As I write, I’m in Placencia—the remote, but very popular, fishing village in Southern Belize. I am lucky enough to be spending some time living on a sailboat in Robert’s Grove Marina—a wonderful opportunity I am very grateful for!
Belize has had an admirable rebound from COVID. There have been countless positives in the news over the last year and a half about life here in Belize. And a lot of this positive news has come from some unexpected sources.
Belize has been popular with expats for decades and one of the biggest reasons why is the range of living options in the country. Whether you are looking for a self-sustaining farm in the mountains, a cabin in the rainforest, a simple beach cabana, or your dream home on the beach, you can find it in Belize.
Belize is a small country with very low population density—about 380,000 people living in a country about the size of New Jersey. Like everywhere in the world, there are places in Belize that are comfortable and feel safe for the vast majority of people, and other places that are better for more experienced travelers and people that have spent a considerable amount of time in the country.
The English-speaking country of Belize has a lot going for it. For a tiny country, it packs a big wallop when it comes to charm and scenery. For the would-be expat—especially if you're looking for real value—there are many areas deserving of your attention. Places where you can live the laidback, Caribbean lifestyle of your dreams.
In early adulthood, Lee Nyhus traveled extensively to less-visited corners of the globe, including spending a year backpacking around Africa. Even when it came time to settle down for a while, she chose what was, at that time, a somewhat unusual destination for American expats: Tokyo.
There are numerous reasons why Belize has exceeded my expectations, but chief among them is the glorious weather. Having now grown used to a tropical climate with year-round summers, I could never go back to gray skies, scraping my windshield, shivering while walking outside, and having to bundle up all the time.
In 2004, Rebecca Henrich moved with her family to Belize in search of a simpler, more affordable life. She and her husband are passionate environmentalists and wanted their kids to grow up in a nature-filled environment where the family could grow their own crops, use solar power, and live according to ecological, sustainable principles.
Finding long-term rentals in Punta Gorda can be tricky so, if you’re looking for a place, plug in to the local community online and put the word out. Using Airbnb is a temporary solution, so you can start your search and begin to make connections. The rental market however, is very reasonable.
In 2010, Annelise Hagan accepted a position as science director for two marine parks in Belize. This job took her to Placencia, a narrow peninsula in the south of the country known for its palm tree-lined Caribbean beaches and spectacular diving.