Luigi Wewege from Belize’s Caye International Bank offers nine great reasons why the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize is a great place to consider living your expat life.
If you’re looking for a place to retire or planning to get away from the grind of your home country to work remotely in a tropical paradise, you’re not alone. Central America is an ever-increasingly region to find your perfect setting to settle down in. And for many, that perfect setting turns out to be Ambergris Caye in Belize.
What makes Ambergris Caye such a popular place for expats? Here are some reasons why this Caribbean island attracts so much positive attention.
1. Affordable cost of living
The cost of living on Ambergris Caye is easier on the budget than many other Caribbean spots. This makes it an excellent choice for those seeking a comfortable life without breaking the bank. At the same time, those with more means will find plenty of options for larger homes and condominiums to buy or rent.
How much does it currently take to live comfortably on Ambergris Caye? The average cost per month can be between US$1,700 and $2,000 depending on your living arrangements. That includes rent or mortgage, food, utilities, and other essentials. If you’re currently living in a country where it’s hard to rent for that amount, Ambergris Caye makes financial sense.
Make things easier by setting up automatic payments for the rent/mortgage and even your monthly utilities. Your offshore bank can help you get everything in order, so nothing is late.
2. Belize offers political stability
Belize has sought to create a stable democracy since independence in 1981. This has made it one of the most appealing aspects of being a destination for expats. Not all countries around Central America and the Caribbean can make the same claim.
North Americans and Europeans will feel comfortable with familiar laws and political processes. The nation’s political stability makes it easier to establish your new life abroad.
3. No language barrier
One of the challenges of moving abroad is learning a second language. That’s not something most North Americans have to worry about if they move to Ambergris Caye. English is the official language of Belize, so conversing with others is easy.
You might need to become familiar with local colloquialisms. Phrases related to the local culture often delight newcomers once they learn what they mean.
Many Belizeans are multilingual, speaking Kriol, Spanish, and Mayan languages as well as English. See this balance as a great way to communicate, and learn something new at the same time.
4. Perfect climate
Ambergris Caye is a slice of heaven for anyone who’s endured those rough northern winters filled with snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. When winter rolls around in Belize, you’re still in shorts and t-shirt, still swimming in Caribbean waters.
The great weather means you can save on air conditioning and heating expenses. The most likely time for using air conditioning is in the summer. Even then, many people find the steady breeze from open windows is enough.
5. The natural beauty
Imagine relaxing on your balcony with views of pristine turquoise waters and greenery everywhere you look. Clear skies are often the norm, although you may have some showers in the afternoon.
Enjoying the beauty of this setting will help you understand why the pace of living is a little slower here. People want to enjoy their surroundings. If tight schedules, stress, and multitasking dictate your life in your home country, you’ll love the slow, relaxed pace on Ambergris Caye.
6. Friendly people
In many ways, life on Ambergris Caye is like living in a small town. People stop on the street or in the shops to chat for a moment. If you have a question about where to buy something, others are happy to provide you with information.
At the same time, people on Ambergris Caye are not intrusive. They’re happy to recognize and honor your boundaries. This makes it all the easier to meet people and find yourself forming strong friendships.
7. A (largely) car-free community
There’s something special about being able to step outside your door and walk many places. That’s especially true with the sun shining and a nice breeze blowing around you. Depending on where you live on Ambergris Caye, you can walk to your destination.
Bicycles and golf carts are the popular modes of transportation on Ambergris Caye. You won’t need – or want – a car here.
8. Access to quality health care
Whatever your age, it’s never too early to be mindful of your healthcare needs, especially when living abroad.
One of the nice things about Ambergris Caye is the access to clinics, doctors, and pharmacies on the island. As Belize’s major tourism hotspot, it makes sense that there are plenty of options. Insurance coverage is affordable and out-of-pocket costs are reasonable.
Getting to Belize City, or even Houston or Miami won’t be difficult if you need more intensive medical care or surgery.
9. Easy access to North America
As much as you may love living abroad, there’ll still be times when you want/need to return to your home country. Ambergris Caye is a short hopper flight from Belize City. From there, it’s easy to get back to the United States and Canada.
This brings peace of mind anyone needing to return home for an emergency or celebration.
Discover more perks of living on Ambergris Caye
Living on Ambergris Caye also includes other perks. You get easy access to places like the gorgeous Secret Beach on the island. Also, you give yourself a home base in Belize for further exploration of the country.
Another perk to take advantage of are some of the Belize residency programs, including the Qualified Retirement Program. This provides many incentives for those wishing to live or retire in Belize.
Caye International Bank, located on beautiful Ambergris Caye, provides offshore banking services for almost any need. Contact our team to learn more about meeting your financial needs as you start your expat life in the tropics.
Luigi Wewege is the President of Caye International Bank, headquartered on the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize. He is also the published author of The Digital Banking Revolution, now in its third edition.
