Moving to Belize

Settling in on Ambergris Caye

The practical first months on Ambergris Caye: a bank account, getting your things here, getting around, seeing a doctor, school, and switching on the lights, the water and the internet.

Banking as a foreigner

Belize has four domestic banks: Atlantic, Belize Bank, Heritage and National Bank of Belize. It also has separately licensed international (offshore) banks^[1].

• Belize-dollar accounts. A non-resident can open a Belize-dollar account at a local bank without Central Bank approval if they are in the QRP, own property in Belize, or live and work here. You'll need a letter, a notarised passport copy and proof of where your money comes from. Anyone else is referred to the Central Bank for approval^[2].
• US-dollar accounts. Domestic banks are not allowed to open foreign-currency accounts for non-residents. The Central Bank points non-residents to the international banks instead^[3].
• References. Expect to be asked for bank references. Atlantic asks non-residents for two, showing at least 18 months with your current bank^[4]. Heritage's international and non-resident accounts ask for references showing at least two years, issued within the last three months^[5].
• Buying US dollars. Since November 2025, local banks can approve many foreign-currency payments up to BZ$100,000 themselves. Larger amounts still need the Central Bank^[6].
• Americans: Belize is not on the US Treasury's list of countries with a FATCA agreement^[7]. Banks here still ask for your US tax number^[5], and some may be cautious with US customers.

Before you buy property: ask your bank and attorney how the purchase money should come in and be documented. If it isn't handled properly, it can be harder to take the money out when you sell. We could not find this rule on an official page, so it is not stated here as fact.

Bringing your things

• Duty and GSTWithout an exemption, household goods pay duty at tariff rates plus 12.5% General Sales Tax^[8]. Non-residents can apply to the Ministry of Finance for an exemption^[8].
• QRP holdersDuty- and tax-free import of personal and household effects, with no dollar limit and in several shipments, within the first year. The same applies to one vehicle (which can be a golf cart), one boat and/or one light aircraft. The vehicle must be no more than five years old^[9][10].
• Residency-permit holdersUsed household effects you have owned for at least a year can come in duty-free, but not vehicles, office equipment or building materials^[11][8].
• Tax numberSince 2 February 2026 every importer needs a Belize TIN, including QRP holders and one-time importers. You register online on IRIS^[12].
• RestrictedFirearms need a police licence, and plants and animals need permits. Some items are prohibited outright^[13]. Wooden furniture needs an import licence^[8].
• PetsYou need a Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) import permit. It costs BZ$50, is valid for 90 days, and takes about five working days. Tell BAHA 48 hours before you arrive^[14].

Shipping to the island

Goods usually come by sea to Belize City and then by barge to San Pedro. Freight forwarders run weekly consolidated shipments from South Florida^[15]. You will need a customs broker in Belize. The QRP programme expects you to hire one at your own cost^[16]. One mover on an expat forum said a full container from Houston took about three and a half months, and the final bill was far above the first estimate^[17]. That's one person's story, but it's a common one. Get an all-in quote in writing, including the barge and delivery on the island.

Golf carts and cars

Most people on the caye get around by golf cart, bicycle, water taxi or on foot. For boat and flight times, see Getting around.

• You need a permit before the cart reaches the island. The San Pedro Town Council must approve any golf cart or larger vehicle before it's shipped over. The fine for bringing one without a permit rose to BZ$2,500 in 2024^[18].
• The requirements are strict. The Council's checklist (page updated May 2026) asks for a Belize driver's licence, proof that duty was paid, documentary proof that you own land, proof of permanent residence (a QRP card or residency), a photo of your parking, a cover letter explaining why you need the vehicle, and a landlord letter. It doesn't say whether a landlord letter can stand in for owning land. The fees are BZ$50 application plus BZ$50 administration, and you need a zero property-tax balance before the permit letter is issued^[19]. Permits are decided by the Ambergris Caye Traffic Control Committee^[43]. The press reported in November 2025 that applicants must own property locally, prove residency or steady work, and get only one permit each^[20]. New rental carts have been under a moratorium since October 2024, and it was still in force in June 2026^[21].
• So a QRP duty exemption does not guarantee you can bring a cart. A renter without local property may not qualify. Ask the Council's Traffic Department ([email protected]) before you ship one. Our Town Council guide lists who handles what.
• Driving licence: visitors can drive on a valid foreign licence for up to 90 days, then need a Belize licence^[22]. The Town Council's Traffic Department issues and renews driver's and vehicle licences in San Pedro. Renewals and learner's-permit applications (BZ$40) can be started online^[19].
• The bridge pass: the Council sells bridge passes. For cars, Polaris and ATVs they cost BZ$50 a month, BZ$250 for six months or BZ$500 a year. Taxis, vans, trucks and golf-cart rental companies pay more. Private golf carts aren't on the form's list of vehicle types^[42].
• Car import duty on the mainland is high. A car or SUV up to 3.0 litres pays 45% duty, 3% environmental tax and 12.5% GST, which comes to 66.5% by Customs' own reckoning. A pickup up to 3.0 litres comes to 27.12%^[23].

