Whether it is sandy beaches or rolling hills, there is a place for every retiree in 10 best places to retire in Belize!
Belize is a tiny country in Central America. It was a former colony of the British Empire, and it gained its independence in 1981. Today, Belize has the lowest population density among all Central American countries. Its society is comprised of many ethnicities such as the Maya, Garinagu, and Creoles. As a result, its culture is a rich mix of the varied practices of its people. The cultural mix is very evident in its food, as Belizean food integrates Mexican, Creole, and Mayan recipes.
Belize has a rich ecological diversity. As part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, it boasts a high biodiversity of both marine and terrestrial life. Jaguar preservation is taken seriously in Belize. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is a 400 square kilometer area which was founded in 1990. Its aim is to preserve the local fauna and flora in the area, and at the same time, act as a sanctuary for jaguars, the first of its kind in the world.
Next to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest in the world. It runs 300km north to south on the eastern coast of Belize and extends up to 40km into the ocean from the country’s southern borders. This makes many of the country’s coastal towns the best places to retire in Belize. In fact, Charles Darwin described the reef as “the most remarkable reef in the West Indies” in 1842. As evidence of its beauty, importance and vulnerability, it was also declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. One very famous marine landmark is the Great Blue Hole, a submarine sinkhole 300 meters across and 124 meters deep. Located in Lighthouse Reef, it was ranked by Discovery Channel as number 1 on its list of the 10 Most Amazing Places on Earth. Jacques Cousteau, the explorer who made the Hole famous, declared that it is one of the best diving spots on Earth. Considered as a bucket-list dive for many divers, the Great Blue Hole is truly a sight to behold!
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To rank the 10 best places to retire in Belize, Insider Monkey searched the web for articles, blogs and publications for recommended retirement spots in Belize, which yielded 10-12 areas. Since data for Belize such as costs of living and physicians per capita were insufficient, we resorted to a different method of ranking. If an area appears in a certain article, we give it a score of 1 – the higher the final score, the higher the rank on our list. Selected sources for ranking were International Living, Transition Abroad, CNN, Washington Post, Forbes to name a few. Information on different cities was obtained from Expat Exchange, Belize Retirement Guide, Best places in the World to Retire and Investopedia.
Now let’s check those paradise places for people in golden years!
10. Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda is the capital of Toledo District. With a population of around 5,000, it is already considered a big city in the country. It is also the largest city in southern Belize. A coastal city, it usually is a stop for tourists wanting to get to the southern cayes of Belize. Being near the jungle, Punta Gorda is an excellent choice if you would want to explore the rainforests of Belize!
9. Hopkins
Located in Stann Creek District, Hopkins is mainly populated by the Garifuna people. Surrounded by mountains and jungles on its western side and the warm Caribbean to the east, it has a growing tourist industry. Retirees can expect a very warm and hospitable welcome from the locals. Belize First Magazine even named Hopkins as the “friendliest village in Belize” due to the genuine kindness of the people!
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8. Belize City
Belize City, located in Belize District, is home to around 58,000 people. For retirees, this fairly large population is a turn off, while some find it as sort of “home away from home”. Retiring in the city has its advantages, as all the comforts of living are available here. However, one may expect slightly higher prices compared to rural or smaller towns. Despite these setbacks, retiring in Belize City is still a wonderful experience.
7. Orange Walk
Orange Walk is the capital and largest city of the similarly-named Orange Walk district. One difference the town has from the other entries is it isn’t a coastal city. However, hiking destinations are available in the area. The town also has a distinct Mestizo culture, which originated from the immigrant Mexicans during the late 1800s.
6. Corozal
Corozal is the capital town of – you guessed right – Corozal District. The town is situated on a bay near the Mexican border. Many retirees have commented that having dinner by the bay is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable activities in Corozal. Since Corozal is a relatively small town, many of its residents opt to go shopping in Chetumal, the Mexican town bordering Belize.
5. Caye Caulker
The relaxed and quiet brother of our number 3 entry, Caye Caulker is a small island just off the coast of Belize. It has powdery white sand, with establishments aimed mostly at tourists and retirees. Dividing the island in two is The Split, a famous landmark created when Hurricane Hattie hit Belize in 1961. Today, it is a famous waterhole where locals and tourists relax and mingle with each other.
4. Placencia
Having some of the best beaches in the mainland, if not the best, have attracted a score of tourists and retirees to Placencia. What’s unique to Placencia is that it is a peninsula, with the Caribbean on the eastern side and a lagoon on the western side. Manatees are often seen swimming in its lagoon, and the beaches offer a welcome escape to the bustling cities. If you love beaches and the sea but want to live on the mainland, Placencia will be the best place to retire in Belize!
3. Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye has been the most popular area for retirees and expats in Belize. The bigger and more energetic island of Caye Caulker, Ambergris Caye has a growing population of 10,000. Development of the area for tourism has been a source of income for many locals. The island also has a very lively nightlife, with parties every now and then.
1 and 2. San Ignacio – Santa Elena
You might be wondering why the top two entries are listed as such. San Ignacio, located in inland Cayo District, is the cultural and economic hub of the area. It has a population of around 20,000, which makes it the biggest city next to Belize City. The rapid development of San Ignacio caused the absorption of nearby Santa Elena, leading to a conglomeration of the two towns. Today, both are indistinguishable from each other, and referring to San Ignacio also refers to Santa Elena. The district has a lot to offer, except the beaches of Corozal, Placencia or the Cayes. The cities can be made as a jump-off to the nearby jungles. It also has the city vibe, albeit with a lesser and more spread-out population compared to Belize. Living in Cayo District is a mix of the city life and the laid-back rural lifestyle, which makes the towns of San Ignacio-Santa Elena the top retirement destination among the 10 best places to retire in Belize!
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