Central America Countries
Explore countries in Central America for US expats. Compare visa options, cost of living, and quality of life.
Countries in Central America
El Salvador
Central America
El Salvador pairs a Level 1 US travel advisory and dollarized economy with living costs 40-52% below the US — an emerging, still-uncrowded expat frontier.
Panama
Central America
A dollarized, US-friendly hub with the region's best retirement visa, Johns Hopkins-affiliated healthcare, and living costs 30–50% below major US cities.
Belize
Central America
The only English-speaking country in Central America, with costs ~27% below the US, an accessible retiree program (QRP), and permanent residency after just one year of presence.
Costa Rica
Central America
Central America's safest, most expat-mature destination — mid-range costs, top-regional healthcare, and a retiree visa needing just $1,000/month.
Guatemala
Central America
Immediate permanent residency at $1,250/month and living costs ~56% below the US, traded against a Level 3 safety advisory and a Spanish-first daily life.
Nicaragua
Central America
Ultra-low living costs, a $1,000/month retirement visa, and a $30k fast-track to permanent residency — offset by a Level 3 State Department advisory and wrongful-detention risk under an authoritarian government.
Honduras
Central America
Honduras pairs some of the hemisphere's lowest living costs and easy $1,500/month retirement residency with serious mainland safety concerns — most American expats settle in the safer, English-speaking Bay Islands.