By Shawn Slater

Belize(VACATION HOMES)is no longer hidden; it’s now out in the open, so to speak. When Mother Nature was making the world she didn’t outsource Belize(VACATION HOMES)- she made it herself. All manner of people have been captivated by Belize(VACATION HOMES); from newlywed couples on their honeymoon to whole families on vacation, from adventure seekers to nature conservationists. Access to Belize(VACATION HOMES) by land, sea and air has been improved to provide easy access. One of the most encouraging aspects of a Belize(VACATION HOMES) trip is its easy accessibility by air, land and sea. As a result it is easy to organise short trips and weekend excursions.

Getting to Belize (VACATION HOMES) from anywhere in North America is fast, easy and convenient with scheduled services for buses, flight and cruise ships. If you own a boat or can borrow a boat you can come down the Caribbean Sea and enjoy the outlying islands before you reach the shores of Belize(VACATION HOMES). If you’re in North and Central America and you want to go to Belize(VACATION HOMES) by road is even easier: jump on a luxury bus or hire a car and have yourself a road trip. American Airlines, Continental Airlines and US Airways operate flights from Dallas, Houston, Miami and Charlotte.

No trip to Belize(VACATION HOMES) would be complete without a plan (an itinerary) as most tourist attractions are close by. When you really want to cut loose here are three things to indulge yourself. The first is for those who want to absolutely indulge. Visualize yourself in a luxury spa in a jungle lodge in Cayo. If you want serenity and peace of mind head over to Light Reef Atoll or Long Caye. If you want tranquillity and privacy then you need to stay at Long Caye or Lighthouse Reef atoll. Slip into that space of no thought for a deep inner peace.

The transport system is very good in Belize(VACATION HOMES). The buses work well, the car rental companies work well and the water ferries work well. If you are taking a longer vacation you can take a bus or plane. For those who do not have a grip on reality, you can hire a bike for a small fee. Sometimes time is short so you may choose to fly with the local airline: some people however prefer to take the bus because it allows you to see some of the cultural heritage. However, some tourists prefer to take the buses because it allows them to see the country from the ground up instead of from the sky down..

Tourist season runs from December through to June. Rainy season runs from June to November. December to May is the best time to visit Belize(VACATION HOMES) to experience the cooler milder weather. The people in Belize are warm, friendly and will greet you with a smile on their face. When you arrive in Belize you will find out very quickly that Belizeans will welcome you with open arms and a warm heart. It’s no wonder that many of the visitors end up buying the prized real estate in Belize. Places like Long Caye, which are adorned with pristine beaches and serene diving and fishing spots, are witnessing a steady rise in foreigner owned real estate. It doesn’t matter how long people stay in Belize; without exception everyone who returns home wished the stayed longer.

Other Resources
Properties in Belize by the Sea-front!
Belize – Retire in Paradise!

Buying property is always a stressful process and can be even more so when purchasing in a foreign country. However, Belize is part of the British Commonwealth with a legal system that shares the same British common law as does Canada and the United States. However, there are five basic things that every buyer must know before they begin that process of buying their dream property in Belize:

1.  A foreigner can own property outright in Belize and has the same rights as a Belizean citizen to freehold property ownership. Since the Alien Landholding Act was abolished in 2001 there are no licenses, permits, special permissions or conditions needed for a foreigner to take title to freehold land in Belize.

2.  It is always advisable to have professional legal advice when purchasing property although you will often be told the opposite. There are experienced and reputable paralegals who will be familiar with the title history of local properties and they can often finalize a purchase. However, there can be important issues concerning how best to take title which can impact your closing costs and potentially impact how you sell your property. Don’t take any risks, obtain qualified local, legal representation.

3.  Title insurance is very prevalent in the US and increasingly so in Canada but is not so common in Belize. However, Belize is one of the few Central American countries that in fact does offer title insurance through one of the major American providers, Stewart Title. It is important to note that the Government of Belize guarantees most Belizean titles while your local lawyer can provide a title opinion which makes property purchase as secure regarding your title as in the USA and Canada.

4.  Closing costs in Belize are very straight forward. Since there is no capital gains tax associated with the purchase and sale of real estate, the Government assesses a 5% stamp tax on the declared purchase price of the property at the time of transfer of title. However, there is an additional tax of 5% for foreigners and persons who have resided in Belize for less than 3 years. It is important to fully review and understand your options prior to completing the sale to insure you take title to your Belizean property that best serves your particular circumstances. Closing fees to your lawyer or paralegal should be budgeted at a minimum of $500 – $1500.

