Belmopan, Belize Report of what it's like to live there - 06/05/26
Personal Experiences from Belmopan, Belize
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
First experience as an adult. I lived in Europe as a child and studied abroad in Australia in college.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Most recent home is Vancouver, Washington. Travel to Belize City is approximately 8 to 10 hours with at least one layover. Direct flights can be had from Seattle (Via Alaska Airlines), Houston, Denver, Miami, and Atlanta.
There is no airport in Belmopan itself. It is an hour long drive to get here from the airport over a fairly unsafe two-lane "highway": poor striping, striping indicating passing is allowed when approaching blind hills or curves, long straight stretches with good visibility that are striped no passing, potholes, edge of travel lane is the (broken) edge of pavement, zero shoulders, and poorly marked pedestrian crossing/speed bumps. It is not a good road to travel at night or during poor weather. Locals drive recklessly, passing on blind hills and curves, and the ex-school buses used for public transportation are dangerous to pass.
Regional travel is not very good either. There are small Cessna Caravan type planes that fly to some of the cayes, and maybe somewhere nearby like Flores, Guatemala or Chetumal, Mexico. Other than that, your only real option is to get a connection through the US (Houston or Miami most frequently), or drive 3 hours to Chetumal and fly Aero Mexico from there.
3. What years did you live here?
2025 to present.
4. How long have you lived here?
A little over a year.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Diplomatic Mission.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Diplomatic housing consists mostly of two housing compounds within a half mile of the US Embassy. The government owned housing is all single family houses, either large two bedroom houses or four bedroom houses. The leased housing consists of three or four bedroom single family homes as well as a handful of townhomes. There are a couple of standalone houses in the vicinity as well.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Most basic things (and American brands) can be had on occasion. Something you bought last week may not be available for several months, or may not be offered again. American brand food items can be very expensive. I've seen a tube of jimmy dean sausage for 15 USD. This post has a DPO and diplomatic pouch, so many things are available from Amazon. Shipping times aren't too bad given the relatively short distance from the US.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
There isn't really anything I have missed that I could not get locally or shipped from Amazon.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
The only US chain/franchise restaurant in the country is Sbarro pizza, and I know of only one in Belize City. There are probably 10-15 restaurants that expats frequent in Belmopan. Curiously, very few Mexican restaurants with decent tacos. There are three or four pizza places in town, and the expats are divided on which one they like best. Belizean food centers pretty heavily on rice and beans (different from beans with rice), stew chicken, and plantains.
There is one food delivery app called runman that supposedly you can order food from. Some of the local restaurants will deliver, but it's usually them hiring a local taxi driver to drive it to you. Honestly, if you have a vehicle, it's just as easy to drive an pick things up yourself. Nothing in town is further away than probably 5 minutes or so.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Nothing unusual. Occasional ant invasions, which can usually be resolved after putting out Terro bait traps. Snakes and scorpions can sometimes make their way into houses.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Post has a DPO and Diplomatic Pouch. Local post office is not recommended. DHL has offices in-country, and I believe FedEx as well. I don't have experience with them.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
We have a housekeeper we pay 50 BZD (25 USD) for a half day of work once a week, and a chef 150 BZD plus the cost of groceries to buy the ingredients and cook all day once per week. Others have nannies and some of these nannies/housekeepers will walk dogs and pet sit if you need it. The same group tend to get picked up by incoming diplomats as they lose their old clients.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
There are very few sidewalks in Belize, and the ones that exists are not continuous. Many times there isn't much of a shoulder to the road, so you are forced to walk in the ditch or on the road itself and step off when there are oncoming cars. The one exception to this that I have noticed is a decent ring of separated sidewalks that locals can be seen running/walking on in the evenings. People ride bikes as well, although again, road conditions and traffic may dissuade you from wanting to do that.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There are two commercial gyms in town that have a fairly decent number of equipment. Post has a gym but it is very small and can get cramped when 3 or 4 people are working out at once. The government owned housing compound has a large pool that is big enough to swim laps.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Credit cards are widely accepted and safe. I've never used an ATM locally, although the major banks here have them. They seem safe to use. In many shops and restaurants, US cash is welcomed. The exchange rate is pegged at 2 BZD = 1 USD
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Catholic, Anglican, Baptist, LDS, Jehovah's Witness, and Protestant services are available locally. I'm not sure about other religions. I think most have at least one English service (English is the official language, but many also speak Spanish as a first language).
