Guides · Central America and the Caribbean
Moving to Central America and the Caribbean: the best places to live
Arcadia scores 317 places across 35 countries in Central America and the Caribbean, from León (NI) at about $700 a month to Cul-de-Sac (St Barth area) at about $3,600. 237 are by the sea and 143 in the mountains. Typical ratings across the region: safety 3/5, healthcare 3/5, internet 3/5.
What the lists get wrong about Central America and the Caribbean
The lists sell the beach and skip the calendar. Thirty-five countries and territories sit in here, at prices from $700 to $3,600, and hurricanes are the risk that recurs across the region. The month you arrive matters as much as the place.
The standouts
Within the 317 places Arcadia scores here, not the whole region.
Every country in Central America and the Caribbean
How many places we score in each, and what a month costs there.
What to weigh before moving to Central America and the Caribbean
Natural risks recur here: hurricanes and typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic activity. It does not mean every place has them, it means you should check the specific one you pick.
Questions, answered
How much does it cost to live in Central America and the Caribbean?
The median across the 317 places we score is about $1,350 a month for one person, from $700 to $3,600. These are estimates for everyday living, rent included.
Where is the cheapest place to live in Central America and the Caribbean?
León (NI), at about $700 a month. It is the cheapest of the 317 places Arcadia scores here, which is not the same as the cheapest in the region.
Is Central America and the Caribbean safe to live in?
The typical safety rating across these 317 places is 3 out of 5, and the highest is George Town (Grand Cayman). These are broad country-level estimates for comparing places, not local advice.
Which of these fits you?
A guide can only rank places for an average reader. Answer a few honest questions and we rank these 317, and 3,500+ others, against your life.
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