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Santa Familia, Belize, is a small, laid-back village in the Cayo District offering affordable living, a friendly community, and easy access to nature. Located near San Ignacio, it appeals to expats and retirees seeking a simple lifestyle, basic services, and straightforward residency options like Belize’s QRP program.
Belize’s Cayo District is a beautiful, welcoming, and quirky little corner of the world where the burdens and concerns of the rest of the world feel far away and unimportant.
Cayo, as it’s referred to, is 2,061 square miles (5,340 square kilometers) with a population of around 105,000.
A frontier land of rivers and rain forest, it’s a top choice for those seeking to embrace a self-sufficient lifestyle. The people that are drawn to Cayo are adventure seekers, artists, nature lovers, and well-traveled, creative entrepreneurs.
One part of this district that we think deserves special attention is the village of Santa Familia. Perfectly positioned in between the conveniences of the district’s largest town, San Ignacio—around seven miles away—and the Mennonite commercial hub of Spanish Lookout—around nine miles away, Santa Familia is home to a friendly, respectful, and laidback community.
This is low-key village living… you won’t be keeping up with the Joneses here. Indeed, for many that’s the big draw—the down-to-earth nature of the place.
It doesn’t take long to become a part of the community in this cozy corner of Belize. Very quickly, you’ll know the shop owners, farmers, schoolteachers, yoga instructors, artists, and your expat neighbors. A friendly smile and nod of the head is the standard greeting around here.
Whether you plan to relocate full-time, part-time, rent, buy, start a business, or simply get off the grid and relax a while, Cayo in general and Santa Familia in particular is a great option. It’s an unforgettable destination with a genuine community of unpretentious neighbors.
Let’s take a closer look…
Reviewed By Lief Simon
Lief Simon is the managing editor of Global Property Advisor, Simon Letter, and Offshore Living Letter. He has purchased more than 45 properties, investing in 23 different countries around the world.
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Belize is about as close to the States and Canada as you can get—so close you can drive here.
The international airport in Belize City offers plenty of direct flights to both countries. You’ll need to drive for about two hours to get to Cayo from Belize City.
Flight time from New York to Belize City is under five hours and from Miami it’s under two-and-a-half hours. From Toronto to Belize is around a five-hour flight.
See our full guide to Belize’s visas and residency options—so you can understand the main pathways, what typically qualifies you, and what to prepare before you apply.
The cost of living in Cayo varies depending on your personal preferences and habits. If you eat in small, family-owned restaurants, you won’t spend much. Belize’s staple meal (rice and beans with stewed chicken) is filling, tasty, and only costs about $4.
In Santa Familia, at Humes Family Store, you can pick up everything from groceries to hardware, household goods, and furniture. You’ll find some imported goods here but you’ll pay a premium so it’s a good idea to try out the local brands which can be as good or better and often half the price. You can also refill five-gallon jugs of drinking water here for around $2.50.
The Cayo District and the surrounding villages are far less expensive than other popular tourist and expat destinations in Belize and generally offer easier access to a wider variety of goods and services.
Telephone, internet, water, and basic utilities are very reasonable compared to the States. The companies that provide these services are available and happy to provide quality customer service. You’ll never have to wait on hold with a corporate cable company again.
The cost of electricity is a bit higher than in the States, which ultimately creates a greater consciousness about consumption and has incentivized more people to experiment with solar energy.
The cost of fuel is also a bit higher than the States at close to $7 per gallon.
In Santa Familia, a couple’s monthly budget will be around $2,035.
Get a clear breakdown of everyday expenses in Belize—including housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare—so you can budget accurately before you make the move.
The Cayo is rural, and its appeal lies in its simplicity… It lacks formal or organized cultural entertainment options.
Your options for entertainment include down-home events like community art shows, cultural heritage festivals, Christmas tree lightings, open-mic nights at bars, and the like.
For a dose of history, there is a scattering of ancient Maya archaeological sites nearby, but not much by way of museums.
