Retiring in Belize: a complete guide

Is Belize a good place to retire? 

Nestled on the eastern coast of Central America between Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea, Belize has a number of benefits that make it appealing for retirees and expats. These include: 

• Affordable living costs
• Natural beauty
• Tropical climate 
• English-speaking community
• Tax exemptions. 

Excluding rent, monthly expenses average $799 for a single person and $2,820 for a family of four in Belize for 2025, making Belize an affordable option for retirement. 

However, healthcare can be limited. When you need advanced medical care, you’ll need to travel to another country. It also has limitations when it comes to infrastructure and convenience that could feel frustrating to retirees. 

What are the pros and cons of retiring in Belize? 

It is important to consider the pros and cons before you emigrate to Belize in your golden years: 

Pros 

• English-speaking country: Belize is a British Commonwealth country, making it easy for English-speaking expats to transition and communicate with locals.

• Diverse lifestyle choices: Belize offers a variety of lifestyles, from tranquil beach living in Placencia to vibrant, party-style life on Ambergris Caye or an off-the-grid experience in Cayo. 
• Tropical climate: Belize has a warm, tropical climate with summer weather throughout the year, providing an outdoor living experience and opportunities for water activities. 
• Affordable living: Retiring in Belize offers lower living costs compared to the US, particularly in housing and food expenses. 
• Friendly people: Belizeans are known for their hospitality and warmth, making expats feel very welcome in their new home. 
• Retirement programs: Belize offers various attractive retirement programs, such as the Qualified Retirement Program (QRP), which allows retirees in Belize to move to the country tax and duty-free.  

Cons 

• Limited retail options: Belize has limited shopping options, with no major chain stores, such as Walmart, Costco, or Sam's Club.  
• Poor infrastructure: Rough roads, periodic water and power outages
• City crime: In certain urban areas, like Belize City, crime rates have been on the rise recently. 
• Limited healthcare and other infrastructure: Free public medical care services are somewhat limited, and access to private clinics is costly. 

What are the best places to retire in Belize? 

Belize offers a range of attractive retirement locations, each with unique benefits.  

These are some of the best places to retire in Belize: 

• Ambergris Caye: Ambergris Caye is an idyllic Caribbean island with modern conveniences and amenities for retirees. It’s a popular choice for expats; however, the island is also a tourism hotspot with higher prices that go along with it.  
• Corozal Town and surrounding area: The Corozal region has some of the lowest living costs in Belize and a variety of housing and budget options. Its proximity to Mexico affords better access to Mexico’s healthcare. 
• Cayo: Cayo is ideal for those who want to retire in Belize and have land for growing fruit trees or keeping horses, Cayo offers a more rural and peaceful lifestyle, but also has several hospitals to meet basic healthcare needs. 
• Placencia and Hopkins: These areas boast some of the best beaches in Belize and provide a relaxed lifestyle with access to plenty of amenities and high-quality housing developments. 

What is the average cost of retirement in Belize? 

The cost of retirement in Belize varies depending on your location and lifestyle. The QRP requires at least $2,000 in monthly income. This amount would likely afford you a comfortable retirement, depending on your housing, food, and transportation choices.   

The average cost of living is 32% lower in Belize than in the US. Average rent is 73% lower than in the US, though if you want to live in modern, amenity-rich developments in desirable locations, expect to pay much more. 

Some costs are similar to what you would see in the US while others are drastically lower, such as childcare and housing. A sample of costs in Belize is listed below:

• Apartment in city center (1 bedroom): $456.74 
• Apartment in city center (3 bedroom): $665.80 
• Utilities for 900 square foot apartment: $121.17
• Internet: $59.64
• Monthly daycare for one child: $64.52
• Monthly gym membership: $34.95
• Mid-range restaurant meal: $10
• Taxi, 1 mile: $6.43

What age can you retire in Belize? 

Although the retirement age in Belize varies, retirement with a pension can begin as early as 55 for employees of the Public Service. Social security payments for Belizeans can begin as early as age 60.  

If you emigrate to Belize, you may be eligible to participate in the Qualified Retired Persons Incentive Program if you are over 40 and meet certain requirements. 

What programs are there for emigrating to Belize? 

Belize offers several programs for emigrating, particularly for retirement in Belize.  

The most popular program is the Belize Qualified Retirement Program (QRP). 

To be eligible, you must be 40 years or older, have a pension, Social Security, or other provable, reliable income of at least US $2,000 a month and deposit US $24,000 a year into a Belizean bank account, pass security clearance, and stay in Belize for a minimum of 30 days

The benefits of the QRP include:

• Residency status
• No income taxes
• Ability to purchase land to build a home
• Tax exemption on the purchase of a personal boat, aircraft, household goods, and car

Belize also offers a Permanent Residence program, which requires you to spend 50 out of 52 weeks in Belize before submitting your application. Once a permanent resident, you can become a member of the National Health Insurance (NHI) and receive basic medical services for free or for a small fee. 

Do you pay taxes after retirement in Belize? 

Belize offers a favorable tax environment for retirees, with most not being taxed on anything other than purchases and real estate.  

However, as a US citizen living in Belize, you may still have to pay US taxes for expats. 

The country's Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) Program provides tax exemptions on all income earned outside Belize, whether earned or passive, and whether or not it is remitted to Belize.  

The tax benefits of the QRP program for retiring in Belize include:  

• 0% tax on international income (including US Social Security and retirement funds) 
• 0% capital gains tax 
• Option to maintain an international bank account in Belize  
• Option to import personal and household goods without having to pay import duties or taxes during your first year in Belize 

In terms of property taxes in Belize:  

• Real estate taxes are relatively low 
• Foreigners enjoy the same property rights as citizens in Belize 

What visas do I need to retire in Belize? 

Belize does not require US citizens to have visas to visit Belize.  

You can remain in the country for up to a month for no fee, with a $100 renewal fee for monthly extensions of up to six months.  

For the long term, you can apply for the QRP program. You’ll need to submit supporting documents, such as proof of income, a bank statement, and your birth certificate, among others. It has a $150 application fee and $1,000 program fee. 

Once you have lived in the country for a full year without leaving for more than 14 days, you can also apply for Permanent Residency. 

After five years, you may be eligible for citizenship. 

What are my healthcare options in Belize? 

The country offers a dual healthcare system consisting of public and private sectors. You can choose either based on your needs and preferences; however, unless you become a permanent resident, you are responsible for paying for your own healthcare in Belize. 

The public healthcare system provides coverage for all residents through the National Health Insurance (NHI) program as of 2025. It covers general medical appointments, diagnostics, medications, maternal and child health, and management of chronic illnesses for free or at a low cost. However, wait times can be long. 

Private hospitals and clinics offer a wider array of services at a higher quality, but are more expensive. For example, a day's stay in a private hospital costs around US $150 while common surgical procedures can cost between $1,000 and $7,500. Here’s a sample of private hospital and clinic costs below: 

You can pay out of pocket for these costs, or buy private healthcare insurance in Belize. It’s also common for expats to travel out-of-country for specialized healthcare. 

Dental care is affordable and typically high quality. Medical tourism for dental clinics in Belize is common. 

Get expert retirement advice 

With its diverse lifestyle choices, tropical climate, stunning scenery, affordable living costs, friendly people, and enticing retirement program, retiring in Belize is an attractive option. However, you should consider challenges like limited public healthcare, poor infrastructure, and city crime before making a decision. 

If you want to retire in Belize, Unbiased can match you with a financial advisor who will offer expert retirement advice to ensure you prepare properly for your golden years.