Corozal

Corozal is both the name of a district and a town. Nestled on the Bay of Chetumal, Corozal Town is only a 9-mile hop from the Mexican city of Chetumal, the state capital of Quintana Roo. It’s a lovely, laid-back, inexpensive place to call home, explaining why it boasts the biggest population of expats in this part of the country.

With a population of 13,000, Corozal has a small-village feel but offers all the services, amenities, and community activities of a larger town. The weather here is better than in the south, too. Corozal gets 57 inches of rain per year, half as much as in Toledo, Belize’s southernmost district.

Corozal is the recommended basecamp for exploring northern Belize. Many start their Belize adventure at Tony’s Inn & Beach Resort, which you pass as you drive into Corozal from the direction of Belize City. It’s one of the original expat hangouts and a great place to meet people and get local advice.