5.  Local financing, although available, would not be a recommended course of action. The majority of foreign property transactions is either cash or otherwise financed offshore. Belizean interest rates are typically much higher than you will be used to in your home markets with fixed terms of only twelve months and only issued in Belizean dollars. At the end of every year the loan is closed out and then renewed at the current interest rate. A more reasonable alternative may be to borrow through an offshore banking institution and, as always,  professional advice is very important.

Common sense needs to prevail when contemplating buying property in any foreign jurisdiction and that should begin by retaining an advisor who is on your side and not compromised by acting for the seller as well. Begin by following the above five factors and you will go a long way to making this an exciting and joyful experience.

There are many conventional factors such as location, quality of construction, list of amenities and so on that adds value to a condo property. But there is another factor, which is often overlooked, but has a definitive effect on the property prices. It is the celebrity factor. When world famous celebrities buy properties in an area, the other properties in the area inevitably gain value. This is one factor that is pushing up the property prices in Belize, especially the Belize condos in Ambergris Caye, Placencia and in San Pedro. When the world famous Hollywood stars like Leonardo di Caprio and Francis Ford Coppola decide to buy properties in a country, it inevitably attracts a lot of attention from the investors.

Even if you lack the resource for buying an entire island like the celebrated stars, you can still grab a space for yourself in the celebrity hotspots. For example, you can invest in one of the units in luxury condo hotel that Di Caprio is constructing and which is going to be groomed and managed by Four Seasons Group as an eco-friendly tourist destination. There are many more upscale Belize condos available for sale in several parts of Belize. And in addition to the most popular destinations such as Belize City, Ambergris Caye or Placencia, you can also explore the Belize condo markets in such upcoming areas as San Pedro and St. George’s Caye, Caye Caulker, coastal islands of Toledo and in Belmopan.

Although tourism grew by leaps and bounds in the country, Belize is still regarded as an undiscovered vacation destination. With a stunning collection of desolate islands, sparkling beaches, barrier reef and rain forests, Belize is easily one of the most beautiful countries in the world. With its diverse animal and plant life, it makes a nature lover’s paradise. Go deep sea fishing or take up some scuba diving, sail on the sea or just soak the tropical warmth at the beaches—Belize can offer you everything that you can expect from an unforgettable holiday. No wonder, many Americans follow the footsteps of their favorite celebrities and end up buying properties in the country. Since Belize condos are perfectly tuned to the needs of modern travelers, most of the overseas buyers go only for Belize condo properties when it comes to buy their second home in the Caribbean’s.

Based on English legal system, Belize propagates private property rights for everyone. Then there is no capital gain tax and no inheritance taxes Added to the prices of Belize condos. Property appreciation remained stable over the past twenty years. The country has a stable political environment and well connected to the rest of the world. All these make a profitable investment in Belize condos in the current market situation.

In a nutshell, if you are looking for the right property at world’s one of the scenic locations, for a reasonable price range, then Belize condos can give you an excellent value for your dollars.

Why not choose the Belize Hotel of the Year 2008 for your next Caribbean Vacation

Described as the top luxury hotel and resort in Belize with a five star rating, the Inn at Robert’s Grove is a real hideaway hotel. It is a very well maintained property and provides the guests with a very relaxed and gracious lifestyle, and has the added advantage of being close to the three main attractions in Belize, which is The Barrier Reef, the Tropical Rainforest, and the Maya Ruins.

The Inn at Robert’s Grove sits right on the beach justifying the title of best beachfront hotel, the white sand beach must be considered the best in Placencia. There are 52 superbly well furnished beachfront rooms and suites with all the usual facilities you can expect in a luxury hotel.

There are complimentary amenities in the grounds, on the beach, and in the sea, consisting of three freshwater pools, Jacuzzis, a 200 foot Pier, tennis court, gymnasium, and then water based you have the free use of sailboats, hobie cats, canoes, kayaks, windsurfers and bicycles.

You can add to this a PADI Dive Centre, where you can also get Snorkelling Equipment, a Fly Fishing Centre, a Sea Spa, and the Inn at Robert’s Grove operates Reef and Rainforest Tours, and you can also stay on their two private islands called Robert’s Caye and Ranguana Cave.

There are two restaurants, and the Seaside restaurant and Bar will serve you both international fare, and local specialities. They have superb American Beef, and their seafood is renowned for its freshness and variety. Down at the Marina, the Mexican Café and Bar is the second and speciality restaurant.

All of this sounds what you might expect from a Luxury Hotel and Resort anywhere never mind Belize, and it is the opinions of guests that a really of value, and over 80% of them were more than satisfied with their experience.

