The survey results, initially published under Foreign-Hub.com, received over 6k views. I was reluctant to migrate it to Substack, given the loss of that stat, but ultimately, I felt that amalgamating all my work on one platform was best in the long run.

I hope you find this as valuable as everyone else has. And, yes, I’ve decided to paywall it here, as it represents a considerable amount of effort; conducting the survey, crunching the numbers, and presenting it all in a meaningful way.

A Troll-Inspired Endeavour

Back in December, I had a rather frustrating encounter on one of the Belize FB groups. An anonymous participant asked what the average cost of living, groceries, rent, etc., was for a foreigner in Belize. As you can imagine, the responses were mostly snarky and, while amusing, unhelpful.

If you want to skip all my ramblings and head straight to the cost of living in Belize, click here.

I realize this is a tricky question to answer, as many factors influence the cost of living in Belize; how you want to live is one of the most significant. For the uninitiated, there are many ways to live in Belize, from "simple" living—by which I mean a standard of living that most foreigners would consider to be below their ideal, characterized by limited running water and electricity—to coastal lavishery (yes, I know that's not an actual word, but I like the sound of it). Many people in Belize still live in a simple (often off-grid) way.

Not having running water or electricity is characteristic of many of the Mayan villages that dot the jungle landscape, albeit this is changing. Even a lovely young woman my family has come to know well, who's in her early twenties, remembers growing up without power—that was less than ten years ago.

And there is the fellow who works for my neighbour, who I speak about in Leave It For The Locals, who lives without water or electricity in Santa Cruz, just a short drive from Maya Beach but seemingly a world away.

While some foreigners come to Belize in search of such austerity—hey, whatever floats your boat, no judgment—many North American transplants find that living that way is too far-flung from their accustomed living standards, nor would they care to subject themselves to it.

All this is to say that when inquisitive developed-nationers ask questions on forums about "the average cost of living in Belize," they don't get an answer.

Back to my FB encounter: Given the context above, I decided to provide a subjective response—that's all anyone can go on, after all—and outlined some of my basic costs, only to be ridiculed by a FB troll for "not knowing what an average was."

I have my GED and diploma from a post-secondary institution, and while math was never my strong suit, I am familiar with mean, median, and mode. I attempted to inform the troll that no one has calculated such averages, so only personal experiences are available and relevant. I explained that I only know what I spend, and to put together an average, you'd need an extensive sampling of foreigners to weigh in on what they shell out every month. Things degraded from there.

After being harshly criticized by other group members for his attitude, the troll posted a ChatGPT response that was far too inaccurate; apparently, he was determined to show how easy it was to provide an answer and was willing to spread misinformation to do so.

Now, I'm not one to disregard the validity of AI for aiding in research—I use it regularly to compile facts and figures for my client projects, and I used it to assist with data analysis for this article—but I also know how it works: it provides its answers by scraping the internet, misinformation and all, then adds a sprinkling of hallucination when data is thin, which is the case for the topic at hand.

For example, his monthly expenses included "going to the movies." Going to the movies isn't a regular event for foreigners, who typically end up on the coast or in the jungle. From what I understand, there is only one theater in the entire country, at the Ramada Hotel in Belize City.

As annoying as the whole encounter was, it sparked my desire to zero in on an actual average cost of living in Belize (you can jump to it here if you like). So, I compiled a survey with a list of everyday expenses and asked the foreign diaspora in Belize to participate.

The participation was quite good. I ran the survey for a month and received 97 responses. I'm confident I could have made 100+, but I failed to realize the survey end date, and my final push was past the cutoff (it was a paid add-on from my website provider).

A Sincere Thank You

Before I discuss the data—which proved to be much more than I anticipated and is why it has taken nearly three months to publish the results—I would like to sincerely thank all the participants. Your input and feedback were greatly appreciated and made this article possible.

The Survey

The survey was anonymous, as knowing who responded wasn't necessary; I considered that a barrier to entry. It's also none of my business to know who spends what, and if I were on the other end of things, I wouldn't provide my name or contact details, though I did provide an option to leave an email address to receive the survey results directly.

I broke the survey down into what I consider to be the most common and essential living expenses for a foreigner in Belize. I left participation open to anyone to avoid alienating nationals in their own country (yet only foreigners participated).

Still, I wanted to distinguish foreigners from locals as there can be significant differences in how these two populations live. I also decided to determine which district of the country survey participants were responding from, as each area offers a different standard of living and expenses.

The rest was straightforward, outlining expenditures like utilities, groceries, internet, and cell services, vehicle expenses (if owned), and home expenses like rent, property tax, and maintenance. I asked all participants to submit all costs in Belize Dollars (BZD).

A Caveat About Accuracy

The averages I present here represent the data compiled from the survey and may not reflect costs with 100% accuracy. Say, for example, the people who pay the highest rent costs in a particular area didn't participate, then the data I collected won't reflect those numbers.

I think that the cost of rent for Stann Creek, where I live, seemed low, but I am also comparing it to the only rent cost I am aware of: the monthly rent I paid (USD 1650) when I first moved here, and my home was under construction. Perhaps rent costs have come down, or I just overpaid compared to the going market rate.

Anyhow, while this survey provides an accurate ballpark on the average cost, it's based on the participant information and the degree of accuracy they offered.

A Recap of Questions

• Are you a foreigner in Belize?

• District

• Rent or Own

• Cost of Rent (if a renter)

• Cost of Property Tax, Maintenance, and Home Insurance (if an owner)

• Number of members in the household

• Grocery/ Market Produce

• Fun- activities and eating out

• Electricity

• Water

• Gas

• Vehicle Expense: Fuel, Maintenance, Licensing, Insurance

• Cell Phone and Internet

• Health Care costs

• Clothing

• Miscellaneous

A Brief Refresher

For those who are rusty on math terms, mean, median, and mode are three ways to measure the average of a dataset. Each offers a different perspective. I use them extensively in this report, so I'd like to provide a refresher so you don't have to Google the terms. Each measure provides unique insights, helping to understand data more effectively.

Mean

When discussing averages, we typically think of the mean. When I refer to "the average" in the report, I mean this: the mean is determined by adding all the numbers in a set and dividing the sum by the number of inputs. While useful, extreme numbers can skew it.

Median

The median is found in the middle of a series of numbers when those numbers are arranged in numerical order; if there's an even number of values, it's the mean of the two middle ones. Knowing the median allows for a better representation when there are outliers, which there were in the survey results.

Mode

The mode is the most frequently occurring number in a dataset, which helps identify trends. In the case of the survey results, the mode can indicate the likelihood of paying a particular amount for a given expense category.

BZD USD Exchange Rate

I provide some BZD to USD conversions, but when I don't, just remember the Belize Dollar is pegged to the greenback at 2:1.

How I Present the Data

I wanted to cater to as many people as possible, so I've presented the data in numerous ways. I have bolded key information for the skim reader, including mean, median, and modal values for each category. For those who are visual, I've included charts and graphs for most expense types. I've added as much colour to the data as possible for those who enjoy reading, providing additional facts and personal experiences where I found it natural or necessary. If you want to jump to the survey results now, click here.

The Data Set

As previously mentioned, there were 97 separate entries. These came from four of Belize's six districts: Corozal (10), Belize (22), Stann Creek (49), and Cayo (16).

Participant Household Size

While I don't focus too much on family size in this report—as crunching the numbers was already more work than I expected and I could essentially rehash everything through the lens of family size—I included it in the survey so I felt it pertinent to touch on it off the bat. As you can see from the pie chart, most participants came from two-person households, representing 58 out of the 97 participants.

This statistic doesn't surprise me, as retired couples are a prominent demographic in the foreign community. The next largest was single persons (22/97), followed by families of four (8 of 97, including yours truly) and families of 3 and five or more (3/97 each).

A few people also input Yes and No for family size— I'm not sure how that was even possible, as that field was a drop-down menu with set choices. As I explain in the following section, there were glitches and errors in the data, which I had to correct for.

Dealing with Errors and Missing or Incomplete Data

Unfortunately, the data collected wasn't as clean as I would have liked. Numerous submissions were incomplete or anomalous (i.e., an abnormally high amount potentially caused by a typo or error when inputting the data). Some entries included negative numbers or a phone number in place of a monthly bill amount; some people who own their home didn't input a property tax amount, while other people who said they owned a vehicle didn't provide fuel, licensing, or insurance costs, all of which are necessary when operating a vehicle in Belize. Still, others didn't indicate maintenance—which could indicate a new car or that they just don't maintain their vehicle—which is a significant expense for many, as secondary roads aren't paved and are rough on automobiles.

I realize that errors happen— maybe a spouse, who isn't sure of the cost, filled out the form—but I, unfortunately, had to leave these types of responses out of the calculations. Therefore, I had to omit some submissions in each category so they wouldn't skew the results. However, I only removed submissions with errors from the related expense and did not delete the entire submission because a vehicle owner didn't input an insurance cost; I just omitted them from that specific expense calculation. So, as you read through, you will notice that the sample size will vary depending on the expense category.

Calculating the Data

While tallying the data, I opted to remove all zero-sum fields due to the ambiguity: I wasn't able to determine if the participant, for the example of LP gas:

1. Didn't use LP gas,

2. Didn't know the answer, or

3. Forgot or missed the entry.

Either way, leaving the zero-sum would only bring down the average and skew the calculation for that category. Not everyone uses gas here, so including those who don't with a zero-dollar value skews the actual cost for those who do. Some may rely 100% on electricity to cook and heat water, so I didn't feel it was correct to leave them in when calculating the average.

If a participant whose submission had left empty fields happened to include an email address, I contacted them to request the missing information. If they replied with the information, I manually updated their entry.

Okay, on to the survey results!

Survey Results: The Cost of Living in Belize

The following results represent the average (mean) of all 97 survey participants.

Average Monthly Living Expenses at a Glance

The survey results revealed the average monthly cost of living expenses to be:

BZD 5,161

The total represents all numbers minus the school cost category, as most participants didn't have kids in school.

Cost of Living in Belize by Category

Cost of Rent in Belize

Out of 97 participants, 41 submitted as renters. Of these, 32 left monthly rent costs; this was partially my fault, as early on in the survey, I failed to provide a drop-down field for it. Therefore, nine renters didn't leave their monthly costs due to my error or failure to fill in the information.

Average Rent Cost

• Mean: 1491.94 BZD/USD 745.97

• Mediant: 1200 BZD/USD 600

• Mode: 1200 BZD appeared five times in the results.

Rent Cost By District

• Belize: 1914.44 BZD/USD 957.22 based on 9 of 32 participants.

• Corozal: 983.33 BZD/USD 491.65 based on 6 of the 32.

• Stann Creek: 1674.00 BZD/USD 837 based on 13 of the 32.

• Cayo: 712.50 BZD/USD 356.25 based on 4 of the 3.

• 712.50 BZD/USD 356.25 based on 4 of the 32.

Costs of Owning a Property in Belize

56 participants out of the 97 indicated that they own their property, and of the 56, 54 provided annual amounts, which I broke down monthly. The average monthly cost of property ownership, which I calculated to include property tax, property maintenance, and insurance, equaled 822 BZD/USD 411. See below for a chart comparing costs by district.

Property Tax in Belize

I decided to include this even though property tax is marginal in Belize compared to what North Americans are used to. 54 of 56 owners submitted amounts.

The participant-wide mean was 10.66 BZD (127.92 BZD annually), and the median was 5.63 BZD (67.56 BZD annually). The data didn't produce a decisive modal value. I should point out that the Lands Department calculates taxes annually, even though I broke them down into monthly expenses.

Home and Property Maintenance in Belize

Property maintenance was the most significant homeowner expense, with a mean of 573.23 BZD, provided by 40 of the 54 homeowners. Maintenance usually includes groundskeeping, air conditioner servicing, and preservation of exterior wood and the home's exterior.

The median value was 310 BZD, and the modal cost was 100 BZD, which occurred eight times in the group of 40, indicating that one is most likely to pay 50 USD a month in property maintenance.

Home Insurance Costs in Belize

12 of 54 property owners provided insurance costs. The mean monthly home insurance expense was 237.78 BZD, with a median cost of 185 BZD. The mode was 100 BZD, appearing 5 times in the 12.

The low number of participants in this expense category may indicate that many people don't carry an insurance policy on their home. Home insurance is still relatively new in Belize, and there are some conditions regarding the insurance of wood homes in coastal areas, which may contribute to the low number.

Utility Costs in Belize

Electricity

Electricity is a significant expense whether you own or rent your home. 82 out of 97 participants provided their monthly power bill, with a mean of 335.22 BZD. The calculated median was 225 BZD. The mode was a two-way tie, with 300 BZD and 400 BZD occurring nine times each.

Water

67 of 97 entries indicated monthly water cost:

• Mean: 53.73 BZD

• Median: 35 BZD

• Mode: 30 BZD appearing nine times

Many people still don't have access to the government water supply and rely on rainwater catchment and/or water deliveries by retail suppliers. BWS recently made its way down the Placencia Peninsula, installing water mains and meters. "City" water became available to us in late October 2024.

Previously, our home's water supply came through the means just explained. With the substantial rainfall this past season, we deferred installing a meter until January. I connected our BWS meter to our home last week, and we now use it to fill our holding tanks as needed, allowing us to still capture rainwater.

The BWS rate is $0.01 (1 cent) per gallon, substantially less than the water delivery rate of $0.10/ gallon we previously paid to Loewan's Hardware store, the primary water delivery service in the area. BWS charges 450 BZD to register a property and install a meter. There is a minimum monthly charge of 10 BZD and no charge for the first 1000 gallons.

Gas

69 out of 97 entries were tallied, with the mean monthly average totaling 46.55 BZD. The median was 30 BZD, and the mode was 10 BZD, appearing 14 times. Gas is efficient for heating hot water and cooking, so many who fill tanks don't need to do so regularly. Depending on usage, we fill our ten-gallon tank every 4-6 weeks, costing around 60 BZD. For up-to-date LP gas prices, click here.

There is an ongoing debate about whether electricity or gas is better for cooking. Ultimately, the answer is subjective, but it's essential to remember that if you plan to cook indoors, gas stoves can be a significant source of residual heat. In a tropical climate, this is an important consideration.

Belize uses Liquefied Petroleum (LP) gas, so be sure your stove is made for it or is appropriately converted. LPG doesn't burn as clean as the natural gas used in North America, so stoves here require additional maintenance.

Costs of Owning a Vehicle in Belize

This country is rough on vehicles. The main roads are generally well-maintained, but potholes and rough patches persist nationwide. While registration and licensing are affordable, maintenance costs can be a significant factor, especially if you plan to live in a rural or off-grid area that requires traversing secondary and tertiary roads, which are almost always unpaved and locally maintained.

68 out of 97 indicated they owned a vehicle and provided expenditures, with a mean of 765 BZD/USD 382.50 per month, including fuel (gasoline or diesel), insurance, maintenance, and vehicle registration (done annually).

Fuel (63 of 68)

• Mean: 332.13 BZD

• Median: 300 BZD

• Mode: 300 BZD appearing 14 times

Maintenance (46 of 68)

• Mean: 318.40 BZD

• Median: 150 BZD

• Mode: 100 BZD appearing ten times

Licensing (48 of 68)

• Mean: 20.59 BZD

• Median: 16.67 BZD

• Mode: 16.67 BZD appealing 11 times

Insurance (57 of 68)

• Mean: 79.68 BZD

• Median: 41.67 BZD

• Mode: 29.16 and 41.67 BZD, appearing five times each.

Transportation Cost in Belize

Of the 97 survey participants, 29 indicated that they don't own a vehicle. If you plan to do the same, you can expect to pay an average of 342.26 BZD monthly. This mean came from the input of 19 out of the 29; the remaining 10 didn't include any transportation cost.

This may mean they don't go anywhere or didn't fill out this field. As with all zero-sum fields, I omitted them from the calculations. The median monthly transportation cost was 100 BZD. The sample was too small to produce a definitive mode, but 50 BZD appeared three times.

While the survey didn't gather information on the types of transportation used, the most common forms are buses, taxis (land and water), and car rentals. Given the small sample size, I didn't see a reason to provide district averages.

If you plan to live far from a town or village and do not own your own transportation, expect to pay more than if you live in an established area. Trips to immigration will be necessary every month for your first year in the country. Other than that, you could live with limited transportation (i.e., a bicycle) if you are in the right area, such as Placencia Village, Hopkins, San Ignacio, Belmopan, Belize City, or Caye Caulker.

The Costs for Staying Connected in Belize

Reliable cellphone and internet service are available, with two leading national providers, Digi and Smart.

Cell Phone (79 of 97)

• Mean: 112.51 BZD

• Median: 80 BZD

• Mode: 100 BZD appearing seven times

Internet (80 of 97)

• Mean: 115.46 BZD

• Median: 92.5 BZD

• Mode: 100 BZD

Grocery Costs in Belize

The cost of groceries can vary widely depending on the district you live in and the community within that district. Surprisingly, the household size (although I haven't mentioned it much) didn't have as significant an impact as I had imagined.

I assumed large families would have the highest grocery bills, but that wasn't so. For example, two participants from the Belize district, one with a household of five or more, had a monthly food expenditure of 5000 BZD, while the other, who has four in their home, spent 1500 BZD. Conversely, two Stann Creek families with 5+ members each spent 1000 BZD and 2400 BZD, respectively, while two two-person households spent 1800 BZD and 3000 BZD.

The data indicates that how you choose to live and shop will drastically influence your monthly grocery bill. It also shows a broad spectrum of shopping options and habits available in Belize.

Here are the numbers for all participants, of which only one didn't provide a figure:

• Mean: 889.17 BZD

• Median: 950 BZD

• Mode: 700 BZD and 1000 BZD, occurring 8 and 7 times, respectively.

I was surprised that Corozal had the second-highest grocery costs, as I found food to be cheaper there when I visited in 2024. There were ten participants from this district, and nine contributed data to this category. The higher values for Corozal could result from the spending habits of the particular participants just so happening to be on the higher end, or the fact that their sample group was the smallest, causing the survey not to accurately capture the grocery expenses for that area.

Another possibility is that food costs have risen in the region since I last visited, but I find that hard to believe given their proximity to Mexico. As a general rule, things become more expensive as you head south, which is due to the additional transportation costs. There are only two accessible borders in Belize: one in the north with Mexico and the other in the west with Guatemala. There are no southern borders, which means everything must be shipped south.

Cost of Fun and Activities in Belize

88 of the 97 survey participants filled this category, averaging 614.20 BZD. The median was 455 BZD, and the mode was 200 BZD, occurring 19 times. The mean for Corozal and Cayo was almost a dead tie at 323.89 BZD and 324 BZD, respectively, and Belize and Stann Creeks were very close at 777.23 BZD and 700 BZD.

Not surprisingly, the Belize District has the most fun, followed closely by Stann Creek. Both districts represent the highest concentration of foreigners and survey participants, many of whom are retired and actively doing so. "Who has the most fun" is tongue-in-cheek, though, as the higher spending can also indicate that these areas are more expensive to participate in activities.

Healthcare Costs in Belize

Healthcare costs vary significantly due to age and overall health status. I decided not to provide stats on the district, as many foreigners carry international health plans that don't relate to Belize. Domestic plans through insurance providers are available to Belizean residents.

51 of 97 submitted healthcare costs. I've decided not to provide an overall average, as household size is a significant factor.

A single person's average (10 of the 51) monthly healthcare expenses came to 198.03 BZD. It rose considerably for two-person households (31 of 51) to 857.62 BZD.

The remaining household sizes data samples were relatively small (2 and 3 each) and I question how clear a picture it provides. See the chart below.

Clothing Costs in Belize

51 of 97 participants provided a monthly clothing budget. From my experience, you don't need many clothes: shorts, swimsuits, tank tops, T-shirts, and light footwear are sufficient. It's helpful to have some long-sleeved shirts, pants, and light sweaters for the occasional cool weather in November, but these items don't need to be replaced often because they're rarely worn.

I've ordered some new shorts in the last three years, but that's it, although it is time for some new shirts. There aren't a lot of new clothing stores, so my wife and I opted to order from the US and ship in through Belizean Queen. We buy our kids used clothes as they outgrow them quickly.

• Mean: 100.79 BZD

• Median: 50 BZD

• Mode: 50 & 100 BZD, appearing 12 and 10 times each.

Miscellaneous

I included this category as a catchall for any other items I didn't specifically ask about. I also included a comment box so participants could add more information to their survey answers. Many took the opportunity to explain what they included in this category. Some common monthly "miscellaneous" items included cat, dog, and other animal food, veterinarian visits, dental care, shipping fees (i.e., Belizean Queen), and visitor permit extensions.

• Mean: 362.2 BZD

• Median: 225 BZD

• Mode: 100 BZD

The Average Cost of School for Foreigners in Belize

Out of 97 participants, 12 indicated they had school-age children. Of the 12, eight provided costs. A family of 5+ stated a cost of 3000 BZD per month, while another family of the same size said 300 BZD. Four didn't leave amounts, which could indicate homeschooling.

The mean cost of the eight came to 761 BZD, with an average of 2.625 kids, indicating a cost per child of 290 BZD. To put this into perspective, the cost of schooling for my two boys is 500 BZD (250 BZD per child) per month, but they attend Coastal Academy, a private institution—they are currently on a half-day schedule. In September, they will start full-time, and the cost will double to 1000 BZD per month (500 BZD/ child).

An Annual Survey?

There you have it! Please comment below if you have any questions, and let me know if you would like this to be an annual occurrence. Also, if you have an expense category you would like to see calculated (someone mentioned "Alcohol and Drugs” in their survey comment box 🤣), please indicate that in the comment section, too.

Things I Missed and Areas For Survey Improvement

While I covered the ordinary expenses, I failed to include a significant cost for many foreigners in Belize: the monthly visitor permit extensions, which cost 200 BZD per person, regardless of age. If these fees apply to you, make sure to add them to the monthly expenses listed above.

I also failed to ask questions about school-aged children, such as the cost of additional school expenses, such as books, supplies, and uniforms, and the importation of goods, such as whether people frequently used Belizean Queen (or a similar service), how much they are paying for items from the US, and the BQ fees.

In the future, I would also provide the option to select an exact location within each district, as this would give a greater understanding of costs in each area. For example, Placencia Village, Maya Beach, and Hopkins are all in Stann Creek, but rent prices undoubtedly vary in each place. The current survey failed to account for this information.

While the survey gives a good idea of average living expenses, I admittedly missed some things. However, the reader can account for this by adding a contingency of approximately 20% to the numbers determined by the survey; 20% is a good starting point. It's a good thing to do anyway; you don't know what you don't know, and you may not realize now that you will require a particular item or service after moving here.

If you don't need the contingency, that's fabulous, straight to the bank, but it's good to account for it if you do. Things are constantly changing here; it's a developing country, and I've witnessed this change over the last four-plus years since purchasing my lot, and even more so since we moved here nearly three years ago.

Thank You!

Once again, thank you to all who participated. The survey was a success, and I hope it will be helpful to those moving or considering relocating to Belize.

And, thanks again for becoming a paid subscriber! Your support means a lot.

If you enjoy my writing, you might also like the A Foreign Perspective, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-winning book Home in Good Hands. For in-depth conversations about life abroad, check out the Foreign Radio podcast.

This post was previously published on my wife’s website.

While I realize the average person isn’t an internationally selling artist, this post provides sufficient insight into what it's like to start working remotely from Belize.

When we decided to move here, she was apprehensive about how she would ship pieces to collectors and obtain the necessary materials. While she has managed to do both (with complications, of course), she also discovered additional hurdles that she couldn’t have anticipated before living here.

With her permission, I would like to share them with you, hoping it’ll shed light on what you may face when attempting to start an international business or remote work role in Belize.

As always, I’d love to hear about your experiences, plans, or any questions you have. Enjoy!

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Several years ago, Lili and I moved our entire family from Canada to Belize. In search of more family time and a simpler way of life, we sold our house and many of our belongings, shipping what remained overseas. With two toddlers and two dogs, we took a deep breath and stepped into the abyss, not knowing how the next chapter of our lives would unfold in an unfamiliar part of the world.

While we love our new home base—Belize is a country with breathtaking natural beauty and kind, welcoming people—and we don't regret moving, simplicity isn't exactly what we found.

Becoming an internationally collected artist from a developing country hasn't been easy for Lili. Doing so from anywhere isn’t a simple task, and taking on such a momentous career change as she has revealed many unforeseen challenges. The adage “you don’t know what you don’t know” rings loud and clear for her. She couldn’t have anticipated the unknown challenges of a professional art career in a country like Belize.

With Lili’s permission, I'd like to share some of the challenges she faces (as I see them) as we establish roots in the wonderful yet challenging and often confusing tropical beachside community we’ve called home.

Challenge #1: Getting Supplies in Belize for Remote Work

What’s a Painter Without Paint?

One of the biggest challenges for being an artist in Belize is access to quality art supplies. Without them, she can’t work her magic. Back in Canada, Lili had access to innumerable suppliers, from large chains like Michaels (the equivalent of Jerry’s Artarama in the US) to smaller boutique stores like Above Ground in Toronto.

Nothing like that exists here in Belize.

There are some basic paint supplies at the office supply store in Placencia Village and a similar store in Belmopan (which round-trip takes an entire day, essentially). However, they are more on the crafty side of the art industry and not what a professional fine artist would use.

Lili’s only option is to order supplies online using the delivery address of a Belizean logistics company in Miami, where they are boxed and loaded into a shipping container and imported into Belize. The process takes 4-6 weeks, depending on how quickly the supply store ships the order and whether it makes it into a container before the doors are sealed. If she misses a cut-off, the supplies must wait at the logistics company’s depot until the next shipment leaves.

After such a lengthy process, items are often damaged or missing, with no recourse or process for reclaiming the missing items or receiving a refund.

Challenge #2: Shipping Paintings to Collectors

Will They Get There? And at What Cost?

Another significant hurdle for the fine artist in Belize is shipping out sold paintings to their rightful owners. While she has discovered this is possible and has been shipping out paintings for some time now, it took some time to find the best method and overcome some initial fears and apprehensions, which are warranted.

One method for exporting her works is through private postal services like DHL and FedEx. While these companies have reliable and established supply chains and processes, they are costly—sending an 8 ½ x 11 manila folder can cost upwards of USD 125.

Instead, she has opted to use the national postal service to keep shipping costs reasonable. While she’s generally had a good experience with the Belizean postal office—usually driving the packaged paintings to Belmopan, the nation’s capital, to receive optimal service—we have recently encountered problems when using the local branch.

Anyone who purchased a painting in her recent drops has probably received an email from a frustrated and embarrassed Lili: the outgoing paintings just sat for weeks before they were processed and sent out. No explanation was provided other than a vague excuse about “not having stickers.” In reality, it's more likely a case of “island time.”

FYI: Placencia is a peninsula but is colloquially referred to as an island because life here reflects that of one—everything is shipped in, access to essentials can be limited at times, we are surrounded by water (in three directions), and there is an accepted slower pace to life.

Recently, she has opted to use the local post office because she is getting busy— overwhelmed, really—with publicity opportunities, gallery shows, and demand for paintings and commissions, so making the round trip to Belmopan (which takes a full day as previously mentioned) isn’t practical under the current circumstances.

Challenge #3: Heat and Humidity

Just a ‘Lil Hot and Bothered with Remote Work in Belize

Until recently, this hasn't been a significant issue, but it is now posing a considerable challenge to getting paintings out in a timely manner. Belize has two main seasons: dry and rainy. The 2024 dry season was very dry, and it extended into an abnormally dry rainy season—at least for the first two-thirds of it. When the rains finally came, they poured, and the country has seen a consistently high volume of precipitation.

Don’t get me wrong, we welcome the rains as they break the intense Caribbean heat, and are great for the local flora, but they create a humid environment in her studio. While she manages it well with the use of fans, the relative humidity increases the dry time of the medium Lili uses: oil paint.

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She estimates that paintings take 2-3 times longer to dry under the current conditions.

The heat is also a challenge at times, especially during May and August, two of the hottest months in Belize. 2024 was particularly hot, with record-high temperatures nationwide. Temperatures of over 45°C (113°F) were common this past year, making it uncomfortable to work in her unairconditioned studio. The only saving grace is that her workspace is concrete and cinderblock, which keeps things cooler.

She is also spared from the direct heat of the day with east- and north-facing windows that are shaded during the noon-to-3 pm period, the hottest part of the day.

