Belize, a Country That Will Grow on You!
Belize is an affordable Caribbean paradise
Dear Reader,
Once you stroll Belize’s unspoiled beaches and explore the flora and fauna of its rainforests, you may become afflicted with what’s known as the “Belize Factor.” Simply put: you find that once you return home, you have an uncontrollable compulsion to return. Time and again ...Perhaps even to stay.
After all, where else in a country the size of Massachusetts will you come upon mile after mile of fragrant pine, counter-pointed with swaying palms; forests where no man has set foot for over 1,000 years; atolls, islands, and barrier reefs with a rainbow kaleidoscope of tropical fish; stark savannah; majestic mountains; and Caribbean waters so crystal clear you can see the shifting sands of the sea floor 150 feet below?
Rainforest, and ruins: Belize is rich in history and natural beauty
Belize is a land with more than 4,000 species of flowering plants (including 250 varieties of orchids) … 700 different types of trees … 100 species of birds (including the awe-inspiring jabiru, with a wingspan of up to 12 feet) … 200 types of butterflies (some as large as a foot wide) … and, of course, the largest cat in the Western Hemisphere.
That’s why Destinations Magazine called Belize “A showcase of natural phenomena that takes your breath away”, and why AAA’s Go Magazine termed it “one tropical paradise that lives up to its postcard depictions.”
But Why Live or Invest Here?
Belize is unique in many ways. One is that the official language is English. So you can throw away your phrase book and dictionary…and start making friends the moment you arrive.
Belize encourages offshore business…and financial privacy. Belizean laws allow asset-protection trusts, for example. There are no local income taxes, and no currency exchange controls.
Residency is easy through the Qualified Retired Persons (QRP) program, run by the Belize Tourist Board. You can qualify with income of $24,000 a year…and then enjoy a range of benefits. Income earned from sources outside Belize is tax-free, and you can import your household goods, a car or a boat, without paying import duty.
And property doesn’t cost the earth, even in this little Caribbean haven. You can own a lot here from just $44,000…
The Newest Hotspot
Corozal is snuggled along the shores of Chetumal Bay some 90 miles north of Belize City’s international airport. It’s a picturesque seaside fishing village famed for its breakers, breeze, and fragrant canopies of poinciana trees adorning its central park.
One of Belize’s best-kept secrets, Corozal hit the headlines last year, when the AARP ranked it as a top retirement hot spot. They cited Corozal’s laid-back, affordable lifestyle: "with year-round outdoor play (boating, hiking, swimming, diving)… only 20 minutes from the malls and cineplexes of Chetumal…"
The turquoise waters of the bay invite you to swim, or spend a few hours boating or fishing (the bay is good for tarpon, bonefish and permit). The town itself is peaceful, set around a central park with a historic Clock Tower and plenty of shade trees.
With a population of less than 11,000, Corozal feels like a quaint seaside town, with small local restaurants and stores. But it’s only a half-hour from the Mexican city of Chetumal, where you’ll find big-city conveniences.
Large chain retailers offer familiar North American brands. A duty-free zone with more than 300 stores stocks bargain-priced goods (electronics, clothing, perfume, alcohol). A modern movie theater complex shows first-run movies in English with Spanish sub-titles. More than a dozen clinics and hospitals (public and private) provide inexpensive medical care. Chetumal’s restaurants, bars, casinos and clubs create an active nightlife scene.
Corozal is still a sleepy town. There’s not much in the way of real estate development, although 300-400 expats now live here. The premier community in the area is Orchid Bay.
Orchid Bay … Corozal’s Premier Waterfront Community
Orchid Bay is…
- A luxurious stretch of beachfront with 115 acres of untouched rainforests and one-and-a half miles of coastline on a tranquil turquoise bay perfect for swimming, diving, snorkeling, fishing, sailing, or simply strolling along the shoreline admiring the powder-blue sky.
- Conveniently located just two hours from Belize City by car. And thanks to a planned private airstrip, it will be less than 15 minutes in one of the low-cost charter planes that hop about Belize.
- Only 10 miles across the Bay of Chetumal from the bustling metropolis of Chetumal, with its modern American-style mall, state-of-the-art cinema plazas, crowded city sidewalks, beachfront eateries, first-class restaurants, and vibrant nightlife.
- A short boat-ride away from Ambergris Caye, the alluring tourist hot-spot made famous by FOX Network’s mini-series, Temptation Island.
- Within driving distance of the 2,000-year-old Mayan ruins at Altun Ha. It’s here the Temple of the Sun God reaches 60 feet above the jungle floor. And only a few yards away lays the Temple of the Green Tomb, where archeologists uncovered the solid jade head of Kinich Ahau, the largest jade carving ever found in any Maya country.
At Orchid Bay, you’ll enjoy the comforts and convenience of a modern, close-knit, luxury community – combined with the easy ambiance of a beach front, tropical setting. The streets will interconnect, and hardwood boardwalks will encourage walking and biking.
Belize is a water-worshiper’s paradise
Six years back, owners at Orchid Bay were buying a master plan and a vision. The developer promised a beach club and restaurant…private beaches and a boat dock…and little beachfront casitas. But six years back, all buyers could see was heavy machinery cutting in roads and utilities…
Today, however, it’s a different story. The beach club, restaurant and bar opened last year. You can enjoy tasty meals and snacks…or shoot the breeze with friends and neighbors over a local Belikin beer. The first beach and the dock are complete, and a second beach is underway. Eight homes are under construction. The 24 little beachfront casitas are finished (the first owners have already moved in). The community Wi-Fi is up and running…and the first of two swimming pools is under construction.
Homes in Orchid Bay use locally-sourced and hand crafted hardwood
Yet home sites in Orchid Bay still start from only $44,000. Good quality build costs are $100 per square foot…or up to $125 for high quality finishes. There is no minimum home size. The team at Orchid Bay will build you a 998 square foot home for $114,000. That’s $158,000 for your home and lot if you decide to build…incredibly affordable for a Caribbean home…
Dipping Your Toes in the Water
Now, I can describe Belize, Corozal, and even Orchid Bay all day long. But nothing beats seeing it yourself…dipping a toe in the water…and seeing if it feels right for you. An Orchid Bay chill weekend gives you the opportunity to explore Corozal…visit Mayan ruins... enjoy a seafood barbeque on the beach...meet expats who have already made the move…and ask all the questions you need to ask about the buying process, and even Belize's residency program.
Of course, you'll have plenty of time to relax on the beach, and enjoy the clear Caribbean ocean...or kick back in a hammock with an ice-cool drink. The trip costs $399, including meals and accommodation. The next chill weekend runs March 9th-11th (other dates are also available). You can find out more by inquiring here.
Margaret Summerfield
