Moving to Belize from Guatemala

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Guatemala to Belize. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Belmopan averages 88°F vs 77°F in Guatemala City, making it significantly warmer.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

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

Living there in 2020
26,767 ↑ 14% vs 2015

people born in Guatemala live in Belize · UN DESA

Who's moving to Belize?

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

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Belize compared to Guatemala.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

GT
20.0
BZ
27.9
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GT
12.6
BZ
17.5

Guatemala performs better than Belize across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

GT
$935
BZ
$573
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

affects wait times and access to care

GT
12.8
BZ
10.8

Guatemala 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

GT
40.0
BZ
21.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

GT
1.1t
BZ
0.9t

Belize performs significantly better than Guatemala across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

GT
3.7
BZ
9.7
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

GT
5.7%
BZ
1.3%

Belize performs significantly better than Guatemala across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

GT
2.7%
BZ
8.3%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

GT
$12,700
BZ
$12,800

Belize generally does better on employment & economy, though Guatemala leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

GT
72.9 yrs
BZ
75.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

GT
26.2
BZ
11.2

Belize performs significantly better than Guatemala across all family life metrics.

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

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Guatemala City Rain: 46.7 in/yr (1186 mm)
77° / 58°F

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months Guatemala City Belmopan
Jan–Mar 77°/55°F (25°/13°C) 85°/64°F (29°/18°C)
Apr–Jun 80°/61°F (27°/16°C) 91°/71°F (33°/21°C)
Jul–Sep 76°/60°F (25°/16°C) 89°/72°F (32°/22°C)
Oct–Dec 74°/58°F (24°/14°C) 85°/68°F (29°/20°C)
View all months
Month Guatemala City Belmopan
Jan 75°/53°F (23.8°/11.5°C) 82°/64°F (28.0°/17.7°C)
Feb 77°/55°F (25.2°/12.9°C) 85°/64°F (29.2°/17.6°C)
Mar 80°/57°F (26.6°/14.0°C) 88°/65°F (31.2°/18.5°C)
Apr 82°/60°F (27.5°/15.4°C) 91°/68°F (32.8°/20.0°C)
May 81°/61°F (27.1°/16.2°C) 93°/71°F (34.1°/21.6°C)
Jun 78°/61°F (25.3°/16.2°C) 90°/73°F (32.3°/22.6°C)
Jul 76°/60°F (24.5°/15.8°C) 89°/72°F (31.7°/22.0°C)
Aug 77°/60°F (25.0°/15.8°C) 90°/71°F (32.0°/21.9°C)
Sep 76°/60°F (24.4°/15.8°C) 89°/72°F (31.8°/22.1°C)
Oct 75°/60°F (24.1°/15.4°C) 87°/70°F (30.8°/21.3°C)
Nov 74°/57°F (23.4°/14.0°C) 85°/68°F (29.2°/20.0°C)
Dec 74°/56°F (23.4°/13.1°C) 82°/66°F (28.0°/18.7°C)

Data: Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH) Instituto Nacional de Sismología, Vulcanología, Meteorología e Hidrología (INSIVUMEH), National Meteorological Service of Belize National Meteorological Service of Belize

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Guatemala passport

Guatemala passport holder visiting Belize

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

Belize passport holder visiting Guatemala

Visa Free
Belize passport holders can enter Guatemala 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 Belize?

Connectivity is usually fine (Belize: 9.7 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Belize offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Belize safe for expats?

Guatemala performs better than Belize across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Belize is 27.9 per 100,000 people, compared to 20.0 in Guatemala.

How is healthcare in Belize compared to Guatemala?

Guatemala generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Belize leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 10.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Belize, compared to 12.8 in Guatemala. Belize scores 68 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Guatemala: 59).

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

The average high temperature in Belmopan is 88°F, compared to 77°F in Guatemala City. Belmopan receives around 79.5 in of rainfall per year, while Guatemala City gets 46.7 in.

What language do they speak in Belize?

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

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At a Glance

GT BZ
Population 17,703,190 412,387
Currency Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ) Belize Dollar (BZD)
Languages Spanish Belizean Creole, English, Spanish
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +502 +501
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 110