Win a Free Weekend in Belize | Pathfinder International

Saturday, December 31, 2011

Dear Reader,

Today's free draw will appeal to any of you considering Belize.

The prize is a chill weekend for two...a mini-vacation where you'll soak up the Caribbean atmosphere on sun-drenched beaches...chat with the quirky locals...and see if Belize really is your idea of paradise.

Belize has a lot to offer. It's close and easy to get to. It's a small country of rainforests, reefs and pretty beaches. It's English-speaking. It's got an attractive residency program with many benefits. And it's affordable.

The newest hot spot in Belize is the little town of Corozal. CNBC, AARP and Kiplinger all rate it as a top retirement spot. Tucked away on the shores of Chetumal Bay, Corozal is a quaint seaside town. It's attracting a growing number of expats.

The winner of the chill weekend for two will spend three days in Corozal's nicest community, Orchid Bay. The prize includes accommodation, transfers from Belize airport, and meals. The only cost to you if you win is your airfare.

You can enter the free prize draw here. We'll announce the lucky winner on January 6th.

Read on below to find out why Corozal makes sense for retirees and second home buyers.

Margaret Summerfield

Belize, a Country That Will Grow on You!

Belize is an affordable Caribbean paradise

Dear Reader,

There's a problem with Belize. And it's a pretty big one. You see, once you spend time on Belize's unspoiled beaches or trekking her rainforests, you might get what's known as the "Belize Factor." Simply put: you find that once you return home, you feel 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 trees, counter-pointed with swaying palms; 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 sea floor 150 feet below?

Rainforest and ruins: Belize is rich in history and natural beauty

Belize is wonderfully diverse. It's a land with more than 4,000 species of flowering plants, 200 types of butterflies (some a foot wide), tapirs, anteaters and wild cats.

That's 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. 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. 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 qualify with income of $24,000 a year and it gives you 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 90 miles north of Belize City's international airport.

One of Belize's best-kept secrets, Corozal is a tiny seaside town with a population of around 10,000. It might not do much for tourists, but it still packs a mighty punch as a second home and retirement location. CNBC, AARP and Kiplinger all rate it as a top retirement spot. It's not hard to see why. The cost of living is low in Corozal, and the pace of life is refreshingly relaxed.

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.

Corozal feels like a quaint seaside town, with small local restaurants and stores. But it's close to the Mexican city of Chetumal, where you'll find big-city conveniences.

Large chain retailers offer familiar North American brands. A modern movie theater complex shows first-run movies in English. 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 rainforest and 1.5 miles of coastline on a tranquil turquoise bay perfect for swimming, diving, snorkeling, fishing, or sailing.
Conveniently located just two hours from Belize City by car.
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 tourist hot-spot made famous by FOX Network's mini-series, Temptation Island.
Close to Mayan ruins, nature reserves and the Belize Barrier Reef.

At Orchid Bay, you'll enjoy the comforts and convenience of a close-knit community in a tropical beach setting.

Belize is a water-worshiper's paradise

Six years back, owners at Orchid Bay were buying into a master plan. The developer promised a beach club and restaurant, private beaches and a boat dock, and a group of little beachfront homes. But six years back, all buyers saw was heavy machinery cutting in the community's roads.

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. Ten homes are under construction. The 24 little beachfront homes are finished, and the first owners have already moved in. The community Wi-Fi is up and running. The first swimming pool is finished.

Homes in Orchid Bay use locally-sourced and hand crafted hardwood

Yet lots in Orchid Bay start from only $44,000.

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 and deciding if it feels right for you.

An Orchid Bay chill weekend gives you the opportunity to explore Corozal and Orchid Bay. You'll visit Mayan ruins nearby. You'll enjoy a seafood barbeque on the beach. You'll meet expats who have already made the move.

Of course, you'll have plenty of time to kick back in a hammock with a chilled beer or two...

The free chill weekend trip is for a couple, and includes transfers from Belize airport, accommodation and meals. You can enter the free prize draw here.

Margaret Summerfield