Belize's Monthly Rental Rates: A Guide To House Hunting In Paradise

The cost of renting a house in Belize varies depending on location and property type. In popular expat destinations such as Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, prices start from $750 and $650 per month, respectively. In contrast, areas like the Corozal District offer more affordable options, with rentals as low as $350 per month. Belize City, the nation's largest city, boasts a range of rental options, from cosy apartments to luxurious penthouses, with prices varying accordingly. Vacation rentals can be expensive, especially in beach towns, but prices drop significantly for monthly or long-term rentals, with some pleasant houses near the sea available for $300 to $800 per month.

Renting in Belize: The costs in popular expat areas

The cost of renting in Belize varies depending on the location and type of accommodation. Here is a breakdown of rental prices in some of the most popular expat areas in the country:

Corozal District

Located across the border from Chetumal, Mexico, Corozal Town is a laid-back and affordable area. It is popular with expats, offering a low cost of living and an active and welcoming community. In Corozal, you can find simple studio apartments for as low as $350 per month. For a more modern and spacious apartment in the nearby expat enclave of Consejo Shores, prices start at $550 per month.

Ambergris Caye

This popular offshore caye, located southeast of Corozal, offers stunning Caribbean waters and access to the Mesoamerican barrier reef. San Pedro Town is the hub of the island, with a vibrant atmosphere and plenty of amenities. Beachfront properties naturally come at a premium, with prices starting at $750 per month for a one-bedroom condo. Two-bedroom condos on the beach can rent for $1,000 or more per month.

Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is a charming and laid-back island located a short water taxi ride from Ambergris Caye. With a small population and a Caribbean vibe, this caye is known for its packed sand roads and lack of cars. Rental properties can be hard to come by, but deals can be found through word-of-mouth. A typical rental price for a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment might be around $650 per month.

Placencia

Placencia, located in the Stann Creek District, is known for its gorgeous sandy beaches that stretch for miles along the Caribbean Sea. It is a popular area for expats, making long-term rentals a bit more challenging to find. However, it is possible to find studio, one-, or two-bedroom condos in the $450 to $600 per month range.

The Cayo

The Cayo region, in western Belize, boasts eco-tourism attractions such as rivers, jungles, waterfalls, and archaeological sites. Expats often look for rentals in thriving river towns like San Ignacio or Santa Elena. A three-bedroom, three-bathroom house in Unitedville, for example, might rent for $500 per month and include a spacious yard with fruit trees.

Belmopan

Belmopan, the capital city of Belize, offers a mix of modern and semi-furnished houses for rent. Rental prices can vary, with some three-bedroom, two-bathroom houses listed for $2,250 per month.

It's important to note that these prices may fluctuate and are dependent on various factors such as location, property type, and market demand. Additionally, while it is possible to find rentals below $500 per month, a more realistic budget for a comfortable lifestyle in Belize in 2024 is around $1,000 per month, according to some expats.

The cheapest areas to rent in Belize

Belize is a small country in Central America, with abundant natural beauty, a World Heritage Mesoamerican barrier reef, and a multitude of Maya ruins. It is a popular destination for expats, offering an outstanding residence program for retirees. English is the primary language, making it a convenient choice for many.

Corozal District:

• Rent starts at $350 a month for a simple 250-square-foot studio apartment in Corozal Town.
• Corozal Town is a low-key, family-oriented town on the tranquil waters of Corozal Bay, located across the border from Chetumal, Mexico.
• The cost of living is affordable, making it popular with expats on a budget, and the expat community is active and welcoming.
• Rentals are available in the town or in the nearby expat enclave of Consejo Shores, seven miles north.

Placencia:

• Rent starts at $450 a month for studio, one-, or two-bedroom condos.
• Placencia is located in the Stann Creek district, which is famous for its gorgeous sandy beaches.
• The Placencia peninsula offers 17 miles of walkable beaches along the Caribbean Sea.
• It is a popular area for expats, so finding a reasonable long-term rental can be challenging.

The Cayo:

• Rent starts at $500 a month for long-term rentals in outlier Cayo villages like Bullet Tree and Unitedville.
• The Cayo region is in western Belize, extending from the foothills into the Maya Mountains.
• It is known for its eco-tourism attractions, including winding rivers, wild jungle, waterfalls, caves, and an abundance of bird life.
• Rentals in this area typically include spacious homes with yards abundant in fruit trees and flowers.

Caye Caulker:

• Rent starts at $650 a month for an off-beach, fully-furnished, two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment.
• Caye Caulker is a charming and laid-back island, located a 30-minute water taxi ride from Ambergris Caye.
• The island has a Caribbean feel, with packed sand roads and residents travelling by bicycle or on foot.
• The rental market is thin, but deals can be found through word-of-mouth.

These four areas offer the most affordable rental options in Belize, with prices ranging from $350 to $650 per month.

The most expensive areas to rent in Belize

While the cost of living in Belize is generally lower than in the US, rental prices in the country's most popular tourist destinations can be quite high. Here are some of the most expensive areas to rent property in Belize:

San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

San Pedro is the only town on Ambergris Caye, a popular offshore island located 35 to 40 miles southeast of Corozal. With its stunning Caribbean waters and nearby World Heritage Mesoamerican barrier reef, it's no surprise that this buzzing hub has become a favourite among visitors and expats.