One way to connect with local culture is to try the local cuisine. Popular local dishes include corn-based recipes like tostadas, garnaches, and salbutes. You can try these at any mom-and-pop restaurant, which are plentiful in Cayo.
Cayo is known for its many parks and ecological reserves. Once the heart of the Belizean Maya world, it’s rich with pre-Columbian archaeological sites.
Popular attractions include the ruins of Xunantunich, with its 40-meter (130-foot) high El Castillo pyramid, and the country’s largest Maya ruin, Caracol. Many ancient Maya caves are open for exploration, including Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM).
With wide-open spaces, country roads, and river access at nearly every corner, there are many opportunities to get active.
Get a practical overview of living in Belize—including lifestyle considerations, local routines, and what newcomers typically wish they knew before moving.
It’s easy to establish residency in Belize, and it offers a wide range of visa types. Its Qualified Retirement Program (QRP) is one of the most user-friendly programs in the world.
The basic requirements are that you’re at least 40 years old and earn $2,000 per month (or $24k per year) from a source outside Belize. You must deposit this amount in a financial institution in Belize. The QRP comes with perks, like exemptions on import duty for household effects.
On the edge of Santa Familia lies the self-sufficient community of Carmelita Gardens. This 98-acre patch rests along the Belize River and is home to about 20 expats and Belizeans.
The town founder, Phil Hahn, has worked to create an off-grid neighborhood that emphasizes simple living. Carmelita Gardens residents are vested in the vision and are proud of the organic gardens, community events, and local relationships they’ve built.
See what retirement can look like in Belize—including lifestyle considerations, practical planning tips, and what to expect as you explore your options.
For those living in Santa Familia, health care is easily accessed in nearby San Ignacio, home to San Ignacio Community Hospital (the main public facility) or Santa Elena where you’ll find La Loma Luz Adventist Hospital (a non-profit Christian hospital).
Belize’s reputation for health care is mixed. Public facilities generally aren’t up to expats’ standards. They suffer from underfunding, which can mean long wait times, limited services, and outdated equipment.
Private facilities offer higher standards, and many expats feel comfortable and confident having their health care needs met in Belize. This will depend on your needs and preferences. Some expats maintain national health coverage from back home and travel back when needed. Others travel to Mexico, right next door, where there’s a wider range of facilities.
Explore how the healthcare system works in Belize, what expats typically do for coverage, and what to expect for day-to-day care—so you can plan with confidence before you move.
Belize has a negative reputation for crime, but much of the commentary and statistics come from Belize City. The crime that takes place there doesn’t affect the average person living in Belize.
Cayo in particular is a safe, quiet region. Petty crime can be an issue if you’re careless—for instance, if you leave your bicycle on your front lawn overnight… there’s a possibility it won’t be there when you wake up. Basic precautions can curb most issues.
Belize gets two seasons: rainy and dry. Most of the year’s rainfall occurs from June to November. The dry season is from November to May, with April being the driest month. The average annual rainfall here is about 60 inches.
Belize experiences a disproportionately small number of hurricanes compared to other countries given its location in the Caribbean. In fact, only about 5% of hurricanes that form in the Caribbean ever make landfall on Belize.
Reviewed By Lief Simon
Lief Simon is the managing editor of Global Property Advisor, Simon Letter, and Offshore Living Letter. He has purchased more than 45 properties, investing in 23 different countries around the world.
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Internet in Belize is mid-range in terms of speed, at 49 Mbps for downloads. Many remote workers rely on Starlink for high-speed, reliable internet.
It’s easy to make friends in Belize. Locals and expats mingle well and there aren’t too many defined social cliques.
The expat community is a mixture of North American retirees, young adventurous homesteaders, and Brits who served in the Army in years past.
Here, socializing and integrating into the expat community come easy. Casual social events are always on, from volunteer groups to women’s groups to hangouts at the local pub.
You’ll likely need a car in this rural, sprawling part of Belize. The alternatives are taxis or local buses but availability and reliability can be mixed.
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