Health care and insurance

• On the island: the public Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, and Ambergris Hope, a private 24-hour hospital. Ambergris Hope opened in February 2024 with an emergency room, operating theatre, CT scanner and hyperbaric chamber^[24]. A new public general hospital is being built in San Pedro, with completion now expected in early 2027^[25].
• In Belize City: Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital is the national referral hospital^[26]. Belize Medical Associates is private, with a 24-hour emergency room and a small intensive care unit^[27].
• Getting there: Tropic Air runs 24-hour medical transfers from San Pedro to Belize City, but only for stable patients who don't need care in flight^[28]. It is not an air ambulance. For serious cases many people carry evacuation cover to Mexico or the US.
• Insurance: local plans exist, but some cover only care in Belize, Guatemala and Mexico^[29]. Check where you're covered, whether evacuation is included, and whether your US or Canadian plan pays abroad (Medicare generally doesn't).

Confirm: the Medicare point is general knowledge, not something we sourced here. Ask your insurer.

Schools

Belize follows a British-Caribbean system. Primary school has two infant years and Standards I–VI, ending with the Primary School Examination. Secondary is Forms 1–4, and most students take Caribbean (CSEC) exams at the end^[30]. The Ministry of Education's directory (2021–22) lists these schools in San Pedro^[31]:

• Government-aided primaries: Holy Cross Anglican, San Pedro RC and New Horizon SDA.
• Private primaries: Ambergris Caye Elementary, La Isla Bonita and The Island Academy.
• Secondary: San Pedro High School.

Visit the schools yourself. The directory is a few years old.

Power, water, internet, phone

• Electricity (BEL)Residential rates from January 2026 are BZ$0.34/kWh for the first 50 kWh, $0.42 for 51–200, and $0.46 above 200, plus a small monthly fuel adjustment. September 2026's adjustment was BZ$0.0151/kWh^[32][33]. Air conditioning is what drives island bills. For outages and planned shut-offs, see Power.
• Water (BWS)Residential connection in San Pedro is BZ$127.50, plus a BZ$50 deposit. Bring ID and a lease with the landlord's authorisation, or your land title^[34]. Island water costs more than on the mainland: BZ$26.98 for the first 1,000 gallons, rising by block^[35]. North of the bridge there is no piped water; see where San Pedro's water comes from.
• InternetDigi (formerly BTL) home internet runs from BZ$49 a month for 20 Mbps to BZ$199 for 150 Mbps, including the modem and GST^[36]. SMART sells wireless broadband too^[37]. Starlink: the regulator refused it an ISP licence in January 2025. Terminals are allowed only for unserved or underserved locations, boats and aircraft, and emergencies, and new users are judged case by case^[38].
• PhoneTwo networks, Digi and SMART. A Digi prepaid SIM or eSIM is BZ$22.50, with BZ$10 of credit and 1 GB^[39]. Take your passport when you buy one.

Other paperwork

• Social Security: if you work here, register with the Social Security Board. Bring your passport and your immigration document, such as a work permit or PR card^[40].
• Tax number (TIN): register online at IRIS Belize. You need one to import anything^[12].
• Post: Belize Postal Service rents PO boxes; ask at the post office for prices^[41].