The overall impression is that the Inn at Robert’s Grove is a great place to relax, and a very good PADI for scuba divers. The quality of the rooms is impressive, and guests find them to be large and very comfortable. The staff get a lot of plus points, and words like friendly and approachable reoccur frequently.

The excursions seem well organised to the Jaguar reserve and the Mayan Ruins.

Guests really enjoyed the beachfront position of the Hotel, and the facilities for watersports. There also are a lot of comments about it being a good resort for families, at the same time as being relaxing for adults which is encouraging if you have children, but want to get away from it all and vegetate for a couple of weeks, whilst they lie in a hammock and read a book, and sip on a cold drink.

It definitely appears that the Inn at Robert’s Grove is a Luxury Beachfront Hotel and Resort, and very suitable for families, and at the same time a relaxing place for couples. It is ideally situated in Placencia, and is very well looked after with great staff, and well worth considering as a hideaway hotel for your vacation this year, or any year.

Belize Hotel of the Year 2008 has to mean something after all!!

It seems that over the course of the past decade an increasing number of far flung countries have began to tout their attributes as retirement destinations. Whats the real story behind the hype though and are these countries such as Belize really the prime retirement and real estate investment opportunities that they hold themselves out to be? Also, is it a safe place to live particularly for the elderly?

More Bang for Your Buck

What all of these countries including Belize hold out to a retiring American who is interested in relocating to them is amazing low living costs. This means that the moment you arrive in a place like Belize, it is the same thing as all of your money tripling or quadrupling. Sure, there are newer western style planned communities where homes and property are going to be at a premium, but in the towns and provinces you can still buy a nice, solid three bedroom home for about the cost of a travel trailer in the U.S.

Personal Safety Concerns

If you believe all that you hear on the news, our trusted government and U.S. business interests would like to have you believe that if you step one foot out of the U.S. with your retirement savings, you will surly land directly on a land mine. The truth of the matter is that the vast majority of the people of Belize and all Latin American counties for that matter are peaceful good natured people.

Much Safer than the U.S.

Sure there are is a bad neighborhood in every big city that you will recognize to avoid, but if you have what it takes to live and survive in or around U.S. cities like L.A., Sacramento, Seattle. New Orleans, Reno, Little Rock, Minneapolis, etc. you will find even the worst areas of Belize a cake walk.

If a Belize Adventure vacation is in your schedule, then you will almost certainly go to the Toledo District in South Belize at some point, and if you are going to be anywhere near Punta Gorda, then you must ensure you book into the Hickatee Cottages for at least a couple of nights. This is more than a bed and breakfast inn because it also serves dinner, but it is a definite must do, and comes at USD60 per night double occupancy.

Hickatee Cottages is a very comfortable, extremely attractive jungle lodge with outstanding hosts called Ian and Kate.

It is difficult to believe that this inn is less than a mile and a half from laid back Punta Gorda Town, because it is very much in the jungle.

The three cottages on the property are very Caribbean style, and very comfortable clean rooms with nice verandas, where you can sit with a coffee in the morning, and listen to the sounds of the jungle waking up, and perhaps even see a family of howler monkeys ambling through the grounds. You will almost certainly see and hear loads of parrots and toucans. You will find there are lots of little extras, like extra fluffy towels, insulated water bottles to take out with you, and huge umbrellas, because when it rains here in south Belize, it rains!!

There is a plunge pool to refresh after walking one of the inn’s nature trails. You can use the inn’s bicycles, which by the way are free, to go exploring, or visit Boom Creek Village, take a canoe trip on the Moho River, or take one of the range of tours of the District. There is indeed plenty to do and see, and it’s not far from the Southern Cayes, so if they are part of your Belize Adventure Vacation, then Hickatee Cottages is an ideal stopping off, recharge your batteries point

The food is home cooked at Charlie’s Bar, and much of the ingredients come from their own farm, or the market at Punta Gorda. This is a great bed and breakfast establishment that also serves up great dinners as well, with three dinner choices. If you want to eat out, then the owners will ensure you pick the right places to eat.

One of the great joys of Hickatee Cottages are the owners Ian and Kate who seem to know everything about everything in this region. This means that you will be directed to everything that you think you want to see, and even more importantly things and places you didn’t know about, but end up jolly glad you found out about. Not only is their knowledge supreme, so are their contacts, so they will set up your excursions as well. You won’t need or want for anything, during your stay here.

It is difficult in a short article to do justice to Hickatee Cottages, and there is a thought that what is now a place to unwind in the middle of a Belize Adventure vacation, that is so much more than a bed and breakfast inn may become unavailable due to popularity. Whilst that would be no more than it deserves, this home from home, place of calm, comfort, and discovery and adventure all in one, would in a perfect world be kept a secret, known only to a trusted few.

