Moving to Panama from Belize

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Belize to Panama? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Belize to Panama.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Belize to Panama.

Living there in 2020
103 ↑ 20% vs 2015

people born in Belize live in Panama · UN DESA

Who's moving to Panama?

Top countries of origin for Panama's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Panama compared to Belize.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

BZ
27.9
PA
11.3
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BZ
17.5
PA
7.3

Panama performs significantly better than Belize across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

BZ
$573
PA
$3,318
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

BZ
10.8
PA
17.3

Panama generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Belize leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

BZ
21.0
PA
17.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BZ
0.9t
PA
2.7t

Belize generally does better on environment, though Panama leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BZ
9.7
PA
15.5
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

BZ
1.3%
PA
0.9%

Panama performs significantly better than Belize across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

BZ
8.3%
PA
6.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

BZ
$12,800
PA
$35,800

Panama performs significantly better than Belize across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

BZ
75.8 yrs
PA
77.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BZ
11.2
PA
16.4

Belize generally does better on family life, though Panama leads in life expectancy.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Belmopan Rain: 79.5 in/yr (2020 mm)
88° / 69°F

Avg. annual high / low

Panama City Rain: 75.1 in/yr (1907 mm)
93° / 68°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Belmopan Panama City
Jan–Mar 85°/64°F (29°/18°C) 94°/65°F (34°/18°C)
Apr–Jun 91°/71°F (33°/21°C) 94°/69°F (35°/21°C)
Jul–Sep 89°/72°F (32°/22°C) 92°/70°F (34°/21°C)
Oct–Dec 85°/68°F (29°/20°C) 91°/68°F (33°/20°C)
View all months
Month Belmopan Panama City
Jan 82°/64°F (28.0°/17.7°C) 92°/65°F (33.4°/18.5°C)
Feb 85°/64°F (29.2°/17.6°C) 94°/65°F (34.2°/18.4°C)
Mar 88°/65°F (31.2°/18.5°C) 95°/65°F (34.8°/18.4°C)
Apr 91°/68°F (32.8°/20.0°C) 96°/67°F (35.4°/19.5°C)
May 93°/71°F (34.1°/21.6°C) 94°/70°F (34.5°/21.1°C)
Jun 90°/73°F (32.3°/22.6°C) 93°/70°F (33.8°/21.3°C)
Jul 89°/72°F (31.7°/22.0°C) 93°/70°F (33.9°/21.0°C)
Aug 90°/71°F (32.0°/21.9°C) 93°/70°F (33.9°/20.9°C)
Sep 89°/72°F (31.8°/22.1°C) 91°/70°F (32.9°/21.0°C)
Oct 87°/70°F (30.8°/21.3°C) 91°/69°F (32.6°/20.8°C)
Nov 85°/68°F (29.2°/20.0°C) 91°/69°F (32.9°/20.3°C)
Dec 82°/66°F (28.0°/18.7°C) 92°/67°F (33.3°/19.2°C)

Data: National Meteorological Service of Belize National Meteorological Service of Belize, IMHPA - Instituto de Meteorología e Hidrología de Panamá IMHPA - Instituto de Meteorología e Hidrología de Panamá

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Belize and Panama. To live, work, or study long-term in Panama, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Panama's immigration authority.

Belize passport

Belize passport holder visiting Panama

Visa Free
Belize passport holders can enter Panama without a visa.
Panama passport

Panama passport holder visiting Belize

Visa Free
Panama passport holders can enter Belize without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Panama?

Connectivity is usually fine (Panama: 15.5 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Panama offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Panama safe for expats?

Panama performs significantly better than Belize across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Panama is 11.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 27.9 in Belize.

How is healthcare in Panama compared to Belize?

Panama generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Belize leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 17.3 doctors per 10,000 people in Panama, compared to 10.8 in Belize. Panama scores 78 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Belize: 68).

What's the weather like in Panama compared to Belize?

The average high temperature in Panama City is 93°F, compared to 88°F in Belmopan. Panama City receives around 75.1 in of rainfall per year, while Belmopan gets 79.5 in.

What language do they speak in Panama?

The official language in Panama is Spanish. In Belize, the official languages are Belizean Creole, English and Spanish.

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At a Glance

BZ PA
Population 412,387 4,337,768
Currency Belize Dollar (BZD) Panamanian Balboa (PAB)
Languages Belizean Creole, English, Spanish Spanish
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +501 +507
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 911