Belize Tourism Is Up 29.7%. Here's What That Means for You.

By Macarena Rose

Macarena Rose is a respected real estate professional in Belize and the founder of Keller Williams Belize: Team Macarena. Her story began when she first visited Belize to teach a class at Cahal Pech Resort and immediately felt called to make San Ignacio her home.

Belize just posted a 29.7% surge in tourism year over year. If you’re thinking about buying property here, that number should get your attention.

More tourists means more demand for places to stay. More demand means higher rental income for property owners. And higher rental income means property values go up. That’s not speculation. That’s exactly what’s playing out in Belize right now.

GDP growth hit 8.1% in 2024, and property prices in prime coastal areas are already appreciating 9 to 14% annually. The momentum is real and it’s accelerating.

If you own a vacation rental in a place like Ambergris Caye or Placencia, you’re looking at stronger occupancy rates, higher nightly rates, and a longer peak season than we’ve seen in years. Belize set records for visitor arrivals by both air and cruise ship, and the infrastructure is growing to support even more. For property owners, that translates directly into income and appreciation.

Here’s the thing. Tourism is surging, but Belize hasn’t been overdeveloped yet. You can still buy beachfront property at prices that would be unthinkable in most of the Caribbean. There’s no capital gains tax. Property taxes are almost nothing. And as a foreigner, you have the same ownership rights as a Belizean citizen. But as more buyers catch on to what’s happening here, these entry points won’t last.

If you’ve been watching Belize from the sidelines, the tourism numbers are telling you something. The demand is here, the growth is here, and the window to get in at today’s prices is still open.

Reach out to us and we’ll walk you through what’s available and what makes the most sense for your goals. Call us at (727) 565-1507, email us at macarenarose@gmail.com, or visit belizerealestateservices.com.