Living in the jungle of Belize is a dream for many—but it comes with unexpected surprises. I had visited Belize several times before moving here full-time, so not everything was new. Some of what I share is meant for those who have never been to Belize before and are curious about living in the Belize jungle full-time.
Climate and Weather
As expected, Belize is a hot and humid country. During the dry season in Belize (January to the end of May), you want to plan to be busy and get as many of your yearly projects started and completed. During the Belize rainy season, productivity slows considerably because of rain, flooding, mud, and impassable roads (depending on where you live).
Because discipline and productivity are important to me, and successfully living in the jungle, I have written a few blog posts about those topics.
- The Key to Surviving the Jungle Lifestyle in Belize – Discipline
- Why Starting Your Day Right Is Essential for Jungle Living in Belize
- What It’s Really Like to Live in the Jungles of Belize
During a hurricane, prepare for power loss for at least one week, possibly longer. Hurricane preparedness in Belize is an essential part of living here. I recently wrote a blog post about that.
- The Ultimate Guide to Hurricane Preparedness in Belize
- National Hurricane Center – Belize: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
Belize is a country that experiences a lot of flooding in the rainy season
Wildlife You’ll Encounter
For me, one of the main reasons I live here is for the wildlife in Belize. I can’t get enough of it. I will not call anywhere home unless I can hear the howl of the Black Howler monkey from my house. Every day I live in anticipation of what I may see that day.
You can expect your share of creepy crawly creatures to make their way into your home, such as snakes, scorpions, and tarantulas. I recently wrote a blog post about that also.
There is also a lot of false information on other websites about the dangerous animals found in Belize. Rest assured, it’s not as bad as you think, or maybe it is. If snakes and creepy crawlies freak you out, then you are in for a bit of experience. For the truth about potentially dangerous animals found in the jungle, check out another important blog I wrote.
Nature and wildlife, why I love it here
My first jaguar encounter
Internet Access
I never anticipated that getting my own internet in Belize would take me 18 months, including having to put up my own tower. If you are going to live in a village or town, then internet access in Belize should be easy and fast.
- Belize Telecom / Belize Internet Providers: https://livedigi.com/
And if you are planning to live in the jungle, then expect some significant challenges, largely from tall trees and the jungle, making a connection difficult. You will likely have to install your own tower. I made a post about that experience as well. And I share it, not so much because you can expect the same internet experience, but at some point, you can expect a similar Belizean experience.
I had to have my own tower installed
Health & Safety
Call me foolish, but this part has never been much of a concern for me. I’m almost never sick and rarely longer than 24 hours. Wisdom dictates that you investigate the health care in Belize and the facilities in the area you live or plan to settle. Be prepared for a different experience than you may be accustomed to back home.
My understanding is that Chetumal, Mexico, offers more advanced medical care near Belize if required. Perhaps one benefit of living in a developing country is that you adopt a more mindful and healthier lifestyle to avoid the need to visit the hospital.
In regard to safety, I find Belize’s safety for expats no more or less safe than any other place I have lived or visited. Use the same common sense you would in any large city in North America and live accordingly.
- Jungle Safety in Belize: What You Need to Know Before Moving to the Jungle
- CDC – Travel Health: Belize: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/belize
No emergency vehicles are coming down this road.
Immigration
My Belize immigration experience was one of my leading surprise experiences, and not for the good. Back in the day, my immigration experience for my 30-day stamp was pay your $50 USD and in and out in ten minutes. Things have changed greatly and not for the better. Your 30-day Belize tourist VISA stamp went from $50 USD to $100. To put that into perspective, Mexico costs $35 USD for six months.
When I first arrived in Belize, I naturally used the Belize City immigration office. I always arrived ten minutes before they opened at 8 AM and was the first expat for an extension. And I rarely left before 9:30 AM. Added to this experience were questions of suspicion and requirements of printed bank statements.
Initially, I planned to apply for a Belize work permit. Let’s just say that blew up in my face and caused unbelievable stress for me with immigration. One day, I found myself in Belmopan and decided to try that office. It was much like I remembered back in the day, polite, no fuss, and in and out in ten minutes. From that visit forward, I got the rest of my stamps (until my Belize permanent residency was approved) in Belmopan.
Belmopan
For me, traveling to Belmopan and back costs me an extra three-hour bus trip, which is a very uncomfortable bus ride. The extra time on the bus dominoed into wasting an otherwise productive afternoon at home. For me, the reduced stress and anxiety were well worth it.
