There are comparisons that make sense—Portugal vs. Spain, Mexico vs. Colombia, Thailand vs. Vietnam.

And then there’s Colombia vs. Belize.

On paper, they both show up on the “move abroad” radar: warm weather, beautiful landscapes, lower cost of living than the U.S., friendly people, and relatively easy flights from North America.

But once you land, you realize something important:

One is a big, messy, exciting, diverse country with huge cities, mountains, world-class healthcare, and some of the best value in the Americas.

The other is a tiny, English-speaking Caribbean nation where life moves slow, the reef is the superstar, and your most serious traffic jam is a line of golf carts at sunset.

So if you’re sitting there thinking, “Should I move to Colombia or Belize?”—you’re really asking,
“Am I built for a big-country adventure… or small-island life?”

Let’s break it down like—category by category—so you can see which one actually fits your lifestyle.

We’ll look at:

By the end, you’ll know not just which country “wins” on paper, but which one matches the way you actually want to live.

When it comes to cost of living, Colombia and Belize are playing two different sports.

In Colombia, your money doesn’t just stretch—it does yoga.

In cities like Medellín, Bogotá, Pereira, or Armenia, you can rent a modern one-bedroom in a good neighborhood for roughly:

Groceries are affordable, fresh produce is everywhere, eating out is reasonably priced, and even private healthcare feels like it’s permanently on sale compared to North America.

Transportation?

If your goal is: “I want a good quality of life without watching every dollar,” Colombia gives you a lot of room to breathe.

Belize is technically on the mainland—but economically, it behaves like an island.

If you’re in:

Typical modern rentals near the beach often run:

Then the extras sneak up on you:

If you rely on air conditioning, your electric bill will send you angry love letters every month.

Verdict:

Both countries are reachable. They just serve different needs.

From the U.S., Belize is almost a long weekend away:

You fly into one international airport near Belize City. You land, grab your bag, and you’re basically in vacation mode.

From there, domestic flights to the islands are short, low-flying hops in small planes—more like “scenic rides” than “flights.” It feels like someone built a Caribbean sandbox for Americans and Canadians who don’t want long-haul flights.

Colombia doesn’t just connect to the U.S.—it connects to everywhere in the region.

Cities like:

have direct flights to:

Domestic flights inside Colombia are also cheap and frequent. You can often cross the country for:

Verdict:

This is where the two countries really diverge.

Colombia has one of the more user-friendly visa systems in Latin America. Most of it is online and relatively transparent.

Common options:

Approvals often take 2–4 weeks, and you can do the whole thing in pajama pants. For nomads, younger expats, and people still working online, Colombia is extremely workable.

Belize’s vibe is very different.

Short-term:

Long-term:

Two main residency pathways:

QRP is fantastic—but it’s built for retirees or semi-retirees, not 29-year-old digital nomads building a startup.

Verdict:

Let’s talk about everyone’s least favorite topic.

Because if you ignore taxes, your dream move abroad can become a very expensive mistake.

Colombia uses a tax residency rule:

As a tax resident, Colombia can tax your worldwide income:

If you’re American, you still have U.S. tax obligations, so your planning becomes a bit of a puzzle: FEIE, foreign tax credits, local rules, etc.

There is one important nuance:

Belize uses a territorial tax system:

That means:

…are typically not taxed in Belize.

If you’re under the QRP program, foreign income is specifically exempt, and you can import personal goods and one vehicle duty-free.

If your life is structured around foreign income, Belize’s system is very attractive.

Verdict:

Here, the gap isn’t just wide—it’s a different universe.

Colombia’s healthcare system is why so many people consider it a long-term base.

Most expats end up with some mix of:

Costs are often:

Dental, surgery, imaging, and specialist care are often a fraction of U.S. costs.

Belize has:

For big things—serious surgeries, advanced diagnostics, complex treatments—most expats:

Insurance exists, but the scale of the system is small. It’s a small country with limited infrastructure.

Verdict:

Both countries require common sense—just in different places and in different ways.

Colombia’s global image is still stuck in the Pablo Escobar era. Today’s reality is very different.

In cities like:

…life is generally safe with normal Latin American precautions:

The main risk for foreigners is petty theft, not targeted violent crime.

Politically, Colombia is stable. Protests happen, but they’re usually more disruptive than dangerous—blocking roads, delaying flights, and closing areas temporarily.

Belize is two worlds:

Most expats avoid Belize City except for the airport or specific errands.

Politically, Belize is calm. No major unrest, no big protests. Quiet, small-country rhythm.

Verdict:

This might be the single biggest everyday difference for most people.

Belize’s official language is English.

You’ll hear:

…but English is the language of government, business, signs, banking, healthcare—everything.

For expats who don’t want a language barrier, Belize is extremely easy. You can land on Monday and feel integrated by Friday.

In Colombia, Spanish is the default:

The good news?

Colombian Spanish is:

If you want a place to learn Spanish, Colombia is one of the best classrooms in the world.

Verdict:

Both are warm. But they live in different climatic universes.

Colombia’s climate is tied to altitude, not seasons. That means you can almost pick your weather:

And here’s the big one:

You’ll get rain, sure. But you’re not boarding up windows every season.

Belize gives you:

The trade-off?

If you love the Caribbean and don’t mind the weather roulette, you’ll be fine. But it’s something to factor into long-term planning and insurance.

Verdict:

This is where you stop thinking like an accountant and start thinking like a human.

Colombia is high-energy:

You have:

If you like options—events, groups, social scenes, weekend trips, new restaurants—Colombia is basically a playground.

Belize is the opposite, and that’s the whole point.

Life revolves around:

Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are the classic examples:

Placencia is quieter peninsula life. Inland towns offer jungle, Mayan ruins, and rivers.

Belize is not for mall people, museum people, or “three new restaurant openings every week” people.

It’s for slow, steady, low-pressure living.

Verdict:

You’re not just choosing a country—you’re choosing the type of people you’ll meet.

In Colombia, especially in:

…you’ll find:

The ecosystem includes:

It’s dynamic, diverse, and constantly changing.

In Belize, the expat community is:

You’ll find:

Because everyone speaks English, joining the community is easy. You don’t spend two years “warming up”—you’re in the mix almost immediately.

Verdict:

Here’s the punchline:

They’re offering two completely different lives.

Colombia is ideal for:

Belize is ideal for:

You’re not choosing “which country is better.”

You’re choosing which version of yourself you want to live out:

Neither is wrong. But one is probably a lot more you than the other.