If you're determined to rent a property on the beach in San Pedro, you should expect to pay a premium. Prices for a two-bedroom apartment near the beach with air conditioning, located a few miles from the town, range from $1,200 to $1,500 per month.

Placencia

Placencia, located on the Placencia peninsula in the Stann Creek District, boasts 17 miles of walkable beaches along the Caribbean Sea. It is a preferred area for expats due to its combination of beachfront and village life.

Rental prices in Placencia can be high, with a two-bedroom apartment near the beach with air conditioning located in or near the village costing between $1,200 and $1,500 per month.

Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is a charming and laid-back island located about 30 minutes away from Ambergris Caye by water taxi. With only 2,000 residents, packed sand roads, and a predominantly car-free environment, this little caye exudes a genuine Caribbean vibe.

The limited availability of rentals on Caye Caulker can make it challenging to find a deal. Expect to pay around $650 per month or more for a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment.

The Cayo

Belize's lush western region, the Cayo, offers eco-tourism attractions such as winding rivers, wild jungles, waterfalls, caves, and an abundance of bird species. It also boasts notable archaeological sites like Mayan ruins and Mennonite farmland.

Rental prices in the thriving river towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena can be high. For example, a three-bedroom, three-bathroom house on a one-acre property in Unitedville, located centrally within the region, rents for $500 per month.

Belize City

As the largest city in Belize, Belize City offers a range of rental options, from penthouses to apartments and homes. While prices vary, renting in the city can be more expensive than in other parts of the country. For instance, a fully furnished, modern three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment near downtown San Ignacio, Cayo, can be found for $415 per night.

In summary, while Belize offers a range of rental options to suit different budgets, the most popular tourist destinations and larger cities tend to be the most expensive areas to rent properties.

The average cost of renting in Belize

The cost of renting in Belize varies depending on the location and type of property. Overall, the cost of living in Belize is considered to be relatively high compared to other retirement destinations in the region, especially for food and imported items. However, renting in Belize can still be more affordable than in the United States.

For example, in popular tourist areas like Ambergris Caye, a one-bedroom condo can start at $750 per month, while a two-bedroom condo on the beach can cost $1,000 or more. On the other hand, in the Cayo region, which is known for its eco-tourism attractions, rentals are more affordable, with a three-bedroom, three-bath house in Unitedville renting for $500 per month.

In small towns, it is possible to rent a pleasant house near the sea for $300 to $800 per month. For example, in the Corozal District, a simple 250-square-foot studio apartment can be found for $350 per month, while a larger, modern apartment in Consejo Shores is $550 per month.

Vacation rentals in beach towns can be particularly expensive, but the cost decreases significantly if you commit to a longer-term rental. For example, a fully-furnished, two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in Caye Caulker was rented for $650 per month.

Additionally, there are some unique opportunities for rentals in Belize, such as a waterfront cabin in Progresso for $600 per month or a semi-furnished, spacious three-bedroom, two-bathroom house in Belmopan for $2,250 per month.

When renting in Belize, it's important to clarify whether prices are quoted in US dollars or Belize dollars, as the exchange rate is typically two Belize dollars to one US dollar.

The cost of renting in Belize's cities

The cost of renting in Belize varies depending on the city and the type of accommodation. Here is a breakdown of rental prices in different areas of Belize:

Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is a popular tourist destination located off the coast of Belize. Renting a property on the beach will cost a premium, with prices starting at $750 per month for a one-bedroom condo. Two-bedroom condos on the beach can rent for $1,000 or more per month. It is possible to find more affordable options by looking at properties located off the beach or on the back lagoon.

Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is a laid-back island located a short water taxi ride from Ambergris Caye. Due to its small size and limited rental market, finding rental properties on Caye Caulker can be challenging. Rental prices on the island typically start at $650 per month for a basic apartment.

Placencia

Placencia, located on the Placencia peninsula in the Stann Creek District, is a popular expat destination known for its sandy beaches. Finding long-term rentals in Placencia can be difficult due to high demand. Studio, one-, or two-bedroom condos in this area typically range from $450 to $600 per month.

The Cayo

The Cayo district, located in western Belize, offers eco-tourism attractions such as rivers, jungles, waterfalls, and archaeological sites. Rental prices in this area start at $500 per month for a three-bedroom house in villages like Bullet Tree and Unitedville. In the busier river towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena, rental prices may be higher.

Corozal District

The Corozal District, located across the border from Chetumal, Mexico, offers a low-key, family-oriented atmosphere. The cost of living in this area is relatively affordable, making it popular with expats on a budget. Rental prices start at $350 per month for a simple studio apartment in Corozal Town. In the nearby expat enclave of Consejo Shores, modern apartment units can be rented for $550 per month.

Belize City

As the largest city in Belize, Belize City offers a variety of rental options, including apartments, penthouses, and houses. Rental prices can vary depending on the location and amenities, but generally, one-bedroom apartments start at $600 per month, while larger homes can range from $1,700 to $2,250 per month.

Frequently asked questions