Regional RoundupsUpdated 2026-07-20

Best Places to Retire in Latin America

Every Latin American country in the RetireSpots directory, ranked by RetireScore. Honest safety, cost, and visa comparisons beyond the headlines.

Latin America is the most popular retirement region for North Americans, and for good reason. Proximity to the US and Canada, warm climates, affordable living costs, and retiree-friendly visa programs make countries from Mexico to Uruguay compelling options. But safety and healthcare quality vary significantly by country. Here is the honest ranking.

Key visa programs include Panama's legendary Pensionado, Costa Rica's Pensionado, Mexico's Temporary Resident Visa, and Ecuador's Retirement Visa. Most Latin American countries offer a path to permanent residency and citizenship after 3-5 years.

The ranking

View of Chile

#1

Chile

Latin America

84score

Chile

84/100

Healthcare78
Retiree visa92
Affordability95
Safety76
Climate88
Expat community65

Explore Chile

View of Costa Rica

#2

Costa Rica

Latin America

81score

Costa Rica

81/100

Healthcare78
Retiree visa92
Affordability78
Safety76
Climate84
Expat community78

Explore Costa Rica

View of Uruguay

#3

Uruguay

Latin America

78score

Uruguay

78/100

Healthcare78
Retiree visa92
Affordability78
Safety76
Climate78
Expat community53

Explore Uruguay

View of Panama

#4

Panama

Latin America

77score

Panama

77/100

Healthcare78
Retiree visa92
Affordability78
Safety52
Climate84
Expat community78

Explore Panama

View of Paraguay

#5

Paraguay

Latin America

76score

Paraguay

76/100

Healthcare78
Retiree visa92
Affordability95
Safety52
Climate76
Expat community40

Explore Paraguay

View of Colombia

#6

Colombia

Latin America

75score

Colombia

75/100

Healthcare78
Retiree visa92
Affordability95
Safety28
Climate85
Expat community53

Explore Colombia

View of Ecuador

#7

Ecuador

Latin America

75score

Ecuador

75/100

Healthcare78
Retiree visa92
Affordability95
Safety28
Climate84
Expat community53

Explore Ecuador

View of Argentina

#8

Argentina

Latin America

74score

Argentina

74/100

Healthcare78
Retiree visa72
Affordability95
Safety52
Climate78
Expat community58

Some axes rest on partial data

Explore Argentina

View of Guatemala

#9

Guatemala

Latin America

73score

Guatemala

73/100

Healthcare55
Retiree visa92
Affordability95
Safety52
Climate84
Expat community58

Some axes rest on partial data

Explore Guatemala

View of Peru

#10

Peru

Latin America

73score

Peru

73/100

Healthcare55
Retiree visa92
Affordability95
Safety52
Climate84
Expat community53

Explore Peru

View of Dominican Republic

#11

Dominican Republic

Latin America

71score

Dominican Republic

71/100

Healthcare55
Retiree visa72
Affordability95
Safety52
Climate84
Expat community78

Explore Dominican Republic

View of Brazil

#12

Brazil

Latin America

70score

Brazil

70/100

Healthcare78
Retiree visa72
Affordability95
Safety28
Climate76
Expat community53

Explore Brazil

View of Mexico

#13

Mexico

Latin America

69score

Mexico

69/100

Healthcare78
Retiree visa50
Affordability95
Safety28
Climate84
Expat community78

Explore Mexico

View of Nicaragua

#14

Nicaragua

Latin America

69score

Nicaragua

69/100

Healthcare55
Retiree visa92
Affordability95
Safety28
Climate70
Expat community65

Explore Nicaragua

View of Honduras

#15

Honduras

Latin America

64score

Honduras

64/100

Healthcare32
Retiree visa72
Affordability95
Safety52
Climate84
Expat community65

Explore Honduras

View of Belize

#16

Belize

Latin America

61score

Belize

61/100

Healthcare32
Retiree visa72
Affordability78
Safety52
Climate70
Expat community78

Explore Belize

View of Bolivia

#17

Bolivia

Latin America

59score

Bolivia

59/100

Healthcare55
Retiree visa22
Affordability95
Safety52
Climate84
Expat community58

Some axes rest on partial data

Explore Bolivia