Digital Nomad Life in Belize

"Expats living in Belize can join a variety of different clubs and activities. Options include sailing, snorkeling and other water sports, yoga and meditation classes, extended day hikes and more. Expats may also want to visit the local markets and festivals for shopping, food, and cultural experiences. Other popular activities include golf, tennis, volleyball and basketball. In addition to all of these activities, expats can also meet people in Belize by taking classes at the local schools, attending church, and getting involved in volunteering. People also tend to gather in the bars and restaurants most evenings, making it a great opportunity to mingle and meet new people," explained one expat living in Belize.

"Open season on Gringos...check crime logs just for the month of July 2011...getting very scary if you are white American," said one expat who made the move to San Ignacio.

"I have lived a very enjoyable 9 years in the Corozal area. Whoever wrote the other response is a real nay-sayer. Tell me anywhere in the world where things are perfect. If you wear gold jewelry and drive a big fancy car, you are a target. It is not that bad," explained one foreigner living in Belize.

"Originally San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, but after 4 years it got over populated and prices went way up. Moved to the mainland Northern Belize were there is less rain and humidity and 15 minutes from Chetumal where you can get low cost everything," said one expat who made the move to Corozal.

"I choose the San Ignacio area as it has the best local downtown, expats and locals mix well together, the folks are so friendly and the Expats are like my other family ! I found my home, thru Rainforest Realty www.rainforestrealty.com," explained one foreigner living in Belize City, Belize.

"Most Belizeans are happy with their country as it is. Don't try to change it into whatever country you're from and you should be fine. Generally, if you come with an attitude that wherever you're from is better than Belize, you will find a lot of Belizeans wishing you a safe trip back there, the sooner the better.," said one expat in Belize.

"Before retiring in Belize, expats should understand that the cost of living is high compared to other Central American countries, and they will need to budget accordingly. Additionally, they should research their medical options in Belize, and familiarize themselves with the visa and residency requirements in order to stay legally in the country. It's also important to research the language and culture of Belize, as these will likely be very different from those at home. Finally, expats should be aware that the tropical climate and hurricane season may affect living conditions," remarked one member in Belize.

"I love Belize, I am from London UK, now in America and we have bought some land in Belize and will be building a home and emigrating soon. We did months of research prior to spending 20 days there and fell in love. Best part is that it is only a 20 minute flight to the Cayes. Scuba diving is a must, I will definitely do that again. And Mexico is so near to us (Corozal) it is just a 20 minute drive to get to the big department stores so a win win. I love the way of life there, only thing I would say is never expect the place you emigrate to, to be and have exactly what you already have. People who have emigrated there with no research have moved back out of Belize as they expected Walmart and Starbucks on every corner, and a good old American food. Research, choose a few places then spend a few days at least in both," explained one expat living in Corozal, Belize.

"Always travel to Belize first before you move here. Never try to make Belize just like it was for you back home... just accept Belize for what it is and enjoy it. It's an emerging third world country.... not the USA, so keep your expectations in check and go with the flow," said one person in Belize City.

"The Belizean people are extremely friendly, nice and easy-going. Come live and enjoy," said one expat in Belize.

"Expats in Belize appreciate the fact that most Belizean people are friendly, hospitable, and open to welcoming newcomers. They also value the culture's diverse heritage as the country is a unique blend of Spanish, Mestizo, Maya, Creole, and Garifuna backgrounds. Additionally, expats are impressed by the country's natural beauty, from its coral reefs off the coast of Ambergris Caye to the lush Mayan jungle just inland. Furthermore, many expats enjoy the variety of outdoor activities Belize has to offer, such as caving, kayaking, and bird watching, as well as delicious local cuisine," remarked one member in Belize.

"Expats in Belize often find it challenging to adapt to the slower pace of life and the lack of modern conveniences. Many expats also find it difficult to adjust to the tropical climate and the high humidity. Additionally, the language barrier is a challenge for some expats as English is not widely spoken outside of the major cities. The lack of reliable public transportation can also be difficult for some expats to manage. Finally, expats may also find it difficult to make local connections and feel part of the community," remarked one member in Belize.

"I had to adjust my expectations and standards. (Belizians have their own time standards. "I will be there soon" may mean hours or another day. Very laid back and slow environment. I recommend you come live in various areas for at least a month each then decide if you want to live in this country and where. This will make the transition a lot easier," explained one expat living in Belize.

