Introducing myself and considering moving to Belize

Hi Mary

I am from Canada and do what you're trying to do. Depending on your passport (nationality), you either need a formal visa to enter Belize or check the country list on Google which countries don't need such visa.

As a Canadian I don't need to apply for a visa before I start my journey. I enter Belize (in my case via air) tell them how long (less than 30 days) I intend to stay and enter the country. Once you're accepted in Belize you can stay up to the date that Immigration officer stamps in your passport. Don't stay a day longer otherwise you're in trouble.

The day your entry stamp expires (if your expiry date is on a weekend, go to Immigration the Friday before, best early in the morning) you need to go to your nearest Immigration Office. They will ask for a recent bank account statement(s) and an apartment rental agreement signed by you and landlord if you rent a place. Otherwise you may show a receipt of your hotel bill or other legal copies where you're staying.

In the past it was possible to get a 60 days Visa renewal at certain Immigration Offices, but that has changed. It's only 30 days now since you enter the country and the charge is BZE$200 or US$100 cash or debit card (Belize accounts only). If you leave Belize within your visa dates and try to come back, they charge the same BZE$ 200 or US$100 again.

I know Americans and Canadians who "live" in Belize on a month-to-month basis (not allowed to work nor volunteer) pay their US$100 each month. You may apply for Permanent Residency after you spent 12 months non-spot in Belize. Once you applied for that PR Visa you may leave the country and come back as a Tourist until your application is granted or denied. I personally am not there yet

Cost of Living

I don't have or rent a car here, the busses are great, affordable, safe and clean (Belize City to Dangriga BZE$ 15 one way i.e. (Equivalent to US$ 7.50) and budgeted my monthly expenses around US$500/month except the rent ( + US$ 300/month). I don't dine out, buy veggies from street vendors or Grocery Stores who don't focus on US Imports, etc. Tap water is usually safe but if you stay at one place for a while buy one of those 5 gallon blue plastic bottles you can refill cheaply.

Other Expats may tell you a different story, but mine is what I currently in 2025 going through.

Good luck and post more if I can help more.

@Mary439

Welcome Mary I’m Russ and I’m living in placencia Belize

I moved from the us to Belize 2 months ago and I am loving it here

the visa extension is very easy and I think the cost of living here is 50 % lower than the us

Thank you all so much — I really appreciate everyone taking the time to reply.

I’ve been watching quite a few YouTube videos where Western expats talk about why they leave Belize after 3–6 months, and honestly, I was laughing out loud. Most of the “cons” they mention are simply my daily reality here in Argentina — plus a language barrier on top of that. Only people who have actually lived through it really understand how exhausting that can be.

Power cuts that last for hours, water suddenly stopping, limited choices in supermarkets, basic infrastructure issues — none of this shocks or upsets me anymore. Here, I’ve learned that long showers are only possible after rain because it refills the water tanks. Imported products are absurdly expensive (Nutella, Pringles, etc.), and local options are often very limited. I live very simply and have no attachment to Western comforts or “luxury.”

What did surprise me was the rental market — prices are much higher than I expected relative to quality. And trust me, my standards are not high at all. I’ve lived in some very rough places and adapted just fine.

All that to say: none of the things that seem to scare people away from Belize scare me. On the contrary, they feel familiar — and manageable. That’s why Belize feels like a place I could realistically build a life, not just “try out” for a few months.

Right now, I’m waiting on my Argentine residency decision, which should hopefully be clear within the next couple of months. Even if it’s approved, Argentina is not where I see my long-term future. I don’t really have a “home country” to return to, so for me this is about finding a place to settle, integrate, and belong — not short-term experimenting.

If it doesn’t work out, Belize is my next step and I’d move there intentionally rather than in a rush. If it does work out, I’ll still be looking to relocate longer-term, and Belize remains very high on my list — just on a slightly longer timeline.

Either way, I’d really like to start connecting with people living in Belize now, learning from real experiences, and building relationships ahead of time. For me, this isn’t about trying a place for a few months — it’s about finding somewhere I can actually settle and build a life.

Thanks again — I truly appreciate the openness and honesty here.

Well you just come and make yourself feel at home I love it it

keep in touch

@Mary439

I was born and raised here. Happy to help in anyway I can. I have lived in Belize city, Punta Gorda, Orange walk and Corozal.

@Alfonso Magana

Hi Alfonso,

Thank you so much for your reply — I really appreciate your openness and willingness to help. It’s great to hear from someone who truly knows Belize and its different regions so well.

Even before relocating, I’d really love to start connecting with local or expat communities and contribute in a meaningful way. I’m a certified yoga teacher and currently training in yoga therapy, with a strong focus on mental health and nervous system support. I work one-on-one (online) and support people with things like back pain, sleep issues, anxiety, depression, addiction, and general life transitions.

At the moment, I offer these sessions free of charge or on a donation basis, as accessibility is very important to me — especially for people who may need support but don’t have the resources to pay for it.

If you know of any communities, groups, or individuals who might benefit from this kind of support, please feel free to share my email:

***

Thank you again — and I’d be happy to stay in touch.