10 Things People Hate About Belize

Belize is not for everyone.

Belize is an incredible place to live, invest and spend time, but I'm also the first person to tell you that Belize isn't for everyone.

The last thing I want is for someone to pack up their entire life, bring their family to Belize and discover six months later that the lifestyle simply isn't right for them.

I've spent years living and working here, and I've heard just about every complaint imaginable from people moving to Belize.

Some of these things don't bother me at all. A few of them definitely do.

So instead of pretending Belize is perfect, here are 10 things people commonly hate about living in Belize — and what you should know before making the move.

10. Things Move Slower in Belize

This is probably one of the biggest adjustments for people coming from the United States, Canada or Europe. Things simply don't always happen as quickly. That can apply to something as simple as ordering lunch or something more complicated such as permits, residency applications and government paperwork. If you're accustomed to everything happening immediately, Belize can test your patience. But there is another side to it. Part of the reason people move to Belize in the first place is because they want to escape the constant rush of life back home. My advice is simple: Bring your patience. Once you understand that things operate at a different pace, it becomes considerably easier to enjoy the lifestyle.

9. You Give Up Some Everyday Conveniences

One thing you quickly realize after moving to Belize is just how convenient life in North America has become. In the United States, you can order something on Amazon and potentially have it sitting outside your door the next morning. You can call an Uber, order dinner through Uber Eats and have almost anything delivered directly to you. Belize isn't quite like that. You can absolutely order products from the United States, but it generally requires additional steps. Many people use freight-forwarding or shipping companies that receive products in the U.S. and then transport them into Belize. It works. It just isn't as instantaneous. If having everything available at the push of a button is extremely important to you, that is something to seriously consider before moving here.

8. The Heat and Humidity Aren't for Everyone

Belize is a tropical Caribbean country. That means sunshine, beaches, boats and warm temperatures. It also means heat and humidity. There are times of year when we receive considerably more rain, and rainy periods can also bring more mosquitoes and sand flies. Personally, I'd still take Belize weather over freezing winters in Canada or the northern United States. But if you hate being outside in warm weather and prefer cool temperatures year-round, Belize probably isn't going to magically change your mind. The winter and spring months can be absolutely beautiful, with cooler breezes and some of the best weather of the year. Still, this is the tropics. Come prepared for it.

7. People Choose the Wrong Part of Belize

This may be one of the biggest mistakes people make. They visit one area, decide they don't like it and conclude: "I don't like Belize." But Belize isn't one neighborhood. Different parts of the country offer completely different lifestyles.

You have:

• San Pedro/ Ambergris Caye

• Caye Caulker

• Placencia

• Hopkins

• Corozal

• San Ignacio

• Belmopan

• Punta Gorda

• And many smaller communities in between

Some areas offer significantly more restaurants, stores and activities. Others are quiet and remote. Some put you directly beside the Caribbean Sea. Others give you mountains, jungle and rivers. That's why I strongly recommend exploring several different parts of Belize before deciding where to buy or live. You might dislike one area and absolutely love another.

6. Infrastructure Can Be Different From What You're Used To

Infrastructure varies substantially depending on where you are in Belize. In developed areas, you can find excellent internet, electricity, roads and other services. In more remote locations, things may be different.

A property could rely on:

• Septic instead of municipal sewer

• Solar or alternative energy

• Different water systems

• Less-developed roads

• Slower internet options

That isn't necessarily negative. For investors, getting into an area before major infrastructure arrives can sometimes be part of the opportunity. But for someone moving primarily for lifestyle, you need to know exactly what infrastructure is available before buying. And while we're talking about infrastructure, I have one personal complaint: Belize needs better movie theaters. If anyone is looking for their next Belize business venture, there's an idea for you.

5. Belize Isn't Necessarily Cheap

People sometimes arrive in Belize expecting Southeast Asia-style prices. That's not always what you're going to find. Belize imports a large portion of the products people consume, and imported goods can therefore cost significantly more than you might expect.

That particularly applies to certain:

• Vehicles

• Electronics

• Specialty foods

• Building materials

• Imported household products

There are certainly affordable ways to live in Belize, particularly if you buy local products and live outside the primary tourism destinations. Labor can also be comparatively affordable. But if your expectation is that everything in Belize will be incredibly cheap simply because it is in Central America, you may be disappointed. For property investors, however, higher tourism pricing can have another side: vacation rentals in established destinations may also command considerably higher nightly rates than people initially expect.

4. Shopping Is Limited

If spending every Saturday walking through giant shopping malls is an important part of your life, Belize might be an adjustment. We don't have the same enormous malls, outlet centers and luxury shopping districts you'll find in major North American cities. You can get most everyday necessities. But if I want to do serious shopping, I'll often combine it with a trip somewhere like the United States, Mexico, Panama or Colombia. Personally, that doesn't bother me very much. For someone who loves shopping every weekend, it could.

3. Utilities Can Occasionally Be Less Predictable

Power interruptions do happen in Belize. There can be scheduled outages as well as occasional unexpected interruptions. Again, this varies considerably depending on where you're located. It can also be mitigated. At my own home, having systems such as backup power and solar means an outage doesn't have to significantly affect everyday life. If uninterrupted electricity is essential for your work or lifestyle, it's worth considering backup systems when purchasing or building property in Belize.

2. You Sometimes Need to Plan Ahead

Belize rewards people who are willing to leave themselves a little extra time. If you're heading to immigration, dealing with government paperwork or taking care of administrative tasks, don't necessarily schedule your entire day in 15-minute increments. Give yourself a buffer. The same thing can apply during tourism high season. Restaurants, hotels, tours and transportation can become busier, so reservations and advance planning can make your experience considerably smoother. If you're naturally someone who goes with the flow, you may barely notice this. If your calendar is scheduled down to the minute, Belize may require an adjustment.

1. Getting Trapped in Negative Expat Circles

This is probably the one that bothers me the most. Almost every destination with a large expat community eventually develops Facebook groups and online forums where the same handful of people seem to spend all day complaining. Belize is no exception. Someone complains about electricity. Someone complains about the roads. Someone complains about a restaurant. Then somebody else joins in. Eventually it becomes a constant negative feedback loop. I've always believed one of the best ways to enjoy Belize is to actually participate in Belize. Meet people. Explore. Go fishing. Visit different parts of the country. Support local businesses. Get involved in your community. Learn about the culture. There are legitimate frustrations associated with living anywhere in the world, and Belize certainly isn't perfect. But spending every day online talking about everything you dislike is probably the fastest way to ruin the experience.

So, Is Belize a Good Place to Live?

For the right person, absolutely. But that's really the point of this article. Belize isn't supposed to be perfect for everyone. If you need Amazon packages tomorrow morning, enormous shopping malls, perfectly predictable infrastructure and everything operating at North American speed, there may be better options. But if you're looking for warm weather, the Caribbean Sea, outdoor living, a slower pace of life and the opportunity to live somewhere genuinely different, those trade-offs may seem relatively minor. The important thing is knowing what you're getting into before you move or invest. Visit Belize. Explore several areas. Talk to people who actually live here. Understand the infrastructure. And figure out what matters most to you. That will give you a much better chance of finding the part of Belize that actually fits your lifestyle.

Thinking About Buying Real Estate in Belize?

If none of the things on this list scare you off and you're interested in purchasing property in Belize, we've created a complete Belize real estate guide covering the entire process.

We speak with builders, property managers, construction professionals, closing companies and other experts to explain what buyers should know before investing.

Ready to start exploring Belize real estate? Contact our team or browse our current properties for sale throughout Belize.