 to 40 feet tall, providing the perfect habitat for reef sharks, yellowtail snapper, lobster, grouper, sea turtles, and many other species.
Unlock the “Cut-Price” CaribbeanPosted on August 24, 2012 by anon
Placencia in southern Belize boasts 16 miles of natural soft sand beach, a lagoon fringed with mangroves, and access to the Belize Barrier Reef and hundreds of tiny islands. Twenty dive sites…little marinas…a technicolor reef that’s a giant private aquarium…This place is a water-lover’s dream.
Find Your Dream RetirementPosted on July 26, 2012 by anon
If money were no object, what would your dream retirement look like? This fall, we’ll show you where you can easily make that dream your reality…for $800 or less a month. Your own cottage on a quiet beach…an apartment in a city vibrant with concerts and cafés…a mountain villa where the air is crisp…
Upcoming Event
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If Money Were No Object, What Would Your Dream Retirement Look Like?Event Date: Sep 27, 2013
2013 Fast-Track Your Retirement Overseas Conference
September 27-29, Las Vegas,NV
While your neighbors tighten their belts and reign in their retirement dreams… you can live with less stress, more freedom, and all the comforts you’ve always imagined.
Discover the world’s best retirement havens – and pinpoint the one that’s right for you.
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