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Most everyone speaks English. A majority probably also speak Spanish. Many also speak a creole language that can be hard to understand.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Yes. ADA-type standards are not really a thing here. A wheelchair ramp can be really steep, or no ramp at all. Few if any handicapped-accessible parking spaces, a lot of gravel roads/parking lots, etc.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Public buses are old school buses from the US for the most part. They are off limits to the US diplomatic community. Only a couple of individual drivers have been cleared as taxis. Taxis here are just individuals driving their own car around like uber, but you just have to know their whatsapp number and call. Personally, most of the public transportation options look unsafe.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
High clearance is a must given the dirt roads that turn to mud in the rainy season, potholes and broken asphalt, and just being able to get out to see stuff in some of the more remote places. The quality of the road system drops off dramatically after the four main "highways" in Belize. Toyotas are big here. There are also Mahindra and a couple Chinese brands available locally. I've seen dealerships that sell Ford and Chevy as well. Used cars seem to be damaged cars purchased in the US, fixed up locally, and resold. There are a LOT of cars on the road that wouldn't pass safety checks in the US.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, it is available. At the housing compounds it is often installed prior to your move-in. If not, less than a week.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
My family has both AT&T with their Latin America plan, as well as GoogleFi. Both work okay, although there are a lot of areas that just don't have service.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
There are few good veterinarians. The one we take our pets to is about 30 minutes away. I don't believe there is any quarantine getting in, but make sure you have US vaccinations to make return to the US easier.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Some spouses are working for the Embassy in different capacities. Some are teleworking (time zone is either Mountain or Central time depending on daylight savings time). Working in country is difficult (you lose your diplomatic status if you work locally) and doesn't pay well. The highest paid technicians at post are earning about $30,000 USD annually. Many of the staff are earning more like $10,000 - $15,000 USD.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
There are some volunteer opportunities. There is a local animal welfare group that appreciates assistance doing free spay/neuter clinics.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Local dress code is business casual. Short sleeve button up shirts and slacks for men, blouses and skirts/pants for women. Some of those who interact with the Political side of the Embassy are wearing suits and ties.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
From my experience, the condition of the roads and vehicles, as well as the overall driving habits in Belize are the biggest day to day safety concerns. I highly recommend NOT driving at night. Be extra vigilant. If you are in an accident, regardless of fault, expect very little assistance from local police. There have been several instances since I have been here where Americans have been involved in traffic accidents that were caused by negligence of a local driver, and the police found a way to either blame the American or claim that nobody was at fault.
Follow the RSO's rules as far as off-limits areas (essentially areas that there is no reason to be anyway) and chances of being a victim of violent crime is pretty remote.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Belmopan health care is fairly low standard. There is a private clinic that the Health Unit sends Americans to if it's minor enough. They can do x-rays, etc, but not much else. There is at least one pretty good private hospital in Belize City where Americans will be sent if they need something more, like an MRI, or to be stabilized enough to be medically evacuated. It doesn't take much to trigger a medical evacuation.
Similarly, most people get dental work done back in the US rather than a local dentist. If you need physical therapy, chiropractors, etc, you won't find it here. There are several people that do fantastic massages in the Belmopan area, and several of them will come to the housing compound for sessions.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Mostly good other than the dry season when fires create a lot of smoke. Our first year here it wasn't bad. This year has been a little worse. Bring a couple of air filters and you should be fine.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
I don't think many places have specific allergy-free menus. Best to ask questions if in doubt.
