What places come to mind when you hear the phrase ‘the Caribbean Sea’? Many people would probably think of the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Aruba, and so on. Without doubt, these places are highly popular with tourists because there they can find fantastic sandy beaches and clear water of the Caribbean Sea.
If you like seaside vacations, visiting these islands would be a great idea. But could you relocate there for good? Well, that would probably be problematic because life is expensive on the islands mentioned above.
Does that mean that you cannot live in the Caribbean at all? No that does not. Some Caribbean islands are often heard about because they are actively advertised by the tourist agencies. There are some lesser known islands in the Caribbean, however, that are as beautiful as the Bahamas or Turks and Caicos but the prices are much lower there.
Belize, Honduras, and Mexico have islands in the Caribbean Sea where you can also find white sand, coral reefs, and turquoise water. At the same time, the cost of living is quite affordable on these islands: you don’t have to spend a fortune to buy residential accommodations there and live a quiet life.
Ambergris Caye, Belize
Belize is traditionally listed among Latin American countries but the fact is that it is an English-speaking country. Ambergris Caye is the largest island of those belonging to Belize. It is 25 miles long and a bit more than a mile wide. The only town on the island is San Pedro. The Belize Barrier Reef is located only half a mile away from the island and that place is valued by divers very much. There are few places in the world where you can find such beauty. The underwater world is diverse and colorful near the Reef.
Only a few years ago, San Pedro was a small anglers’ village that tourists stayed at when they came to see the beauty of the reef. At that time, golf cars served as the main means of transportation on Ambergris Caye. They are still in use today, but the number of motor cars has grown significantly on the island. At the moment, San Pedro is the second largest town in Belize trailing only to the former capital of Belize City. The population of San Pedro exceeds 15,000 people.
Actually, Ambergris Caye is very popular with immigrants from other countries. Retirees from the USA probably outnumber all other groups of immigrants. Belize gives green light to foreigners who can sustain themselves: acquiring a residence permit is easy in the country. Reliable water and electricity supply, Internet, mobile communication, and availability of everyday products attract people to San Pedro. Ferries also run regularly to Belize City and Chetumal, Mexico. The number of good bars and restaurants is growing on the island.
A married couple needs around US$ 3,000 per month to get by on Ambergris Caye and that’s including the rent. If you have residential accommodations on the island, you and your spouse will not need more than US$ 2,000 per month.
Ambergris Caye is no longer a small sleepy island in the Caribbean. It is a busy place with a lot of immigrants that offers fantastic natural beauty and a variety of entertainment facilities.
Roatán, Honduras
From a secret hideout used by divers, Roatán in the western part of the Caribbean Sea has gradually turned into a paradise place for living. The green and hilly island sits near the northern coast of Honduras. Its area is only 50 square miles, the island is long and narrow, and it is surrounded by a reef with rich underwater life. Beaches with white sand are readily available on Roatán.
The beaches are clean and quiet. People on the island live in the rhythm of the sun and the tidal waves. No high-rise buildings, no crowds of tourists – life is peaceful on Roatán. An island with Caribbean traditions but with modern amenities too.
You are not going to need more than US$ 175,000 to buy a two-bedroom Caribbean house right by the seaside. Tourists are not going to bother you and you can use the house as your personal hideaway. If you spend only part of the year on Roatán, you could rent your house out for the rest of the time.
This is an island where an average retiree can buy a house and enjoy his or her golden years living at a low cost in a sunny and comfortable place. The infrastructure is already well-developed on the island and it keeps improving. Recently, a new power plant has been launched and a round-the-clock hospital has been opened.
Living on an island is normally more expensive than living on the mainland. After all, many goods have to be brought to the island from the mainland. Roatán, however, offers a wonderful price-to-quality ratio. Living is easy on the island if you and your spouse have US$ 2,000 to US$ 2,500 of income per month. Your costs will depend on the types of products that you want to use, of course. Whatever is imported from the USA costs as much on Roatán as it does in the USA. At the same time, pineapples are sold at 2 dollars, a bottle of Chilean wine costs 6 to 8 dollars, ground beef costs 4 dollars per pound, and you will have to pay only 5 dollars for a plate with fried chicken, salad, bananas, rice and beans at a local seaside restaurant. Not expensive at all.
Roatán is perfect for living a relaxed life under the sun. You may get bored if you are a fan of cultural effects but if you don’t mind lying on the sand, swinging in a hammock, and snorkeling, you will want to linger on the island.
Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Isla Mujeres (Women’s Island) is located about 8 miles away from Cancún in Mexico but it is much quieter – Cancún is a more popular tourist destination. Anyway, Isla Mujeres is well-known to lovers of diving. There they can find beautiful corals and swim with the dolphins in crystal clear water of the Caribbean Sea.
Azure water and white sand beaches are readily available on the island while the cost of living is considerably lower there in comparison to the neighboring USA. According to immigrants, you can buy a one-bedroom two-bathroom apartment in a fancy condo for less than US$ 250,000. If you rent an apartment, you have to pay from US$ 700 to US$ 1,000 per month for it.
A married couple can live a comfortable life on Isla Mujeres, spending US$ 2,500 to US$ 3,000 per month including the rent.
As you can see, living in the Caribbean does not have to be expensive. Sunshine, warm water, sandy beaches, clean air, and natural beauty can come at affordable prices.