Challenge #4: Studio Pests

Drop-in Guests

Lili has yet to open her studio to the public, but this hasn’t deterred guests from regular pop-ins. Belize is home to exotic creatures, and many of them regularly take up residence in her workspace. She almost always has the watchful eyes of green geckos monitoring her creative process, motionless on an adjacent wall or the ceiling, unmoving except for the flick of their tongues or the snap of their jaws as they capture prey.

While they tend to deposit unpleasant birdlike turds around the window ledges, they are a benefit to have around: snatching up an endless buffet of pests like mosquitoes and no-see-ums. The gecko poops is evidence of their determination and unwavering support.

Come sunset, the biting bugs emerge, but thankfully, this time coincides with the end of her day, so she is never at their mercy for too long.

Occasionally, Lili will be joined in the studio by a monarch butterfly or a unique moth, whose presence often sparks inspiration or a moment of gratitude for nature’s muses. Juxtaposing the beauty of the butterfly is the fear-inducing scorpion.

While we thankfully do not encounter as many as other foreigners we know, they are still a regular fixture in her studio. Lili sounds the alarm, and pest control—yours truly—gets to work on removing the formidable creature.

Thankfully, they aren’t too shy and leave you plenty of opportunity to catch them as they remain motionless until otherwise provoked. One must be exacting in their movement, for if you miss or flinch, they are hard to catch when on the run.

As annoying as these pests can be, the raw Belizean nature offers beautiful moments of connection with local fauna. Exotic birds perch in neighbouring trees or on our roof, agoutis and iguanas wander through our yard, hummingbirds hover at our feeders and flowering plants, and we even see the odd croc or two in the canal that borders our backyard. I can't say we were this close to nature back in Canada, and it’s special.

Challenge #5: No Fine Art Scene

It’s International or Nothin’

Caribbean culture, with its vibrant primary and secondary colours, has a significant presence in Belize. Local artists produce a plethora of works, from the painted masks of the Maya and leather drums of the Garinagu (aka Garifuna) to the charming underwater scenes by the peninsula’s artists; there is no shortage of art to purchase.

As great as it is, much of the work has a tourist industry slant, and the market for fine, abstract art is absent here in Placencia and Belize at large.

After a trip to Bacalar, Mexico, nearly a year ago, it became evident that the fine side of the art industry has yet to emerge in Belize as it has there. There is nothing wrong with that per se; it just poses another challenge for someone like Lili, in which that type of art is her proverbial bread and butter.

As a result, Lili's modus operandi is international recognition and sales. A lot of her time—admittedly more than she’d like—is spent digitally networking, promoting her work and drops on social media, and updating her website to appeal to her clientele, people like you, the reader, who are interested in the finer things in art. Thanks for reading, by the way. While you’re here, be sure to check out Lili’s collections page. So, for now, the international art scene is where she’ll reside, at least until a modern art scene develops here.

Challenges Equal Growth, and Growth is Good

Regardless of the inherent challenges of being an international artist in Belize, life is good.

Yes, you can't buy adequate art supplies here, but she manages to get them.

It’s frustrating and worrisome to ship finished works out of the country, but she manages to do it.

Insects and other creatures can be a bother, but they also provide her a source of connection with nature.

The heat and humidity increase, dry times, but she’s adapting;

And, while there isn't a fine art scene here, she's found an international one, and who knows, maybe her presence here will attract one.

Despite the challenges, it's all good. Lili chalks most of it up to personal growth, a task to which she is equally devoted. She has learned to stay calm and trust in herself and in the universe—that it has the best intentions for her.

And I think that’s a valuable lesson.

If you enjoy this, you might also like the A Foreign Perspective, Foreigner501, Foreign Tales, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-winning book Home in Good Hands. If you'd like to support this Substack and help me keep creating stories and essays about life abroad, consider subscribing, sharing, or buying me a coffee. And to those who already have—thank you. Your support means the world.

Are you dreaming of owning a piece of paradise in Belize? As North America gets harder to live in, more people seek different ways and places to live. Whether it’s the allure of coastal living or the tranquility of the jungle, Belize is a great option for anyone considering a move abroad. The proximity to North America, the beautiful natural environment, and English as the primary language have made Belize a popular destination in recent years.

Many who move here sell everything they own in their home country and buy real estate in Belize. But not all properties come move-in ready, and deciding between buying a home or building one from scratch will shape your experience of life here.

Both options come with their unique benefits and challenges. So, in this guide, we’ll explore the pros, cons, and other considerations of each approach, so you can make the best choice for your tropical escape.

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Understanding Belizean Real Estate

The real estate market in Belize offers a wide range of options, from beachfront properties in Placencia and Ambergris Caye to rural getaways in Cayo or Corozal, and, if you have bottomless pockets, options for private islands. One major appeal for foreigners is that Belize allows you to own property outright, with fee-simple ownership.

However, it’s crucial to conduct proper title searches to verify ownership and avoid disputes. You can conduct title searches through a lawyer (for a hefty fee), a third party who specializes in such things, or on your own, by visiting the land department in Belmopan and accessing public records.

Whether you choose to buy or build, location plays a key role. Coastal regions are ideal for vacation homes, rental properties, and retirement. In contrast, inland areas are better suited for rural and jungle life, nature lovers, urban dwellers, and those who need better access to services and amenities.

Ensure you know your needs for life in Belize, and then select your preferred area to live. The location you choose will affect the amount you spend on a property, with beach communities fetching the highest price per square foot. Similarly, the location will also determine the cost to build, as touristy areas tend to be more expensive to develop.

Choosing Your Dream Home

Before making any decisions, it’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of buying versus building a home in Belize. Each option offers distinct advantages and challenges, whether it’s the convenience of purchasing a turnkey property or the creative freedom that comes with designing your own space. Understanding these trade-offs will help align your choice with your lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals. Let's examine each option.

Pros of Building vs. Buying a Home in Belize

Customization and Personalization

When you start from scratch, you can design every part of your home to match your preferences and needs, from the placement of the house on your lot and its layout to fixtures and finishes inside.

Potential Cost Savings

Building a home from the ground up, with good planning, budgeting, and the potential for land value appreciation, can lead to long-term cost savings and investment growth compared to buying a pre-existing home. However, certain areas of Belize, such as the Placencia Peninsula, are experiencing significant growth and offer an excellent investment opportunity, whether you buy or build.

Modern Standards and Sustainability

Building a home in Belize offers the opportunity to incorporate eco-friendly features, such as solar panels or rainwater collection systems.

Unique Land Option and Privacy

By building yourself, you can purchase land in a scenic or remote location that may not have existing homes, such as new waterfront plots or mountainous jungle tracts.

Cons of Building a Home in Belize

A Time-Consuming Process

Construction projects in Belize can take anywhere from six months to more than a year, depending on factors such as weather, the type of material used (wood or concrete), contractor efficiency, and material availability.

There are still a lot of properties comprising “raw land” for sale in Belize, and though you may scoop up some acreage for a fair price, many foreigners underestimate the time and resources needed to develop it. Some regions in the country lack electrical service and are likely to remain that way for a long time. Such cases require an off-grid construction, increasing costs, time, and intricacy of the project, especially when you impose a higher standard of living and building quality in an ‘untamed’ area.

Stressful AF

As someone with extensive construction experience, I wouldn’t recommend building a home in Belize unless you have considerable knowledge of renovations or home-building projects. I’ve been in residential construction for twenty years, owned a renovation business, and regularly dealt with clients, employees, and sub-trades daily, and I still found there was a learning curve. Belize is not the place to cut your teeth in home construction: the industry has not caught up to modern (North American) building practices, the standard of living and therefore expectations of foreign buyers’ needs are different, and, despite English as the primary language, communication is fraught with misunderstandings.

Bureaucratic Challenges

Navigating permits, inspections, environmental approvals, and zoning laws (and the BTB if you build a rental unit) can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially for expats unfamiliar with local regulations and cultural norms. Like building departments everywhere, permit approvals are lengthy, and this is only exacerbated in Belize by ‘Caribbean time.’

Finding a Good Contractor

Sourcing trustworthy builders and materials can be challenging, particularly in remote areas. Ensure you select your contractor through a referral to avoid shady or subpar options. References, references, references, people! If you need advice for finding the right contractor, there is a helpful chapter in Home in Good Hands: A Homeowner’s Guide to Construction and Renovation on this topic.

Risk of Blowin’ the Budget

Construction costs often exceed initial estimates because of unexpected delays or material price fluctuations. For example, our build experienced several weeks of delays because of inclement weather and flooding in the area where the home builder had their yard. We had a set date to vacate our rental, so we experienced additional pressure and stress to get the home ready to occupy before our lease was up.

Pros of Buying vs. Building a Home in Belize

Convenience and Reduced Stress

Simply put, buying a turnkey home in Belize spares you from the time and stress involved in construction. It’s the ideal choice if you want to settle quickly, start generating rental income right away, or have little to no experience with building a home from scratch.

Faster Process for Expats or Retirees

Purchasing an existing home involves fewer unknowns, making it easier to plan your move. You can also avoid potential delays with contractors or material sourcing. And, many homes on the Belizean real estate market come fully furnished, eliminating the time and logistics of selecting, ordering, and coordinating the delivery of essential furniture items.

Established Infrastructure

When you buy a preexisting home, you often ensure utilities, access roads, and internet services are already in place.

Predictable Costs

While prices may be higher upfront, there’s less risk of unexpected expenses compared to construction projects. As I mentioned earlier, miscommunication is common, and it's easy to overlook important information when discussing construction and land development costs. 'Don’t ask, don’t tell' is culturally embedded in Belize, meaning that if you don’t request a laundry area in your plans, you won’t get one.

Cons of Buying a Home in Belize

Limited Customization

If you are like me—the type of person who likes to customize a space to fit your needs—you may need to renovate to make the home fit your preferences or compromise on some design elements. However, if you are good with a few new throw pillows and linens on the beds, this won't be a con at all.

Higher Initial Purchase Price

Finished homes, especially in popular beachfront destinations, will typically have a higher price tag than those developed in inland areas. Since you won’t need to develop the land or build a home, you will pay more for a property where these already exist.

To some degree, the seller passes along the costs of development onto the purchaser in return for the convenience of a move-in-ready home.

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Potential for Hidden Repairs

As with any home anywhere in the world, an older one can come with hidden maintenance issues that can add to your expenses over time. You can mitigate this by buying a home that is relatively new, meaning it is only a few years old and has had only one previous owner.

Additionally, understanding who built the home and how they constructed it will help you avoid unexpected repair costs.

5 Key Factors to Consider Before Deciding to Buy or Build Your Dream Home in Belize

1. Budget

Carefully analyze your entire budget: buying a home involves a fixed price plus closing costs and potential renovations, while building requires factoring in land purchase, labor, materials, and permits.

2. Timeline

Consider how soon you need to move in and if time is a priority, buying a home may be the better option, as building can take six months or longer.

3. Location Preferences

Think about whether you prefer a developed area with access to amenities or a more secluded spot that may require additional infrastructure.

4. Control vs. Convenience

Ask yourself how much control you want over your home’s design and if customization matters to you, then building is ideal. If convenience is your top priority, buying might be the better path.

5. Long-Term Goals

Are you purchasing for rental income, a vacation home, or permanent residence? Your goals may influence which option makes the most sense financially and logistically.

Comparing Costs at a Glance

Buying vs. Building in Belize

Common Belize FAQs

1. Q: Can foreigners buy property in Belize?

   A: Yes, foreigners can buy property with the same rights as nationals.

2. Q: What is the average construction time for a home in Belize?

   A: The average construction time is ten months.

3. Q: Is it cheaper to build or buy in Belize?

   A: It depends on location, material costs, and whether you manage the project efficiently.

4. Q: Do I need a permit to build a home in Belize?

   A: Yes, permits are required, and an environmental assessment may be necessary for certain areas.

So, Which Option is Better: Buying or Building?

Deciding between buying or building a home in Belize hinges on your budget, timeline, goals, and priorities. If you want to move into or rent the house quickly with minimal hassle, buying a home is the better fit.

However, if you value customization, don’t mind waiting, and are willing to navigate the complexities of construction, building a home could be the more rewarding option. Ultimately, it is a subjective decision, and the one that is right for you is the best option!

Regardless of your decision, having the proper knowledge to make an informed choice is essential. If you are determined to buy a home, then check out the post 5 Essential Tips for Foreigners Buying a Home in Belize.

If you plan to take on a from-scratch build, please look at my two-part post, Building a Home in Belize: Advice from a 20-year construction veteran, and be sure to purchase my award-winning self-published book, Home in Good Hands: A Homeowner’s Guide to Construction and Renovation, to help you navigate the complexities of the home-building process.

Moving to Belize and buying property is a positive and life-changing experience, offering the opportunity to embrace a different lifestyle in one of the most gorgeous countries on Earth.

Whether you choose to buy a home or build from scratch, the journey is an opportunity to create a space that reflects your vision and supports your goals. With the right preparation, trusted professionals, and a coherent plan, your dream of owning a home in Belize can become a reality. No matter which path you take, enjoy the process and the adventure of making Belize your new home.

If you enjoy this, you might also like the A Foreign Perspective, Foreigner501, Foreign Tales, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-winning book Home in Good Hands. If you'd like to support this Substack and help me keep creating stories and essays about life abroad, consider subscribing, sharing, or making a small donation. And to those who already have—thank you. Your support means the world.

While storm season in the Caribbean can cause apprehension, it isn't something to fear; however, a healthy respect for it is beneficial. The rhythm of life in the Caribbean is laid-back, but when it comes to hurricanes and tropical storms, preparation and earnest action are essential.

While Belize's geography better protects it than many of its island neighbors, the risk is by no means zero. As someone who has made this place home, I've learned firsthand that a little effort ahead of time can save you from severe damage and stress down the road.

I previously published—and recently updated—an article on hurricane preparedness. While that post is very informative, discussing what you need to do to prepare an action plan and a storm-ready kit, it doesn't explore all aspects of preparing for a hurricane or tropical storm. So, I am providing a companion post that focuses explicitly on the necessary steps to prepare your home and property, to protect it, and hopefully save you time and money.

Now, storm-proofing your home isn't just about avoiding costly repairs, although that is a significant part of it; it's also about protecting your family, your investment, and your peace of mind. Whether you're new to the region or have lived through a few seasons already, I've put this guide together, drawing from my two decades in the construction, renovation, and home maintenance industry, so you can know what to do to prepare your home and property before a big storm hits.

10 Steps to Storm-Proofing Your Central American Home

Below is a list of routine maintenance tasks that you can complete to help make your home and property storm-ready and save time in the event of a quickly developing weather system.

1. Check Your Roof (Yes, Even the Brand-New One)

No matter what material you've used—zinc, clay tile, or even poured concrete—your roof is your first line of defense. Inspect it regularly for signs of rust, damage, cracks, cracking sealant, or loose fasteners. In high winds, even small vulnerabilities can become big problems. If you see something's off, address it early.

2. Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts

Tropical downpours can overwhelm even well-designed drainage systems. If your gutters are clogged with leaves, twigs, or debris, water will overflow, potentially leading to roof leaks and flooding issues on your property.

Clean them out at least twice a year, or more if palms or broad-leafed trees surround you. Doing so ahead of storm season and again during will ensure your gutters can handle the deluge the storms dish out.

3. Trim Those Trees

We all love our mango, moringa, coconut, and flamboyant trees, but in a storm, they can quickly turn dangerous. Trim dead limbs and overhanging branches, especially anything near your roof or windows. And if you've got coconut palms near your house, harvest those green orbs early. Trust me, you don't want a flying coconut coming at your home like a cannonball.

4. Reseal Around Windows and Doors

In high winds and sideways rain, even a hairline crack in the sealant can allow water to enter. Check your doors and windows for cracked or peeling caulk. Scrape out the old material and apply a fresh bead, especially around older wooden frames that expand and contract with changes in humidity and sun exposure. Additionally, adding L-flashing above large windows and doors can help prevent driving rain from penetrating your home.

5. Check the Siding

Similar to the roof, siding can sustain damage from prolonged exposure to direct sun, salt air, and heavy rain. If your home has wood siding, look for splits, peeling paint, or loose boards and address them accordingly.

For metal siding, inspect for loose fasteners and trims, ensuring everything is snug and sealed. For block and concrete wall assemblies, inspect for large stress cracks at joints and seal them to prevent water penetration.

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6. Secure or Store Loose Outdoor Items

Outdoor living is one of our favorite things to do in Central America and the Caribbean. But hammocks, potted plants, patio furniture, BBQs, and even garbage bins can become projectiles in strong winds.

Put away what you can and firmly tie down the rest. Don't overlook solar panels, satellite dishes, LP gas cylinders, and small water tanks; they may also require extra bracing for significant weather events.

7. Protect Your Wheels

During a big storm, park your vehicle(s) in a garage (if you have one) or under a deck or covered structure. Even after trimming trees and removing potential hazards, limbs or entire trees can still come down. Getting your vehicles out of open, unsheltered areas will ensure they remain protected and provide peace of mind.

As a side note, if you can elevate your vehicle in some way, especially if you are seaside and have a high groundwater level, you can keep it protected from overland flooding or a storm surge.

8. Install or Test Fire Extinguishers

Oddly, house fires can happen during hurricanes due to gas leaks, generator mishaps, or candle accidents. Keeping a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and near electrical panels is a smart part of emergency readiness.

9. Back Up Important Documents

In Belize, land titles are physical documents. Protect them and create redundancies, such as colour copies and digital backups. Store the originals in a waterproof case and put them in your go bag.

10. Create a Post-Storm Recovery Kit

People often prepare for the before, but not the after. Hopefully, all will be well after a significant storm, but the reality is unknown. Having a kit with some essential tools and equipment will help if you find yourself having to clean up on and around your home and property.

What You’ll Need

What you will need in a post-storm recovery kit will vary based on your preferences, abilities, needs, and the size and location of your property, but it could include the following items:

• Heavy-duty work gloves for protecting your hands during cleanup or repairs.

• Rubber boots.

• Heavy-duty tarp for collecting debris

• Ratchet straps or rope for securing items or providing support to a damaged tree or structure

• Bungee cords for similar reasons to the above

• Chainsaw, fuel, and bar oil

• Bug repellent

• Disinfectant wipes for cleaning hands if you don't have running water

• Simple hand tools (hammer, crowbar, saw)

• Local contractor phone numbers (in case repairs are needed and you can't or don't want to do them yourself)

3 Stormproofing Upgrades That Make a Difference

1. Install Storm Shutters

Window protection is huge. Storm shutters protect against flying debris and reduce the likelihood of wind and water entering your home. Hurricane-force winds are capable of pushing through glass, but shuttering adds a layer of protection, significantly reducing the risk of damage. A study by the Florida Building Commission found that homes equipped with storm shutters experienced 30.8% to 54.8% less damage compared to similar homes without shutters during hurricane events.

Some homeowners install permanent steel roll-down shutters, while others, like us, keep a stash of pre-cut plywood on hand. Either option works; what's best for you will depend on what fits your budget and situation. For those who opt for the latter option, be sure to allow sufficient time to install the shutters ahead of a storm and make sure you treat the wood for termites when storing it in the off-season.

2. Install Dry Wells and Swales

If your property is prone to flooding, install a dry well (or several) to contain large volumes of water. A dry well is simply a gravel-filled pit you can divert water into. They act like a floor drain for your property, drawing in overland water and helping to prevent flooding and potential damage. You can also divert downspouts and other drainage pipes directly into them.

Additionally, adding swales on your property will help to control water runoff. Similar to a dry well, a swale is a shallow ditch that uses natural grading to collect rainwater runoff. They are usually placed parallel to the property line and can be used in conjunction with a French drain to whisk water away from the property.

3. Consider Hurricane Ties

These are small metal fasteners that can make a big difference. They connect rafters to the top plates of structures, reinforcing the whole roof. If you're building a new home or retrofitting an older one, installing hurricane ties is one of the smartest moves you can make in a hurricane region. Similarly, installing 1/2" steel threaded rod in wall assemblies will further strengthen the integrity of the building.

A Preparedness Mindset

In Canada, we stocked up for ice storms. In the central US, folks board up for tornadoes. Here in the Caribbean, we prep for hurricanes. It's just part of seasonal living, but being proactive matters.

Storms Don't Wait, So Don't Wait for Storms

There is no need to panic. But be smart and diligent when storm-proofing your home in Central America. Start with the maintenance items and add the upgrades if it's possible. Keep your go-bag handy and your evacuation plan simple. That way, whether it's cocktails at a friend's during a power outage or a real storm coming in hot, you'll be ready.

If you enjoy this, you might also like the A Foreign Perspective, Foreigner501, Foreign Tales, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-winning book Home in Good Hands. If you'd like to support this Substack and help me keep creating stories and essays about life abroad, consider subscribing, sharing, or making a small donation. And to those who already have—thank you. Your support means the world.

*UPDATED FOR 2025 SEASON*

As a foreigner living in a Caribbean nation like Belize, being aware and ready for the threat of tropical storms and hurricanes is a necessity of seasonal living. Like everywhere else, hazards exist, whether it be ice storms in Canada, wildfires and tornadoes in the US, earthquakes in Italy, or tsunamis in Japan.

Living alongside potential dangers is just part of life on earth; for Belize, it's hurricanes. For those living in or considering moving to Belize—or any of its Central American neighbours—knowing what to expect and being prepared is an integral part of life. And, having the knowledge and a plan in place makes handling such occurrences —rare in Belize’s case, thankfully— less stressful.

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A Season for Turbulent Weather

Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th and produces an average of ten tropical storms, with approximately six reaching hurricane status. In typical meteorological fashion, these statistics vary across reporting organizations and institutions, with some claiming higher averages of 12 hurricanes, with six reaching category three or higher. A storm's strength is categorized by a number from one to five, known as the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, with one being the weakest hurricane and five the strongest.

Now I realize that “weak hurricane” sounds like an oxymoron, as to acquire such a status, a storm must reach and sustain wind speeds of over 74 miles per hour (118.4 km/hour). Winds at these speeds can break windows, sever tree limbs, topple shallow-rooted trees, damage roofing and siding, and down powerlines, not to mention the heavy rainfall and flooding they cause. And that's just a CAT One; potential storm damage increases from there. I also don’t want to downplay tropical storms, which can have winds from 39- 73 miles per hour, and cause damage to property, buildings, and trees.

2025 Hurricane Season Outlook

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts an above-normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, with a 60% chance of an above-normal season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and only a 10% chance of a below-normal season. NOAA predicts 13 to 19 named storms, of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes, including 3 to 5 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher).

Belize Weather: Relaxed, Like Its People

We are at the height of the 2025 hurricane season, which many have predicted will see above-average activity. Luckily for Belize, it has been relatively quiet this year, as it usually is. Thanks to its geographical location, Belize is an ideal destination for foreigners seeking a safe place to live or retire in its vibrant coastal communities, such as Corozal, Dangriga, Punta Gorda, Hopkins, and Placencia.

Belize and its neighboring Central American countries experience less frequent and intense weather than the Northern and Eastern Caribbean or coastal Southeastern United States due to various geographical and meteorological factors:

Western Caribbean Location

Belize and much of Central America are farther west in the Caribbean basin. Many hurricanes form in the eastern Atlantic and intensify as they move westward, affecting the east Caribbean islands. Storms generally lose steam over land masses due to the absence of warm water, which they use as fuel.

Wind Patterns Steer Storms Away

Wind patterns and steering currents are significant reasons why Belize experiences fewer hurricanes. The prevailing easterly trade winds tend to steer hurricanes towards the northern Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, often curving them away from Central America. Large-scale atmospheric patterns frequently guide hurricanes on a more northwesterly track, which can take them north of Central America.

Mountains as Natural Barriers

Geographical features, like the mountainous terrain of Central America, can disrupt hurricane formation and weaken existing storms. For example, Honduras has a coastal mountain range that can act as a barrier.

Interesting fact: You can see the mountains of Honduras from Placencia on a clear day!

When Cooler Waters Prevails, Storm Strength Decreases

Water temperature is also a significant contributing factor. While the entire Caribbean is warm, the western Caribbean, where Belize is located, sometimes has slightly cooler waters compared to the eastern Caribbean, which can be less conducive to hurricane intensification. I know it doesn’t seem like it at times when the sea feels like bath water.

Be Prepared: Hurricanes Still Possible

However, hurricanes can make landfall in the region, and Central America and Belize are not immune to their impact. Therefore, anyone who lives here or plans to move here must be aware of this fact and know what to do in the event of an incident. However, being knowledgeable and prepared makes experiencing a strong weather event less daunting and intimidating.

The Hurricane Preparation Checklist for the Unfamiliar Foreigner

So, let’s go through what the expat who is new to these types of weather events, like we were and still are, can do to be hurricane-ready in Belize. We accomplished most of these things in our preparation for Lisa, and there are items on this list that we would do better next time, too.

1. Create an Emergency Weather Plan

Knowing what to do and when is essential for any preparedness plan. Your plan will dictate your actions, like boarding up your house, determining where you will go if you need to evacuate, and what supplies you will have or need to obtain.

It is essential to know your evacuation routes and whether there are any designated storm shelters in your area. In Placencia, the evacuation route is Placencia Road. The nearest shelter for the communities along the peninsula is Georgetown Technical High School, on the Southern Highway heading towards Independence.

Click here for a list of storm shelters in Belize

Many communities organize their shelter-in-place points, with one or more members offering their home for others to hunker down in. If you live near the ocean, consider residing on the second floor in the event of a significant storm surge.

You should also establish a communication plan to determine how and when to contact friends and family members, and set a meeting point if you are sheltering in a group. Remember that BEL will shut off power to areas under threat for safety reasons, which often means there is no internet connection, either locally or regionally.

2. Preparing Your Hurricane Supplies

Before your first hurricane season starts, you should gather and store a supply of storm essentials. Below is a list of some critical items for a hurricane preparedness kit. Be sure to assess what you need, as everyone’s kit will differ based on their situation, preferences, and the number of people it will support.

List of Essential Hurricane Supplies

• Potable water: one gallon/person/day for at least three days, and a compact secondary source of water purification and water storage containers.

• Non-perishable food in hard plastic or glass containers to keep out moisture and bugs. Last year, my wife and I purchased a small bucket of freeze-dried food containing over 100 portions, with a shelf life of 25 years, which was a great addition to our emergency supplies.

• Backup prescription medications (if you require meds).

• A well-stocked first-aid kit.

• A durable flashlight.

• An LED lantern or candle lantern.

• I don't like to use candles in an emergency situation as they add a potential hazard, but if you insist on using them, be sure to have a fire extinguisher nearby.

• A basic tool set.

• A wireless cell phone charger (provided your phone is compatible) or a rechargeable cordless charger. We have one for our kit, and it's convenient even when there isn't a storm brewing.

• A battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio in your kit. Some models like this include USB chargers and flashlights.

• Extra batteries for anything that needs them. Having a variety on hand will ensure you have what you need when you need it.

• Portable, battery operated fan for keeping cool during a power outage.

• Disinfectant wipes for cleaning hands if you don’t have running water.

• Back Up and Secure Important documents: Keep your passport, property title, residency card, and other essential papers in a waterproof folder or pouch. Be redundant! Make sure to have colour copies and digital files of all important documents.

• A large tote or totes to put all the above in.

• Gerry can of fuel for your vehicle.

• Pet food for the fur fam (if you have them).

• Plywood for boarding up your home.

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Prepare Wisely: Because Your Freezer Pizza Won’t Last Forever

Another benefit is having a reliable backup power source ready to use after the storm. Standard options are a gas or diesel generator (<— we have this one), a reserve store of power from your existing solar setup, or a fully charged portable solar battery, as we also have. You can use these to run fans, small appliances, and even a fridge for up to eight hours (depending on the model), which is excellent, especially if there is a delay with power returning to the grid.

We also ensure a reserve tank of liquid propane (LP) gas, along with a portable gas stove, for cooking, boiling water for coffee and tea, or water purification.

Please exercise caution when using a gas stove in an emergency and refrain from using it indoors. The exhaust from ignited LP gas contains harmful carbon monoxide.

It's Go Time

Lastly, consider assembling a “go bag” of clothing and other essential personal items so you’re not scrambling in the event of an emergency evacuation.

Once you have assembled your kit, ensure that you routinely inspect your supplies, remove and restock any expired/expiring items, and replace or upgrade items as needed. It also helps to build the kit over time, as purchasing all the items above can run upwards of USD 1500.