"For starters, it is a full 52 weeks, with no more than 14 days out of the country in total, before you can apply for permanent residency. Having any documents in hand before you leave Canada might make it easier, though they will want more current bank statements and pension info when you apply. It makes sense to start filling out the application and gathering stuff together from about 9-10 months. They might even refuse to give you an application and checklist any earlier, anyway," said one expat who made the move to Belize.

"Losing patience at the only 3 international banks when the Teller Machine was out of service for some malfunctioning and I needed to take out some money to go out and eat," remarked one member in Belmopan.

"In Belize, it is important to respect the diverse cultural backgrounds and traditions. In your interactions with local people, be aware of any sensitive topics such as politics or racial issues. To show respect, you should also be aware of clothing etiquette. Men and women should dress conservatively in public, women should avoid wearing revealing clothing, and the use of profanity should be avoided. Additionally, during social gatherings and conversations, avoid making loud or offensive gestures. Lastly, show respect to local elders by addressing them with respectful titles like “Sir”, “Madam”, or “Ma’am”," explained one expat living in Belize.

"Belize offers a range of healthcare services, including primary care, hospital care, and specialist care. The public healthcare system in Belize is funded by the government and is available to all citizens and legal residents. The quality of public healthcare in Belize is generally considered to be good, with a number of well-equipped hospitals and clinics throughout the country. Foreign residents are able to access the public healthcare system in Belize, although they may be required to pay a fee. Expats in Belize typically use the public healthcare system, although some may opt for private healthcare services," said a member in Belize.

"Our first choice is to go to the local pharmacist, who is very knowledgeable and helpful," explained one person living in Hopkins Village, Belize.

"Word of mouth is a great way to find a doctor if you need one. Our pharmacist has a neurogist that comes to her place of business twice a month from Belize City. He is a wealth of information. Also, be willing to travel to Belize City or Chetumal Mexico to see specialists. We are very pleased with the care we have received thus far. Most of our prescriptions cost us less or equal to our copay in the US without having the cost of a monthly premium on top of that. We are going to look into getting an international health insurance just in case one of us has an emergency that can not be handled here or in Mexico," wrote one digital nomad living in Corozal/Belize City, Belize.

"Carmelita Gardens has been described as a gated community without the gates. Pre-COVID, the community was able to be much more integrated with our closest village of Santa Familia. My husband and I just arrived at the beginning of October, and I have to admit that we were much more knowledgeable of the larger nearby towns of San Ignacio, Santa Elena and Spanish Lookout as that is where we do our shopping. We are exploring Santa Familia more and getting to know it and its residents more. All of the workers at Carmelita Gardens are from Santa Familia, so is the crew that builds the new houses here. That helps build familiarity with our closest village. I love the peace and tranquility of Carmelita Gardens and love the new experiences we have almost weekly. We are getting used to the hotter, more humid weather but still haven't gone through the hottest months of the year. Major dislikes so far are the bugs but we're getting used to them. Major likes - our neighbours, feeding the chickens next door, going for walks with the community dog, having my neighbour's cats come over for cuddles, just relaxing and chilling with the people we've met here, good, fresh, organic food AND food that I've never had before," said one digital nomad in Carmelita Gardens.

"Expats and digital nomads in Belize enjoy the laid-back lifestyle, the warm climate, and the friendly locals. They also appreciate the low cost of living and the fact that English is the official language. On the downside, they may find the infrastructure and public transportation lacking, and the internet connection can be unreliable. Additionally, the lack of job opportunities and the high cost of imported goods can be a challenge," commented a person living in Belize.

"Pros: the people are unbelievably kind, sociable and helpful. Cost of living is unbelievably low. Gas is unbelievably high ($6.00us/gal = $14bz) and many products are not available so you have to add import and delivery cost to some products. Opinions are very unique to the individual decision. Clothing & electronics quality is low so these are best brought in from USA. I visit the states with near empty suitcases and bring items back to Belize. During my research, the best description I heard was that you learn to live on what you need, not what you want. (no malls, no movies, no bowling, no bookstore, no top golf, usually 1 or 2 coffee shops in the fairly large towns). The 'market' is similar to 'farmers and flea markets' in the USA. The grocers decent. However, these things may not be important to you," explained one digital nomad living in Belize.