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
Post can be fairly isolating if you don't make an effort. It's a small US post (approximately 40 Americans). Belizeans are easy to get along with. Travel other than to the beach or one of the Cayes can get complicated fast, so if you have to travel back to the US a lot it can be overwhelming.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Hot and humid for a good portion of the year. Hurricane season is June to October. November through February is pleasant. Temperatures can be down in the high 70s/low 80s. When it's down in the 70s local staff are wearing coats and complaining about freezing.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There is a QSI school here. It is very small, with several grades lumped together to make large enough classes. I believe it's all middle school in one class and all high school in one class. Unsure of the lower grade levels. The population of the school swings wildly depending on how many US families are at post, if they have kids, and if they home school. My daughter did middle school for one semester (we moved mid-year) and decided she would rather do a boarding school in the US for high school.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
I don't believe there are many accommodations to be made.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
I think for the most part families needing day care hire a nanny. There are several nannies that work full time or almost full time. They tend to go from one family to the next as they move in and out.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
QSI had track that the kids competed in regionally. There has been a volleyball club as well. There are horseback riding opportunities within a 30 minute drive at either Banana Bank or Sleeping Giant.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
There are approximately 30,000 American expats in Belize. Most of them are retired, living on the beaches and cayes from what I can see. I don't see many Americans other than at Post in my day to day life.
Morale at Post seems to vary based on who is here. It's a small enough group that two or three people can wildly change the dynamics of the group as a whole. Currently I think morale is pretty good.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
There are community 5k events and some annual biking events that one can get involved with. There is the annual La Ruta Maya 4-day race that people can enter. It's a canoe race across the width of Belize. This is a highly publicized event.
There are bars around Belmopan. I don't know of any nightclubs or anything like that for socializing. There are a lot of churches that you can become involved in.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
I have lived here as a family with children and as a couple. Both have been good experiences if you enjoy going to the beach, exploring Mayan ruins, fishing, snorkeling/scuba diving, etc. If your idea of a good time is going to see a movie, or hang out at a mall, this is going to be a difficult place to live. I can't speak to the single life, but given the small population I would guess it isn't great.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Locals are friendly. It's easy to make friends with the locals that work at the Embassy. Outside the embassy, I haven't really made friends with many people. That could be more of a "me" problem though.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
The only group that seems to be second class citizens are people of Mayan decent.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
The trip to Tikal in Guatemala was amazing. It's about a 3 hour drive (over some rough roads in Guatemala) but worth it.
ATM cave was quite an experience. Lots of evidence of Mayan sacrifices, pottery shards, crystalized skeletons, etc. Very cool.
Diving/snorkeling on the barrier reef was a lot of fun. Swimming with nurse sharks and rays.
The Inland Blue Hole and St. Herman's cave are worth exploring.
The "real" Blue Hole out in the ocean is interesting, but you have to fly over it or dive it to really experience it.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
The Belize Zoo is great. Halfway between Belmopan and Belize City, it has jaguars, tapirs, howler monkeys, etc. It is all indigenous animals and many of them are rescues or, like in the case of the jaguars, captured to protect them as they were attacking livestock.
Caracol is an hour or two drive away, and is the largest Mayan ruins in Belize. Other nearby ruins are Cahal Pech, Xunantunich, Altun Ha, and Lamanai.
If you are into fly fishing, you can go for the "Big Three" in salt water fishing here in Belize: Bonefish, Permit, and Tarpon
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
No, this is not really a shopping post. There are some woodworking artists that do some amazing work in local woods such as Ziricote, Jobillo, Caribbean Walnut, Mahogany, Rosewood, and Teak.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
None really. The best thing that Belmopan has going for it is that it is closer to some of the destination places like Caracol, Tikal, ATM caves, etc than Belize City. There is no quick or easy way to go anywhere, and the city is small enough (approximately 30,000 people) that there just isn't that much to do in the city itself.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
Belize is very unpopulated. Only about 400,000 residents total. There isn't much infrastructure to support a lot of "things".
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Yes. If I could extend for another two years I would. Admittedly this being my first post, it seems to me that this is an "easy" hardship post if you are flexible, don't mind hot weather, and enjoy a slow pace to life.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
winter clothes, expensive vehicles or sports cars, and detailed itinerary.
4. But don't forget your:
sunscreen, hiking boots, and a hammock.
