After years of hard work, everyone dreams of enjoying their well-earned rest in the best way possible.
Still, that doesn’t mean spending every buck you’ve made; it means enjoying your life by the beach and buying what makes you comfortable without breaking the bank in the process.
So, here are 7 countries where you can afford to retire by the beach. They’re not ranked in any particular order, so choose the best one for you based on your needs and what you like about the country.
1. Portugal
Portugal’s Algarve coast offers golden cliffs and 300+ sunny days yearly at prices that’ll make other Europeans jealous.
A couple lives well on $2,000-$2,500 monthly, including rent for a sea-view apartment. Healthcare costs about 70% less than in the US. Most locals speak English, so you won’t struggle ordering your morning coffee.
The retirement visa is straightforward if you have a steady income.
Your days will be filled with fresh seafood, local wines under $5, and very nice beaches. No wonder Portugal tops so many retirement lists!
2. Mexico
One great thing about Mexico is that it’s very close to the United States, making it easy to reach with a short flight.
Consider that Mexico’s beach towns like Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán offer the perfect mix of familiarity and adventure. The budget should be between $1,800-$2,000 monthly for a couple, including rent with ocean views.
You’d also love to know that healthcare costs a quarter of US prices, with many doctors trained in America.
Plus, the expat communities are huge, so making friends is quite easy.
You’ll be spending your mornings walking the beach and your afternoons sipping margaritas for $3 each.
3. Malaysia
Penang Island in Malaysia is the hidden gem you haven’t considered yet! Once again, you’ll enjoy endless beaches for just $1,500-$2,000 monthly for two.
Medical care is so good and cheap that people travel there specifically for treatments, and English is everywhere, so no awkward translation apps are needed.
Another interesting thing is that Malaysia has a specific program called “My Second Home” that welcomes retirees with reasonable financial requirements.
Lastly, the food is so good and ridiculously cheap. Full meals for under $4! Malaysia is also a beautiful place for a vacation, I told you about it in the article on the 10 stunning but super affordable destinations you can’t miss.
4. Ecuador
Ecuador gives you Pacific beaches without Pacific prices. Coastal spots like Salinas offer miles of beautiful shoreline where $1,400-$1,800 monthly covers a couple’s full expenses.
They use US dollars, so no confusing currency math! Getting a retirement visa requires just $1,275 in monthly income.
Healthcare is quite cheap; it costs only 10-25% of US prices, and you could find some good US-trained doctors.
Other things to consider are public buses that cost not much more than a dollar per hour of travel, and the perfect year-round climate that means no heating or AC bills.
5. Thailand
Thailand is definitely one of the countries with the most beautiful beaches in the world. In particular, Hua Hin offers stunning coastal living where $1,500-$2,000 monthly gets a couple everything they need.
Thai hospitals provide excellent care that costs much less than in the United States, but retirement visas require proof of income or savings.
Daily life includes $5 massages on the beach, exploring ancient temples, enjoying the beach life, and making friends with some of the world’s friendliest people.
I recommend checking out the article on the most beautiful beaches of 2025. A Thai beach is actually among the top spots!
6. Panama
The interesting thing about Panama is that it offers two-for-one beach access: the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.
Areas like Coronado provide beachfront living with modern amenities for $2,000-$2,500 monthly per couple.
They have a famous retirement program called “Pensionado,” which gives retirees 20-50% off on a lot of services like healthcare, restaurants, airline tickets and utility bills.
In addition, they use US dollars (which makes life simple), and a visa is not required for US citizens.
Medical facilities partner with American hospitals, ensuring quality care and the country sits outside the hurricane belt, so your beach home stays safer than in other tropical locations.
7. Greece
If you prefer the Mediterranean, you can still opt for Greece. Islands like Crete can offer a good quality of life for around $2,000-$2,500 monthly per couple. You just have to avoid the very touristic hotspots.
A very positive thing is definitely the food, with markets that are full of cheap olive oil, fresh produce, and seafood caught that morning.
Healthcare is also super cheap, although the quality may be slightly lower than in the United States.
Lastly, Greek island life moves slowly, exactly how retirement should feel. But it’s also close to some other beautiful countries you can visit like Italy and France.
It will certainly be more expensive if you want to return to the United States often, but you can always book your flight on the cheapest day of the week.