3. Stay Informed

A critical aspect of a properly executed hurricane preparedness plan is staying informed. Regularly monitor weather alerts throughout the season, join Facebook groups related to hurricane watches in your area, watch and subscribe to weather-related YouTube channels (I like Mr. Weatherman as he is honest, to the point, and doesn’t fearmonger for views), and download helpful weather apps like Zoom Earth. Knowing where storms are, how fast they develop, and when and where they will make landfall is essential to staying safe during storm season. Have a weather radio on hand for when internet and cell services are down.

4. Insurance

Take out hurricane insurance for your home. Despite misinformation circulating on Facebook, you can insure a wood-framed home in Belize. Your premium will be lower with a masonry home of a similar size, but it is still available for wood construction. When renewing, review your coverage each year to ensure your home insurance includes wind and flood damage coverage, and update it as necessary.

If you plan to build a wood-framed home, check out The Ultimate Guide to Building a Home in Belize, Part One and Two, to learn how to increase the structural integrity of your home to make it storm-ready.

5. Secure Your Home

When a storm is imminent, take immediate action to protect your house and property. Begin the necessary preparations quickly, whether you hire someone or do it yourself, to avoid working as the storm hits. Following the tips from point three above, you’ll have enough time to prepare. One key task is securing your windows and doors with shutters.

For a comprehensive guide on storm-proofing your home in the Caribbean and Central America, click here.

Some homeowners along the coast in Belize opt to install roll-up steel shutters, while others choose traditional wood shutters beside each window. Many who prefer a cleaner facade or don't have the budget for the expense of the steel option keep a stash of plywood for such occasions.

Shuttering your windows and doors will protect them from projectiles, wind, and water penetration. In the grand scheme, it's an affordable and effective way to prevent repair costs (compared to replacing them).

Batten Down the Hatches (And Your Patio Furniture Too!)

On the ground level, remove everything from the floor and place it as high as possible to protect it from flooding and storm surge. Store or secure patio furniture and other loose items. Trim trees that are overhanging the roof or close to your house. If you have coconut trees bearing fruit, remove them, as they can become, in effect, organic cannonballs.

Ultimately, use your common sense in this situation. If you think it might blow away or get damaged, then take the appropriate action to protect it if it has meaning or value.

Turn off the main power breakers in the house (in case floodwaters reach the height of the outlets on the main floor). The electrical utility provider, in this case BEL, will shut off the power grid ahead of the storm. Turning off your main power to the house will have the added benefit of protecting the home's electrical wiring, components, and any devices plugged into it from power surges once power is restored.

6. Evacuate if Advised

If you plan to leave, do so early to avoid last-minute congestion. Take your go-bag, emergency supplies, important documents, and other valuables you’ve previously collected.

Again, step three will inform you of what local authorities are asking residents to do.

However, whether you choose to leave or not, and for what storm category, is a personal choice. Your decision will probably hinge on your assessment of your overall preparedness, your home’s construction, and the size of your cojones.

7. Have a Plan for After the Storm

Whether you leave or not, you should consider what you will do after the storm. Hopefully, all would be well, but there could be damage, inaccessible roads, and a lack of utility services. Having a preparedness kit will help, but you should also have a plan, such as when to leave the area if services don't return quickly or when to return if you have previously evacuated.

If you shelter in place and experience an extended power outage after the storm, you should consider how to cross-ventilate your home. A buildup of hot and humid air can make you uncomfortable and promote the growth of mold.

If you boarded up before the storm, have a plan in place to quickly remove protective window covers and allow air to circulate through the building. For best results, ensure you open opposite-facing windows or vents for cross-ventilation to lower indoor temperatures, which is especially important for families with young kids, pets, or elderly members.

Additionally, having a designated post-storm recovery kit will enable you to address any issues on or around your property, providing peace of mind and confidence in your ability to tackle any challenges that may arise.

My Belizean Hurricane Experience

While thankfully, I have not experienced a hurricane, we had a scare not long after arriving here.

In November of 2022, Hurricane Lisa landed in Belize City, approximately 100 miles from our house in Maya Beach, on the Placencia Peninsula. Being green to such a thing and having a newly built home to protect, we sprang into action, purchasing plywood to craft custom shutters and boarded up the place—just in time for… the storm to move north of us. We spent the evening drinking cocktails on our back deck and fishing in the canal during the planned power outage (a storm precaution).

It Ain't All Cocktails and Fishing Poles

Even though our efforts were for naught, I am grateful we didn't have to weather the storm. It was a valuable exercise in storm preparedness, providing us with insight into what we need to do to stay safe and ready. Plus, we now have storm shutters cut, assembled, and labeled for future use.

It also taught us to be more diligent in our monitoring efforts, as the track and timeline of these systems are often well established ahead of time. Had we been more aware, we would have known the storm would pass us by.

When I spoke to my friend Rick (try his coffee!) a few days later, he laughed and emphatically said “no” when I asked him if he had shut up. He was well-informed and knew the hurricane would be nowhere near Placencia.

Staying Safe and Prepared Throughout Hurricane Season

While the risk of experiencing a hurricane in Belize is far lower than that of other Caribbean nations, it's still important to be aware and prepared. It's possible that you may never need to use your supplies, but having them ensures you can act in the event you do. By following these steps, you can better protect yourself, your family, and your home during hurricane season.

Preparation is vital to minimizing the impact of hurricanes and ensuring a swift recovery. From assembling a comprehensive emergency kit to securing your home and knowing what to do after a storm, being proactive can make all the difference. Remember, a well-thought-out plan and timely actions can help you weather the storm with greater confidence and safety.

Stay safe out there!

P.S. For the complete list of storm-ready items mentioned in this post, click here.

If you enjoy this, you might also like the A Foreign Perspective, Foreigner501, Foreign Tales, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-winning book Home in Good Hands. If you'd like to support this Substack and help me keep creating stories and essays about life abroad, consider subscribing, sharing, or making a small donation. And to those who already have—thank you. Your support means the world.

A significant part of the move to Belize that many expats undertake involves the logistical challenge of shipping their belongings into the country. Whether you choose to import goods because you love them, have discovered that certain items are unavailable before moving, or repurchase items you used to own, there are several ways to do it.

I’ve seen this topic pop up in Facebook groups, and it was a big part of my move abroad, so I thought I’d chime in with a post to share my experience importing items into Belize.

It’s a significant logistical task, with a lot to consider, so in this guide, we'll examine the options and the most common items expats typically bring here. It also isn’t inexpensive, so this guide is aimed at the do-it-yourselfer (like yours truly).

I strive to provide you with as much information as possible based on my experience, and I believe this post offers what you need for a smooth process, while also helping to keep your costs down.

Common Ways to Move to Belize

Shipping Container

Many expats import their personal belongings when they relocate to Belize to purchase or build a home. One effective way to do so is by using a shipping container. For those readers less familiar, a shipping container is a large, standardized metal box used in global trade to transport goods, predominantly by sea, rail, and land.

Typically made of steel, shipping containers are weather-resistant and secure, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of cargo across long distances. They come in several sizes, the most common being twenty and forty-footers.

Also known as “cargo containers," "freight containers," or "intermodal containers,” shipping containers are a ubiquitous fixture in the Belizean landscape. You can spot the various coloured steel rectangles country-wide in lots, building sites, and developed plots. They are a convenient way to move goods across international borders and can also serve as excellent storage sheds, auxiliary buildings, homes, and even pools.

Depending on your budget and what you plan to load into it, it can be an affordable shipping option, even when purchasing your own. However, the cost to buy and send a container abroad fluctuates and can be pricey sometimes, especially if you don't have enough stuff to fill one.

In this case, you can rent a portion of a container, but this has its downsides: your items are more exposed to loss, damage and theft as your times are routinely shuffled around, with loadings and unloadings, compared to having a container of your own that you seal after loading and don’t opened again until its destination.

If you plan to bring items into Belize, using a container is a viable option. A word of caution: Do your research! There is a wide range of pricing options available. When I looked into this nearly three years ago, I received quotes from a few thousand dollars to over sixty!

Shipping Your Items Out of Country

As I mentioned above, a significant amount of work, organization, and logistical planning is involved in shipping your items to Belize, or abroad, for that matter. This process is the same or similar wherever you go, so the following remains a handy guide, even if you aren’t moving to Belize.

Due to the specific industry nature of this endeavor, I would advise hiring a professional to assist you. I found a local international shipping company from which I used to purchase a container and help with the logistics and bureaucratic process of sending a container full of stuff out of the country.

Renting vs. Buying a Container

An important decision to make early on is whether to rent or buy a container. After extensive research, we decided to purchase a container for the safety of our belongings and the convenience of timing. Since we had enough stuff to fill a twenty-footer, having our own ensured that our stuff would make the trip with minimal handling of the contents.

Since we had our own, we would load it and witness the sealing—a small tag placed through one of the four lock brackets. A missing or broken seal indicates that someone opened it.

The Cost of Shuffling

Conversely, many companies quoting the rental option—whether a partial forty or a full twenty—required us to load our belongings into a moving truck for transport to a warehouse. A crew would unload and store everything there until a container became available. They would then load our items into the container for overseas transport.

Once in Belize, another crew would unload the contents and store them again until they could be reloaded into a moving truck for final delivery. The whole process felt long-winded and exposed our belongings to innumerable hazards. Since we were building our home and knew it wouldn’t be move-in ready for some time, we would have had to store our items in the long term until they could be packed into a truck and delivered to our new home.

Pay for Simplicity

As you can see, that's a lot of shuffling about, which increases the chance of damage, loss, and theft, plus the added cost of storage fees. Once we tallied the cost of both options, we chose to buy a container for a marginal amount more. With that small additional fee, we purchased peace of mind.

*The above is my opinion; your situation is unique, so do your research and choose the best option for your situation, needs, and budget.

Whatever the Option, Prepare for an Involved Process

When planning to ship items via container, there is a multi-step process to consider:

1. A. Packaging Items: Wrapping and boxing items for moving. My wife and I did this ourselves, but packing services are available throughout North America if you have the budget or are time-constrained.

1. B. Create a Detailed Manifest: When packing, itemize each box, bin, or crate and record its contents. You will need this for the customs brokers on both ends, and this information determines your import duties, fees, and contents insurance.

Be sure to record both the estimated value and the replacement value of each item. I used a spreadsheet when completing this, making it easy to send the info to domestic and Belizean-based brokers.

When importing items into Belize, you can drastically undervalue all your used goods, but be sure to note the actual replacement value for ocean freight insurance. Doing so ensures you receive adequate financial compensation to replace your items if something happens to the cargo ship or your container. I’ll touch on costs later in this section.

2. Loading the Container: The container arrives on a trailer hauled by a transport truck. Loading requires skill, as you want the container packed as densely as possible to maximize its capacity and minimize the movement of the stuff inside. Various machines, including cranes and forklifts, will handle the container throughout its journey. It will also undoubtedly get jostled around on rail, road, and sea. Having a dozen or so ratchet straps during loading helps secure your belongings.

Again, you can hire professionals to do this for you or do it yourself. However, there is often a time limit, so if you do it yourself, you will need assistance. I loaded mine midweek, so soliciting the help of friends and family wasn’t an option as they were all at work. Instead, I hired some local, salt-of-the-earth movers for half a day, and four of us loaded the container thirty minutes shy of the four-hour cut-off.

3. Transportation to Port: Depending on your location, your container may first travel by truck and then by railway into the port of departure, as was the case for us. It was transported by truck from Hamilton to Toronto, then by rail to the Port of Montreal.

4. Clearing Domestic Customs: I have no idea of this process as our international shipper handled this part. She did a good job because our container was out of the country in a week or so.

5. Loaded onto Cargo Ship: Self-explanatory.

6. Seabound: Also self-explanatory.

7. Unloaded at the Port of Belize: Nuff said, apart from this caveat: this part of the process is a notoriously inconsistent experience. Some fortunate people, like myself, have their containers swiftly unloaded and sent to their customs broker’s yard, while others experience immense delays after their container gets buried in a pile of unprocessed containers for months on end. When they finally receive work that their container has been processed and is available for official entry into the country, it comes with a fat port storage fee.

8. Receipt by Broker: I have heard that this step doesn’t have to happen, and the broker monitors the inspection process and clears the container right at the port. For whatever reason, our Belize-based customs broker had our container sent directly to their yard, where the inspection took place before it was delivered to our lot.

9. Transportation to Your Lot or Specified Destination: Our customs broker organized this as part of their services.

10. Unloading the Container From the Trailer: On the day of delivery, my customs broker informed me that the SkyTrak he had organized to unload the containers fell through. To avoid rescheduling and storage fees at the broker’s yard, I quickly sprang into organizational mode. Thankfully, the contractor we hired to complete the foundation work was reachable, and he made some calls to coordinate with a local SkyTrak operator from a nearby site.

When the container arrived, it was too heavy for the lone machine to manage, so we had to solicit the assistance of a second SkyTrak, which worked in tandem with the first to unload the container.

As you can see, it's a lengthy process with many stages and “moving parts.” There is ample room for errors, delays, additional costs, and logistical issues. If you choose this route, take the time to plan, research, and select the companies that you feel most comfortable with for each phase of the container's journey.

Is it Worth the Costs of Shipping a Container?

Shipping your belongings to Belize isn’t cheap, so be sure that what you are sending has adequate value or rarity. If you can sell it at home and repurchase it in Belize for a slightly higher cost, it may not be worth bringing it. However, if you have unique furniture pieces, custom home finishes, or an extensive collection of tools, as we did, it may make sense to foot the bill.

I have provided some approximate shipping container costs below. Please note that these figures are not only more than two years old but also specific to our location in Canada, the contents of the container, the port of embarkation, and the actions of our receiving customs broker at the time. All prices below are in USD.

• Ocean Certified Shipping Container: $5,000.00

• Transportation & Exporting Cost: $7,000.00

• Import Cost- Duties, Taxes, and Fees: $8,000.00

• Transportation/Delivery: $900

Total= $20,900.00

Now that we thoroughly understand shipping containers and their processes, let's examine other standard methods expats use to import items into Belize.

Mules & Freight Forwarding

There are several options for bringing items into the country beyond intermodal containers. A straightforward way is to jump on the Belize Mule Group and ask if anyone is making the trip down from Canada, the US, or Mexico. For a fee, ‘the mule’ will pick up, transport, and deliver your item.

There are also freight forwarding companies, like Belizean Queen and Arrow Freight that allow you to order US items online from stores like Home Depot, Ikea, and Amazon, or any store with online ordering and delivery, for that matter. When placing your order, you provide the businesses’ mailing address, usually a depot in a major port city like Miami or Houston, and then inform them of your purchase.

They box the items up as compactly as possible and ship them to the country for a flat rate, based on their set package sizes. The fee includes all duties and taxes. I’m unsure how they swing this, but I don’t doubt an institutionalized ‘greasing of palms’ is at play.

The Empty Box Paradox

This arrangement has both its positives and negatives. Since the shipment cost is based on size, it's a cost-effective way to import heavy items. However, if you only have a small item, it’s subject to their minimum box size and fee, which is USD 30 with Belizean Queen. Sometimes, one small item from a larger order gets delayed and doesn’t make the trip with the rest of the items.

Unfortunately, if you don't have more items scheduled to arrive with the next delivery (which is every two to three weeks), they will send them separately. We’ve received small and light packages, equivalent to an 8x10 piece of paper, with a value of a few dollars, sent alone in a USD 30 box. It can be frustrating at times.

Most expats use these services for smaller, everyday items, but I have also heard of people using them to move large personal belongings. While these companies are viable options for importing everyday items, I would recommend contacting them and requesting specific quotes if you plan to import larger household items, such as furniture or appliances.

Transporting it Yourself

Bringing your items in yourself via land border is another, albeit less common, option. This was also what we did in addition to a shipping container. Since import duties on vehicles are high, my wife and I decided to purchase an old shuttle bus in Canada. We did this for two reasons:

1. It was a great moving van, and

2. The import duties were significantly lower than those for regular vehicles because the value was so low.

Keep all relevant documentation regarding the purchase and transfer of ownership for used vehicles from your country of origin. A quick note for context: in Canada, such vehicles aren’t costly, but they are pretty valuable in Belize.

We loaded the bus with the belongings that didn't fit in the container or that we needed immediately: we had a lot of baby stuff that we didn’t want to be locked up in the container if it took a long time to arrive.

Keep it Cheap

If you plan to do something similar, ensure the bill of sale displays a low value ;). The customs department may refer to the Kelley Blue Book value, but if you have a bill of sale on hand, they will be less likely to charge you duties based on that value. The value of a vehicle like ours was also tricky to find (not in KBB), so they had to rely solely on our Canadian bill of sale.

While many people don't have much of an issue taking a vehicle or towing a trailer full of stuff over the Mexican border, this was not the case for me. I wrote about this experience on Foreign Tales, so I will keep it brief.

Just Google “Transmigrante.” Oh, wait, barely anything comes up.

I will say this: in all my research about driving through Mexico, I did not come across that term or anyone alluding to anything similar to my experience. Even after a retroactive search using specific key terms I now know, I still can’t find much on this.

My only advice for someone bringing in a larger load of personal items is to ensure you line up a Spanish-speaking customs broker at the southern border in Texas to compile all relevant documentation before attempting to cross the border into Mexico. Also, plan to budget around USD 1,000 for this process, and have a small stash of USD bribe money set aside for opportunistic municipal Mexican police.

The Usual Suspects

Apart from personal items, which can range from household goods and art to appliances, tools, and clothing, expats frequently bring pets and vehicles into the country.

Viable Vehicles

Many expats import vehicles, either by land or by container. It requires a lot of research and organization, regardless of the option you choose. Be aware that the duties of conventional trucks and cars are pretty high. Several factors that determine the import duties and taxes are:

• The vehicle's age

• Its value

• The engine's number of cylinders

If you plan to drive a truck or a fancy car from Canada or the US through Mexico, consider hiring a Spanish-speaking assistant who is familiar with the trip, the cartels, and border crossings. This will make the journey easier and safer. You can hire someone to meet you in Texas and drive you through Mexico and Belize.

A word of advice: provide as little information as possible at border crossings, especially when crossing into Mexico. If you plan to import the vehicle into Belize and never bring it back, do your best to keep your plans from the Mexican border authorities; otherwise, they will impose a hefty duty to transit through. Simply say you are road-tripping to Belize, and the vehicle will head back to your country of origin on your return trip.

Just pay the temporary importation fee and never look back. Their documentation process is analog, and the chances they ever check up on you, especially after the vehicle is registered and plated in Belize, is slim to none. You’ll still be able to cross into Mexico without issue, as we have several times.

You will need a customs broker to complete the importation process at one of the two borders. You can postpone this process for about thirty days (with the option to extend it to ninety days) by bringing the vehicle into Belize on a temporary importation permit. Brokers are relatively inexpensive and move the process along for you; they know who to bribe and a lot more.

All joking aside (but not really), they will help you negotiate the importation fees, which can be as high as 80% of the vehicle’s book value.

If you ship your vehicle by container, there are specific conditions regarding the amount of fuel you can have in the tank, among others.

How to Move Pets to Belize

Let’s not forget our furry friends! Many expats bring their pets into Belize, too, and we are no exception. Our two family dogs accompanied my travel buddy and me on the seven-day journey (well, more like eleven, due to the difficulties at the Mexican border I mentioned earlier).

The following section will explain the process from a Canadian perspective, although I imagine it is similar to that of our US counterparts. It will also focus on the land crossing, as shipping our dogs with a Canadian airline wasn’t a viable option at the time. We chose to drive them because:

1. I was already driving a bus full of stuff, and

2. To fly them, we had to do it from the US, which meant crossing a land border by vehicle anyway, and left us with the challenge of collecting them at the International Airport outside of Belize City the same day they left—a transportation impossibility.

Ultimately, the cost of driving our bus full of stuff was cheaper and more convenient than the quotes I received for flying the two dogs.

I digress.

Bringing dogs and cats into Belize is quite simple. Since Canada, the US, and Mexico are all part of NAFTA, it's a straightforward process to transport animals to Belize. I had no issue with the dogs at any of the borders. The US didn’t even ask for their paperwork, and the Mexican border officials briefly glanced at it.

Get Your Documents in Order

Before you leave, you need to do considerable coordinating. Get in touch with The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) to obtain the required form for importing your pet(s). They are pretty responsive and usually get back to email inquiries within a day or two. Once you have filled out and returned the form to them, you have up to three months to enter with your pets, so a little timing is needed when making your submission. If your pet(s) are entering through an airline, you must schedule an inspection with a BAHA officer for the day of arrival.

That's all pretty simple, but where it gets complicated is on the North American side of things. In Canada, you first need to visit the Canadian Food Inspection Agency—yes, random, I know– to get the required paperwork to have your pets travel internationally.

At the time, they required you to visit them in person to obtain the necessary paperwork, which is essentially a pet passport, although it wasn't called that. Then, you take that packet of information to your veterinarian and have them administer and record the required vaccinations, tick and flea medications, and dewormer for your animal(s).

Once that's filled out, you take it back to the CFIA to have one of their higher-ups sign off on it. You need to complete this process for each dog or cat to get them into Belize.

Cross Your Ts

A note on vaccinations: Rabies vaccines are valid in Canada for 2-3 years, but this timeframe isn't recognized in Belize and must be renewed annually. If your pet(s) got vaccinated last year and you weren't planning on doing it again because they are "still good," I'd recommend getting them vaccinated again before entering Belize. It's a precautionary measure, just in case the BAHA officer who inspects your pet(s) takes issue with it and you find yourself subjected to additional “fees.”

A final tidbit before we wrap up this section: It's essential to understand that the US has placed Belize on a blacklist of countries surrounding rabies. North American nations don’t recognize the vaccine they use in Belize, so if you ever want to take your pets back home to the US, you must keep them up-to-date with the requisite vaccines.

In Canada, it's less strict, but you will have to wait until high season to fly them directly, as transiting them over American soil is prohibited. This means taking your pets to Mexico before their next shot. By doing so, you will be compliant with NA vax standards and should be able to get them back into your home country.

I'm not entirely sure about the current status of this, so if you have an update or insight into the latest developments, please leave a comment, and I’ll update this section accordingly.

Hiring a Customs Broker

Hire a customs broker, no matter what you are bringing in, where it's coming from, or from what border it's entering. Do not attempt to do this on your own unless you have direct experience working in this industry. A customs broker will help you navigate the paperwork and grease the necessary palms.

I don’t doubt that the ease with which our container made it to our lot in Maya Beach hinged heavily on the fact that we had someone who was experienced with the Belizean import process working behind the scenes. If you are interested in knowing who I used, you can email me directly.

Import Duties

For a complete list of duties, check out the Belize Customs and Excise Department website. It has almost every item you can think of, from vehicles, boats, and trailers to art, furniture, and appliances. These are essentially negotiable, and your customs broker will get costs down for you.

Missing and Damaged Items

It's not so much a matter of whether there will be damage but how much. From what I can tell, the items within our container made the journey unscathed but sustained damage during reloading after inspection. Our container was packed with pinpoint accuracy, and restoring it to its original state after the inspection process removed most of its contents would have required a servant-like memory and a team of four people.

According to my broker, the inspection was a one-man show. As a result, we had some damaged items, and when we finally got around to unloading it, a couple of boxes appeared not to

have made the trip, too.

Receiving Compensation for Damaged Items

Unfortunately, we weren't eligible for compensation due to the time it took to unload our container after delivery. Most brokers have a thirty-day limit to make a claim. When our container arrived, I was only able to do a quick inspection and didn’t see any damage at the time.

Our container arrived quickly: six weeks after it left Canada. Usually, this would be great, but we had anticipated a three- to four-month timeframe, and we were not ready to unload the container when it arrived. But, it came so quickly that we didn’t have a house to unload the container into. Thankfully, the damage wasn’t too bad, and we fixed and repaired most of the items ourselves –as DIYers do!

Everything in its Place

Okay, so I think that's all I can think of regarding importing your life and belongings into Belize. It's a lot of work, so leave yourself plenty of time to conduct your research and due diligence. Moving to Belize and deciding how to bring your personal belongings is a significant logistical hurdle for many expats. Whether you opt for a shipping container, use a freight forwarding service, or transport items yourself, the process can be complex and time-consuming.

Thorough planning, research, and choosing the proper method based on your needs and budget are critical to ensure a smooth transition. By understanding the options and anticipating potential challenges, you can make informed decisions that streamline the import process and minimize stress as you settle into your new life in Belize.

Until the next post, happy moving y’all!

And, thanks for becoming a paid subscriber: I hope you’re finding value in Foreigner501 and the rest of Simo’s Substack

A common topic in the Belize Facebook groups is working while in the country. Many people ask: “Are there jobs there?” “Can expats work?” And “What's involved in receiving a work permit?” However, ask questions about working in Belize with caution, as incorrect wording will surely make you the recipient of some standard invectives: “It’s illegal to work without a permit!” or “Don’t take jobs from Belizeans!”

While I don't condone either, online work often gets overlooked as a way to navigate those concerns in Belize. Whether you call it remote work or being a ‘digital nomad,’ holding a job outside of Belize offers a viable option for any expat wanting to work while in the country—though it does fall into a bit of a gray area.

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Changing Careers as Part of Your Move Abroad

Changing careers is a challenge wherever you are in the world, and doing so while relocating to Belize only adds another hurdle to the moving process. If you have longer-term plans for getting here, consider transitioning to online work beforehand. If you can learn a new industry and skills to secure a fully remote gig that doesn’t restrict your location, you can seamlessly take your work with you without a significant loss of income.

If you choose to make the career change after you’ve moved, then be sure to factor in how long it will take you to enter a new online profession. Depending on the extent of the change, it can take anywhere from several months to more than two years to secure a position in a new industry—this was certainly the case for me— with an average of eleven months.

Working in Belize While Not Working in Belize

Not everyone retires when they move to Belize, so finding reliable and consistent work is essential for financial planning and long-term stability. Depending on where you settle and how you choose to live, the cost of living may not be any cheaper than in your home country, emphasizing the importance of finding work in Belize. But that doesn’t have to mean working in Belize while working in Belize. A remote job is an excellent alternative to a boots-on-the-ground job and will likely pay better. The average hourly wage in Belize is approximately BZD 5, equivalent to USD 2.50. I'm not sure about you, but that is a significant pay cut from what I made back home and what I currently earn remotely.

If I Can Do It, So Can You

Before I moved to Belize, I was a general contractor in residential renovation and construction. I closed my business shortly after leaving Canada, as it was impossible for me to complete physical projects from afar. I am now a freelance writer specializing in web content and Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

How to Transition into a New Career

I am not an expert in career changes, but I have experience doing so (and am still in the process). I suggest leveraging as much of your previous work experience as possible when transitioning to online work. I leaned heavily on my construction and renovation experience when I started writing professionally. For example, I self-published Home in Good Hands: A Homeowner’s Guide to Construction and Renovation, which won the Finalist Award in the Readers' Favorite International Book Awards.

I used this experience and accolade to get a job writing SEO articles about home improvement and maintenance for a real estate brokerage on Vancouver Island. That job helped me land a client for whom I provide web content for their customers in the building supply industry. That snowballed into SEO content writing for a digital marketing start-up in LA, writing for their clients on various topics I'm unfamiliar with.

Most recently, I’ve rebranded and launched a new business specializing in executive writing and content consulting. All the work is done from my home—surrounded by screaming toddlers, barking dogs, and two cats jumping all over me. Joking aside—my kids are in daycare and school now :)—it's great: I write articles with a beautiful view out my window, watch my kids grow up, and spend lots of time with my wife. All I need is my laptop, electricity, and an internet connection.

Remote Work for All!

This type of work isn't just limited to writers. There are numerous remote online work opportunities available, ranging from web design and telehealth to education, tutoring, minute-taking, AI training, graphic design, and more. Just think of a position; a company will probably offer a remote version of it. Some restrictions and limitations apply, such as the type of work, residency, and banking requirements; however, many options are available.

You can find these jobs on numerous employment websites, such as Indeed, Fiverr, Wellfound, Upwork, LinkedIn, and Flexjobs, to name a few, although Fiverr and Upwork are the doldrums of remote work, so beware the race to the bottom.

Filter your search for remote work on these platforms and sign up for email notifications to receive job positions that match your requirements. Be sure to upload your resume and credentials to as many as possible, especially the free ones. Yes, it takes time to rejig your resume and input your info into all the various sites, but it's worth the effort.

