05/08/2026
Now it’s time to come visit !
FORBES LISTS BELIZE IS TOP PLACE TO RETIRE
August 5, 2026
Belizeans know we live in paradise but it still feels good when the world takes notice. The prestigious Forbes magazine has recognized Belize as one of the best places for Americans to retire.
Tourism remains our number one driver of our economy thus coverage from Forbes magazine expands our global reach to bring more people to Belize and grow our economy.
Read full story below.
Caribbean-facing Belieze is the only Central American country with English as its official language and offers U.S. retirees a comfortable outdoors-oriented warm and active environment, including fishing, boating and barrier reef diving. Cost of living is much less than the U.S. average. Crime is not a problem outside Belize City. Finding quality healthcare remains an issue and there is no Level One Trauma Center. Retirees often return to the U.S.—it’s just a two-hour plane ride to Houston—for major medical needs, or to use Medicare. Hurricanes are another problem. The politically stable country draws retirees with a Qualified Retirement Program that requires showing just $24,000 in annual income and offers permanent residency and a tax exemption on income from outside the country. Popular venues for retirees include Ambergris Caye, an island 16 miles northeast of Belize City; Caye Caulker, another island just off the coast; Corozal, a mainland city on the Atlantic Ocean near Mexico; and Placencia, also on the mainland in the south.