Sunday, September 05, 2010
The sun sets in all its tropical glory over Corozal, Belize
Dear Reader,
I first visited Belize's northern mainland five years ago. Back then, only the locals, a handful of expats, and an enterprising real estate developer knew about the Corozal district. My guidebook covered Corozal in 3 short paragraphs, describing a Caribbean flavor and not much else. The forward-thinking developer reckoned that Corozal's time would come. He was right. Fast forward five years, and today Corozal is touted as a top retirement destination...and featuring on mainstream TV.
Let's start with the AARP. They ranked Corozal as one of the best places to retire in their September/October 2010 issue. It's partly down to the benefits Belize offers...this is an English-speaking country, with an attractive residency program, close to the US...with undeniable natural beauty.
The Belize Barrier Reef, a Technicolor wonderland hugging the coast, with schools of rainbow fish...and the famous Blue Hole... attract divers and snorkelers from all over the world. Then there are the endless white beaches, Mayan ruins, and unexplored rainforest that runs for miles...
Belize is a water-worshiper's paradise....
The AARP recognizes the attractions of Corozal specifically, too. This place is highly affordable. Not just real estate...you can live comfortably here on $1500 a month. Despite feeling wonderfully isolated, Corozal's only a 20-minute drive to the Mexican city of Chetumal, where you'll find all the conveniences: shopping malls, supermarkets, hospitals and cinemas.
Coming to a TV Screen near You...
It's not just the AARP. This coming Tuesday, September 7, House Hunters International airs a show about Steve, a Phoenix-based engineer, who wants an affordable Caribbean escape, close to the water. His search focuses on Corozal. The development featured in the show, Orchid Bay, is the enterprising developer I mentioned earlier. This project's come a long way. When I visited 5 years ago, heavy machinery was cutting in the roads and underground utilities. Today, Orchid Bay has hit the following milestones:
- The Orchid Bay Beach Club is due to open at the end of the year. The club anchors the beachfront area, and the little casita houses. They built 24 of these casitas, and they sold quickly. Only 2 are left (for $169,000). These lock'n'leave homes make a perfect second home--and you can rent them out when you're not in Belize. You'll see the casitas in the House Hunters show.
- The Black Orchid restaurant and bar opens this month, with a grand opening scheduled for the 15th of September. The restaurant serves tasty snacks and meals...and the bar provides the perfect gathering place for neighbors and friends to relax over a chilled Belikin beer.
- In addition to the existing beach and dock, a second beach is being finished in front of the site for the new condos (and they're clearing the condo site, too).
- Orchid Bay partnered with Belize customs. It's now a port of entry...so you can arrive by boat from Mexico and have your visa stamped at Orchid Bay.
White sand beach and turquoise Caribbean water...
To see the development in all its glory, don't forget to tune in to HGTV House Hunters show on Tuesday September 7, at 10.30 PM (Eastern/Pacific) and again at 1.30AM (Eastern/Pacific). If you'd like to do a little house hunting of your own in Corozal, we've got the perfect solution.
Want to See For Yourself?
Orchid Bay offers chill weekends. These mini-vacations give you the opportunity to explore Corozal, and get a feel for the place. You'll visit Mayan ruins... enjoy a Hawaiian-style pig roast...and get to ask all the questions you need to ask about the buying process here, and Belize's residency program.
Plus , you'll get an up-close look at Orchid Bay's many property options...home sites starting from $39,000...condos...and those last casitas, too.
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 a frosty-cool drink. Best of all, for Pathfinder readers, the trip costs just $299 per person, a savings of $100 on the regular price. That price includes meals and accommodation. The next chill weekend runs November 5th-7th, 2010. Learn more about it here.
Ronan McMahon
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