Persistence is the Key to Finding Remote Work as an Expat in Belize

Be aware of scams on specific platforms (***cough*** Upwork!); however, the employer screening processes are improving, and most are effective. Scams (short contracts and one-off projects) are most prevalent in gig work, so use your best judgment when applying for and taking on this type of remote work.

Don't do anything that doesn’t make sense, like sending the employer money for them to pay you. Also, don't over-commit to anything. Secure a retainer or deposit for large projects, or schedule early deliverables that require the employer to pay for the services rendered. This way, if the job is a scam, you haven’t lost too much time or resources.

Working Remotely in Belize

Don't Belize Everything You Read Online (except this Blog, of course!)

While researching for this article, I came across a bunch of information* about a “Digital Nomad Visa” for Belize. My initial thought was, “bullshit!” but I wanted to be sure. A quick visit to the Belize Immigration website, specifically the visa types page, failed to yield any information on the topic. With the smell of cow dung lingering, I decided to inquire further and contact a couple of government of Belize email addresses that the questionable sites provided in their description of the ‘digital nomad visa.’

As of this republication on Substack, a year has passed with no response. Some might say, “That's Belize bureaucracy for you,” and they may be right. Still, I can't help but feel that there is no such thing as a ‘digital nomad visa’ in Belize. I’ve dealt with numerous government agencies over the last few years (BTB, CBA, Belize Immigration, the Environmental Authority, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and BAHA), and most are quite responsive unless you are inquiring about something they are unfamiliar with.

It's common to email someone in the Belize government who is not directly related to the matter of inquiry and have them ignore you. I suspect this is happening here —a “digital nomad visa” does not exist, so no one feels obligated to respond.

Is the Digital Nomad Visa for Belize Bullsh*t?

In short, yes. Even if it turns out to be real, it doesn't seem worthwhile to apply for. The dubious information I gathered on this visa, also known as the “Work Where You Vacation Program,” claims to allow individuals to live in Belize for up to six months. Open to citizens or permanent residents of the EU, UK, USA, or Canada, applicants must be employed or have proven income outside Belize.

The required minimum annual income is USD 75,000 for individuals or USD 100,000 for those with dependents. Applicants must provide various documents, including a job letter or proof of self-employment, proof of income, a notarized banking reference, a clear police record, and certified copies of their passports. Travel insurance with a minimum health coverage of USD 50,000 is also required.

Successful applicants and their dependents are not permitted to work within Belize during their stay. The estimated fee was ambiguous, varying widely across sources, from as little as USD 300 to as much as $900. The theoretical cost most likely wouldn't include a lawyer or assistant fee, which many expats employ to expedite and streamline their work permit or residency application process.

If this is true, it appears to be a lot of work to apply for a 6-month stay, especially when you are wholly unfamiliar with the Belize Immigration office and its processes. If you had considered this an option, applying for a regular work visa, valid for 12 months, would make more sense. It also seems quite intrusive: this visa requires you to provide more personal information than is required when extending your monthly visitor permit.

It's best to avoid oversharing information regarding your finances when you are new to a country, especially a developing one like Belize. I am not saying that you’re at risk when doing so, but scams exist, and corruption is rampant throughout all levels of the Belizean government. I advise sticking to the basic monthly visa renewal process, where you usually don’t have to reveal much, if any, information about your work status.

What is the Source of the Digital Nomad Visa in Belize?

So, I’m not sure where this information comes from. Perhaps it's old information the government websites have since removed, but other sites still contain it and piggyback off it. Or maybe it's a straight-up fabrication produced by an AI-generated content hallucination (yes, that is a thing) that no one has thought to correct. Nevertheless, the prevalence of this information, which is relatively recent, is widespread on the internet. There are numerous Google search results pages about this, none of which are official Government of Belize websites, to be clear. Despite its abundance, I wouldn’t give this information much weight.

Keep a Simple Life, Simple

If you're considering working remotely from Belize, it's essential to understand the current situation: there's likely no official process for the phantom digital nomad visa. Since there is no information on the immigration website, and no government official has provided any information, let sleeping dogs lie; it's Belize, after all, and there are many snoozing pooches.

Be cautious of other websites, blog posts, or information that claims otherwise, as they may be inaccurate.

Truthful but Tight-Lipped

Regarding your remote work status, it's best to keep things low-key. Don’t push for anything beyond the standard work permits offered by the immigration office. Since there isn’t anything official about remote work, keep it that way.

My wife and I have been doing monthly visitor permit extensions for the last two and a half years. From the first visit, I’ve claimed to be self-employed (the truth)—writing it on the application form— and haven’t had a single issue. I occasionally receive an inquiry about what I do. When I first arrived, I told them I had a construction company in Canada (the truth), and most recently, I told them I am a freelance writer (also true). These inquiries are few and far between, and the line of questioning is brief.

Quietly Go About Your Biznas

Sometimes, the best approach is to ask for forgiveness, not permission. If questioned about your work status, for example (this is 100% hypothetical), and an immigration officer tells you it's illegal to work remotely without a visa, I’d advise you (*I’m not a lawyer, by the way) to sincerely apologize and ask for more information.

If the official can't provide concrete details, an information package, or an application, then continue as usual, as there probably isn't anything they can do. They are just giving you a hard time—it happens, and it's just another version of the Gringo Tax; in this case, it's your time, not money. If they provide you with resources outlining an established process, then by all means, follow it.

The above may all seem like I'm being dishonest and trying to hide something, but I assure you, I'm not. I'm just doing my part to avoid stirring the pot, drawing attention to myself, or changing this country in ways it doesn’t need. The thing is, many expats come here and attempt to impose their customs and standards. It happened with building permits for residential construction.

When my wife and I first came to Belize in 2020 in search of property, obtaining building permits wasn’t a requirement. When we arrived to build our home two years later, they were a requirement. A local Mennonite man explained that this resulted from foreigners inquiring with the government about building permits. As the saying goes, “Ask, and you shall receive” …and subsequently, pay.

If you decide to do something quite different from what you did in the past, as I did, transitioning from on-the-job construction to remote writing, my advice is to get into the nitty-gritty of the work and regularly chip away at it. Sign up for free courses, even if they are essentially sales pitches, and take what little nugget you can get from them and expand that knowledge.

And if you enter a creative field, such as writing, graphic design, web development, or video editing, then live it. Ensure you’re engaged in the work daily, especially in the early stages when you aren’t making money: it's the only way to build skills and expertise in the new field.

But, most importantly, when you come here with plans to work remotely, do so quietly, and all will be well for you and everyone else, too.

If you enjoy this, you might also like the A Foreign Perspective, Foreigner501, Foreign Tales, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-winning book Home in Good Hands. If you'd like to support this Substack and help me keep creating stories and essays about life abroad, consider subscribing, sharing, or making a small donation. And to those who already have—thank you. Your support means the world.

My blog posts frequently spark conversations on Facebook groups, whether related to the article's topic or not. Recently, the comments section of a post promoting my last blog entry moved towards the familiar trope of “spend a year in Belize” before you buy - which is fine if you can afford to do so, but it wasn’t the topic of that post, nor is it this one. As the comments evolved, someone mentioned that the “list of shortcomings for Belize is a long one.” Why that individual, who moved here only to return home, still monitors and comments on posts about moving to Belize is beyond me. Nevertheless, it got me thinking: what are the pros and cons of living here?

Ignore the Grumpy Groupies

That comment wasn't necessarily wrong —for them. When searching Facebook groups for information about life in Belize, it's essential to recognize that they are chockablock full of opinions—and everybody has them. People often forget that opinions are subjective and, therefore, valid for the individual who holds them.

Plus, grumpy people on Facebook (and there are many) are all too eager to provide negative comments, yet when asked to elaborate, they fail to do so. Take such contributions with a grain of salt: if someone can’t give greater detail for their negative opinion, it's best not to assign it any meaning.

More importantly, that comment illuminated for me the fact that a wide variety of factors influence life in Belize. In this post, I aim to share some. I’m sure this post will ruffle some feathers, so I ask the reader to remember that the following is also subjective: 100% my opinion, and I don't expect everyone to agree. I hope to provide the reader (and aspiring Belize expats) with an honest take on what life in Belize has been like for me. Take from it what you will.

It's All Relative

Before I get into it, I want to emphasize one final point. Since most of the information you read on Belize is subjective, you may not fully understand how the real-life experiences of certain life aspects will affect you. Sometimes, you need to experience them for yourself. If you don't like it, that's okay. You are allowed to change your mind if it moves that way. There is a stigma around making moves abroad and then discovering it's not for you, and I don't understand why.

One of the main reasons my wife and I moved to Belize was to eliminate the potential for future regret. We decided we would take the leap and possibly discover it wasn’t for us, rather than wonder what would have happened if we hadn’t. How would we know it was right for us if we didn't try it? We decided that no matter what, even if “it didn't work out” and we eventually moved home, it wasn't a failure: We answered the burning question, “What would happen if we moved to Belize?”

After more than three years here, I’ve come to know this country well. Yeah, it isn’t perfect, but what place is? I know my home country of Canada certainly isn’t and has “a long list of shortcomings,” too; they’re just different.

Despite its shortcomings, Belize is a beautiful country. Yes, I had my place up for sale last year, but we’ve since taken it off the market. While we’ve discovered that the community in which we built our home isn’t exactly right for us (we’d love to be around more families with young kids) we aren’t leaving. And you know what? It took us longer than a year to figure out what was ideal for us.

Just remain realistic when you move here. You will still have problems—that's life—they’ll just be different and perhaps more in line with problems you would rather have.

Now that my little rant is over, let's get to my list of pros and cons of expat life in Belize.

Pros of Living as an Expat in Belize

The Beauty

Belize is a stunning country. The country's beauty knows no bounds, from mountain vistas, jungle estuaries, and sprawling savannahs to breathtaking sunsets and pristine island beaches. There is a landscape that suits everyone. The people, too, varied in culture, history, and language, complement the magnificence of the natural landscape. Whether Maya, Mennonite, Garinagu, or Mestizos, I have found the people kind, courteous, and welcoming.

The Freedom of Living in Belize

When you speak with the locals, a common theme arises: freedom. Belizeans are proud of their freedom. Yes, there are qualms with the government, as in all countries, but generally speaking, Belizeans embody the saying “live and let live.” If owning an off-grid homestead in the jungle to hide away from society is your thing, you are free to do it. The locals will let you do your thing if you aren't hurting anyone or the environment. Unlike North America, where multinational corporations have a hand in every aspect of life, Belize is a reprieve from capitalism.

Affordability of Real Estate

Before you get your panties all in a knot and fly off the handle about how expensive it is, keep in mind that everything is relative. Compared to Canada, where the average cost of a home is nearly US$530K, Belize is an affordable option. For that price, you can own a beautiful home, on a quarter-acre or more, steps from the Caribbean Sea. Back in my home country, that would barely get you a townhouse in a cramped development with a postage-stamp-sized backyard in an undesirable part of a town on the outskirts of a major metropolitan area. Oh, the commute! No, thank you.

For context, my current property in Belize is seven times the size of my previous one in Canada, which I considered large and was one of the bigger ones I owned over the years. Similarly, average home prices in the United States and England (where many expats in Belize come from) are $416,000 and $364,000 (US dollars), respectively. Those are averages that account for many rural and small communities that are considered “less desirable.”

Yu di spik Inglish?

That's Creole for “do you speak English?” And Belizeans do! It's the national language, which makes life as a North American much easier. Learning Creole or Spanish wouldn’t hurt, especially if you plan to travel to neighbouring countries, but expats living in Belize will get on just fine without it.

Ease of Simple Living

Many Facebook groupies complain about living costs here, but they aren't necessarily wrong. If you wish to maintain a North American standard of living, you will spend the same, if not more, than you do at home. However, Belize offers an opportunity to scale back, live simply, and save.

Spending a lot of time in the jungle outside of Belmopan, I discovered the affordability of shopping at the Belmopan Market Plaza, where, twice a week, vendors from the area set up their produce, foodstuffs, and other wares for sale. There are great prices on produce, honey, nuts and seeds, meat and seafood, herbs, clothing, and other goods. The quality and price are excellent, and you avoid excess packaging prevalent in stores back home.

Remote Work

From the first time we extended our monthly visitor permit, we told immigration (the truth) that we were self-employed. As inconsistent as the immigration department is (see Cons below), this job description has never been an issue. My wife and I have worked remotely in Belize with clients in North America without issues surrounding work permits and earning income from abroad.

I am not aware of any official policy towards “digital nomads” or remote work, which is fine. It's better to ask forgiveness than permission! I know other expats with similar employment situations and haven’t heard of any issues. Live and let live. If you have a job that allows you to work away from an office permanently, Belize is a great place. Earning a North American wage while living a Caribbean lifestyle is ideal.

Cons of Living in Belize

Rising Price of Real Estate

It depends on how you look at things. The current cost of real estate is a positive for me, but I see the downside for those wanting to enter the market. Belize is a rapidly developing country and has caught the attention of investors and expats alike. Since purchasing my lot in the summer of 2021, prices have hockey-sticked. A similar lot to ours, excluding the home, is over 3x what we paid for it, making entry into this market less affordable with each passing month.

If you are considering purchasing here, sooner is better. Many buyers — not just in Belize but in other emerging real estate markets — decide to wait because they feel “not ready,” only to get priced out once they are. Purchasing a home or property in Belize is undoubtedly a big commitment, but it's better to make it sooner rather than later. I am not an investment professional, but real estate has never let me down—my opinion.

Lack of Availability with…Everything

Simply stated, it takes a lot of work to get things here. To some, that adds charm to this Central American gem: it lends to a slower pace of life, based on experiences rather than things. I am all for not having big box stores and retail chains—it was a draw for me—but the lack of availability in grocery stores and the limited selection of vegetables in my area do get old. However, the sunny, warm climate is ideal for growing all sorts of produce if you are into that sort of thing.

The Heat & Humidity

As I write this, the temperature outside, with the humidity index, is 40 degrees Celsius, which is 104 degrees Fahrenheit for American readers. It is also August, one of the hottest months of the year here, next to May. It's hot AF, and it wears on you. It takes a lot of time to get used to it. We’ve slowly acclimated, but it isn’t easy.

In the summer of 2024, my boys and I developed a nasty case of heat rash, also known as prickly heat, which comes and goes as we fluctuate between open air and air conditioning. Is it uncomfortable at times? Yes. Is it a deal breaker? No. Eventually, our bodies will adapt and get past it, making us stronger. A little nightly AC and the odd dose of Benadryl help to calm it. Drinking lots of water and replenishing electrolytes is also essential this time of the year.

Cost of Living in Belize

It seems contradictory to the ease of simple living above, but it's true. Yet, this is a worldwide problem as inflation rises globally. For expats in Belize, it’s more of an expectation versus reality situation. If you want to move here and spend your days in an air-conditioned mansion on the beach, you will pay out the you-know-what for it.

Comforts from home will cost you more here, too, and you can expect to pay a premium when importing goods through companies like Belizean Queen. Things cost more as you move south, as there are only two borders in the country, one with Mexico and the other with Guatemala, and they are both in the country's northern regions. As you move south, goods require additional transportation and have a higher price tag.

If you aren’t retirement age or choose not to apply for QRP, you will have a monthly immigration expense of USD$100 per person, including kids. For a family of four like ours, that's an annual $4,800. It adds up and is significantly more expensive than other Central American countries. The same goes for residency applications.

Other Expats

Despite many airline policies, the amount of baggage you can bring to Belize seems to be unlimited. For better or worse, many expats choose to bring their old ways, beliefs, and habits to their new country of residence. Far too many carry their grumpy vibes and new-aged colonial attitudes into Belize. Just be chill and maintain a positive attitude.

In addition to living in the present moment, I abide by the adage, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Unfortunately, I am a minority in that approach. Far too many come here and attempt to change it, which seems like a backward tack: by changing Belize into where you came from, it no longer has the appeal that drew you here. Wherever you choose to land, Belize or not, it's important to remember that you are a guest, and it isn’t your place to impose your way. By all means, engage in philanthropic endeavours or help in local communities for good causes; just steer clear of complaining and forcing your way on people, customs, and systems in place. Lastly, leave your politics at home; nobody wants that shit, apparently even you, as it’s probably one of the reasons you want to come to Belize in the first place, right?

Embracing the Belize Expat Experience – The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful

Expat life in Belize, like anywhere else, comes with its unique set of pros and cons. The beauty and freedom of the country, the relative affordability of real estate, the ease of simple living, and the ability to work remotely are significant advantages that attract many expats. However, you must recognize the challenges, such as the rising cost of real estate, limited availability of goods, extreme heat and humidity, high cost of living, and sometimes difficult interactions with other expats.

Ultimately, the decision to move to Belize is a profoundly personal one. It is crucial to manage expectations and understand that every experience is subjective. Belize may not be perfect, but no place is, and it offers a distinct lifestyle that may align with your values and aspirations. Embrace the adventure, keep an open mind, and remember that your journey is uniquely yours.

If you enjoy this, you might also like the A Foreign Perspective, Foreigner501, Foreign Tales, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-winning book Home in Good Hands. If you'd like to support this Substack and help me keep creating stories and essays about life abroad, consider subscribing, sharing, or making a small donation. And to those who already have—thank you. Your support means the world.

Belize is all the rage lately, especially with the US seemingly going to hell in a handbasket. Many expats on Facebook and other forums seek a much-needed change of scenery.

Belize is a viable option for its English-speaking population, proximity to NA, and affordable real estate. Yet, buying a house in Belize can be a daunting task for aspiring expats, especially if they have never been here or have only visited for a brief period.

So, in this article, I will draw on my twenty years of home building and real estate experience, both in North America and Belize, to touch on the top five considerations for expats buying a home in this beautiful country.

Let’s jump right in!

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1. Establish Clear Title

One of the first and most crucial steps in purchasing property in Belize is ensuring the home has a clear title. A clear title means the property is actually owned by the seller and is free from issues preventing or hindering a sale.

Determining Title

If you hire a real estate agent to assist you with the property search and purchase, the onus falls onto them to ensure the title is clear. Most established brokerages, like Remax and Keller Williams, usually won’t list a property that doesn’t have a clear title. However, there are less reputable brokers and agents in the country, so be sure to confirm the presence of a clear title yourself. If you use a lawyer to close the home, they will conduct a thorough title search to reveal any issues such as unpaid taxes, liens, or disputes.

If there is any doubt about the legitimacy of a realtor or property ownership, you can check the title on your own accord. These records are public in Belize, and you can inquire about land ownership with the Lands Department in Belmopan.

If you choose to pursue a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) agreement but don't want to do the legwork, some reputable locals can complete the land transfer process for you. Search Facebook groups for references from others who have used these services. They can save you money, but be sure to do your due diligence to avoid scams.

2. Determine the Quality of Construction

The quality of construction in Belize can vary, so it’s essential to assess this aspect carefully.

Is it Built for the Local Environment?

Belize’s tropical climate demands specific construction standards to ensure durability and comfort. I wrote a lengthy two-part post on building a home in Belize so that I won't rehash it here. I encourage the interested reader to visit the link above.

The primary consideration here is whether the person who built the home took the environment into account. If the property is by the sea, was it built to withstand corrosion from salt air? Look for materials such as stainless steel and treated wood, and verify that they are adequately sealed against moisture. Belize is in a hurricane zone, so was the home built to withstand strong winds and heavy rain? Ensure that the structure is robust, with reinforced walls and roofing.

How Old is the Home?

The age of the home affects its value and the level of maintenance it requires. A house built in the last two years will need significantly less maintenance than one five or more years old, especially when close to the sea.

If you feel inclined, consider hiring a home inspector to identify any issues related to the home’s age and to detect any other potential problems, such as improperly wired electrical systems, incorrect plumbing, or structural deficiencies. A brief Google search revealed that there are inspection services in the country.

Is it Built to Western Standards?

I will likely receive criticism for this section and face backlash for “imposing Western ways of life” on Belize. I'm all for ‘live and let live’ regarding local cultures and customs, but I'll stand firm when it comes to improving residential construction projects. Such endeavors only benefit all by increasing the quality and safety of homes.

Many properties in Belize are not built to the same standard as what you may be used to. Having one that is will ensure comfort and peace of mind. Yet, in my time here, I have seen significant progress made in the quality of construction standards. There is a building department, but it's questionable whether they enforce an established construction code, as is common in North America.

If you are using a realtor, ask them about who built the house and its construction method. If they can only provide you with a limited amount of information, conduct some research. It’s a small country with few degrees of separation between citizens and expats. Someone will know something about the house you are interested in if you take some time to ask.

How Well Has It Been Maintained?

Maintenance is key to preserving the value and functionality of a home. Trust me when I say it doesn't matter how new a home is (anywhere in the country). If it is not regularly maintained, the list of items that need attention will quickly grow.

Routine maintenance items to consider are:

• Routine Yard Maintenance: Check if the yard is well-maintained. Overgrown plants can indicate neglect, while a well-kept garden suggests regular upkeep. Flora will take root quickly, especially during the rainy season, and can become a big job if left unattended for even a month.

• Mechanical Maintenance: Ensure regular servicing of essential systems, such as the hot water tank and air conditioning units.

• Repainting and Wood Care: Regular repainting and maintenance of wood surfaces protect the home from the elements. Whether by the sea, in the jungle, or in a residential community, maintenance costs can run high. The sun is intense and will bake surfaces to a crisp. Painted surfaces in direct sun will need bi-yearly attention.

• Pest Control: Verify that the property owner regularly sprays for bugs to avoid infestations, especially if they don’t live in the home. Ants, scorpions, spiders, and termites are unwelcomed guests, so be sure proper measures are in place before and after you purchase the house.

• Repairs: Identify what needs fixing or replacing before making a purchase. Inspection items should include roofing, windows, decking, and other critical components. Metal components near the sea will need constant replacement, as even stainless and galvanized materials deteriorate in the salty air.

3. Ensure it Meets Your Needs

A home should fit your current and future needs, whether for personal use, rental income, or family expansion. It's easy to get caught up in the “honeymoon phase” of Belize, especially after a vacation. However, it's essential to remember that vacationing somewhere and living there are two distinct experiences.

Many people on Facebook groups advise spending at least a year in the country, exploring different areas to determine the best place to live. That is all well and good if you can afford to do so in both time and money, but it may not be practical for you.

I suggest writing a list of your wants and desires, addressing the practical aspects of daily life. Compile a second list of “none negotiables,” then research potential areas to see how they align with these lists. No place is perfect, so concessions are likely as a desired area may not align 100% with your wants and desires list. Ensure there aren’t any “nonegots” with the home you wish to purchase, and you should be able to manage.

Some everyday practical needs are:

• Number of Bedrooms and Bathrooms. Ensure the house has enough bedrooms and bathrooms for your family. A growing family might need extra space, so consider future needs.

• Guest Accommodation: Additional bedrooms and bathrooms are essential if you plan to host guests or rent out rooms.

• Rental Income: Properties in tourist areas can generate significant rental income. Assess the home’s potential to attract renters.

• Expansion Potential: Look for properties with land that allows for future development. It could be adding extra rooms, a guesthouse, or other amenities.

4. Find the Right Place

Choosing the Right Location When Buying a Dream Home in Belize

Location is one of the most critical factors in real estate, as it impacts convenience, lifestyle, and property value, and Belize is no exception. The level of development varies widely throughout the country, and there are still many areas without adequate services, infrastructure, or access to the beaten path. When choosing a house to buy in Belize, determine a location based on the section above, but take into consideration the following factors:

Does it Have Utility Hook-Ups?

Ensure the home has reliable electricity (a relative term in Belize; being in a tourist location will increase reliability, but does not guarantee against planned or unexpected outages; there was one while I was writing this) and a stable water supply. Off-grid properties should feature sustainable solutions, such as solar power and rainwater harvesting systems, that are up-to-date and well-maintained. Be sure to have such systems assessed before making a purchase, especially if you are unfamiliar with them.

Internet and Phone Communications

Check the availability of reliable internet and phone services, especially if you plan to work remotely. Most services are good in Belize but are subject to power outages. Some off-grid locations may require alternative solutions.

Proximity to Good Schools

Proximity to good schools is essential for expat families with school-aged children. It will limit your property search area if you wish to enroll your kids in an international school with other expat children and teachers. The public school system often lacks sufficient resources and may not provide the level of education you desire. Research local schools and their reputations to ensure a quality education for your kids, and then verify that information on community forums and Facebook groups.

Close to Important Amenities & Recreation

Your assessment of #3 will determine what works and what doesn't for you, but another factor to consider is how far you are willing to travel for those wants and desires. Many conveniences may be “close,” but that's a relative term: my definition of “close” changed from five minutes away back in Canada to over half an hour in Belize. That's the time it takes me to get to most places. Consider the home’s proximity to grocery stores, beaches, parks, restaurants, entertainment, medical facilities, and other essential services. If you must be within ten minutes of a hospital, that will significantly narrow down your location list.

5. If the Shoe Fits

And by Shoe, I mean Budget

Finally, it’s crucial to ensure the home fits within your budget, so consider all costs associated with purchasing your home.

The F’n Fees!

The price is just one factor to consider when buying a home in Belize as an expat. Going “the traditional route” of using an agent and hiring a lawyer will tack on considerable fees: 6-8% for the realtors, 2-3% for the lawyers, and 8% for the Government of Belize. That's a total of 19% on the entire deal!

Now, the seller typically pays the agents, so it's not a cost the buyer incurs, but rather a factor contributing to the overall value of the offer. As the buyer, expect to spend an additional 8-11% of the purchase price.

Finance to Own

Financing is more common as property values increase in the country. However, you’ll be hard-pressed to get a domestic mortgage as an expat. If financing is necessary, explore options with financial institutions in your home country or consider pursuing an owner-financing clause with the seller. These are pretty common in both FSBO and realtor transactions. Conditions are subject to the parties involved, but may look like this: 50% down, 3-5 year term at 5-6% interest.

Maintenance Costs

We explored maintenance above, but I want to stress the importance of understanding maintenance costs when considering the affordability factor of a house. No matter where in the country you choose to reside, maintenance is unavoidable. With any homeownership journey, maintenance is necessary, and depending on where you are emigrating from, the scope of maintenance may be considerably more than what you are used to.

To get a handle on these costs early on, inquire with the previous owner during the purchase process. Ask them what you can expect to pay after purchasing the home. Once you know what you’ll spend, you can determine how much, if any, you’ll want to do yourself. After two decades in construction and renovation, I have grown fond of physical work and typically complete most maintenance tasks around my home and property.

Your Path to Buying the Perfect Home in Belize

Navigating the process of buying a home in Belize can indeed be challenging, but with the proper knowledge and preparation, it’s achievable. You can make a well-informed decision by establishing a clear title, assessing the quality and maintenance of the construction, ensuring the home meets your needs, choosing the right location, and carefully considering your budget. Belize offers a unique and beautiful setting for expats, and with these considerations in mind, you’ll be well on your way to finding your ideal home in this tropical paradise.

If you enjoy this, you might also like the A Foreign Perspective, Foreigner501, Foreign Tales, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-winning book Home in Good Hands. If you'd like to support this Substack and help me keep creating stories and essays about life abroad, consider subscribing, sharing, or making a small donation. And to those who already have—thank you. Your support means the world.

As I mentioned in my last post, I haven’t included information on finding a contractor, as I wrote a book that explores this subject in depth. So, if it appears I have skipped over an important topic, I have. The process is the same wherever you are, so I encourage the interested reader to grab my book as a companion to this and the previous post. In addition to helping readers find a reliable contractor, the book covers various topics, from receiving quotes and signing contracts to the construction process and workflows.

Anyhow, let's get down to business!

Preparing the Property

At this point in the game, you will have a parcel of land, a design, and possibly a contractor ready to build. Depending on the location and purchase price, your lot could be in a different number of states before you start construction: cleared and build ready, partially cleared- some empty lot owners clear underbrush before they sell the property to make it walkable and more appealing to buyers- or in its natural state, which typically means dense jungle or savanna here in Belize. Let's assume you start with the latter to provide the reader with the most information possible.

Clearing the Land

With an essentially jungle lot, it’s common in Belize to clear or partially clear the land before construction can begin. The amount you clear will depend on the property size and the extent of development you plan. In our case, the previous owner had cleared much of the underbrush. All that remained were some craggy trees and shrubs in the middle of the lot, which we chose to remove so we could have better access for construction.

