Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Dear Reader,
Little Belize is a country of amazing natural beauty. From its Caribbean shores to its jungle interior, Belize is a nature-lover’s paradise. Her barrier reef is second only in size to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
On the mainland, unspoiled coast is backed by lush tropical forests and Mayan ruins. The people are the friendliest and quirkiest of any country on my beat. English-speaking and welcoming, it’s easy to integrate with the local community. Foreign retirees are afforded generous incentives.
They don’t care much for rules here. You can mind your own business in Belize with no unwelcome intrusion into your affairs by the government.
Finally, and most importantly, the real estate values here are amazing. I’m talking one-fifth or one-eighth the price you would pay on Caribbean islands to the east.
This is a place you should take for a test drive.
Here at Pathfinder, our chill weekends give you the opportunity to visit, feel the cool ocean breeze on your face, network with connected locals and gauge real estate opportunities up close. This week we will extend three special invitations to you. If you are looking for a shortlist, I couldn’t think of better place to start than this week’s dispatches.
Starting today with Belize…
…and her northern shores in Corozal in particular.
In the picturesque seaside fishing village of Corozal, you’ll find breakers, sea breezes, and fragrant canopies of poinciana trees adorning its central park.
Minutes away from Corozal, you’ll find a real estate project called Orchid Bay. I first visited over six years ago when the developer spoke of creating a community.
Spread over 115 acres of a pristine peninsula, Orchid Bay is in the Corozal District of Belize. The project is some 90 miles from Belize City, the former capital and home to the international airport. The Mexican city of Chetumal is less than an hour away by car (or 30 minutes by boat).
At Orchid Bay, the master plan calls for a mix of homes sites, casitas (smaller homes), and condos. Today, the project is real. The vision I heard (as it competed with heavy machinery) six years ago is today a reality. The first residents have moved into the 24 beachfront casitas…more homes are under construction… and the restaurant is open.
In fact this is a very special invitation.
For the first time, our friends at Orchid Bay will use these casitas as the base for a chill weekend. You will see and feel first-hand the construction quality, and the rich dark hardwoods used. You will see the developer’s attention to detail in the landscaping and flowers that ramble through the casita gardens. You are seconds from the restaurants where you will be able to pick up a cold drink and amble to the dock.
But this weekend isn’t just about cold drinks at sunset, new friends and memories for life.
It’s about the deal.
On this weekend you will be able to get in on a very special release with low money down and monthly payments of just $687.50.
Developer Ari Kahn has just opened up 13 new lots, priced at just $44,000. And interest-free finance is available on the first six lots to sell. You can get in with $11,000 down and monthly payments of $687.50 for 48 months.
At 1/8th of an acre, these lots are not huge. You might even think they are a little on the small side. But the size of these lots alone doesn’t give you the full picture. Let me explain.
Directly in front of these lots is a five-acre field. Rich and pastoral, this will be home to Orchid Bay’s equine residents. These five acres will feel like your front yard. But you don’t need to worry about mending fences or maintenance. The community takes care of this.
Directly behind the lot and to the rear of the lot is rich, vibrantly green jungle. It will stay this way. The lots back onto a preserved area. As the project develops, trails will lead you through the jungle…perfect for horseback riding, jogging or quad biking. These trails will end at a white-bottomed lagoon, with clear blue seawater.
On a recent visit my guide through the jungle told me of the battles locals have on this lagoon with barracudas that match them in weight (and exceed them in strength!). Big cats prowl here, too: the majestic jaguar is king of this forest. The colorful butterflies and graceful hummingbirds make this a special and enchanting place.
These lots give you the best of both worlds. A small area to maintain… with an unbeatable price tag. But, at the same time, you are surrounded by open spaces that will feel like your front and back yard.
You are a gentle stroll (or quick golf cart ride) to the community waterfront and beach area, where the casitas are. A stroll you will savor. And because Orchid Bay doesn’t have a grid design, you won’t stroll from your lot to the beachfront restaurant in a straight line. You’ll weave your way through your community…taking time to smell the orchids as you ramble.
Developer Ari Kahn is standing by to send you a full itinerary for this special weekend, which runs this August 5th-7th.
You’ll spend time checking out Orchid Bay (of course)…but you’ll also take a river trip to see the Lamanai Mayan ruins… a boat trip for breakfast one morning at a little beach resort…and you’ll visit the local Mennonite community that supplies Orchid Bay residents with produce and fresh-baked bread. Most importantly, you’ll see how much progress has been made at Orchid Bay in the last 6 years. You’ll meet some of Orchid Bay’s residents, too, and really get a feel for living in this tranquil part of Belize.
Ronan McMahon
PS. I know this is very short notice. I just got confirmation a few hours ago that the casitas would be available for this special celebration. If you can’t make this trip at such short notice, ask Ari here about dates for chill weekends later in the year at Orchid Bay.
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