The Cost Of Living in Belize – A Complete Guide

October 18, 2024
by Larry Waight +

Cost of living is often confidently projected in the form of raw numbers — but while sites like Numbeo can offer some deep insight into the living expenses of a given area, the economics behind a new living situation is often far more complex. That’s definitely the case in Belize, where the way of life is distinct enough from contemporary American culture that the economic needs are themselves often different.

It’s understandable, then, that two narratives have developed about living in Belize. There are those that complain of how expensive it is to import the things they want and how lacking Belize is in comforts they’re familiar with. Then there are those who boast about how you can comfortably live in Belize for a few dollars a day. Both of these narratives are true to a degree, but an individual’s ideal experience will probably fall somewhere in the middle. Finding a price point that works for you will likely come down to finding a compromise between the routines of your current life and the cultural norms and practical realities of life in Belize.

Groceries

If you come to Belize looking for an American supermarket with aisles upon aisles of cheap goods from all over the world, you’ll find yourself looking for a long time. The cost to import goods — along with the comparatively smaller size of Belize in comparison to the United States — means that you’ll end up spending a lot of money looking to fill your pantry exactly the way you had it back home. The upside is that the natural bounty of Belize is plentiful, and the country’s small population density has allowed for farmland and ranching territory to expand without overcrowding. The Cayo District in particular is known for its productive farmland, and the relatively abundant Mennonite communities spread throughout Belize offer great, local foods for as little as 20% of what you’d pay in the United States. That’s also true of seafood, which is pulled directly from the Caribbean Sea. Checking out the local farmer’s market or getting in touch with the closest Mennonite community can slash your grocery budget tremendously.

Travel

The infrastructure in Belize isn’t up to American standards, but most people aren’t traveling all over the country on a regular basis. In many communities — including those popular with expats — cars and car insurance aren’t even a necessity. People in beach towns often manage to get around on bicycles or golf carts, and buses offer access to most of the country when you do want to explore outside your community. If you’re the type of person who wants to travel regularly, you may want to consider the practical advantages of living close to an airport. Fortunately, there are regional airports near most of Belize’s larger settlements in addition to the main international airport in Belize City. If you see yourself becoming regularly bored of the country’s laidback vibes or are only looking for a home for part of the year, you might want to make an available airport a priority.

Housing

Housing normally constitutes one of the largest portions of the average person’s income, but the real estate options in Belize can range from incredibly cheap condos to exotic but expensive private islands. It ultimately all comes down to location. The logistics of bringing labor and building supplies to an island brings with it a higher price tag, but the availability of both can be one of the more costly expenses in terms of both time and money. The road infrastructure in Belize isn’t always great, and building a home from scratch can involve overcoming a lot of logistical hurdles in terms of finding qualified specialists for technical tasks like laying plumbing or wiring electricity. Given the low property tax rates in Belize, buying a large tract of land in the middle of nowhere and building your dream home there can actually be financially feasible.

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This is another situation where being willing to opt towards local customs can save you a whole lot of money. Because they’re so capable of surviving storms, most houses in Belize are constructed from concrete. And that means that the materials and specialized labor to build a traditional American home out of wood or brick can be significantly more expensive. But whether you’re buying a home, renting it, or building it from scratch, location is going to be a major factor in growth. The popular island getaway of Ambergris Caye is home to the most expensive real estate in Belize, but many expats opt instead for smaller towns like those found in the Cayo, Corozal, and Toledo Districts. They’re significantly cheaper and are less clogged with tourists during the busy season. But even the most expensive places to retire in Belize are usually cheap by American standards. A rental house on the coast can be found for as cheap as $300 in a smaller town, but you can also buy cottages at places like Ambergris Caye for under $200,000. There’s enough variety in Belize that you can find a satisfying place to buy or rent with practically any budget.

Entertainment

The cost of a night out is another case of how much you know the locals. While major settlements like Belize City, San Pedro, and San Ignacio have developed their own nightlife and some truly world-class restaurants, you shouldn’t expect the scale of entertainment options that you’d find in the most cosmopolitan cities. As with housing, the cost and variety of entertainment can vary wildly depending on where you live. Expect a wide variety of imported liquors in tourist towns like San Pedro — but if you can get to know the local spots, you can easily get yourself a hearty meal for five dollars and a stiff local drink for two or three. The best forms of entertainment in Belize tend to usually be free or cheap and come in the form of natural excursions on land or in the Caribbean Sea.

Final Thoughts

Everything tends to be cheaper in Belize across the board, but making the most of your money in this Caribbean state often means being willing to make adjustments to how you live. It’s not going to be the perfect place for everyone to retire, but it can offer a whole new perspective on life for those willing to make the plunge.