Please Keep What You Can

What you decide to keep or not is wholly up to you, your wants and needs, and the project's demands. However, keep as much as you can. Leaving older-growth trees and established plants will make the property look nice sooner, provide shade immediately, and keep your landscaping budget down. It also helps to preserve the Belizean ecology and reduce the disruption to the local fauna that inhabit the area.

Two of our neighbours did this, and their properties looked appealing right after construction, with well-established plants throughout the lot. Don't get me wrong; we love the look of our property, but it takes some time for the saplings and infant plants to take root and grow.

Admittedly, we could have done a better job of this. We weren’t as mindful of Mother Nature as we could have been when we prepared the lot for construction. We hired the contractor to clear, but didn’t fully understand the process; essentially, an excavator clear-cuts and removes everything.

However, we did leave a large oak tree along the northern property line as it wasn't in the way and would provide shade to the home in the summer months. Similarly, we left some small trees at the back of the property, near the canal, because there was no need to remove them.

Unfortunately, everything else went and we regret it. But given the prefabricated nature of the project, we required extensive access for the delivery and installation of the buildings.

After construction, we replanted species native to the area, including sea grape, cocoplum, cashew, and palmetto, as well as other local edible species such as mango, elderberry, wax apple, and banana. We initially didn't anticipate this, but it's a good thing to consider: landscaping and replanting will require more work and cost if you clear everything.

If your property features old-growth trees, edibles, or a unique plant species, you should clear the area around them. A friend of ours in a community north of us on the peninsula left two specific trees during their clearing process because they contained orchids. To preserve them, they kept the trees on which they were growing, and they now add charm and a talking point to their garden property.

Ultimately, you will do what you need based on your plans, but it's essential to be mindful of the process, as it can harm the environment. It's always best practice to limit your impact as much as possible.

Mangrove Considerations

Mangrove Considerations

Mangroves are critical for maintaining the country's rich biodiversity and protecting its coastal ecosystems. These unique intertidal forests serve as vital habitats for numerous species of fish, birds, and invertebrates. Mangroves also act as natural barriers against coastal erosion and storm surges, providing essential protection for communities and infrastructure. Belize has made significant strides in mangrove preservation through legal frameworks and community-based initiatives emphasizing sustainable management and restoration.

Belize is very protective of its mangrove communities, and alteration to any mangrove for any reason is strictly prohibited unless permitted. When we arrived, some juvenile mangroves were starting along the canal at the back of the property. We didn't touch them throughout construction and didn't need to include this permitting aspect in our project. If you are developing a property with a dock or boat slip on a lagoon, canal, or seaside that contains mangroves, conducting research, pursuing the proper permitting process, and treating these important ecosystems with due respect are essential.

Filling & Grading

Depending on the lay of your land and the composition of the existing ground, you may need to add fill. Choosing the proper fill is often based on availability at the time of the project; however, the primary consideration is how well it allows water to drain. There are several different types of fill available. For properties along the coast, the most desirable is lagoon sand -sand dredged from the bottom of lagoons while constructing canals.

When we built, lagoon sand was scarce and expensive, so we were left with two other options: clay or rocky fill, which consisted of sand and medium to large-sized rocks. I don’t recommend clay because it’s not porous and restricts water drainage. Many property owners and developers use clay because it is inexpensive; however, they often experience flooding afterward.

Evidence of its lack of drainability (yes, I just made up a word) is evident on properties after heavy rains. It's common to see ankle-to-knee-deep water on many lots on the Placencia Peninsula after a downpour.

Luckily for us, clearing our lot revealed that we had nice sand throughout, so our contractor suggested we scrape it up, pile it in the back of the lot, and bring in rocky fill. He then redistributed our existing sand over the top. It was a genius idea that saved us money by reducing the loads needed and ensuring excellent drainage, as well as better sand underfoot.

Even after torrential rains, the water weeps away quickly, and we never have standing water, even after it rains 60” in seven days. Yes, that happens.

When filling, focus on low spots and grade the entire property on a slight angle to train water away from the property. Our property borders empty lots to the north and the south, a road to the east, and a canal to the west. The road is raised relatively high, with the canal much lower, but the lowest point is in the middle. We determined that we didn't need to match the height of the road (it would have required a lot of fill and not necessarily achieved much), but focused on filling the middle, keeping an even slope towards the back. In overland flooding—which we haven’t experienced—the water would naturally flow into the canal.

Our contractor worked to grade the property according to this plan, ensuring that the slope was not too steep, which would increase the risk of our sand washing away.

Installing Services

What services are available? Does the area where you are building have electrical, water, and gas (propane/butane)? Are they available at your site, or must you bring them in? If not, what alternative options are available to you?

Electricity

Standard Connection

At the time of clearing, there were electrical lines at the roadside. To get power into the property, we paid approximately US$2,500 to install an electrical service entrance and the BEL connection fee. We placed the service entrance at the northwest corner of the property, close to the road and under the power lines.

Our contractor completed this project in a typical manner, constructing the entrance using the standard method of concrete blocks with a cement-based parging mix finish. The electrician then installed a breaker box with a main shutoff on our side of the property and buried supply lines in a conduit that ran to the house location.

They also installed a temporary outlet, allowing the crew to have power to run their tools. After completion, Belize Electricity Limited, the electricity service provider, installs the meter on the roadside of the service entrance. The location provides easy access if they ever need to service the meter or shut off power to the property. I’ve heard this step can take ages, but it was about ten days for us. We weren't in the country at the time, so it didn't matter much.

For some properties, the electrical service isn’t readily available. In that case, you need to determine where it is located, the process, and the associated costs to bring it to your property. Suppose it is not available at all or is too cost-prohibitive - I’ve heard stories of BEL trying to charge people tens of thousands of dollars to bring service into a new area - then you must explore other options, such as solar, wind, or hydroelectric, for your house.

Most solar systems are readily available at a considerable cost, and wind and hydroelectric generation would likely require research into companies capable of completing such a task, as well as local government regulations and restrictions. Hydroelectric conditions on your property must be favorable, like a waterfall or other significant water source on a sloping terrain.

Solar

Solar energy is abundant in Belize, and solar energy retailers are widely available, with many companies offering equipment and installation services. If you plan to use solar energy in your home, you should determine this and budget it early in your project planning. There's no better way to blow your budget out of the water than not anticipating a big-ticket item, like solar.

Generally speaking, solar energy comes at a considerable cost for even a modest system, starting at around USD$15,000, which won’t cover all of a home's electricity needs. Based on my research, plan to budget a minimum of USD$30,000 for a typical house, and closer to USD$50,000 if you intend to run AC off your solar system.

If you can afford the upfront cost and have a long view, installing solar is worthwhile. Over fifteen to twenty years, you will save money on electricity costs for your home. More appealing is the self-reliance and sustainability aspect of solar power generation. By not drawing from the grid, you won't contribute to the dirty energy it supplies.

Furthermore, electricity supply and distribution are significant problems in Belize. The country doesn't produce enough to supply the demand and purchases additional power from Mexico. Last year, due to supply issues, the Mexican government decreased the amount of power it provided to Belize.

Blackouts and brownouts have been prevalent in Belize since moving here, but have become routine as BEL adopts “load shedding” to reduce the demand on its grid. Friends of mine own an off-grid home in the jungle outside of Belmopan and are wholly unaffected by the rolling blackouts and wavering power supply—a compelling reason to invest in solar.

Fine Tuning

When determining your solar needs, you must provide the company you choose with a list of all appliances and sources of electrical draw. This list includes anything that requires electricity, from fridges and washing machines to fans, cell phones, and laptops. Everything must be accounted for to put together the proper solar setup.

You must also determine how much storage capacity you desire, which will determine how long you can run the home during periods of little to no sun, typically during the rainy season. Using this information, they can calculate the kilowatts needed to power your home and either suggest a package they offer or provide a custom setup tailored to your needs.

There is also the option of auxiliary backup power through a generator, which can be tied into the solar system and kick in when the batteries can no longer sustain the home.

Alternatively, if you have access to the grid but still prefer the self-reliance of solar energy, there are grid-tie options available. Grid tie allows you to use solar power during the day and grid power at night, effectively reducing the cost of your monthly electricity bill.

Unlike in North America, buyback programs aren't readily available. However, BEL began implementing a buyback program last year, but from what I’ve read, this is limited and not as cost-effective as programs in other countries.

Wind

Many solar companies offer small wind generation hardware and installations. Most of these have a small production capacity and are used as an auxiliary power source to power a specific appliance, like a water pump. I have yet to complete thorough research on this topic, so the interested reader is encouraged to explore viable options for residential wind power generation applications.

Water

As I mentioned in Part One, water wasn't available on our side of the road when we began building. After several inquiries and no response from the local independent water supplier regarding the possibility of bringing municipal water to our lot, we opted for rainwater catchment.

Last year, though, the government took control of the water service in our area. we are now hooked up to BWS supply with metered service.

So, say you end up in a similar situation to us, where water service isn't available or easily accessible. What are your options?

Rain Water Collection

As previously mentioned, rainwater catchment is a viable and eco-friendly option for water supply. Mother Nature provides you with all your utility water and, depending on the filtration system you opt for, drinking water, too. However, there is a learning curve when coming from North America, where rain collection is not the norm or even allowed in many municipalities.

Using rainwater requires specific equipment and routine maintenance to ensure that all components function properly. Rain catchment systems require large eavestroughs, downspouts, and reservoirs to capture the water. They also need a pump, pressure tank, and filtration system to function correctly.

There is also a supply issue for part of the year, with long stretches lasting months with no rain. You need a substantial cistern volume to ensure a reliable water source during the six to seven months of the dry season.

Additionally, it's worth noting that annual rainfall volumes vary across the country. For example, the southern regions of the country get approximately three times more rain than the Northernmost, so researching the specifics of your area is crucial before installing a large rain catchment system.

Researching an upcoming off-grid build, my wife and I estimated we would need at least two 2,640-gallon cisterns, each costing USD$2,600.00. Once you factor in a pump at USD$250, a pressure tank at USD$600, and water filtration, ranging from a couple of hundred dollars to over USD$1,000, the system's cost increases.

First Flush System

If you opt for rainwater collection, consider adding a first-flush system. It is an additional attachment to the downspout that feeds water into the collection reservoir, which collects and diverts the first volume of rain collected from the roof.

Rooftops collect dust, dirt, and other debris, especially during the dry season, and this debris can be washed into your cisterns if you don't have measures in place. You can use a filter at the inlet, but that won't separate fine particulates from the water. These will eventually accumulate in the collection tank, clog water filtration systems, and require regular cleaning, which may involve draining the tanks and wasting water.

A Hybrid Approach

If you have access to municipal water but are interested in sustainability and self-reliance, consider a hybrid approach to water service for your home. In this case, you install a rain catchment and a municipal water hook-up. In the dry season, municipal water can fill the cisterns fitted with a float valve. You will still pay a small monthly fee (ten Belize dollars) for the municipal water hook-up, but it allows you to use what Mother Nature provides during the rainy season and reduce some of your utility costs.

Water Collection Woes

The downside is that the pump requires electricity so that you will lose access to your running water in the event of a power outage. Making the water potable is possible, but some systems, particularly UV, are costly. To prevent clogs from hindering your catchment system's effectiveness, it is essential to conduct routine maintenance to clear the roof and eaves of debris.

If you decide to go this route, opt for large reservoirs. We didn't get the largest available, and in hindsight, I wish I had. During long, dry seasons, water needs to be replenished by external sources, and you may need to purchase water to fill the tanks if they aren't large enough or if your consumption is high.

Conveniently for us, our local hardware store, a neighbour, provides a water delivery service. This system requires us to monitor water levels within the tanks and place an order in advance when the levels become low. When it's very dry and water demand is high, delivery can take up to five days after ordering, even with advance payment. If you plan to build in a remote location, away from convenient water delivery, plan for large cisterns or a secondary source, like a well or a year-round stream from which you can pump.

Depending on the size of your reservoirs, you may need to change your behaviour with this system. Being more conscious of water usage is a good practice. For example, when showering, I turn the water off while I soap up, or when washing my hands, I shut off the tap when lathering. Efficient appliances, such as dishwashers and washing machines, are necessary, as they help conserve water and reduce usage.

Well Water

Wells are also an option, depending on the availability and depth of groundwater.

A well can provide a constant water source for your property, although it may dry up during severe droughts. If you have many plants that need watering, this is a better option than rain catchment, as you can quickly use your rainwater to water plants during the dry season. (We capture the AC wastewater in buckets and use that to water our plants). Depending on the water depth at your property, the cost of well installation can range from USD$7,000 to USD$10,000.

Desalination

If you are close to the ocean, you may need a desalination system to supplement your well's water supply and create fresh water. Since the water table is high in these areas, groundwater will be brackish if not completely salinated. A similar system to the rain catchment setup, but it will require a pump house —a small structure comprising a pump, pressure tank, and desalination/filtration system (think heavy-duty RO system), which requires specific knowledge to operate and maintain.

Water Diversion

Water diversion is another option for locations near a water source, such as a river or stream. Due to ecological considerations, the local municipality will have its specifications and limitations for diverting water sources. Typically, only a specific percentage is permitted for diversion to minimize the impact on surrounding ecosystems and inhabited areas.

Septic Systems

Most properties in Belize need a septic system, as sewers are only available in parts of Belize City, Belmopan, and San Pedro. The size of your house and the number of bathrooms will dictate the size of the system.

Septics here are usually basic, consisting of a large concrete box (ours is five feet by fifteen feet) with several chambers, each with a clean-out hatch. Black water enters the first chamber, and grey water gets diverted to the last chamber, which leads to the leach field.

The leach field is a perforated PVC pipe buried several feet underground and in line with the bottom of the tank. It's best not to put anything apart from fecal matter and urine into the system. Otherwise, you run the risk of clogs and will frequently need pump-outs.

When installing your septic, place well-draining earth or gravel under and around it, especially if you have used clay fill. If the tank and leach field cannot drain well, it can cause unwanted backups.

Cooking with Gas

I'm unaware of any gas service lines for residential homes in Belize, so most properties have tanks that supply LP gas (liquid propane, which contains 30% butane in Belize) to stoves, water heaters, and occasionally, dryers.

Which Stove is Best for Belize: Gas or Electric?

There is an ongoing debate about whether to cook with gas or use an electric stove and oven. The heat generated from a gas cooktop is substantial. If you plan to run air conditioning, you must use electricity to cool the excess heat generated by the appliance.

During the build process, the unit we rented had a gas stove. It was sometimes unbearable, especially when cooking in thirty-plus-degree weather in a space that didn't have AC. We opted for an electric stove and had planned for it before that experience.

After experiencing it firsthand, we were glad we went with electric. Unless your kitchen is mostly outside, gas inside with the Belizean heat is a lot, but ultimately, it's a choice you will have to make for yourself. Yes, we use more electricity to operate the appliance, but it doesn’t heat our home to the same extent as a gas stove would, which helps offset cooling costs.

However, our selection caused us some issues during the build. Our stove is a fifty-amp appliance, but fifty-amp plugs, which are standard at home, weren't available here at the time (only thirty-amp plugs were available—I'm not aware if that has changed). We had to order the part from the US and have it shipped into the country through Belizean Queen, which took over a month. All the while, we were without a stove.

Foundation Fundamentals

Basements, like those found in most homes in North America, aren’t very common in Belize (I have heard that some Mennonites in the Spanish Lookout area have them). The water table is very high in many places, so putting it in a basement doesn't make much sense. Most homes are either at ground level or raised on posts to catch breezes and limit the presence of bugs. Therefore, I sometimes interchange the term foundation with the first-floor structural components.

However, structural elements, such as footings, grade beams, and piles, could be considered strictly “the foundation.”

Floating

If you are building with poured concrete and concrete blocks, this is a common foundation used everywhere in the country. It consists of footings- approximately 4'x4'x8” blocks of concrete and rebar set approximately two to three feet deep. There isn't a frost line here, so going four feet below grade, like in many parts of North America, isn’t necessary. Depending on the size of your house, you may have forty or more of these. Our house has twenty-seven of them.

While pouring the footings, workers set rebar cages at the height of the first floor, centered within the footings. These cages form the interior steel skeleton of the building's structure. Workers erect wood forms around the steel cages and pour concrete inside to create foundational posts.

If the second story is wood, they insert heel straps into the poured concrete at the top of the post to secure the wood structure to the foundation. If the second floor is concrete, they leave rebar sticking out the top to tie into the next layer of concrete.

This type of foundation is called a floating foundation because it is essentially “floating on the ground beneath it. There isn't anything tying it to something solid like bedrock.

Piles

Piles, conversely, secure a home's foundation to solid earth beneath it. These are becoming more common as more owners and land developers build large concrete homes on the beach. Piles are long, concrete piers that connect a home's foundation to the bedrock below.

These are set in two ways:

1. An excavator fitted with an auger drills holes, and the crew pours concrete into the holes, or

2. An excavator fitted with a ram head pounds preformed piles into the earth.

The construction crew then ties the piles together with a grade beam, similar to the floating foundation, and erects structural posts from the pile locations. There are limitations to piles, as their maximum length is sixty feet. If your plans call for piles but the bedrock below is below sixty feet, a floating foundation is used instead.

Wood Post

Wood posts are the most affordable option available in Belize. The wood posts are often included in the price if you build a prefabricated home. The crew will set the posts on concrete footings at grade before delivery and attach the home to the posts when the house is delivered. Wood post foundations have the added benefit of allowing you to easily relocate the house later, if necessary.

The downfall is that they are prone to termites and rot, requiring regular maintenance and care to ensure longevity. Most wood posts are made from Belizean hardwood, which is heavy, dense, and sturdy. If you are in an area prone to earthquakes or hurricanes, further research is necessary to determine how this type of foundation performs in such events.

From Floors to Walls

You will have various choices regarding a home's walls and floors. Here in Belize, various materials are used for walls, including wood, poured concrete, concrete blocks, foamcrete, and styrofoam panels. Each of these has pros and cons. Earth, wood, or reinforced concrete are the only options for floors. I will touch on the latter two, as earthen floors aren’t typically a feature of an expat home.

Would Wood Work for Floors and Walls?

Wood provides warmth (not temperature, but aesthetics) and comfort, unlike any other material. The natural grain and colours in wood provide interest and a connection to nature, while the density and inherent properties of the material allow for moisture regulation and the quick cooling of the structure at night.

Wood-framed floors and walls are much faster to build than concrete or block walls. Despite the price increase over the last few years, wood remains cheaper overall due to the labour required to build with it. An experienced two to three-person crew can erect a wood-framed structure with surprising efficiency compared to the same structure in masonry, which requires additional labour to mix and haul concrete and mortar.

Wood frames are also easily modified and repaired, so if you plan to build an extension or complete a renovation later on, wood construction allows for ease of access, modification, and integration.

However, it doesn't perform well when insulating against sound. It also doesn't insulate against daytime heat as well as concrete does. Since wood is an excellent thermal bridge, the same principle that allows the building to cool off in the evenings works in reverse during the day, heating up the inside quickly. The studs in the wood walls connect the inside and outside of the home, acting as a medium to transfer temperature. In Canada and the US, offset double-stud walls minimize thermal bridging; however, I have yet to see this building practice used in Belize.

Therefore, insulation is a must, albeit less common than in Western-style wood-frame construction, when building with wood in Belize. Additionally, conventionally framed wood frame construction lacks integrity in a major storm unless additional measures are taken to enhance its storm resistance.

Wood frame construction also has structural limitations in Belize, as standard North American structural wood technology, such as LVL, is not yet available. So, if you are looking for large, unsupported openings, roof overhangs, and similar architectural details, wood frame construction won't be the building method to achieve them.

Pouring Over the Details: Concrete Walls and Floors

From the endless building sites on the Placencia peninsula, I have seen that entire concrete walls are rare. Most structural walls consist of poured concrete posts in-filled with concrete blocks. It doesn't mean that full concrete walls aren't available. Still, the building technology in Belize limits the scope of a pour, with limited access to large, easily movable, and pre-assembled concrete formwork.

However, concrete posts, beams and floors are ubiquitous and are great options for building a sturdy home that can withstand hurricane forces.

Concrete Block Walls

Also known as CMUs (Concrete Masonry Units), concrete block walls are prevalent throughout Belize. At as little as one US dollar for a 6" x 8" x 16” block, CMUs are an affordable option for concrete construction. However, they are still not as affordable as wood frame construction after you factor in labour, rebar, concrete infill, plastering, and painting (although not necessary, it is often desired).

However, when adequately reinforced with rebar and concrete inside the block, CMU construction is arguably the most storm-ready structure.

As with any construction method, the quality of construction matters, and a poorly built masonry wall can be a hazard to everyone, inside and out. The builder's practices will influence the building's cost, energy efficiency, and interior comfort.

CMUs are quite porous and need to be sealed inside and out with cement parging (the ‘ol wall flick—if you know, you know, lol). Otherwise, moisture will penetrate the walls, causing high humidity and increasing the likelihood of mold and mildew growth. Filling the block with concrete while erecting the wall will help with this, as well as stiffening the wall.

Despite their porosity, air doesn't seem to move freely across the blocks’ surface, so be sure to design window and door locations to capture cross breezes and routinely flush the interior with fresh air. If not adequately planned for with proper interior ventilation, some concrete and block homes can develop a musty odor and feel, potentially requiring a dehumidifier.

Foamcrete and Styropanel

I'm not going to lie; I don't know much more about these building materials beyond the fact that they exist in Belize. Also known as aerated concrete, foam concrete is a mixture of cement, water, small aggregate, and a foaming agent. This process provides a lighter-weight, efficiently poured substitute for non-load-bearing walls and CMU infill. The foam aspect also gives the material a better insulating ability (R-value) than standard concrete and CMUs.

Styropanel combines styrofoam and steel mesh plastered or embedded in concrete. It is commonly used as infill walls between poured concrete posts, but can also be used for floors and structural applications when combined with conventional formwork and concrete.

Which Building is Better for a Home in Belize, Wood or Concrete?

There is a longstanding debate over which construction method, concrete or wood, is better for the Belizean environment. Undoubtedly, concrete is more hurricane-resistant than wood; however, there are methods for increasing the strength of wood-framed homes, such as the use of steel rods and hurricane ties, which I'll explain momentarily.

In addition to its storm resistance, concrete is typically cooler during the day. However, wood breathes better than concrete and, as I mentioned before, is an efficient thermal bridge. After a hot day, wood construction will cool off faster than concrete, which tends to store heat and radiate it back into the home at night. Wood floors are also easier on the body than concrete. Anyone who has ever stood on a concrete floor for an extended period will understand how energetically draining the material is.

Both wood and concrete homes have their pros and cons, and the choice depends on your priorities and preferences.

Raise the Roof

Asphalt shingles aren’t a thing here, as they don’t hold up well in the direct sun and high temperatures. Metal roofs are the standard in Belize for residential construction, whether over a wood-framed or concrete slab roof structure. There are various styles, colours, and thicknesses (termed “gauge”).

One thing to consider with metal roofing is that it amplifies the sound of rain, which is pleasant for light drizzling but very noisy during torrential downpours. To mitigate this, install at least one layer of 1” high-density foam panels under the finished metal roofing. To eliminate this, consider using western soundproofing techniques or installing a poured concrete roof on your home.

Local Building Codes and Practices

I am unaware of an official building code in Belize, similar to those found in Canada and the US. However, the Central Building Authority (CBA) enforces a construction standard for all new buildings in the country. At times, it's hard to tell what that standard is.

Some documents are available online, but most pertain to the permitting process, including who can apply and how to apply. There is nothing in the realm of how to build homes. For those interested, here is the link to the most recent (2020) Building Act and the 2022 Building Regulations, which the former references.

I am aware of some standard rules from when we built, like five-foot setbacks from property boundaries and thirty feet from the middle of the road if your property is roadside. There is also a height restriction of five stories, at least in Maya Beach and the surrounding area.

Even if you don’t have construction experience in Belize, driving by the endless building sites reveals that construction is different here than in North America: they use bush stick –a fast-grown hardwood found in the country’s jungles– to support the formwork for concrete floors. I don’t doubt that it’s a sturdy and affordable option, but I question its precision.

The concrete work comes out quite rough, due to the absence of technology to adequately vibrate the concrete after it’s poured. As a result, all concrete work needs finishing with cement parging.

Wood frame construction is also done differently, depending on who's building. For starters, subfloors aren't a thing here. Hardwood floorboards aren't typically tongue-and-groove and are fastened directly to the home's floor joists. The boards aren’t exactly straight either, so gaps between the boards get filled with wood filler. Over time, with the expansion and contraction of the boards, the filler comes loose and falls out, leaving you with a view of the outside through a crack in the floor.

We avoided this issue by having plywood and Plycem (where we installed tiles) installed throughout the entire house. Doing so also allowed us to have smooth transitions from hardwood to tile and improved the home's structural integrity.

Furthermore, some Mennonite crews will build with 2 x 3 or 2 x 4 “on the flat,” often with wide spacing between stud centers, without adequate corner studs and other structural members. See? ↴

Those details may not mean anything to you, but take it from me: it’s not the best way of doing things. Luckily, we built our home to a much higher standard, which was in line with the standards I was accustomed to in Canada.

Our house was overbuilt, with non-load-bearing door openings containing substantial headers. Perhaps the additional structure is necessary for the home to survive the delivery and installation process. Nevertheless, I appreciated the overbuilt nature, which is how I usually do things anyway.

However, not all builders construct that way, and it's essential to be clear about what you want. In addition to subfloors, insulation isn't often a standard inclusion in the building envelope. If you want it in your home, request it early and budget for it accordingly. Fiberglass rolls and spray foam are becoming more widely available, but they are not yet the standard practice. Be sure to ask about it.

It's All Greek to Me

Construction methods aren't the only thing different from “back home.” Ways of communicating are as well. Much of this stems from differences in living standards, so details are often omitted due to a misunderstanding of ways of life. Many foreigners move to Belize and expect the same standards as at home, but those don't necessarily exist. For example, “finished home” means something different than it does in North America. At least it did when we built; perhaps this has changed.

Nevertheless, what is considered “finished” didn't include a kitchen or bathroom. Yes, that's right. How's that a finished home, you ask? That's a good question. The answer is that many people still cook outside and use an outhouse. It's essential to remember that Belize is a developing country, and many modern conveniences aren't “standard” here.

Here is another example: Friends of mine had a laundry room closet on their plans (also a prefabricated home), but when the house arrived, the laundry area didn't have water lines or a drain; it was just a closet with an outlet inside. The thing is, many local people wash their laundry in the local stream. Just peer over the edge of any bridge while driving along a highway, and you are bound to see the women from the local village waist-deep in the water, scrubbing clothes.

Therefore, there is a genuine lack of understanding of certain concepts, such as in-unit laundry. It's just not a thing; so many local builders don't think of it, anticipate it, or plan for it.

For further context, I recently spoke to a worker a neighbour hired to complete a project on his home. The worker explained to me that his house doesn't have electricity or running water. He recently missed a workday because they ran out of water, and his wife was home with their baby. He spent all day running water from the local source, which is intermittent, to his home so his family could have bathing and drinking water. That story reveals the standard many Belizeans live in, so it makes perfect sense that they wouldn't think of a laundry room as part of a home.

Cultural Misunderstandings

I've also noticed a cultural difference from my time in the country: information is rarely offered, so you must ask many questions to obtain the information you seek. If you still need clarification, ask again in a different way. What often seems like an obvious opportunity for someone to provide you with information may not be. You have to ask multiple times to get an adequate answer to your question.

As a result, pinning down exact pricing for, say, foundation work was challenging. I received a quote for a concrete slab under one part of the house with two bathrooms above. Although the bathroom waste lines are installed under the slab, the slab price does not include this. Due to this difference in communication, many items were left out and added on the fly, which drove up costs.

Another example of this regards our electrical service. When we received our quote for this aspect of the project, it didn't include the labour and materials to bring the power from the service entrance to the house, just the cost for the service post and BEL connection. So the “electrical hook-up for the house” was a two-part price. I thought the quote should have included power to the house because what good is power at the street if it isn't connected to the home? The local contractor we hired was great and trustworthy, but it didn't occur to him to include the whole series of electrical connections in the cost of “hooking up electricity.”

Similarly, air conditioners were quoted, but the price didn't include the labour and additional materials needed to install them; it was just the unit costs. One or two misses like this are manageable, but many add up to a significant cost.

