A recent article was published on the Huffington Post that tells about all that makes Belize an “appealing escape-it-all retirement spot”. However, this article vaguely touches on what Belize really has to offer international retirees and tourists on a whole for that matter. And by looking at its comments, those who have only heard of our little Jewel are horrifyingly misinformed of what it’s truly like to experience Belize. So in this article, I’ll give those people the REAL reasons why Belize is the world’s most appealing escape-it-all retirement spot.
Cost of Living
In comparison with the other Caribbean countries, Belize has one of the lowest costs of living. This isn’t to say that you can’t break the bank while in Belize. If you choose to spend idly, you can rack up a bill pretty quickly. But if you’re living in Belize, making practical choices, like being conscious of your energy usage at home and cooking most nights rather than eating out, can make your cost of living very affordable here.
When compared to major first-world countries like the US, Belize’s cost of utilities, education, health care, and even produce is lower without sacrificing quality.
You can visit the local market and find the freshest organic fruits and vegetables as well as meats and seafood for a fraction of what it would cost in the States. If you want help around the house, you can hire a great housekeeper for around BZ $30/day. Schools in Belize provide superior English-based education at all stages for a fraction of the cost. Public schools have tuition as low as BZ $75 a semester, making quality education affordable for all.
Infrastructure
Belize is no metropolis. You won’t find any skylines decorated with gargantuan skyscrapers here. Our Belizean skyline is more serene overlooking the Caribbean Sea with the skies glistening above.
Belize’s commercial centers are filled with a mixture of concrete and wooden buildings ranging mainly between 2 and 4 stories at highest. The major streets and highways were once filled with potholes. While some still are, major infrastructural development has been underway (especially in Belize City) and most of the major streets have been redone in concrete to provide a smooth and comfortable ride.
There are four commercial banks in Belize that have ties with international banks to serve customers with local and foreign currency transactions. Belize also has international offshore financial institutions that provide profitable investment options for retirees and international investors.
While there are no large shopping malls with familiar “big name” store chains, there are newly developed shopping plazas across the country that sell a range of products including popular international commercial brands. The local supermarkets also provide local as well as popular international brands of grocery and household products.
Climate
Belize only has two seasons – wet/rainy and dry. The wet/rainy season is from June 1st to November 30th of every year. The dry season is from December 1st to May 31st. During the wet/rainy season, Belize is vulnerable to natural disasters like hurricanes. Luckily, Belize has been spared from hurricanes over the past few years. But the country is below sea level, so the threat is always there. There are steps you can take to safeguard yourself and property in the event of a hurricane that include securing windows with shutters and building your home a couple feet off the ground.
The average temperature in Belize is 79˚F. Belize’s climate is ideal for the abundance of outdoor activities that’s here to enjoy. You can hike Mayan ruins, visit the zoo, go biking, enjoy world-class fishing, dive the Great Blue Hole, snorkel along the reef, and much more.
Because of Belize’s geographical location and climate, no other natural disaster poses a threat to the country.
Health Care
Belize has public and private health care systems. The public health care system satisfies the greater amount of Belizeans at a lower cost than private facilities while maintaining a high level of quality care.
Albeit a higher cost than public facilities, the private health care sector is still very much affordable while providing a higher level of comfort and the best medical care in the country.
Belize has become very popular in recent years as a top destination in medical tourism. Specialized services like optical and dental care are superior in Belize than other parts of the world at only a fraction of the cost.
Real Estate
Despite its small size and having about 26% of its land and seas preserved, there is quite a bit of Belize real estate available for sale. Properties range from raw land in rural areas, to existing residential lots with houses on them, to commercial properties in the urban areas, to luxurious beachfront properties.
Retirees love the fact that they can come and buy land in Belize the same way as locals do, and rarely have restrictions. For those interested in buying real estate in Belize but aren’t familiar with the locale, there are accredited Belize real estate agencies available to assist. Not only is land in Belize readily available, it’s also very affordable. This makes Belize is a great retirement destination to start anew in.
Crime
I know crime is an unexpected point to be on a list that’s supposed to convince people to come to Belize, but it’s a topic that’s very controversial and very misunderstood by people who’ve only heard about Belize from unfortunate victims.
Belize has its fair share of criminals and crime does seem high here in comparison to larger countries for that same fact – Belize is so small! Once something happens today in Corozal (the northernmost district), news will travel within hours all the way to Toledo (the southernmost district) and still feel like its hitting close to home because the country is so small. There isn’t a divide between cities and districts in Belize like there is in the various states of the US.
Most murders in Belize occur within the gang community. It’s rare for an innocent person to be gunned down out of the blue. If you’re not affiliated with any gang and stay away from gang communities, you can pretty much guarantee you’ll not be headlining the nightly news as the newest murder victim in Belize.
When it comes to thieves, there’s a saying in Belize that goes “don’t put food in front of [a] hungry dog”. This saying holds true not only here, but in other parts of the world too. If you’re walking around with lots of jewelry and cash hanging out of your pocket, you’ll be any thief’s next target—whether you’re in Belize or elsewhere.
Don’t let someone’s negative experience in Belize deter you from visiting and experiencing the country for yourself. Belizeans are among the warmest and most welcoming people to walk the earth. Once you adhere to universal security measures and don’t roam around sketchy areas, you’ll have a wonderful crime-free time.
Recreation
Belize has been globally recognized for its abundance of natural wonders and attractions. If you’re an adventure junkie, Belize is definitely for you.
You can soar atop the jungle canopies while zip lining, or go ATVing through raw terrain. If you want a bit of history with your adventure, cave tubing through ancient Mayan caves along one of the most extensive cave systems in Central America is right in the heart of inland Belize.
For those who prefer a more relaxed, tropical experience, Belize is surely a mecca for beach lovers. With its entire eastern coastline bordered by the Caribbean Sea and over 450 islands, there’s more than enough beachfront for you to lie out and soak in the sights and sounds of the Caribbean. Belize has many natural attractions along its coast as well. There, you can find the longest barrier reef in the Western hemisphere as well the Great Blue Hole, a large underwater sink hole.
As a retirement destination, Belize’s landscape provides an abundance of activities to provide a fulfilling retirement experience. Coupled with its stable economy, peaceful and diverse population, amenities, and distinctive Caribbean charm, Belize is the world’s most appealing escape-it-all retirement spot.
