What's retirement in Cayo, Belize, including San Ignacio and Belmopan like?
John M. Burgos - Belize Tourism Industry Association
San Ignacio is a good location for a retired person. It has very nice weather; a bit warm in the day but it’s cool at night. You’re surrounded by a lot of beautiful nature; a lot of ponds, trees, birds, flora and fauna. And of course you’re going to have access to a lot of activities. You have waterfalls, rivers, caves, and tours available. If you’re into farming, flowers, and having a nice yard, Cayo would be a very good environment for you to grow...San Ignacio is a good location for a retired person. It has very nice weather; a bit warm in the day but it’s cool at night. You’re surrounded by a lot of beautiful nature; a lot of ponds, trees, birds, flora and fauna. And of course you’re going to have access to a lot of activities. You have waterfalls, rivers, caves, and tours available. If you’re into farming, flowers, and having a nice yard, Cayo would be a very good environment for you to grow some plants you would like, maybe some fruit trees. You have the Guatemalan border close by if you want to experience something new. In terms of the location, nature and things to do, San Ignacio, provides a very good environment for someone to retire.
You may want to render some service to the community, which is one of the things I see a lot of expats do in Belize. They offer a lot of their expertise, perhaps a couple of days in a week. They might volunteer at the Rotary club, they might be a member of the Belize Tourism Industry Association and contribute some of their efforts like event planning and helping with the festivals that take place.
(Destination Belize 2014 promotional piece by the Belize Tourism Association with a picture of a Cayo district waterfall, pictured.)
Posted September 1, 2015
John Acott
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A lot of the expats in the Cayo area are retirees. They keep themselves busy. When I ask them, “What did you do today?” they tell me they’re very busy working in the garden, in the house, socializing, some of them have little jobs, although not many. They spend time on their blogs. They tell me they never get bored. They’re always short on time. They keep busy socializing and visiting. It’s just another day in paradise. The social life...
A lot of the expats in the Cayo area are retirees. They keep themselves busy. When I ask them, “What did you do today?” they tell me they’re very busy working in the garden, in the house, socializing, some of them have little jobs, although not many. They spend time on their blogs. They tell me they never get bored. They’re always short on time. They keep busy socializing and visiting. It’s just another day in paradise. The social life is pretty good here. We have barbecues and other social events. Belize is very open. I don’t have to phone people in advance. I just turn up and they’re going to share their food and drink with me here. The people here are very open and very friendly.
(Rally attended by expats in the Cayo District, Belize, pictured.)
Posted September 19, 2015
Virginia Krohn - Villa Cayo Belize
To me, retirement in Cayo means living a healthy lifestyle in a safe, beautiful home with our favorite pets. I can drive around safely and afford to have household and yard work done for me. If I get stuck on the road and have a flat tire, there always someone who comes to help change my flat tire for me, who charges around $25 Belize (US $12.50). Retirement here is much better than in the States because the cost of living is low. Property taxes are very low and...To me, retirement in Cayo means living a healthy lifestyle in a safe, beautiful home with our favorite pets. I can drive around safely and afford to have household and yard work done for me. If I get stuck on the road and have a flat tire, there always someone who comes to help change my flat tire for me, who charges around $25 Belize (US $12.50). Retirement here is much better than in the States because the cost of living is low. Property taxes are very low and there are no school taxes. Depending on your lifestyle you can live very nicely on $2,000US ($4,000BZ) and some people live on less than that. I just can't leave out the weather! It is very hot in May, June, and sometimes July and then the rainy season hits and then it is cool again. The trees begin blooming in April and the rains bring even more flowers and acres of brilliant green! The trees are alive with birds nesting and other wildlife, night and day. For most of the year the weather is perfect, warm with a nice cool breeze.
Retirement here in Belize is better than in the States because you are less socially isolated. Here in Cayo, you are respected as an elder and can mingle with the local people because they accept you and want to help you and be a part of your life. You can join groups that help battered women and children or volunteer to help veterinarians with injured domestic pets or wildlife. You can even adopt an animal from the wild like an owl or a bird of prey for its lifetime if it cannot go back into the jungle. We need foster homes for dogs, especially for puppies until they are big enough to be adopted. There are plenty of opportunities to mingle with people and have a purposeful life.
(Women selling their wares on the side of the road, Belize, pictured.)
Posted May 12, 2016