Belize Tourism & Investment January to September 2024
Belize Tourism & Investment in 2024
Belize is experiencing a significant travel boom in 2024, with Belize tourism up +22% this year.
2024 has been a record-breaking year for Belize tourism! From Q1 to Q3 of 2024 (January to September), Belize had the highest historic overnight tourism arrivals.
Based on year-over-year tourism growth, Belize is the Fastest-Growing Caribbean Destination.
Surrounded by the tropical Caribbean Sea in Central America, Belize is undergoing “impressive” tourism growth.
Belize’s tourism growth rate is higher than that of popular regional destinations like Tulum, the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Cancun, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas.
Belize Monthly & Annual Tourism
Belize 2024 Tourism Growth
In 2024, Belize has seen the highest volume and % increase in tourism in history. This has been primarily due to increased direct flights and improved accessibility to Belize.
Total Overnight Tourists to Belize in 2024 (January to September) is +22% higher than in 2023 (January to September) and +13% higher than in 2019 (prior peak tourism numbers).
Belize 2024 Tourism Compared to 2023 and 2019
Overnight Tourism in 2024 Over 9-Months (January to September) = 459,617 overnight arrivals
Belize saw a 22% increase in tourism in 2024 (January through September) compared to 2023. This is the Q1-Q3 tourism data for overnight stays.
The 22% increase shows that Belize far outpaces the region’s year-over-year tourism growth.
Belize also saw a 13% increase in tourism arrivals from the benchmark year of 2019 (compared to the same timeframe as the prior peak in 2019). This solidifies 2024 as the peak and record-breaking year for Belize’s overnight tourism.
2024 Year Over Year Tourism Growth (Over 9-months) = +22% from 2023
2024 Year Over Year Tourism Growth (Over 9-months) = +13% from 2019
2024 Belize Tourism Stats
Belize Tourism vs Other Destinations
Belize has seen a +22% increase in international tourists this year.
Belize’s +22% growth rate is impressive compared with other Caribbean destinations such as Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Aruba, Jamaica, Cancun, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands.
Fastest Growing Caribbean Destination
Belize Fastest Growing Caribbean Destination in 2024
Belize % Growth in Tourism in 2024 vs 2023. Belize has seen larger tourism growth than any other Caribbean Destination in 2024. Compared to the British Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and more!
Belize has seen a 22% increase in international tourists in 2024 from 2023
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Caribbean Destination % Tourism Growth
Belize Tourism Growth in 2024
With nearly half a million (500,000 for the YTD) overnight tourists, Belize continues to experience a tourism growth surge in 2024. This far outpaces all prior years’ tourism to Belize.
Belize Monthly Tourism by Year
Belize tourism hit record-breaking monthly tourism arrivals in March of 2024. The second-highest overnight tourism numbers in the history of Belize were set in February 2024.
Belize Overnight Tourism January to September
Overnight tourism is an important metric for investors looking at vacation or short-term rentals.
Overnight Tourism is defined as “A person visiting Belize as a guest/tourist (resident or non-resident).” It typically measures true tourism statistics and arrivals through the airport.
A night spent or tourism night (overnight stay) is each night a guest/tourist (resident or non-resident) spends time (a nightly rental) in a tourist accommodation establishment or non-rented accommodation.
Belize Overnight Tourism Comparison
The +22% increase in overnight tourism to Belize is even more impressive when compared to other destinations in the region.
The Caribbean is recognized as one of the most tourism-dependent regions, with tourism serving as the most significant economic contributor for many Caribbean nations (including Belize). Tourism is one of the top GDP and Economic contributors to Belize, which is shown in the Belize 2024 economy.
According to new data from hotel analytics firm STR, vacation rental income and investment properties in the Caribbean and Belize performed strongly in 2024, far outpacing last year’s (2023) tourism numbers.
Belize Tourism YoY Comparison
You can see annual overnight tourism for 9 months (January to September). As the chart above shows, Belize continues to eclipse record-breaking tourism numbers in 2024. Far eclipsing last year (22% higher) and peak tourism in 2019 (13% higher).
Ambergris Caye Tourism 2024
Ambergris Caye has remained the top destination in Belize, with the highest % of Belize overnight tourists visiting Ambergris Caye and San Pedro. In 2024, Ambergris Caye has seen a 30% increase in overnight tourism.
Ambergris Caye Tourism
- +30% annual increase in 2024 tourism
- 439 active vacation rentals (single-family homes, Airbnb, or resorts) are primarily short-term rentals.
- Average annual vacation rental demand has increased by 19% each year over the past 3 years.
The growth in tourism to Belize and Ambergris Caye has led to higher occupancy and higher nightly rental rates (for vacation rentals).
International Airport Arrivals Over 8 Months = 431,353 overnight arrivals
2024 Year Over Year Tourism Growth on Ambergris Caye = +30% from 2023
Ambergris Caye Occupancy Vacation Rentals
Ambergris Caye Vacation Rental Occupancy
- 2024 Average Occupancy of 59%
- +15% increase in average occupancy in 2024 compared to 2023
- February 2024 had the highest occupancy for a month at 82% occupancy.
Ambergris Caye Average Nightly Rental Rates
Ambergris Caye Nightly Rental Rates and ADR
- 2024 Average ADR or Nightly Rental Rate of $244.90 USD per night for vacation rentals on Ambergris Caye.
- Ambergris Caye had a +2% increase in average ADR in 2024 compared to 2023.
- The highest 2024 average for a month ADR or Nightly Rate in Ambergris Caye was $264 USD/night.
ADR and Nightly Rental Rates Trend
In 2024, the average occupancy of vacation rentals from January to September on Ambergris Caye for STR (Short Term Rentals / Vacation Rentals) was 59% occupancy. The nightly rental rates for Ambergris Caye vacation rentals have been $244.9 per night, with a peak of $264/night and a low of $232/night in 2024 (January to September).
Ambergris Caye Vacation Rental Revenue
Increased occupancy rates and higher nightly rental rates (ADR) have increased monthly and annual rental revenues for Ambergris Caye, Belize investment properties.
Ambergris Caye Annual Rental Revenue Average
Ambergris Caye Monthly Rental Revenue Average
Ambergris Caye Rental Revenue
- 2024 Average Rental Revenue for vacation rentals in Ambergris Caye is $43,200 USD annually.
- The average vacation rental property revenue in Ambergris Caye increased by +17% in 2024 compared to 2023.
- March 2024 was the peak month in Ambergris Caye for rental revenue, with an average monthly revenue per unit of $4,640 USD.
Investing in Belize & Ambergris Caye
Belize’s booming tourism sector, investment incentives, and favorable business environment make it a desirable investment destination. I’m happy to share more information and discuss available investment opportunities.
Check out Belize Tourism and Overnight Arrivals in Belize Jan to June.
For more information on Ambergris Caye real estate, Belize tourism, and investing in Belize real estate, contact us!
Additional Links
Belize & Caribbean Tourism & Investment 2024
Ambergris Caye Real Estate 2024