Be sure to clarify the pricing you receive and ensure it includes all aspects of the given task. It may mean more legwork on your part, but it's well worth the effort when you build an accurate price for your home construction project. Lastly, don't settle for ballpark pricing. Such occurrences always went over the loosely quoted price.

To reiterate, what is standard in Belize differs from what is at home. Remember that even if they don't do certain things here, like subfloors and insulation, they are still important and valuable to home construction in Belize. You must act, ask questions, and push for adequate answers when local building practices differ from what you are used to. Also, expect that ‘modern conveniences’ will drive up the price of your project.

Dealing with Issues…

And there will be issues

As with any construction project, issues are likely to arise. When they do, it's essential to stay calm but be firm in your approach to resolve them. During the construction of the prefabricated sections of our house, we receive updates from the associate managing our build. She regularly sent us progress photos from the yard where our home was built, which was several hours away from our property.

In one of the photos, I noticed an error in a section of windows. It was a significant mistake in which the framers accidentally increased the space between two rows of windows, resulting in a perpendicular roof line that fell directly into the middle of a window location.

When I brought the issue up and requested that they fix the error, I received pushback. They told me that their framing accurately reflected the plans. My wife and I designed the home ourselves using a 3D modeling program, so I was familiar with every detail. When I proved their claim false, they tried to convince us to change the width of the final window, where the roof would now intrude.

On the plans, that row of windows consisted of units of equal size, and changing the last one would throw off the symmetry of the design. We stayed firm and insisted that they dismantle the wall and rebuild it according to the specifications outlined in the plans. After some time, they reluctantly acquiesced.

That wouldn't be the only problem in that area of the home, either. When they put the roof on the connecting section, they did so too low, which obstructed the window trim on the perpendicular wall. The builder cut into the trim to place the roof line instead of raising the rafters, which I made them redo.

That was one of many issues that arose during the build. Other issues included: missing insulation in the built-on-site connecting section; a bedroom door hung backward; doors framed in the wrong place, which interfered with the tub location; master bedroom closet doors were all wrong; and many doors rubbed and got stuck. These were all things that the builder would have glossed over had we not stood our ground and insisted on a quality that was genuinely new to them.

Ultimately, I sorted out the master bedroom closet myself because I knew no one else would make it work to my standard.

Now, I understand that the average homeowner doesn't have the knowledge and skills of a twenty-year construction veteran like myself. Yet, that doesn't mean you can't have the home of your dreams. I am sharing my experience through these posts so those less experienced can know how to plan and what to look out for.

I’ll be honest; it's a lot, and there was a learning curve for building in Belize, even for someone with substantial construction experience. Yet, it's doable and even enjoyable when you know what to expect.

Building to the Environment

I mentioned this in part one, but I want to reiterate here that being conscious of the environment in which you build will help lower power consumption and maintenance costs and improve the interior comfort of your home.

All or partial concrete construction, albeit at the highest cost, will protect your home from storm damage. If you choose to build with wood, do not overlook the hazard of hurricanes and take measures to improve the storm integrity of your home.

For example, have your builder install hurricane ties and threaded rods throughout the structure. It wasn’t a standard feature when we built our home in Belize, but we chose to include it. It's a great way to enhance the structural integrity of wood-frame construction.

Hurricane ties, which secure the roof rafters to the top plates of the wall, are great, but in extreme winds, the whole roof can blow off, top plates and all. However, the entire home structure becomes mechanically fastened together when you insert half-inch steel threaded rods through the top and bottom plates at eight-foot intervals.

Here’s how it works (from bottom to top):

1. Secure the underside of the home’s structure (beams) to the foundation posts with heel straps embedded in concrete

2. Attach the floor joists to the beams with half-inch steel brackets.

3. Threaded rod secures the joists to the top of the wall assembly

4. Steel rafter brackets attach the top of the wall to the roof rafters.

This process significantly increases the force a wood-framed home can withstand because the storm now needs to uproot the house from the foundation. I'm not saying it can't happen (visit The Split in Caye Caulker to understand the power of a Category 5 hurricane), but for a nominal fee—it cost us USD$750—you can increase your home's storm integrity.

Lastly, incorporate high ceilings or open ceilings into your design. You rarely see attic spaces like in North America, and that’s by design. Heat rises, so high ceilings or an open ceiling with a high roof line allow hot air to rise and collect above the living area. Include a wall with high windows or venting to allow hot air to circulate out.

Knowledge Turns Challenges into Triumphs

Wow, that was epic. If you have made it this far, give yourself a high five and two if you have also read Part One. I hope you found this valuable, informative, and as enjoyable to read as it was for me to write. I appreciate your dedication to sticking with me. It’s a lot of information.

I hope I didn't discourage anyone. I aim to inform, not cause apprehension. With adequate knowledge, the inherent challenges of building a house in Belize can be better anticipated and overcome more easily.

Proper planning is crucial. Consider all aspects of the project, from utilities and the foundation to storm readiness and other environmental considerations. The more informed you are, the better prepared you will be to tackle the project and identify potential issues before they become significant problems. Knowledge is essential for keeping the timeline and, most importantly, the budget on track. You are building in a foreign country, and things are different, so communication is paramount.

Ask questions and repeat them in various ways to ensure everyone is on the same page. Keep asking until you are satisfied with the answers. When problems inevitably arise, I hope the knowledge you’ve gained here equips you with the confidence to tackle them head-on.

However, if you no longer feel like building in Belize is for you after reading through, that's okay. Perhaps buying a home is more your thing.

If you have any construction-related questions or feel I have left something out, please let me know, and I'll do my best to add it or address it in another post.

Don’t forget to have fun with the project, no matter what arises. Despite its challenges, building a home in Belize is a rewarding experience for any expat.

Happy home building!

And thank you again for being a paid member; it means a great deal.

If you enjoy my writing, you might also like the A Foreign Perspective, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-winning book Home in Good Hands. For in-depth conversations about life abroad, check out the Foreign Radio podcast.

Welcome back. If you are new, thanks for visiting!

With the continued inflows of foreigners into Belize, land and property purchases continue at a record pace countrywide. If you are a foreigner looking to purchase or relocate, several options are available: rent, buy a pre-existing home, or purchase a lot and build your own. This post will explore the latter option, which my family and I chose three years ago. The following year, we began construction.

Like any construction project, it was a significant undertaking, even for a contractor in Canada like myself. Despite nearly 20 years of construction and renovation experience, I still found there was a learning curve to building in Belize. Construction methods vary, as do the communication styles of local contractors, builders, and suppliers. I learned some valuable lessons and want to share them with you so your project unfolds smoothly.

An Explanation of the Following Posts

The original draft was lengthy, so I've divided it into two parts, making it easier to digest and refer to later. Part One—this post—covers various pre-construction processes, like determining a location, considerations when choosing a lot, and ways to hack your budget and keep costs down. Part Two discusses all things construction, from clearing a lot and installing services to building methods, materials, and maintenance requirements and considerations.

Before We Get Started

There is one, albeit important, topic I won't cover in the posts: finding the right contractor. I wrote an award-winning book, Home in Good Hands: A Homeowner's Guide to Construction and Renovation, which includes a chapter on that subject.

The book also contains detailed information on renovations and construction projects, from start to finish, and it serves as a great companion resource to this and the following post. To keep the posts concise, I choose not to rehash it here. You can find the book on Amazon (linked above in the book title), Google Play, Apple Books, Kindle, and elsewhere. It provides valuable information that you can apply to any construction or renovation project, whether at home, abroad, or in Belize.

A Wee Disclaimer

While I have considerable experience in construction in Canada and built a home from scratch in Belize, expats aspiring to build here should conduct thorough research and exercise due diligence. My experience building in Belize is now three years old, so things may have changed. Indeed, material and labour costs, the availability of buildable lots, and contractors to do the work have changed since then.

Nevertheless, much of the information provided applies to the current market conditions and will, at the very least, get you thinking about things you might not have otherwise.

A Final Caveat

If you have never built or renovated a house in your home country, I wouldn't recommend cutting your teeth in a new country. If you are entirely new to residential construction or renovation, you may want to consider buying a home in Belize instead. Doing so will make your time in the country more enjoyable and preserve your mental and familial health.

For those with previous experience or an adventurous spirit, this post and the following will provide a comprehensive guide to building a home in Belize.

Let's get started!

Choosing a Property

You can only start to build something once you have a property to build on. There are various factors to consider when picking a lot, so let’s start there.

Determining Your Location

Establishing Priorities

There is a lot of property for sale in Belize. Driving down the Placencia peninsula or along the Hummingbird Highway and scrolling through Facebook real estate groups reveals a lot of choices. The abundance of choice is a blessing and a curse. The first thing to determine is the environment you would like to live in, i.e., whether in the jungle or along the coast. Belize's borders encompass various ecological zones, each with its pros, cons, and nuances.

I can’t say much more than that. The aspiring expat needs to do the legwork to determine what area of the country and way of life is best for them. It also isn't the post for an in-depth exploration into what each area of the country offers- perhaps an idea for a future post.

Regardless of where you buy, vacant land is typically found in pre-established developments or as stand-alone properties. If the property is part of a development, it may benefit from already being cleared, filled, and having services in place. However, it will also come with a higher price tag, monthly HOA fees, or other conditions. If not part of a development, there are several factors to consider, including access to utilities (electricity, water, and gas), availability of building materials and labour, and the extent of clearing and grading required before construction.

Ask Yourself These Questions When Choosing a Property to Develop

When starting, it's a good practice to list all the essential aspects of a property you seek. Ask simple questions based on your desired lifestyle, needs, and wants. Some sample questions may look like this:

• What do I want out of a property? Do I prefer to be near the ocean or a body of water, or are mountains and jungles more appealing? If water is a must, are boat and marina services a necessity?

• Do I want to be close to shops and restaurants? Is hopping into a vehicle whenever I need to do or get anything an issue for me?

• Am I looking to downsize and live simply, or do I want the size, comforts, and conveniences of the houses back home? In the latter case, expect to pay a premium on your build.

• Is the activity of a city or town my vibe, or is a secluded hideaway what I am looking for?

• If you prefer seclusion, how will the location affect the construction process? Is there a road/driveway into the lot? Can crews, materials, and machinery access the site? Will crews have water available on a lot that is ‘off the beaten path’? Water is necessary for poured concrete and concrete block construction.

  Many out-of-the-way, off-grid lots may appear affordable at first glance, but they often come with a high cost to build on them. Considering everything will help prevent you from getting over your head too quickly. Unfortunately, you can’t always rely on a real estate agent to provide this information, so you must find out for yourself.

• Is an expat community vital to me, or do I want to surround myself with locals and fully immerse myself in Belizean culture and customs?

• Do I require access to electricity, water, and gas services, or am I comfortable living off-grid? Many locals do in Belize - some by choice, many out of necessity.

• Is the property for personal use, an investment, or both? Do I want/need vacation rental potential and income generation? If so, consider purchasing in a desirable, popular, and established area (or, at the very least, an “up-and-coming” area), such as Ambergris Caye, Placencia, Hopkins, or San Ignacio.

Investment Potential

If investment is part of your overall purchase strategy, then a hyper-focus on location is something to consider. The mid-to-long-term outlook of my past property purchases has always included an investment aspect. When my wife and I purchased in Belize, we decided to buy in a desirable area with growth potential. At the time, Maya Beach was an established neighbourhood of boutique resorts, high-quality restaurants, and a small community of foreigners.

The area had numerous properties for sale and land available for development. When we arrived to build our home a year later, the local real estate market increased by 30%. That number is now over 100%, notwithstanding the house we built. Development is happening all around us. It's reassuring to know that in the event of a tragedy, a challenging circumstance, a change in priorities, or an otherwise unforeseen event, we can sell without taking a loss. Curmudgeons on Facebook will tell you this isn’t possible, but it is; they are probably projecting their regret surrounding not purchasing land.

Informed Decisions

At the time, we intended not to sell the property but to establish a long-term home. However, it's essential to understand that priorities change, as they did for us. We dreamed of living by the ocean, but have come to love the inland areas after three years here, traveling the country, and spending much time in the Cayo District and the jungle around Belmopan.

If you can spend a minimum of 3-4 weeks in the location under consideration, preferably during the wettest and hottest periods, you will quickly learn if it's right for you. We couldn't do that with a 7-week-old and a toddler when we visited Belize, but if you can manage to live in and explore the country before making a purchase, you’ll make the most informed decision possible.

I digress. If you purchase in a touristy area and plan to spend at least some time at home, how busy do you prefer it to be? Maya Beach is on the Placencia peninsula, but it isn’t as busy as the village proper. We wanted to be close to the action but not in the thick of things. And, at the time, the Maya Beach area was less expensive. So, if you make a similar decision, you can get more for your money.

When starting, it is essential to ask yourself the above questions and others, as they can help narrow down where to purchase and what to build.

Affordability

Belize is still considered one of the last affordable paradises. However, property values have hockey-sticked in the previous two years, and with a North American exodus underway, they won't fall anytime soon, if at all.

Some basic questions you can ask yourself regarding a piece of land are: Does it fit within my budget? If it's tight, can I find something similar in another location?

When we purchased, entry into the market in a beachside community was as low as 50,000 USD for a small parcel off the beach, but close to it. It is no longer the case along the Placencia Peninsula. However, you can still find an affordable lot in some of the newer developments along the country's northern shores. Compared to other Caribbean countries that are desirable for foreigners, Belize is still a viable option.

Budget for Building a Home in Belize

Ultimately, your budget will dictate what and where you can purchase. Here are some key factors when budgeting for land purchase and construction.

Land Purchase Considerations

In addition to purchasing the lot, the government of Belize requires the purchaser to pay an 8% Stamp Duty (for foreign buyers). If you have a lawyer on the transaction, they will charge an additional 2-3% of the purchase price for their services.

Construction Considerations

I used to recommend to my clients in Canada that they include a 10-15% contingency for small-scale projects and 15-20% for major renovations. I recommend a 25-30% contingency for the construction phase of the project in Belize. It may seem steep, but my reco is related to communication, expectations, and market factors. I will explain this in more detail in Part Two, but I can provide an example here.

Our real estate agent informed us that municipal water was available at the roadside when we purchased our parcel. There was, but it was across the road at the beachfront properties. What she thought was water access was a grounding rod for the electrical wires overhead. The local independent water provider quoted a high price for bringing a water line under the road and into our lot, so we opted for rain capture, which was the cheaper option. It has become a non-issue now, with the government-owned Belize Water Service (BWS) assuming supply in the area and installing water lines on our side of the road.

Nevertheless, it was a considerable oversight with a decent price tag. It cost us several thousand dollars to purchase and install a water pump, pressure tank, water filtration system, cisterns, and a concrete pad to support them. I don't blame the agent. We purchased the lot and were ultimately responsible for confirming the agent's claim about water availability.

Hack the System

Is there a way to hack the system? Can you achieve your goal without blowing the bank? Does the location you are considering offer potential for creative thinking? For example, can you purchase off the beach, where prices are substantially lower, but still capture a view and take advantage of its proximity?

We were fortunate to find a decent-sized lot (75’ x 145’, or approximately ¼ acre), nearly six times the size of the property we previously owned in Canada, with a canal in the back and 100’ from the beach. The lot is road-front, and the beach-front lots across from it are staggered, providing a view of the ocean from our raised front deck. It was a great find at a decent price because there aren’t many properties on the peninsula this close to the ocean that aren't beachfront.

The road in our area is very close to the beach, and beachfront lots are typically three to four times more expensive, so we felt we somewhat hacked the system. Beaches in Belize are public, so we can cross the road and use the beach as we please, but we don't incur the cost of maintaining it or pay the premium for being on it.

This is key when the sargassum comes because it means we can avoid the stinking mess it brings. If you are right on the beach, there is no escape; you'll smell it even if you don't see it. Don't get me wrong, being on the beach is an excellent option if you can afford it, but this was a great way to achieve a dream while keeping costs down.

There is one caveat with this: many property owners fence their property lines, disobeying local bylaws that dictate the presence of an easement between each property. The beach is public, after all, which requires access. If your beachfront neighbour blocks that access, the beach may be farther away than it seems. Fortunately, our property has a gift shop across the road, with a beach and road entrance. The owners are pleasant and allow us to use the right-of-way on their property to access the beach.

Another way we hacked the system was by incorporating prefabricated structures into our design. Doing so allowed us to build a custom home at a lower cost while reducing the timeline by 50%. Compared to the standard floor-by-floor construction method, we simultaneously built the home's main and second floors. If you didn’t know this aspect of the house, you wouldn’t guess, as ours is not the “typical Mennonite building.” Specifically, Mennonites didn’t build the prefab structures; we used Premier Homes Construction in Iguana Creek, whom I recommend.

Labour & Materials

Before you get that construction project underway, I recommend compiling a list of builders and their costs for specific projects. Many contractors can provide a per-foot/square-foot price for certain material types and installation methods. These fluctuate, so don't rely on old blog articles, websites, or Facebook groups to provide this information. Go directly to the source. Then, expect it to increase if you wait a year or more to start the project. You will need a contractor to complete the work, so shop around to put together a rough cost.

Materials

The availability and cost of materials change often. Some building materials, like concrete and concrete blocks, are produced locally and inexpensively. Other items, like pressure-treated lumber, are costly because broader market conditions affect Belize's trade and import prices. Fixtures and finishes (i.e., porcelain tile and lighting) can be expensive, and options for format, style, and colours are limited. Much research and legwork are required to source these items locally. Importing may be the right choice depending on what is available, the cost, or your desire (and insistence) for a specific style, quality, and type of item.

However, since moving here, I have noticed a considerable difference in what is available for finishes and furniture. Stores like Builders Hardware in Belmopan and Mirab in Belize City have good-quality items. You will pay a considerable markup, though: my wife and I found a couch on a US-based website for sale at Mirab, with an additional USD 1000 tacked onto the price.

Labour

Labour is typically affordable compared to North American standards. The typical wage for a general construction labourer is around five Belize dollars per hour. Therefore, you can deploy a large crew for a reasonable weekly fee. I encourage you to treat these individuals with kindness and respect. They work hard all day in the Belizean heat and commute for hours before and after each workday.

If the builder you hire is legitimate, they should pay their workers for two weeks of holiday each year and may even provide the crew with lunch daily. Expect the contractor to pass these expenses on to you.

Planning Your Build

As with the land selection process, there are many factors to consider when deciding what to build. You need to assess material types, construction methods, and environmental factors. It's important to ask yourself what you want to build and why, and to be flexible if a design idea doesn’t work well within the Belizean landscape. Have you always dreamed of a glass home by the beach but failed to consider how it would hold up in the direct sun or a hurricane?

For that reason, poured concrete or concrete blocks are used in many homes. Wood frame construction is also common, and there are ways to improve the storm resistance of a wood home (I'll touch on this in Part Two). Combining all three methods is also a widely used construction method, and what we chose. We built our wood-framed house on poured concrete piers, with one ground-level section infilled with blocks.

When it comes to choosing an architectural home design, it'll come down to balancing personal aesthetics, practical building practices, and budget. Explore design ideas common in the region and similar climatic zone,s and compile a list of those you like and think will work for your lot.

Assess Your Property

The size and shape of the property, as well as local building variances, will also influence what you build. Property access is another consideration, especially if you plan on prefab construction. We had to clear our lot entirely to get the delivery truck on site to place the buildings on their foundations.

Assessing the property and your budget is crucial to seeing what works best for you and the property itself. You will have already done this before purchasing the property, but it's good to revisit it during the planning process. Things pop up between buying land and building on it, and you should consider them during the construction planning phase.

Even if the entire home is built on-site, understanding access to materials and machinery is essential. For example, how far from the road is the building site? Can a concrete or pump truck make it onto the site, or will the crew mix concrete by hand? If you build a large home, that is a substantial undertaking for the crew and will increase the project’s timeline.

Purpose of the Property: Personal Use vs Rental

What is the intended use for the property? Whether your residence doubles as a vacation rental, determining who will reside in the home influences the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and amenities. The planned use of the building and your personal preferences will also affect the level of fit and finish. The home must be well-appointed to fetch a high rental fee if you plan to rent it. You must also consider the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) qualifications and standards. The vacation rental market is highly competitive, so plan to include some unique features to attract renters.

Needs vs. Wants

If the property is for you and your family, assess what is essential for you and what you want. It is subjective, but discussing and writing out what is needed and wanted is vital. Don't be shy; put down everything that comes to mind. You could include a view, a pool, an observation deck, specific-sized windows, or types of doors- really anything. Once you have these items in place, you can establish preliminary pricing. Depending on where you purchased and your budget, your needs may knock some wants off the list.

Environmental Considerations

Heat Penetration

In the tropics, heat entering the home is a significant factor to consider. No matter how you build it, heat will permeate the house throughout the day. There is no stopping radiant energy at forty-plus degrees. There is a continual debate surrounding wood vs. concrete, which I will explore in Part Two.

Other factors, such as the number and placement of windows, contribute to heat entering the home. More windows equals more sunlight, and more sunlight equals more heat penetration. It’s why traditionally built homes in the tropics have few and small window openings. However, this isn’t great for capturing views or interior aesthetics with limited natural light. Additionally, having a few windows means limited airflow, which is essential in Belize for controlling humidity and preventing the growth of mould and mildew. Even in the height of the dry season, mould can still take hold in an inadequately vented room.

Luckily, there are ways to strike a balance, and you can design a home that incorporates natural lighting while allowing for lots of windows and airflow.

Large Roof Overhangs

Large roof overhangs on a hip or gable roof provide shade for large windows, which is an effective way to mitigate direct sun exposure and cool off and air out the home in the evenings. Adding a covered porch or veranda is a great way to achieve this while improving the functionality and architectural interest of the house.

Building orientation

What is the best way to position the building on the property?

Is there a breeze you want to capture or a view to optimize?

Does the property get a lot of sun?

Is solar capture a priority? If you plan to install solar panels on the roof, you must build the home in a location that allows it to receive the sun's whole arc across the sky. It’s a double-edged sword in the tropics because shade is your friend.

Orient large windows parallel to the sun's path or shade them with an awning or a deep roof overhang, as mentioned above. In the case of solar power, even if you don’t install it right away, planning for its installation and orienting the building for future purposes should be done first.

As mentioned above, writing down your desires for the property is an essential step in the planning process, allowing you to forward thinking and the ability to anticipate future developments.

With our C-shaped house, we incorporated many central windows into the design, with fewer east- and west-facing ones, and none to the north and south. Doing so allowed us to illuminate the home with natural light while reducing exposure to direct sun throughout the day. Some sunlight comes in through the east-facing windows in the morning and the west-facing windows in the evening, but most of it is overhead throughout the day, hitting the insulated roof. We also included within the C a row of functioning high windows. Heat rises, so coupled with a shed roof, the heat naturally flows up and out of these windows when opened.

Insulation

I don't know if insulation is more common in wood-frame construction now than when we built our home, but it wasn’t a standard then. It was something we requested and insisted on. Many of the traditionally built prefabricated homes do not come with insulation. I was interested in spray foam, but the home builder didn't have it available, so we went with standard fiberglass batt insulation.

If spray foam is available to you, it's a good option because it can seal gaps and cracks, increasing energy efficiency and keeping bugs out.

If you plan to run air conditioning, insulation is necessary to keep the cool air inside and reduce the load on your air conditioners. Insulation will also help reduce heat penetration through the exterior wall assembly of your home, whether it is made of wood, concrete, or blocks.

When building with the latter two, a stud wall framed against the interior block or concrete is required for insulation and should be accounted for in your plans.

Natural Disaster Mitigation

There are various natural disasters to consider when building a home in the tropics. Belize is home to hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and wildfires. Depending on where you plan to construct, you must plan for at least one of the items on the list. Therefore, it's essential to ask yourself what you can incorporate into the design to mitigate or reduce the potential damage caused by one of these events.

Mitigation measures include landscaping, building practices, or accessories to the home’s exterior, and you should include them in your budget when planning. It's vital to explore these ideas early and have them influence your build, rather than deciding to add them later in a less effective manner and at a higher cost.

Hurricanes

If you are building on the coast, incorporate short roof overhangs or sacrificial eaves into the design. Sacrificial eaves are separate from the roof structure and designed to come off in a hurricane. This function reduces the stress on the roof structure, as deep roof overhangs that are part of the main roof structure act as a kite in high winds and can help the storm take your roof.

Storm shutters are also a must on the coast and will protect your windows and doors from airborne projectiles. In their simplest form, use cut-to-size sheets of half-inch plywood. Some homeowners have traditional wood shutters built and installed on the house for easy access. On the high end, use steel roll-up shutters.

Trim, maintain or remove trees within striking distance of your home. Coconuts are especially harmful in hurricanes as they are plucked from their tree and hurled into the air. If you plan to include coconut palms in your property design, consider placing them away from the house, regularly maintaining them, and removing all coconuts before a storm.

Overland Flooding

(For context: nowhere is free from the threat of overland flooding. This video was taken at one of the most expensive places to stay in Placencia. Video recorded in October 2022).

Many mountainous areas and the country's southern regions are prone to flooding. During the rainy season, a significant amount of rain can fall in a short period. If you plan to build in an area prone to flooding, you must design for it. A home raised on piers will keep you and your belongings dry. You can adequately divert, capture, or mitigate overland flooding using downspouts, rainwater reservoirs, swales, and French drains.

Another way to prevent or reduce overland flooding is by selecting proper fill. Parcels of land commonly need grading and leveling. If your property requires this, bring in truckloads of fill to raise the grade and level depressions. There are several common fill types: lagoon sand, rocky fill, and clay (ordered from highest cost to lowest). Many property owners opt for clay because it is cost-effective, but regret it when their land floods in heavy rain. We needed fill for our lot and opted for the mid-priced rocky fill.

It was one of the best decisions we made with our property. Many of our neighbours experience flooding, but ours remains dry. It quickly drains due to the porous nature of the fill, even when we receive five feet of rain in seven days, as we did last year.

When landscaping, plant heavily rooted trees and install retaining walls to prevent soil erosion during heavy rains and flooding that cause washouts.

Wildfires

Wildfires are a severe hazard in Belize, and areas in Cayo are particularly susceptible. Over thirty percent of Mountain Pine Ridge burned this year, affecting families and agriculture; other regions were similarly affected country-wide. If you plan to build in an area where wildfires occur, you may wish to build in concrete or block or incorporate some into your design. Metal roofs and siding are typical in Belize, which is optimal in fire-prone areas.

Good fire prevention practices include prescribed burns, creating fire breaks around your property, and routinely clearing brush, dead plants, and trees.

Shape of Your House

The shape of your home plays a role in how it will withstand the local environment. Low, squat structures and round or octagonal homes withstand hurricanes best. If you build in an area not threatened by hurricanes and opt for a multi-story structure, incorporating a central chamber within the home facilitates the expulsion of hot, rising air through the natural stack effect.

Design & Permits

Once you have considered the options above, you are ready to create a formal design. You must hire an architect to draft your construction drawings to apply for the building permit through the Central Building Authority (CBA). Some areas are exempt from needing a permit, like Mennonite communities, but it is unlikely you will end up in one. If you do, you can skip this step and build as you please.

If you use a prefabricated builder like ours, they complete the entire design and permit process. However, my wife and I designed the whole home using a 3D modeling program I used for my business back home. We provided the builder's architect with our drawings, and he copied them directly, which sped up the process and ensured our design was what we wanted.

Solid Foundations Start with Thoughtful Planning

Thank you for purchasing this comprehensive guide on selecting and preparing your property for construction in Belize. The planning stage is crucial, and numerous factors must be considered. I hope the information shared here provides a solid foundation for planning and decision-making. Remember, while the process of building a house in Belize is challenging, it is also gratifying. By conducting thorough research, remaining adaptable, and embracing the distinct characteristics of building in Belize, you can create a home that meets your needs and complements your new lifestyle.

Stay tuned for Part Two, where we'll explore the nitty-gritty of construction and offer more insights and tips to help ensure your project's success. Until then, happy property hunting or project planning, and enjoy turning your dreams into reality in beautiful Belize.

Welcome to the final post of our three-part series, A Foreigner's Guide to Wildlife in Belize. You can read part one and two here. Let’s continue exploring what foreigners can expect to encounter on land and in the sea. There are many breathtaking, interesting, and fearsome animals to experience and live alongside! Let’s start with…

Tapirs: National Animal of Belize

Tapirs in Belize are a remarkable sight and a significant part of the country's rich wildlife. The Baird’s tapir, AKA the "mountain cow," is Belize’s national animal. These herbivorous mammals are easily recognized by their prehensile snouts, which they use to grab leaves and fruit from trees. Even though they resemble an ant eater or pig, they are not related. The Tapir's closest genetic relatives are the horse and rhinoceros, as all three are odd-toed ungulates.