Towards the end of my experience, the Belmopan office started requiring my latest bank statement, but never gave me a hard time about anything. And not every visit was in and out in ten minutes. The Belmopan office can get quite busy, and they are happy to make you wait.
If you live in the Belize District, though, I do 100% recommend that you travel the extra distance and use the Belmopan office. People obviously have different experiences, and I’m sure someone out there will say they never had a problem in Belize City, but I am not that person. Even the other Canadian living on my farm, based on his own experience, travels to Belmopan for his stamps.
I am sooo thankful my Belize permanent residency is completed! Start that process as soon as you reach your one year in Belize.
- Belize Immigration and Nationality Service: https://www.immigration.gov.bz/
Me, on a particularly stressful visit to immigration
Tips Before Moving
Everyone’s experience is different in how they arrive in Belize. My first trip was in 1997, I bought my house in 2003, and started living in Belize full-time in 2021. There were many trips in between, I always brought full bags of my belongings, and I always left everything behind for the future. I also purchased my house on the farm I visited on my very first visit to Belize. Thankfully, I never had to travel or figure out where to buy a house or land.
From the moment I arrived, before having a home in Belize was even a consideration, I already knew I was home at the farm. You can read about my journey to Belize here > How I ended up in Belize
Most people moving here are not that lucky. They visit the cayes and decide this is where they want to move someday. Visiting the cayes on vacation is not a picture of reality; in fact, it’s the furthest from reality.
Visit for six months first
First, visit and explore various places in Belize. If a particular area calls to you. Live in that area for a minimum of six months. Moving to Belize long-term is a big commitment, and most people don’t survive here long-term. You may think you are lucky, but trust me, you are probably not.
Visit during the rainy season
Make sure you are here during the rainy season in Belize. The rainy season is a challenging season to be here, with flooding and mud. Trust me, this part I know better than most. You want to gauge and see the flooding in your area, particularly if you are looking to buy land.
I wrote a blog post about surviving the rainy season in Belize and a comprehensive guide on living in the jungles of Belize.
- Managing the Rainy Season in the Belize Jungle: Tips for Daily Life
- A Comprehensive Guide to Living in the Jungles of Belize
Life in the rainy season. Can you handle it?
Stuff
Often, people ship a container with all their stuff at one time. I can’t speak to any of that. But know this, in Belize, the selection of some items is limited. The selection of some items is sufficient. Most items will rot and disintegrate in the humidity.
It could very well be worth shipping a container to Belize, but this is Belize. You don’t want stuff for the sake of having stuff. It will disintegrate, attract cockroaches, and you will end up burning most of your stuff anyway. If something serves a useful purpose, bring it. If it doesn’t at some point, you will be shaking your head, wondering what you were even thinking to bring it here.
I’m pretty obsessive about keeping things clean and maintained in the jungle; you have to be. If it’s not deteriorating, then black mold is growing on it. I regularly wash everything that has a coat of paint on it. My house and deck are wiped down inside and out regularly. It’s never-ending. Stuff either does not last or gets dirty/mouldy quickly. Get used to it.
A spiny-tailed iguana, a green iguana, and a dwarf gecko
I chose nature over stuff
Daily Life Adjustments
I’m not even sure where to start this section. Everything about your old life is pretty much changed.
Purchases – fewer options, less availability, longer wait times when out of stock.
Grocery shopping – generally no longer one-stop shopping. Imported food is limited and expensive.
Restaurants – once again, few options, far fewer ethnic options.
I have to go all the way to Mexico for this kind of food
Tasks – generally take way longer. Projects that took a day back home now take a week or longer.
Vehicle repair – there is no Canadian Tire, Walmart, CAA, or AAA.
Amazon delivery – with the help of a freight company and duty taxes, an Amazon delivery takes about a month and a half at least.
Uber – doesn’t exist.
Bureaucracy – you need a lot of patience, things are never clear, and it is often based on discretion.
Establish a new purpose – you may find yourself wasting time, parting, bored, or living life with no meaning. I definitely don’t have to worry about this, maintaining a farm in the jungle.
Living in a small village – there is a lot more drama going on than you realize. Keep a low profile and your nose out of other people’s business.
