Belize
English-speaking, USD-pegged Caribbean cayes, a small, emerging market.
Not live yet. We're building Belize out — here's what's coming.
About Belize
Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America, and its legal system is built on English common law, with property held in fee-simple title and recorded through a public land registry. Foreign buyers have the same ownership rights as citizens: since the Alien Landholding Act was repealed in 2001, no permit, license, or local partner is required to buy and hold real estate in your own name. The currency, the Belize dollar (BZD), has been fixed at 2 to 1 against the US dollar since 1978, so prices, financing, and rental income translate directly into US-dollar terms.
The cost of owning is low by regional standards. Belize levies no capital gains tax and no inheritance or estate tax, and annual property tax is assessed on the unimproved value of the land at roughly 1%, often only a few hundred US dollars a year. The main one-time cost is stamp (transfer) duty, about 8% for foreign buyers and around 5% for nationals, with the first US$10,000 of value exempt. Demand is driven largely by tourism: Belize recorded about 562,000 overnight visitors in 2024, a national record, concentrated on Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and the Placencia peninsula.
Why invest in Belize
English-speaking, common-law jurisdiction: contracts, titles, and registries operate in English on a legal system familiar to US, Canadian, and UK buyers.
Foreigners hold the same fee-simple ownership rights as citizens, with no permit, local partner, or trust structure required.
The Belize dollar is pegged 2:1 to the US dollar, removing currency-conversion risk on prices, financing, and rental income.
Buyer-friendly tax regime: no capital gains tax, no inheritance tax, and annual property tax of roughly 1% of unimproved land value.
Where investors are looking
Areas we'll cover when Belize goes live.
Belize's largest island and top tourism market, beside the barrier reef; the deepest pool of condos, villas, and vacation rentals.
Smaller, lower-priced island with rising visitor traffic and limited land, drawing boutique and rental buyers.
Southern peninsula known for long beaches and a marina village, with growing resort and second-home development.
Inland district of jungle, rivers, and Maya sites; favored for eco-lodges, farms, and lower-cost residential land.
Quiet northern bayside district on the Mexican border, valued for affordability and access to Chetumal's amenities.
What to expect in Belize
Villas, condos, homes and land vetted before they go live.
Prices in USD and the local currency, with yield and cost context.
Neighbourhood, tax and financing explainers written for foreign buyers.
Are you an agent in Belize?
Get in early and list your properties the moment we open this market.