Tapirs are most commonly found in dense forests and along riverbanks. They are solitary and nocturnal, so not often seen. Although I have briefly seen one from a distance, I am more acquainted with the tapir crossing signs dotted along the Hummingbird Highway.

Frogs & Toads

What’s the Diff’?

Did you know that all toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads? Both amphibians are members of the order Anura, but toads are part of the family Bufonidae. Belize is a haven for these animals, with over thirty different species of frogs and toads. They are critical indicators of the health of our environment as they are highly sensitive to pollution and environmental changes.

Though many species of frog and toad are similar in appearance, there are considerable differences between the two. Here are some distinguishing characteristics:

Frogs

Frogs are a diverse and fascinating group, thriving in the country's humid tropical rainforests, savannahs, and riverbanks. Species like the Red-eyed Tree Frog, with vivid colors and striking red eyes, and the delicate Hourglass Tree Frog are some of the fascinating amphibians you can encounter. These frogs play crucial roles in the ecosystem, acting as both predators of insects and prey for larger animals, thus maintaining the ecological balance.

Toads

A Cane Toad Encounter

Belize is home to various toad species, ranging from the small Elegant-mouth toad to the large and deadly Cane toad. As an expat with dogs, it's important to understand that some toad species in Belize, like the cane toad, aka Bufo Alvarius, are poisonous. Living in Belize alongside these creatures poses a considerable risk to pets. The glands on their back produce a toxic skin secretion as a defense mechanism against predators. If an unsuspecting dog or cat licks or eats one, it can kill them quickly. I can attest to this, as our beloved Australian Labradoodle, Bandit, had a recent run-in with one.

The effects of the toxin were swift and severe. Bandit’s behaviour became irregular, sitting in a posture uncommon to him, which caught my attention from a distance. As I approached him, I noticed rapid breathing and fully dilated pupils. He began to fidget and vomit. He walked restlessly in tight circles in an attempt to get comfortable. Shortly thereafter, he couldn’t stand, losing control of his motor skills. His muscles tensed uncontrollably, which contorted his body into an unnatural position. Within ten minutes, he was incapacitated. I loaded him into my friend’s truck, fully expecting never to see him alive again, and was whisked off to a vet

At the time, we thought it was a snake bite, but the vet in Belmopan knew it was a toad immediately upon seeing him. Thankfully, Bandit didn't receive a full dose of venom and, with immediate treatment, survived. He bounced back quickly, was on his feet, albeit wobbly, six hours later, and by the next day, was back to his favourite activity: chasing lizards in the jungle.

Cane Toad Treatment

This was surprisingly basic, but it worked. The vet had my wife shove activated charcoal down this throat while he sedated Bandit and hooked up a saline IV drip. The toxin was absorbed into the charcoal by the time the sedative wore off. The key is immediate action. When you suspect something is off with your pet, get it to the veterinarian. It's also a good idea to keep some activated charcoal in your first aid kit.

Living a Psychedelic Life in Belize

Interestingly, this same neurotoxin is a highly potent psychedelic that contains 5meoDMT. Some indigenous groups milk the glands and, after drying, smoke the secretions to unlock their psychoactive effects. The venom induces intense, short-lasting experiences characterized by profound alterations in consciousness. Users often report vivid visual and auditory hallucinations, a deep sense of interconnectedness, and transformative spiritual insights. The effects can last from 15 to 45 minutes. Those seeking alternate experiences such as this must exercise caution with toad venom due to its potency. Careful dosing and a safe and supervised journey environment are necessary.

Praying Mantis

The praying mantis is a fascinating insect throughout Belize, known for its distinctive posture and predatory prowess. These insects are adept hunters, known for their elongated bodies and prominent front legs bent in a prayer-like position. Praying mantises inhabit the diverse environments of Belize, from lush rainforests and garden areas to French door glass (where we often see one at night). Like many insects mentioned here, they are crucial in controlling pest populations. An interesting fact about these creatures is their complex mating behavior, sometimes involving the female consuming the male post-copulation. This trait has fascinated scientists and inspired feminists worldwide.

Dolphins

Dolphins are intelligent and sociable marine mammals that grace the waters of Belize. With their sleek bodies and playful nature, they are a delightful sight off the deck of a boat or sandy shore. Belizean waters are home to various dolphin species, including the bottlenose and spinner dolphins. These highly intelligent marine mammals—whose intellect rivals great apes—swim in pods near the barrier reef or frolic in the shallow sea near shore.

Otherworldly Origins

For those interested in alternative history or conspiracy theories, there is an interesting hypothesis that dolphins have extraterrestrial origins. Corroborating evidence points to various ancient cultures, such as the Dogon tribe in Africa—known for their detailed astronomical knowledge—depicting dolphins as mystical or divine beings. The tribe elders claim that dolphin-like extraterrestrial beings imparted them their knowledge.

Whatever you believe to be the true nature of dolphins, you will see them from time to time in the shallow seas that make up the coast of Belize.

Crocs

Crocodiles are fascinating and formidable reptiles. There are two species in Belize: the larger American Crocodile and the more modest-sized Morelet's Crocodile, also known as the Mexican or Belizean crocodile. These ancient creatures inhabit the country's coastal areas, freshwater rivers, swamps, and lagoons. The American Crocodile is typically found in brackish waters along coastal mangroves, creeks, small islands, canals, and lagoons. The Morelet's Crocodile prefers freshwater swamps and marshes of the Yucatán Peninsula but also likes brackish waters and savannas.

Crocodiles play a vital role in the ecosystem as apex predators, helping maintain the balance by controlling fish and other aquatic animal populations. Despite their fearsome reputation, crocodiles are generally reclusive and avoid human contact when possible. Conservation efforts in Belize aim to protect these important reptiles from habitat destruction and illegal hunting, ensuring their continued presence in the country's rich biodiversity.

Geckos

These small lizards are ubiquitous in Belize. Often found clinging to walls or darting across ceilings, they are great house cleaners- apart from their droppings—disposing of unwanted insects inside and out of your home. They especially love hanging around exterior lights at night for the free all-you-can-eat buffet. Geckos are completely harmless to humans, personal belongings, or electronics, so there is no need to kill, harm, or capture them. With their distinctive chirping calls and ability to climb virtually any surface, geckos add charm to both urban and rural environments.

My family and I enjoy living alongside them as we know they are natural house cleaners. The other day, we got to experience the unique defense mechanism of dropping their tail. My wife and I watched the tail twitch and thrash for a solid minute without a body attached.

Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds are tiny, iridescent birds known for their rapid wing beats and hovering flight. They are native to Belize and display a variety of dazzling colors. With their long, slender bills, they specialize in feeding on nectar from flowers. Hummingbirds play a crucial role in pollination, making them essential to the ecosystems they inhabit. These energetic birds are a delight to watch as they flit from flower to flower, emitting a distinctive humming sound and crackling chirps as they move.

Manatees

Belize is a haven for West Indian manatees, also known as sea cows, which inhabit the country's coastal mangroves, rivers, and lagoons. These gentle giants, characterized by their large, paddle-shaped tails and whiskered faces, are a well-established fixture of Belize's marine environments. Despite their docile nature, manatees face threats from habitat loss and boat collisions, making their conservation a priority for Belize's marine ecosystem. When you are out for a stroll on the beach or paddling in Placencia lagoon, keep an eye out for their round gray heads bobbing in the water.

Howler Monkeys

The black howler monkey, known as "baboon" in local Creole, is found in Belize. It has a black coat and a distinct large throat that amplifies its calls. You will most likely hear these fellow apes before you see one. When you see one, you'll wonder how those noises come from such a cute-looking banana muncher. The “howl” they are known for is only a small part of their vocal repertoire, and, more often, they sound like demons hoarsely roaring in the trees.

Though they don't sound like it, howler monkeys are gentle creatures that spend much time resting to digest their fibrous folivore diet, which consists of leaves, fruits, and flowers.

Pelicans

Along Belize's shores and cayes, brown and white pelicans glide gracefully overhead, skim the water inches from the surface, or dive skillfully into the water for fish. With their distinctive beak pouches and impressive wingspans, pelicans are a common sight around the country's sandy beaches and turquoise sea. These iconic seabirds play a vital role in the coastal ecosystem, helping to regulate fish populations and maintain the balance of Belize's marine environment.

I thought I should wrap this section up with a pun: Why do they call a pelican a pelican? Because their beak can hold more than their belly-can!

Food Bugs

In addition to sugar ants discussed in the previous post, two other common household pests can infest stored food products. You can prevent introducing both pests into your home by examining the packaging in-store before purchasing and storing the food in sealed glass containers once home.

Pantry Moths

Pantry moths, particularly the Indian meal moth, lay eggs in grains, nuts, and other dry goods. Their larvae spin webs and contaminate food with silk and droppings. Once established, pantry moths are difficult to eradicate, requiring disposal of contaminated food and a thorough cleaning.

Rice Weevils: Bringing Belize Wildlife Home

Rice weevils are small beetles that bore into grains like rice, wheat, and corn, where they lay eggs. The larvae then develop inside the grain kernels and crawl over the food. Albeit an unappetizing discovery, rice weevils don’t contaminate the rice. You can pick them out, boil, and eat the rice as usual. These little bugs are often present in dry pasta packages, so shake the bag before putting it in your cart. Even then, you may still end up bringing them home.

Sugar Ants: Persistent Pantry Invaders

Sugar ants are tiny foragers drawn to sweet and greasy foods. Once they find a source, they leave scent trails that attract hundreds more. Though they don’t damage food the way moths or weevils do, they’re persistent and ANNOYING! To get rid of them, you’ll need to eliminate access to food, clean surfaces thoroughly, and disrupt their scent trails. Sealing containers and using ant bait traps can help prevent future invasions.

Parrots

Parrots are among Belize's most charismatic and diverse bird species, with vibrant plumage and remarkable intelligence. Found in the country's lush tropical rainforests and savannas, species such as the Red-lored Parrot, White-fronted Parrot, and the Scarlet Macaw bring bursts of color and life to their habitats. There are also many species of parakeet, a smaller species of parrot. Parrots are known for their strong, curved beaks and zygodactyl feet; they are adept climbers and foragers, feeding on fruits, seeds, and nuts. As a result, they play an essential ecological role in forest regeneration by dispersing seeds.

Another species unique to Belize, the Yellow-headed Parrot, is an endangered species with an uncanny ability to mimic sounds and human speech. This ability has made it a highly sought-after species for the illegal pet industry.

Parrot conservation efforts in Belize are crucial to protect these beautiful birds and their habitats from deforestation and exploitation.

Jaguars

I want to wrap up part three with the iconic big cat of Belize: the Jaguar. This three-part series was about the most commonly encountered animals, and though it's unlikely that you will ever see one in the wild, I didn't feel right leaving them out. With such a rich cultural history and ancient traditions surrounding the jaguar, I would be remiss not to touch on them.

Jaguars are apex predators and reign as the largest felines in the Americas. Revered by the ancient Maya, these cats are present in cultural iconography and the center of folklore. With their sleek coats and piercing eyes, these elusive cats command respect and admiration from locals, expats, and tourists alike. Jaguars aren't your typical felines: they are excellent swimmers known to hunt prey on land and in water, making them formidable predators. In conjunction with Guatemala, Belize Is home to the Maya Forest Corridor, whose goal is to preserve the vitality of Mesoamerican biodiversity, including the jaguar. Interesting fact: a panther is actually a type of jaguar that is all black and not a separate animal.

Embracing the Wildlife Wonders of Belize

In wrapping up our three-part series, "An Expat’s Guide to Wildlife in Belize," we've journeyed through this beautiful country's diverse and enchanting ecosystems, uncovering the myriad creatures that call it home. I hope that by highlighting the commonly encountered animals and each species' vital role in Belize’s natural environment, I have prepared the expat or aspiring one for future encounters. Even though some of the creatures we touched on insight fear in some, living alongside these creatures enriches the expat experience.

As you continue your adventures in this vibrant country, remember to respect and appreciate the incredible wildlife that makes Belize unique and lovable. Stay curious and engaged, and let the wonders of Belize’s wildlife inspire your life as an expat in Belize.

If you enjoy my writing, you might also like the A Foreign Perspective, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-winning book Home in Good Hands. For in-depth conversations about life abroad, check out the Foreign Radio podcast.

If you'd like to support this Substack and help me keep creating stories and essays like this one, consider subscribing, sharing, or buying me a coffee. And to those who already have—thank you. Your support means the world.

Scorpions

The dreaded scorpion (*dun dun duuun*). Surprisingly, they are arachnids but with menacing pincers and venomous stingers. They evoke a sense of caution among locals, expats, and visitors alike. Despite the venom, scorpions in Belize are only mildly poisonous. The sting is painful, similar to a bee sting, but worse. However, I experienced numbness in my hands, feet, and mouth when I got stung, as did a friend recently, which lasted for about six hours.

If a property is well maintained, encounters with scorpions are rare. They prefer cool, damp underbrush, which is more common in jungle areas or less manicured and maintained places. Whatever your feelings towards scorpions, it's best to check your shoes and gloves before putting them on if you live where they do. Aside from their intimidating looks, they don't pose much of a challenge to catch when you do encounter one. I suggest keeping an old yogurt container and a small piece of cardboard on hand to trap them. Then, release them back outside and away from your property.

They are quite fascinating creatures: they can live underwater for several days at a time, go without food for weeks, and slip into a crack no larger than the thickness of a credit card.

If you wish to keep them entering your home or your bed- my wife and I were stung in bed while sleeping on two separate occasions- a concoction of natural lavender and cedar essential oils is a great repellant. Spray it around your bedframe, along doorways, or in drains. Borax also works well but harms pets if you have one, and it doesn’t smell nearly as nice as the essential oil mix.

La Cucaracha: “The Cockroach”

Cockroaches are ubiquitous in Belize, thriving in natural and urban environments due to the warm, humid climate they love. These resilient insects are found inside and outside homes, restaurants, or anywhere where food and water are readily available. Though often associated with filth, cockroaches are everywhere, whether dirty or not, in Belize. They are known for their incredible adaptability and can consume various organic materials, making them effective scavengers and, unfortunately, pests. There is even a type that consumes wood, like termites. To add to their versatility, they can also fly.

Despite their reputation as unwanted guests, cockroaches play an important ecological role by helping to break down and recycle decaying organic matter, contributing to nutrient cycling. Outside human dwellings, they are part of the complex food chain, serving as prey for many predators.

Snakes

Belize has a diverse snake population, ranging from harmless species like the lumbersome boa constrictor to venomous vipers like the rattlesnake and the aggressive fer-de-lance. While running into a Tommy Goff or another poisonous species is less common, you will likely meet a boa at some point while in Belize long term. They are harmless to humans and most pets and typically mind their business. You can find them under decks, lumber piles, and other out-of-the-way places.

However, I recently encountered a juvenile fer-de-lance while visiting friends outside Belmopan. I was with my two toddlers when I spotted movement out of the corner of my eye. One of my sons saw it, too, and started to walk over to where it was sunning itself on a patch of gravel. I would not have seen it if it weren't for the contrast of the brown skin on white stones.

Thankfully, I realized what it was in time to pull him back as the coiled snake lurched forward at him. With my son at a safe distance, I took a closer look to identify the species. It darted at me as I approached. It was a feisty bugger, and I decided to take my boys away from the area. Although I wasn’t ever close enough to get bitten, it's the closest I have ever come to the possibility, and I don't plan on getting any closer.

So, what's my advice on snakes, you ask? Know what lives in your area and what it looks like, and keep your wits about yourself.

Snake Bite-Sized Information

If you have the unfortunate experience of being bitten by a poisonous species, act quickly and get to a hospital with antivenom. If you are in Placencia, Hopkins or anywhere else in Stann Creek District, head to The Southern Regional Hospital in Dangriga. If you can capture or, at the very least, take a picture of the perpetrator, this will aid in identifying the species and ensure effective medical treatment.

Snakes, like spiders, are essential for ecology despite their fearsome reputation. Snakes play an active role in controlling rodent populations and maintaining ecosystem balance. They aren't only present on land in Belize. The intrepid snorkeler or SCUBA diver can encounter species of sea snakes, like the colourful variable coral snake, while visiting the reef offshore.

Dogs

Are Dogs in Belize Wildlife? Some May Say So

Living in Belize means living with dogs, whether you own one or not. Dogs are commonplace in Belize, both domestic and imported by expats. Unlike their North American counterparts, many local dogs are kept for security, not pets. Canines are often seen roaming ditches or lounging in roadside shade. Many sleep outside, so the barking dog is a sonic fixture in the Belizean night, no matter where you reside in the country. Many Belizean dogs are of mixed breed, called Potlickers, and are a unique blend of physical characteristics and varying personalities.

Butterflies

Living with Endless Beauty in Belize

Belize is a haven for butterflies and their human enthusiasts. With around 700 species (that’s a lot of cause and effect with all those little wings flapping), these insects add vibrant splashes of color to their diverse ecosystems. Butterflies live countrywide and in various habitats, including tropical rainforests, savannas, and coastal mangroves. Among the most striking are the Blue Morpho, with its iridescent blue wings, and the Postman butterfly, known for its bold red and black patterns. Butterflies play a crucial ecological role as pollinators in Belize, aiding in the reproduction of many plant species and as a food source for other wildlife, contributing to the intricate web of life. If you are local to the Stann Creek district, visit Ya’axkin Butterfly Farm in Maya Center. If you are in the Cayo District, check out Oxmul Butterfly Farm or Green Hills Butterfly Ranch.

Sharks

Sharks are a diverse group of cartilaginous fish found in Belizean waters. There are over 350 species of sharks in the coastal waters, which are home to some well-known types, like hammerheads, bull sharks, reef sharks, nurse sharks, and the majestic whale shark. While some species, like the nurse shark, are relatively docile and pose little threat to humans, others, such as bull sharks, are more aggressive. However, shark attacks in Belizean waters are, thankfully, rare.

Whether you fear sharks or not, they should be respected for their crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of Belize's coral reef ecosystems. Their position at the top of the food chain—sharks are apex predators—helps to regulate populations of other marine organisms, ensuring no single species dominates the habitat. This balance is essential for the resilience and productivity of the reef system.

I am fortunate enough to have encountered these beautiful fish while SCUBA diving off the coast of Belize. They were memorable experiences, and I highly recommend experiencing them for yourself. I have yet to experience the whale shark, but it's on my bucket list. Comment below if you’ve had any shark encounters, I’d love to hear about them.

Coatimundi

The Coatimundi, also known as a Qashqui and white-nosed Coati, is a curious and adaptable mammal found in forests and savannas. Somewhat resembling a lemur but belonging to the raccoon family, coatis are easily recognizable by their long, ringed tails and elongated snouts. They are highly social creatures, forming bands of females and young, while males are solitary. They are omnivores with a diet that includes fruits, insects, small vertebrates, and eggs, which makes them important for seed dispersal and pest control in their ecosystems. Known for their agility and inquisitiveness, you can spot coatimundis foraging on the ground along Placencia Road and elsewhere in Belize.

Sting Rays

Stingrays are a fascinating and integral part of Belize's marine biodiversity. Belizean waters are home to several stingray species, including the Southern and Caribbean whiptail stingrays. It's common to see these graceful yet quick creatures gliding effortlessly through the shallow water’s edge, over the sandy sea bottom, and around coral reefs. Sting rays play a crucial role in the ecosystem by helping control the populations of mollusks and crustaceans, their primary food sources.

Shuffle Yo’ Feet:

Despite their intimidating name, stingrays are skittish and not too aggressive, only using their venomous stinger in self-defense. Nevertheless, they don’t like being stepped on, and I have witnessed a handful of unsuspecting tourists being poked by one. If it happens, seek medical attention immediately, as an unattended wound can get infected and take a long time to heal. To avoid a regrettable misstep, shuffle or drag your feet when entering the water. This ensures that your footfalls won’t land on one but shoe them away, saving you a painful trip to the hospital or local clinic.

Biting Bugs

There is no shortage of biting pests in Belize. Sand flies, mosquitoes, noseeums, and doctor flies are present in most areas of the country. While sand fleas and noseeums are present year-round, mosquitoes and doctor flies (yellow flies) are more prevalent during the rainy season. Doctor flies are nasty little buggers, similar to a horse or deer fly in Canada and the US. I'm not sure why they are called doctor flies other than their bite, which can cause serious swelling and make you think you need to see a doctor. If anyone has insight into the origin of the name, I’d love to hear it. The bites also itch like mad, so have some anti-itch on hand. As annoying as all these little blood suckers can be, they play vital roles in Belizean ecology.

Having these biters around is not much different from most expats’ home countries when you put it in perspective. For example, if you come from northern Ontario in Canada or Southern Texas, you will have no problem managing these nibbling ninjas. Interesting fact: sand fleas aren't insects, as the name suggests; they are very small crustaceans!

Mosquito coils are widely available, inexpensive, and great defense against noseeums. Many resort gift shops and local vendors offer repellents made of essential oils for those who prefer to avoid deet and other harsh chemical repellents.

Discover More Wildlife Wonders in Belize

That’s all for part two of our three-part series on Belizean wildlife. This country is a treasure trove of fascinating creatures, each contributing unique characteristics to the rich and diverse ecosystem. Stay tuned for part three, where we’ll continue to explore the unique wildlife that makes Belize such a captivating destination for expats. Don't miss out on more tips and insights to help you navigate and appreciate the natural beauty of Belize!

If you enjoy my writing, you might also like the A Foreign Perspective, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-winning book Home in Good Hands. For in-depth conversations about life abroad, check out the Foreign Radio podcast.

If you'd like to support this Substack and help me keep creating stories and essays like this one, consider subscribing, sharing, or buying me a coffee. And to those who already have—thank you. Your support means the world.

There are far too many animals to explore without making an epic encyclopedia-sized post, so instead, we'll look at the most commonly encountered animals. Even then, this will be a three-parter, as expats should get to know the many animals they will see and interact with.

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Spiders

Belize has a wide web of spider species, ranging from the tiny orb-weaver to the imposing tarantula. There are far too many species to get into any specifics, but know that the expat will undoubtedly encounter some while in the country. Some are poisonous, like the silk orb weaver mentioned above and the brown recluse, which I have encountered a few times. Despite its potent venom, it is, thankfully, docile.

While spiders inspire trepidation, most will only bite out of preservation. Spiders are important fixtures for Belizean ecology and play a vital role in controlling insect populations and maintaining ecological balance. Back to the silk weaver one more time: they are fascinating creatures whose silk is eight times stronger than steel of the same diameter!

Toucans: National Bird of Belize

Belize is home to the vibrant and photogenic toucan, specifically the keel-billed toucan (aka rainbow-billed toucan or bill bird), the country's national bird. The keel-billed toucan is a common sight in Belize's tropical rainforests, recognizable by its large, colorful beak that displays a striking mix of green, orange, red, and blue. These social birds are often seen in small flocks, flitting through the canopy or perched high on tree branches. Toucans are also known for their distinctive croaking calls that echo over treetops.

Although their large bills might seem cumbersome, they are incredibly lightweight and allow toucans to reach and consume various fruits, their primary diet. Interestingly, toucans also play a crucial role in their ecosystem as seed dispersers, aiding in the propagation of tropical plant species. For expats and visitors alike, spotting a keel-billed toucan in the wild is a notable Belizean experience. I recently witnessed these beauties in the jungle outside of Belmopan, the nation’s capital. Even though I understand that their beaks are not a hindrance, their ability to fly seems to defy physics.

Iguanas

These reptiles are common all over Belize and are often spotted lounging in trees or sunbathing in the open. With their prehistoric appearance and distinctive spines along their backs, iguanas add a touch of ancient charm to the varied landscapes. They are herbivores and love hibiscus flowers, much to many property owners’ chagrin. I love hibiscus and planted one outside when we landscaped our yard (a work in progress). The iguanas annihilated that poor plant to near death, no sooner than the first bud bloomed. Thankfully, they are resilient, as well as beautiful, and they bounced back after being potted and moved to our deck.

I digress. Male iguanas get quite large and are distinguishable by their yellowish skin. The females are smaller and green. There is also the Black Iguana species, which is native to Belize. These are smaller than the aforementioned variety and are gray with black markings. If you encounter an iguana and it doesn't run away at first sight of you, don't get too close; they are known to whip their tails when they are scared. Fun fact: Iguanas are excellent swimmers and can dive deep underwater to evade predators or the inquisitive expat.

Agoutis

Resembling oversized guinea pigs, these large rodents are adept at foraging for food in the forest underbrush or your neighbor's empty lot. Their powerful hind legs allow them to leap up to six feet in a single jump, and they are often seen bounding through residential yards in great feats of athleticism. Agoutis aren't just cuties (my wife and I have dubbed them ‘cutie agoutis’). They play a crucial role in dispersing seeds and contributing to the health of local ecosystems.

Bees in Belize: Living with Pollinators

Belizean bees are integral to healthy ecosystems and the agricultural landscape. The country is home to 25 varieties of bee species, including several species of stingless bees, like the endangered Melipona Beecheii, also known as the Royal Lady bee in the Maya language. For centuries, the Mayans have cultivated these stingless bees for their honey, which is prized for its medicinal properties and unique flavor.

Just like elsewhere in the world, bees play a critical role in pollinating local flora. These industrious little buzzers contribute to the health of Belize's tropical forests, the productivity of agroforestry projects and crops like citrus, banana, and cacao, and the thriving local honey industry.

Antics of Wildlife in Belize

Belize is home to over 150 ant species! Each plays a unique role in the ecosystems, contributing to processes like soil aeration and organic matter decomposition, and serving as a food source for other wildlife. Here are a few that the expat will run into.

Sugar Ants

These innumerable, tiny Hymenoptera, known for their sweet tooth, are often found invading kitchen counters and pantries, attracted to sugary foods and drinks. These ants are harmless but are a nuisance due to their persistence in seeking out sweet treats and resistance to eviction. Once you have them, you have them! Just stay as clean as possible, tidy up messes on counters and table tops immediately, and keep as much food in sealed containers as possible.

Fire Ants

Belize is home to fire ants, which are an aggressive biting type. They are tough little buggers that bite hard and cause a painful burning itch and allergic reactions in some individuals. These ants are typically found everywhere, from sandy beaches to jungle floors. My first experience with these little red devils was at Xunatunich, when my oldest son, a year and a half at the time, sat on a nest. His screams echoed through the ruin. We have since built up a tolerance to their bite, but it still doesn't feel very nice when it happens.

Leaf Cutter Ants

The most fascinating among Belizean ants are the leaf-cutter ants, which are true marvels of nature. These industrious insects cut and carry leaf fragments back to their nests to cultivate fungus, their primary food source. Leaf-cutter ants are vital for nutrient cycling in the rainforest, but they can also be problematic for farmers due to their voracious crop appetite.

Cleaner Ants

While not a specific ant species –several different types take on this cleaning role– the term describes those that help clean up the environment (outside and in) and is specifically used to define the temporary infestation of ants in many homes across Belize and Central America at large. Although it may not seem like it, they provide valuable assistance in keeping your Caribbean home clean. These ant-iseptic grime-fighters infiltrate your home, scavenging and removing organic debris like dead insects and food crumbs. The first time you experience their unsolicited cleaning services is undoubtedly startling, but just follow the local's advice: vacate the premises for a couple of hours and let them have free reign to do their work. Don't react like we did –see the video below– as we were pretty green to Belize at the time ;)

Just for context, this happened at our rental while our house was under construction.

Termites

Despite their close resemblance to ants, termites are more closely related to cockroaches. Like ants, termites live in large, complex colonies that can number millions, working together to build intricate nests called termitaria. These look like large, brown, irregularly shaped (but round or oval) nests high in trees or amongst fallen flora. Emanating out of these nests are vast and intricate tunnels that the termites, who prefer dark environments, use to traverse the landscape for food to return to the nest. These industrious insects can be found in various habitats, from dense rainforests to urban areas.