Living in a small village – is noisier than you think. Belizeans love to party and play their music loud. They think nothing of their music on full volume at 2 AM or first thing at 6 AM. Complaining only encourages them. I’m so glad I live two miles from the village.
Deposits and loans – loans will never be repaid, and most deposits are a good reason for the person to never return to do the work.
A lot of people come to Belize initially falling in love with the fact that there is no American-style fast food, shopping malls, and no more rat race, etc. All the things they think they want to escape, only to realize they have become too dependent on these conveniences, luxuries, and distractions in life. Remember, novelty only lasts for so long; living here is real.
This is how I grocery shop now
Belize Lessons Learned
Oh baby! Prepare to learn a lot of lessons, patience, discipline, inner strength, and self-reliance.
Trust in Belize
The nice, friendly Belizeans that you met as a tourist are not the same nice, friendly Belizeans you encounter as someone now living here. They are still nice and friendly, but everything (pretty much) changes. It’s different attempting to integrate into a new society as an expat (or foreigner) versus as a tourist. Whether you want to acknowledge it or not, it’s different, you’re different, and you’re perceived differently.
You need to be extremely, extremely careful who you choose to trust and do business with. Be prepared to be screwed over and extorted regularly. Always try to get expat recommendations for anyone you are doing business with.
Part of the problem is that there are very few skilled workers here, and skilled workers are very busy. Even with skilled workers, when building something, you’d better understand the basics (of the project) and at least supervise any and all projects.
I have been screwed over more times than I can count, I trust no one, and I’m well aware I will be screwed over in the future.
Today, for tomorrow will take care of itself
Belize is where things often move with a “right now” attitude. Long-term thinking and investing are barely a consideration. If it’s before or after a holiday or any excuse not to show up to work, it will be taken with no consideration for the consequences. Returning favors isn’t exactly part of the culture. Even generosity, give too much, and you’ll find it’s rarely appreciated — and often exploited.
That being said, I do everything in my power to never put myself in a position to owe a favor. People here like to collect on the same unpaid favor a dozen times if they think they can get away with it.
Network with other expats
Every area in Belize is a little different. Building a network with other expats or foreigners is essential for advice and direction. Unfortunately, there are almost no expats in my area, so I often have to learn the hard way. Not to mention a Belizean’s reputation with expats has little to do with their ability to work within the community. Meaning there is very little downside for someone to take advantage of you, as it doesn’t hurt their local reputation at all, especially when there is no other expat business to lose.
Isolation in the jungle
How well do you deal with isolation? I live two miles down a dirt road with no neighbours. For almost two years, I was completely alone. Since then, another Canadian has been living on the farm in his own quarters. I have come to love my isolation and miss when it was only me. Life is better with the other guy here, but I do miss when no one was here. Most people can’t handle that so well, or that family is so far away now.
Emergency leave from Belize
What happens to your home or farm if you need to return to America, Canada, or Europe for a family or medical emergency? This is a very real reality for most people. If you think you can trust people with that, you might be a little too trusting.
Set firm boundaries
For most people, this is a work in progress. I have two gates, the gate to my property and the gate to my house. Good boundaries make good neighbors. It’s far better to be social away from your property.
Some more Belize lessons
- Do’s and Don’ts of Living in the Jungle: A Practical Guide for Belize Jungle Survival
- What It’s Really Like to Live in the Jungles of Belize
- Three Years in the Jungle: My Life in Belize, A Life I Never Expected
This is real life in the jungle!
Conclusion: Living in the Belize Jungle – What You Need to Know
Living in the jungle of Belize is an adventure unlike any other. From the humid climate and unpredictable rainy season to the incredible wildlife and daily life adjustments, there’s a lot to prepare for before making the leap. While some surprises are unavoidable, understanding the realities of Belize jungle living—from internet access and health care to immigration and village life—can help you thrive rather than struggle.
If you’re considering a move to Belize, take your time: visit multiple areas, experience the rainy season, and learn from other expats. Discipline, patience, and self-reliance are your best allies in the jungle. Building a network of trusted contacts, setting firm boundaries, and being mindful of local culture will make your life easier and more enjoyable. Beyond that, sometimes you just have to live it to learn it.
The Belize jungle isn’t for everyone, but for those willing to embrace the challenges, it offers unmatched beauty, adventure, and a deep connection to nature. Start preparing today, plan carefully, and live the Belize jungle lifestyle on your own terms.
It’s all totally worth it
