Cayo, Belize
Rivers, Waterfalls, Caves: You Name It...
The little English-speaking country of Belize has long been discovered for its handful of Caribbean islands lying just offshore the mainland, especially Ambergris Caye of “Survivor” fame. However, now, in the current global climate, another face of Belize is also beginning to attract attention.
This country’s lush, mountainous interior, known as the Cayo District, is drawing the notice of retirees interested in a lifestyle that values self-sufficiency and independence more than Caribbean sand and seashores.
Cayo is the largest of Belize’s six districts and has quietly become the harbinger of this tiny country. From natural to manmade, the region is rich in resources. Cayo has more protected land than any other district; it is the top eco-tourism destination in the country; boasts the largest underground cave system in the western hemisphere; and, of course, its landscape is dominated by rivers and mountains.
Cost Of Living In Cayo
Monthly Budgets
Please note all prices are in Belizian Dollars. An exchange rate calculater can be found here.
Apartment or House Ownership Budget (for a couple)
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mortgage | – | Not included here as too variable. |
| HOA Fees | BZ$300 | If in a private development, none if not. |
| Property Taxes | BZ$30 | |
| Transportation | BZ$500 | Cost for car ownership, including gas, repairs, insurance, taxes, etc. |
| Gas | BZ$40 | Cost for cooking and hot water |
| Electricity | BZ$100 | Double this if using air conditioning in one bedroom. Triple this if using air conditioning in all rooms. |
| Water | BZ$50 | |
| Cell Phone | BZ$80 | Monthly plans start at BZ$40. |
| Internet | BZ$140 | Cost for broadband bundled with cable TV. |
| Cable TV | – | |
| Household Help | BZ$240 | Cost for two five-hour visits per week at BZ$6 per hour. |
| Entertainment | BZ$520 | Eating out twice a week at a mid-range, local restaurant: BZ$240 (BZ$15 per meal). Drinks twice a week at a nearby watering hole: BZ$240 (BZ$6 per drink). Movie theater trip twice a month: No movie theater in Cayo. Pool access fees at resorts: BZ$10 per person. |
| Groceries | BZ$600 | Basic items for a couple. |
| Gym Membership | BZ$60 | |
| Medical Appointment | BZ$70 | Basic clinic/GP visit. |
| TOTAL | BZ$2,730 |
Apartment or House Rental Budget (for a couple)
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | BZ$1,600 | Cost for a two-bedroom, comfortable apartment, roughly 70 to 100 square meters in size, with Western finishes. Local housing is cheaper |
| Transportation | BZ$500 | Cost for car ownership, including gas, repairs, insurance, taxes, etc |
| Gas | BZ$40 | Cost for cooking and hot water |
| Electricity | BZ$100 | Double this if using air conditioning in one bedroom. Triple this if using air conditioning in all rooms. |
| Water | BZ$50 | |
| Cell Phone | BZ$80 | Monthly plans start at BZ$40. |
| Internet | BZ$140 | Cost for broadband bundled with cable TV. |
| Cable TV | – | |
| Household Help | BZ$240 | Cost for two five-hour visits per week at BZ$6 per hour. |
| Entertainment | BZ$520 | Eating out twice a week at a mid-range, local restaurant: BZ$240 (BZ$15 per meal). Drinks twice a week at a nearby watering hole: BZ$240 (BZ$6 per drink). Movie theater trip twice a month: No movie theater in Cayo. Pool access fees at resorts: BZ$10 per person. |
| Groceries | BZ$60 | Basic items for a couple. |
| Gym Membership | BZ$70 | |
| Medical Appointment | BZ$60 | Basic clinic/GP visit. |
| TOTAL | BZ$3,460 |
Penny-Pincher’s Budget (for a couple, bare minimum costs for all)
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | BZ$600 | Cheapest part of town, basic one-bedroom rental. |
| Transportation | BZ$200 | Colectivo (shared) taxis and buses, traveling regularly. |
| Gas | BZ$40 | For cooking. |
| Electricity | BZ$100 | |
| Water | BZ$40 | |
| Cell Phone | BZ$40 | Cheapest option available. |
| Internet | BZ$78 | |
| Cable TV | – | |
| Entertainment | BZ$160 | Monthly cost for eating out twice a week: BZ$160 (BZ$10 per meal). |
| Groceries | BZ$400 | All local-brand items only, shopping markets and local vendors along with grocery stores. |
| TOTAL | BZ$1,658 |
Click here for currency conversions at today’s exchange rates.
Infrastructure In Cayo
Paved roads are always a good indicator of where the path of progress is headed. The British left a great legal, educational, and governmental foundation in Belize, but not much in the way of physical infrastructure.
Over the last few years, however, considerable investment has been made in improving the roads and bridges of Belize. Still, though (to help put things into perspective for you), there are but three highways in this country. The most significant artery in the country is the Western Highway, which connects Belize City (the largest city), Belmopan (the capital), and San Ignacio (the largest town in Cayo).
Not only road infrastructure but infrastructure in general is limited in this country, including infrastructure for medical care. However, Cayo is home to the La Loma Luz Hospital and the San Ignacio Hospital. There are also clinics throughout. Recently, a portion of the main road in San Ignacio (Burns Avenue) was closed off, probably permanently. Mayan artifacts were discovered here, so the spot is now pedestrian-only.
Cayo can allow a very self-sufficient lifestyle that comes with lots of advantages. One is that “self-sufficient” infrastructure is relatively low-cost. Important to a sustainable lifestyle is solar energy, and Belize’s Cayo District enjoys plenty of sunshine year-round. Water, too, is in abundant supply, meaning it’s easy to grow fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs. In the self-sufficient communities forming in this region, gardens and orchards are interwoven among the housing lots so that owners can grow their own food. You can participate directly by planting and harvesting, or you can simply take advantage of the fruits and vegetables grown onsite and made available for residents.
Climate In Cayo
The temperatures range from 50 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit with an annual average of 79. November to January are traditionally the cooler months with a 75-degree average and May to September are the warmest at about 81 degrees on average.
Here in Cayo, colorful flowers and fruit-laden trees bloom year-round, and vibrant and diverse species of birds are everywhere. In Cayo, you also find well-manicured productive Mennonite farmland. The region is reminiscent of the hills of Pennsylvania. If not for the palm trees, you might not know you were in Belize. The soil in Cayo is fertile and rich, and the Mennonite farmers who work it produce most of Belize’s food supply.
Expats In Cayo
As recently as a few years ago, the numbers of foreign retirees living in Belize’s Cayo District numbered but a few dozen. Today, small but ever-expanding communities of expats and retirees seeking a back-to-basics lifestyle have established themselves in this pristine land of rivers, waterfalls, and rain forests.
Many reaching this stage of life are reminded of what’s really important in this life. This realization is spurring a new generation of people looking for opportunities around the globe to embrace a self-sufficient, resilient lifestyle. In this context, Belize stands out.