Like termites everywhere, they can cause serious damage to wood structures, plywood, and furniture. It's a good idea to check and spray for termites around your property routinely. Although they are essential decomposers in the Belizean environment, they are indifferent to what they snack on. Termites play a vital role in the ecosystem by breaking down wood and plant material, but can quickly destroy personal belongings that have been stored away or unattended. I recently discovered that my hurricane plywood had an infestation, irreparably damaging ⅓ of my precut panels. The process recycles nutrients back into the soil and supports the health of the forest ecosystem, which is all good; I’d prefer they don't use my stuff to do that.

Flood Flies

These aren't flies, but a type of flying terminate. They lay dormant in the ground during the dry season and rise from the earth like the walking dead after the first heavy rain of the year. They swam in the millions and infiltrate every crack and crevasse in your home. Once inside, they lose their wings, procreate and die. They come every year; there is no avoiding them. My wife and I now anticipate this event as the rainy season approaches and have rolls of painter's tape ready to temporarily seal around doors and windows as the swarms rise up. Ultimately they are harmless, they are just a pain in the ass to clean up afterward and their wings linger for months.

More to Come: Continue Your Belizean Wildlife Adventure

That's all for now. As you can see, Belize's wildlife is as diverse as it is fascinating. From the dino-like iguana to the industrious leaf-cutter ants, every encounter offers a unique glimpse into the vibrant ecosystems of this beautiful country. Stay tuned for parts two and three, where we'll continue exploring the captivating animals that make Belize a wildlife sanctuary. Don't miss out on more intriguing information and tips for living alongside Belize's incredible fauna!

If you enjoy my writing, you might also like the A Foreign Perspective, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-winning book Home in Good Hands. For in-depth conversations about life abroad, check out the Foreign Radio podcast.

If you'd like to support this Substack and help me keep creating stories and essays like this one, consider subscribing, sharing, or buying me a coffee. And to those who already have—thank you. Your support means the world.

Religious Beliefs and Practices

Belize's religious beliefs and practices reflect the country's diverse cultural milieux. While Christianity is the predominant religion, with Roman Catholicism and various Protestant denominations being the most widely practiced, Belize is also home to other faiths, including Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Rastafarianism. The country is also seeing a quiet resurgence of traditional Mayan spirituality as indigenous groups reconnect with their suppressed cultural roots and practices in shamanism, polytheism, and animism.

Most elementary schools, high schools, and some colleges in Belize are managed by the Christian establishment. Despite a sizeable Christian presence across the country, religious diversity is a cornerstone of Belizean life. Religious freedom is enshrined in the country's constitution, allowing individuals to practice their faith freely. Churches, temples, mosques, and synagogues can be found throughout Belize, serving as focal points for worship and community gatherings. Religious festivals and holidays are celebrated enthusiastically, bringing together people of different faiths to share in each other's traditions and customs. Overall, the religious landscape of Belize is characterized by tolerance, diversity, and a deep reverence for spiritual beliefs and practices.

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Immigration

Residency & Work Permits for Expats in Belize

To work in Belize, you need either a work permit or residency. Both applications take time, and residency requires that the applicant remains in Belize for 350 days in a 365-day period before you can apply. Once applied, you cannot leave beyond fifteen days while your application is processed and residency approved. Once approved, you can come and go as you please. Both applications come at a price, which fluctuates depending on who you speak to. This could result from the revamping the Immigration Office recently went through to route out corruption. There is also an option to apply for a temporary residency, but the benefits of that are debatable. The best practice is to speak with an immigration officer in Belmopan or Belize City to receive the most relevant and accurate information before applying. No matter your choice, you better limber up because you'll have to jump through hoops.

Visitor Permit Extensions

The Immigration Department requires that you renew your visitor permit regularly, every 1-3 months, depending on who processes the renewal and what office you go to. I have renewed in both Independence and Belmopan and have found the process smoother in the latter, although, depending on the day, that office can be busy. The renewal fee is 200 Belize Dollars (100 USD; the Belize dollar is pegged to the greenback at 2:1) per person per month, including children of all ages. Typically, retirement-age individuals get 3 months, which is only a convenience, as it still costs the same monthly. Make sure to bring enough cash for multiple months if it's offered, and it works for you. It's important to understand that if you pay for three months and then leave the country after six weeks, you forfeit the remaining six weeks. A new stamp is issued with each new entry, and any previous visa extensions are void and nonrefundable.

Cost of Living in Belize

The cost of living in Belize varies depending on where and how you choose to live. You can live cheaply if you let go of your attachment to standard North American comforts. If you insist on imposing standards from home, the cost of living will be the same, if not greater, than in your home country.

Food

Groceries

Grocery shopping varies by area, but it tends to be less expensive the further north you live. When I visited earlier this year, I found groceries, fresh fruit, and vegetables and eating out the cheapest in Corozal. Some of the best shopping is found in Belmopan and Belize City, as they have greater availability and variety of goods. No matter where you are in Belize, you will pay a premium if you insist on buying back-home brands like Ruffles, Campbell Soup, Oreos, etc. If you must have those items, I recommend trying regional versions instead; they are often just as good and are a fraction of the price. My best recommendation is to leave all that stuff behind and dive into the abundance of fresh local fruit, vegetables, fish, and meat available at local markets.

From Restaurants to Street Food, There is Something for All

There are as many places to eat in Belize as there are price points for your budget. Touristy areas or attractions will typically cost more to eat at than the ubiquitous roadside shack. As alluded to earlier, different areas come with different price points. Even in the tourist-heavy Placencia, you can find affordable food amongst the pricier establishments. The most affordable dining option is the roadside or market stand. You can fill your belly for just a few bucks with various items, like burritos, tacos, or tostadas. Many food stands make their tortillas fresh in front of you, too. Word of advice: make sure your gut has adjusted to Belize for a solid month before you stop at your first small-town eatery or roadside stand! You’re welcome.

Phone and Internet

The cell phone plans and home internet are affordable. Connectivity and signal strength vary depending on your location but are generally good. There are two main suppliers: Digi and Smart. I don't have any experience with Smart, but Digi has been as decent as any telecommunications company can be. I’d take them over the maligned Rogers from Canada any day.

Vehicle Registration and Insurance of All Kinds

Registering a vehicle is more affordable in Belize, with a typical cost of around two to three hundred BZD a year for a large automobile like a truck or SUV. Vehicle insurance is considerably less than home insurance, although I have yet to make a claim (thankfully). Perhaps a reader with relevant experience can comment below. For context, I currently pay around $500 BZD annually and drive a ten-cylinder Ford E450. Home insurance is reasonable unless you opt for hurricane coverage, which significantly increases costs more than you would be used to at home. If you are a permanent resident, insurance providers will also cover you for health insurance.

Utilities

Municipal water access varies from place to place, but for places with it, it's $0.01 per gallon, provided by Belize Water Services (BWS). For areas without municipal water, rain catchment, wells, pumping from rivers and streams, or trucking in water is commonplace. At the Green House by the Seam in Maya Beach, Placencia, BWS is working to install metered water, which greatly reduces costs and increases convenience for the residents. Electricity, provided by Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), is by far the highest utility cost for those living in the country. Supply isn't always stable, with planned and unplanned outages being commonplace. Belize has in-country power generation but not enough to fulfill the country’s demands. As a result, the country purchases the remainder of its supply from Mexico. Recently, Mexico has been dealing with its power shortage and has reduced Belize’s supply. Unfortunately, this comes when the entire Caribbean is experiencing record-breaking heat. Most areas of the country are affected by the rolling blackouts caused by BEL load shedding. However, the more touristy areas experience less of these as they are prioritized due to the importance of the industry for Belize’s GDP. It's important to remember that outages often bring power surges, so having high-efficiency appliances or surge protectors will prevent damage to anything with a plug.

Solar, as elsewhere in the world, is costly but readily available with many solar supply and installation companies. An adequate solar setup will significantly reduce reliance on the grid and decrease monthly electricity bills if you can afford it.

Retiring in Belize

Many nearing or entering retirement age choose Belize for this much-anticipated stage of life. It is a retiree paradise with warm weather, tropical beaches, lush jungles, and lots to do. Those looking to retire in Belize have several options (link to Immigration Section), one of which is the Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) program overseen by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB). Geared towards retirees seeking a tranquil lifestyle, the program offers various perks, including tax exemptions on foreign income and duty-free privileges on importing personal belongings and vehicles. Eligibility requires applicants to be at least 40 years old and to receive a minimum retirement income of $2,000 monthly or $24,000 annually from a foreign source in approved currencies (USD, GBP, EUR, and CAD). However, certain restrictions apply: QRP participants cannot work despite gaining residency status through the program. They must also deposit their annual income into a Belizean bank account. Additionally, transitioning from QRP to residency or a work permit forfeits previous tax exemptions, which are reassessed, and taxes are owed.

Volunteering While Living in Belize

Volunteering is a common pastime for all retirees, whether in Belize or not. It is a staple activity for many retired expats in Belize. Volunteering requires a permit unless you are under the QRP program (although this was not always the case and is a new and added benefit to the program). The Rotary Club is an active organization, as is the Humane Society branches throughout the country. Many expats volunteer to organize sporting events, like the End of the World Marathon or local pickup basketball and football (soccer). Whatever your preferred way of giving, there is probably an organization for it; if not, you can always start your own.

Finding Friends: Expats in Belize

Most cities, larger towns, and established tourist areas have active expat communities. If you move to one of these areas: Corozal City, Orange Walk town, Belize City, Belmopan, San Ignacio, Hopkins, or Placencia, you will find lively expat communities. They typically volunteer, give back to their communities, set up businesses, organize events and gatherings, and participate in annual festivals. Depending on your interests, finding like-minded individuals shouldn't be a problem. Interests run the gamut from the health-conscious yoga practitioners to the sedentary, smoker-drinkers types. Many expats are fifty-plus, but there is a growing cohort of young diaspora with school-aged children. When looking for ‘your people,’ it's best to be patient- it's not a big country, but it's surprising how long you can live somewhere and still meet new people when you are out and about. If you don't click with anyone immediately, don't feel discouraged, and stick with it.

Knowledge is Power: Life in Belize is What You Make It

Becoming an expat in Belize presents a unique blend of challenges and rewards. While adjusting to a new environment can be overwhelming, embracing the slower pace of life and maintaining a positive attitude can lead to a fulfilling and enriching experience. It's essential to approach the transition with an open mind. Remember that Belize, or any country, has its complexities and nuances. Respecting the local culture, customs, and laws is paramount, as is recognizing the privilege of being a guest in another country. Despite the bureaucratic hurdles and occasional frustrations, Belize is a vibrant, multicultural country with stunning natural landscapes and a welcoming community of locals and expats alike. Ultimately, the key to thriving in Belize lies in adaptability, patience, and a willingness to embrace the adventure of expat life in this diverse and beautiful country.

Thanks to all who have reached out to provide feedback on the blog. Much of it is positive, and I am grateful to those who have subscribed, commented, and read the posts. If you have a topic of interest, please comment below, and I'll do my best to include it in an upcoming post. Thanks again!

If you enjoy my writing, you might also like the A Foreign Perspective, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-winning book Home in Good Hands. For in-depth conversations about life abroad, check out the Foreign Radio podcast.

If you'd like to support this Substack and help me keep creating stories and essays like this one, consider subscribing, sharing, or buying me a coffee. And to those who already have—thank you. Your support means the world.

This is a continuation of the previous post. Here it is if you didn't read Part One. If you did, let's jump back in.

Geography, Politics, and Demographics

Belize is a small (geographically and population-wise) but beautiful country. It is a nature lover's paradise, with innumerable national parks, nature preserves, and protected areas. The diverse landscape includes jungles, limestone mountains, savanna, beaches, islands, and the barrier reef (second largest in the world and largest on this side of the world). The country borders Mexico to the North, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. There is a longstanding border dispute with Guatemala over the sovereignty of Belize, which currently represents itself in the tensions over Sarstoon Island. This does not threaten the safety of Belizean nationals or expatriates and only occasionally pops up in the media.

Living Multiculturally in Belize

Despite its population of about 416,000, Belize is a very multicultural country. Local culture includes indigenous Maya, Garifuna, Central and South American immigrants, Spanish, British, Taiwanese, East Indian, Mennonite, Amish, and expats from all over the world.

Being Canadian, I'm used to multiculturalism, but Belize has an authenticity unlike anywhere else in the world. Back home, different cultural groups are segregated into specific areas and neighbourhoods, but there is a lot more intermingling due to the small land mass. It's common to find Garifuna, Maya, Mestizo, Taiwanese, expats, and others in one town or area. However, some groups, the Mennonite and Amish in particular, separate their communities from others.

Languages

Belize is an English-speaking country and the only one of its kind in Central America. Spanish is very common, as is K'iche’, Kriol, Taiwanese, and Plautdietsch. Many Belizean nationals are bi- or trilingual.

Politricks

Once part of British Honduras, Belize gained independence in 1981. Like other commonwealth countries, it retains ties to the English monarchy and recognizes King Charles III as the head of state. It is a stable constitutional parliamentary democracy

with regular elections. The last election was held in 2020, with Johnny Briceño as elected Prime Minister and head of government. As in most places, political corruption is present. It is institutionalized, and little is done to curb it, but it's not something expats regularly experience. Nevertheless, the country is stable, and the civil liberties of citizens and expats are generally respected.

Personal Safety, Crime, Scams & the Gringo Tax

Anecdotally, Belize is a safe place to live. My wife and I have never felt unsafe during our time in the country. There is crime in isolated areas, but if you avoid shady activities, like- no, not hanging out sippin’ a Belikin under palm trees- involvement in gangs and drugs, you'll be fine. Due to the small population, Belize has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, but that is generally kept to specific communities and people.

Petty crimes of opportunity are more common but rare in many expat areas with higher security. They are also easy to avoid with a little common sense and local awareness, i.e., don't leave your bike unlocked and unattended.

Most expats experience regular requests for money, and it's up to the individual to give or not. If you decline to give, the requests will reduce over time as the asker realizes you aren't a tourist. If you give, don't be surprised if that person returns to ask again. For the giving type, it's best to do so through a recognized organization (add link).

Scams

Scammers are everywhere, and Belize is no exception. Most scams here are unsophisticated, so there is no need to worry about getting your identity stolen. However, you may get suckered for $25 Belize bucks by the local “soccer team coach” or similar schtick. Proceed with caution, follow your instinct, and if you discover you've been had, just let it go. Chalk it up to a learning experience and take solace in knowing that it's a right of passage for the expat in Belize, along with scorpion stings and noseeum bites.

Every Expat Should Know This About Belize: the Gringo Tax

This may seem controversial to speak about, but the Gringo Tax is a real thing. Whether you are wealthy or not, as a person from a developed nation, you will be viewed as such. If you are Caucasian, even more so. The Gringo Tax is subtle, or minimal at most, in Belize, and many expats don't even notice. It's important to recognize that, as expats, we are privileged. Most of us have the financial means to retire abroad or relocate our families and live off savings while we reestablish our lives in a new country. That's not a thing for the majority of Belizean nationals. Many locals I chat with haven't been far outside their village or district, let alone the country.

While I don't like it in principle, I understand it is a part of life in Belize for the expatriate. Everyone needs to make a living; some do it by not-so-honest means. Yet, the Gringo Tax can be avoided: if you don't like the cost of something, negotiate, try another vendor, or just don't buy it. As they say, it takes two to tango, and you can leave the dance floor and return another day. When you adopt a slow living attitude, buying that ‘thing’ isn't as pressing as it once was.

Weather in Belize

The temperature and weather in Belize are stable but hot and humid. Humidity levels can reach close to 100% at certain times of the year and hover in the mid-to-high seventies at a minimum. The best temperatures are from November to February, with daytime highs in the upper-middle to high twenties (degrees Celsius; here’s a conversion calculator for all American readers). Depending on where you are in the country, nighttime temperatures can fall as low as ten degrees, but typically, this is for only a brief period. The hottest time is May through September when temps can hit over forty degrees with the humidity.

Belize has two main seasons: rainy from June through the end of November and Dry the rest of the year. Other seasons exist, too, like mango and lobster, but those aren't typically considered weather-related, although highly anticipated.

In the rainy season, Belize is at risk of hurricanes, but not nearly to the extent of the outer Caribbean and Florida. Its geographical location protects it and reduces the chances of experiencing a hurricane compared to its neighbours.

Flooding

During the rainy season, flooding is common. Many low-lying areas in the country flood and rivers rise and overtake bridges. It's common for residential lots to have several inches of water over them for days after heavy rains. Thankfully, the Green House by the Sea is unaffected by this. While under construction, rocky fill was used to raise the grade of the lot, providing great drainage.

We are going to put a pin in this here. There is so much to know about expat life in Belize, so keep an eye out or subscribe for Part Three.

If you enjoy my writing, you might also like the A Foreign Perspective, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-winning book Home in Good Hands. For in-depth conversations about life abroad, check out the Foreign Radio podcast.

If you'd like to support this Substack and help me keep creating stories and essays like this one, consider subscribing, sharing, or buying me a coffee. And to those who already have—thank you. Your support means the world.

Life in Belize is an exciting blend of challenges and rewards. Packing up moving continents for a season each year or indefinitely has inherent challenges, as does life once you get here. Many people move to rid themselves of the problems in their home countries. That's all well and good, and Belize is a great option for those looking for more freedom. Yet, it's important to recognize that no country in the world is without problems, and you may simply swap old ones for new ones.

Despite the innate challenges, moving to Belize can be a rewarding and positive life-changing experience. Moving here was not what I imagined, but I wouldn't change it. The key to surviving the move and settling into a new home is to release attachment to outcomes, trust your gut, and respond to ‘problems’ with a positive attitude.

It's also important to remember that you are a guest here. Unless you take the time and effort to become a resident or citizen, it's not your place to complain, impose customs from back home, or attempt to change the country or its people. I'm not saying don't volunteer, participate in charity, or improve living conditions for local people.

I'm simply saying don't attempt to force your way for your benefit. Unfortunately, there is a history of that in Belize and elsewhere. Put plainly, respect your host country, be grateful for their acceptance of you, and appreciate it for what it is.

I digress. Now that my rant is over let's explore some common features of expatriate life in Belize. In this sweeping guide, we'll cover everything from weather and safety to work permits and renewing visas—everything the aspiring expat should know and eventually experience.

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Is Belize a Third World Country?

Some say Belize is a third-world country, but that's an outdated term from the Cold War era, which is more political than economic. By contemporary terminology, a ‘third-world country’ is a developing or low-income country. According to the World Bank, Belize is an “upper middle-income country in Central America.” On the world stage, it's classified as a developing country. The qualifier is the infrastructure, governmental, and bureaucratic systems, which aren't as established as those in the home countries of many expats. This is both a blessing and a curse. Since the GDP is low compared to developed countries, the government isn't as well funded as those in Europe, Canada, and the US. As such, they don't have as much reach. Belize isn't your typical “big brother” state; to some, that's good. For this reason, many Belizeans I speak to feel they have more freedom than their northern, developed neighbours.

On the other hand, attempting to get anything done- cue the under-your-breath profanities- like getting a driver's license, receiving your land title certificate, or applying for a work permit, are often time-consuming and dirt-kicking experiences. You must exercise extreme patience in daily life, with Gandhi-esque resolve, to accomplish ‘routine’ tasks. However, the daily ‘hiccups’ can lend well to a slower pace of life if you choose to see it that way. The country may be landbound, but ‘island time’ is alive and well in Belize.

Belizean Economy

Belize is part of CARICOM, a fifteen-member, intergovernmental community of Caribbean nations. Belize actively participates in various CARICOM initiatives, including trade agreements, joint economic projects, and cultural exchanges, contributing to the overall development and prosperity of the Caribbean community. Through its membership in CARICOM, Belize strengthens its ties with fellow Caribbean nations and reinforces its commitment to regional integration and cooperation.

Belize exports various goods, including seafood, wood, sugarcane, and bananas. However, tourism is its primary industry and main source of income.

Borders, Infrastructure & Shopping

Borders

There are only two official borders in the country: one in the north with Mexico and the other in the northwest with Guatemala. As a result, all imports, which are many things in Belize, come through these two places. For the most part, entering and exiting into Belize is easy. When exiting the country, it helps if you speak Spanish.

Shopping Like a Local in Belize

There are no big box stores or international chains in Belize. Grocery shopping, especially in the south, can be pricey and frustrating as product availability is sometimes limited. This challenge is overcome with patience and the understanding that a ‘one-stop shop’ isn't a thing here. You will save yourself from many headaches by accepting that you must visit multiple stores to find everything you need. The bonus is that you will increase your knowledge of the area in which you reside and the likelihood of meeting new people.

If malls, convenience, and the on-demand nature of North American life are your thing, Belize is not for you. On the other hand, if you prefer slow living (except for driving, of course), shopping in independent stores, and perusing markets, you'll fit right in.

Shipping to Belize

Many cities have everything you need to live comfortably with the caveat that there will be an increased time to find everything. Again, those looking for a slower pace of life will find this part of Belize's charm. Mailing and receiving packages is commonplace but not to home addresses. Mail is picked up at a post office or a designated third-party location. Items from Amazon and other online stores are available through companies like Belizean Queen, who will import and deliver goods to your door for a premium. Others, like Arrow Freight, require you to pick up your items or arrange a third-party delivery service.

If you bring personal belongings into the country by shipping a container, you will need a customs broker and must pay duty on the contents. This can be pricey but depending on the items and your budget, it can be worth shipping items into Belize. Many expats do this, though the availability of more fashionable furniture and appliances has improved.

A Bumpy Ride: Living with the Roads in Belize

The roads here are a mix of paved and dirt. Major routes are paved and maintained, while many side roads are not. Most highways are in good condition and routinely maintained, and new roads are constantly under construction. If you read a description of an “all-weather road,” prepare for a bumpy ride. Many side roads ("off road" roads) get flooded, washed out or seriously potted during rainy season. A four wheel drive vehicle is recommended. There is a lot of development here, with many commercial and residential construction projects underway. This is one of the many reasons Belize is a great place to invest and live.

Schools

There are both public and private options available for school-aged children. Public schools are free and mandatory for children six to fourteen. Private schools, called International Schools, are found in established expat areas and are believed to provide a higher standard of education but at an annual cost per child.

Health Care

The healthcare system in Belize is a blend of public and private services. Public healthcare is provided by the Ministry of Health and Wellness through a network of hospitals, health centers, and clinics nationwide. While these services are affordable and accessible to Belizean citizens and expats, they may vary in quality and availability. The private healthcare sector, consisting of hospitals, clinics, and medical professionals, offers higher standards of care and quicker access to services for those who can afford it. The best medical care is found in Belize City. Although I do not have any personal experience with them, many expats have said that Belize Medical Associates provides top-notch care. I do have experience with St. Luke private hospital in Belmopan and recieved adequate care, standards of Canada. Expatriates often opt for private healthcare due to its higher quality and reliability. Belize continues investing in and making improvements to its healthcare system. For expatriates looking to receive the best care Belize can provide, it is recommended that you visit Belize City or Belmopan. Returning to one’s home country is commonplace for anything serious or life-threatening.

An Expat Health Insurance plan is a viable option to provide peace of mind while living in Belize. Providers like AXA Global and others offer foreigners living abroad a range of coverage options. Depending on your coverage, expect to pay $1200- $2000/person. School-aged children are typically a little less.

There is a lot more to discuss, so stay tuned for Parts Two and Three in the coming days.

If you enjoy my writing, you might also like the A Foreign Perspective, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-winning book Home in Good Hands. For in-depth conversations about life abroad, check out the Foreign Radio podcast.

If you'd like to support this Substack and help me keep creating stories and essays like this one, consider subscribing, sharing, orbuying me a coffee. And to those who already have—thank you. Your support means the world.

Vibrant Brews

Belize is not just about beach lounging and jungle adventures; it's also about sippin’ suds. Many people don't know this about Belize: there is an avid beer culture here. With a rich history and diverse flavors, Belizean breweries offer a delightful array of beers that cater to every palate. Let's dive into the vibrant world of Belizean brews and discover the uniqueness of each.

Stout Lovers Unite

I wanted to touch on this first because Stout is prolific in Belize. Having traveled extensively and spent a significant amount of vacation time in tropical climates, stout is not often found. That was until I came to Belize. They love their stout down here, and every brand brews one. You can even find the famous Guinness Draft in bottles, but the locals prefer to “go deh strong” and have a Belikin Stout. Belizean stouts aren't quite the same as the Guinness or Mill Street brews back home (they are more like porters to me), but they still provide rich notes of chocolate and caramel with a higher percentage ABV.

Traditional Beer of Belize

Belikin: A Taste of History

Any exploration of Belizean beer wouldn’t be complete without Belikin. As the country's most iconic beer, signified by the Altun Ha ruin printed on its label, Belikin embodies the essence of Belize. The beer derives its name from the word belikin, meaning “route to the east,” in the Mayan language. Other interpretations suggest that the beer's name was the original name for Belize, but this is debated. Regardless of the name's root, there's no debating that it's a beer backed by a nation. Whether you're cheers-ing a refreshing Belikin Lager or indulging in the robust flavor of Belikin Stout, each sip is a journey through Belize's cultural heritage.

Mine: The Latest Brew from CIB

For those seeking a crisp and refreshing taste, crack open a Mine Beer, the newest brew from Caribbean International Brewery Co.Ltd. With their commitment to quality and innovation, Mine Beer has a few distinct brews that reflect Belize's vibrant spirit. Each beer tells a story of passion and craftsmanship, from the refreshing and citrusy Mine Pale Ale to the bold and complex Mine Stout.

501: Embracing Local Flavors

Named after Belize's country code, 501 Lager is not your traditional Belizean brew. Brewed by beverage giant Bowen and Bowen, 501 is made with locally sourced ingredients from local farmers. It's a tasty Belizean take on Jimmy Buffet's Landshark. With subtle hints of hops and malt, 501 is a refreshing beer well suited for life on the beach. Pair it with ceviche and chips, and you have an authentic Caribbean taste.

My personal favourite is 501 stout. Subtle chocolate and moca notes are appealing to

R&B: A Beer for Life in Belize

R&B Lager brings a unique twist to Belizean beer with its fusion of Caribbean and international influences. From the zesty R&B Caribbean Lager to the smooth and creamy R&B Stout, each beer is a harmonious blend of flavors that tantalizes the taste buds.

Craft Beer of Belize

Hobbs: Craft Beer Meets Caribbean Flair

The self-proclaimed “Craft Beer of Belize,” Hobbs Brewery was the first official craft beer in the country. With roots as a brew pub in New Hampshire, Hobbs expanded to Placencia, Belize, in 2019 and began brewing tasty ales and stouts. Providing the country with the first IPA, Hobbs continues to innovate and brew with local ingredients. My favorites are the Mango Hefeweizen and the Hummingbird Golden Ale, but I enjoy a Wildcat IPA and Blue Marlin Coffee Stout occasionally. The Hobbs Brew Barge is a short drive down the peninsula from The Green House by the Sea, where you can enjoy live music, tasty food, and flavourful beer. If you want to enjoy Hobbs off the Barge, it's available in many stores along the peninsula. Maya Beach Store, aka Susan Store, also stocks 12 oz cans.

Two-5: The Beer for Friends

Two-5 is a Belizean-born craft beer company blending local culture with traditional brewing methods. Their name is slang for ‘best friend' in Belizean Kriol, and the brewery is home to the first female brewer in Belize. I enjoy Hobbs, but Two-5 is my favourite Belizean craft beer. With a wide variety of brews, from IPAs, Amber Ales, Saison’s, Pale Ales, and Porters, there are suds for all taste buds. You can enjoy their brews on tap at Placencia Beach Club and the fabled Tipsy Tuna. A while back, they started offering their products in cans, but they charge a premium.

A Beer For All

Belize is a haven for beer lovers. Even though the country offers a diverse array of brews that showcase the country's rich culture and heritage, you can still find some familiar brands from back home, like Heineken, Red Stripe, and Landshark. But for the avid beer lover, exploring what the country offers is where it's at. Whether you're sipping on a traditional Belikin Lager or exploring the innovative creations of Two-5 Brewing Company, each beer hints at a history of passion, creativity, and craftsmanship. So, raise a glass, cheers to beer, and good times in Belize!

If you enjoy my writing, you might also like the A Foreign Perspective, the Lili Art Blog, or my award-winning book Home in Good Hands. For in-depth conversations about life abroad, check out the Foreign Radio podcast.

If you'd like to support this Substack and help me keep creating stories and essays like this one, consider subscribing, sharing, or buying me a coffee. And to those who already have—thank you. Your support means the world.