Ian and Kate deserve the recognition that they run the best inn in South Belize, if not all Belize, and the custom this deserves. You can be certain they will not allow the atmosphere and ambiance to change at all.

Located in the Toledo District of Belize- Cotton Tree Lodge, offers luxury vacation packages with an eco-adventure twist.

Founder Chris Crowell planned the Belize resort as an off-the-grid jungle retreat with limited impact on the surrounding environment. The lodge’s electricity is drawn from a combination of solar panels, batteries, and generator. Composting toilets return nutrients to the soil through self contained banana plantings rather than a traditional leach field which prevents waste water from contaminating the nearby Moho River.

Only organic methods and local plant species are used in the vegetable garden which produces nearly 50% of the fruits and vegetables used by the Cotton Tree Lodge kitchen. The garden is also used by Sustainable Harvest International, an NGO that teaches environmentally sustainable agriculture techniques to local farmers.

Crowell has done his best to incorporate the local environment into the lodge’s activities. Guests are encouraged to take advantage of the swimming, kayaking, and bird watching along the Moho River which abuts the Cotton Tree Lodge property. Guided medicinal plant walks led by a local bush doctor teach the benefits of plants found on the Cotton Tree Lodge grounds and in the nearby jungle.

Guests are also encouraged to participate in the effort to keep their Belize resort vacation as “green” as possible. Guests are asked to be mindful of electricity and water usage. Additionally, guests are assigned a reusable water bottle to refill with purified water for the duration of their stay.

Cotton Tree Lodge guests typically purchase an all-inclusive package that includes accommodation, meals, on-site activities, and day trips to local natural and cultural sites. Scheduled trips might include hiking through the jungle, diving from waterfalls, snorkeling, or exploring caves. Cultural excursions include Mayan ruins, Garifuna drumming, and trips to village homes to learn about tortilla making or chocolate making.

While this Belize resort is marketed as a “green” resort, Cotton Tree Lodge is a luxury property and keeps guests comfortable in private, handcrafted cabanas with traditional thatched roofs, rosewood detailing, private bathrooms, ceiling fans, and comfortable queen or king beds. In-house systems ensure that fans, lights, and hot and cold running water function all night without interruption. Private porches with hammocks and river views give guests a great vantage point from which to enjoy the natural beauty around them.

Cotton Tree Lodge, Belize resort combine “green”, luxury, and the exotic for a unique experience. Cotton Tree Lodge, All Inclusive Belize Resort includes: accomodations, meals, and activities.

Belize is an English speaking common wealth and you will enjoy the beautiful water views in Belize.  Hiking, horse back riding and bird watching are some of the excellent entertainments in Belize. Many foreigners want to invest in property in Belize to enjoy their retirement life. The beautiful surroundings and low cost living makes people move to Belize.

Moving to Belize is not a difficult process. However you need to consider some points before planning to move. For part time living you can come to Belize with a valid passport. After one year, you can apply for permanent residency. There are Retirement residency programs in Belize. Qualified retired persons can settle in Belize. Friendly people, stable currency and easy access to land for retirement home construction are the added advantage of moving to Belize. The qualified retirement people will be given incentives like free import duties for moving personal belongings.

As English is the official language in Belize, many people will not find it difficult to communicate. People are also allowed to move their pets easily to Belize. There are number of schools in Belize and hence you need not worry about the education. However most of the schools are over crowded and so individual attention to students is generally lacking. Internet connection is easily available and you can get phone services quickly. International moving services to Belize are as follows;

There are many moving companies that will help you to move your household goods to Belize. Sea containers and Air Freight containers are available to move goods safely. These companies provide a well organized and professional move to Belize at reasonable rates.

Wooden lift van and crates are available to keep your goods safe before moving to Belize. The lift vans eliminate individual handling of goods and so they are safe. The goods are highly protected during the process of moving in shipment. Air freight moving services are also available for moving last minute items.

People are willing to move to Belize not only for enjoying the breath taking views of it but also because of the low cost of living. It is becoming a favorite place for calm life style lovers. Belize is sturdy and rugged and it also has beautiful islands. You can spend your days fishing, hiking or exploring the wonderful islands. You can own a land and can grow flock of chicks without the disturbance of Government agencies. However you may need to do all the works by yourself. You must know how to repair your car, plumbing work and so on. This is because you may not get the help of service providers easily in Belize.

The laws in Belize are very similar to that of in United States and so you will not face any difference in Belize.  Belize new residency program helps you to set up a new office here. You can enjoy the low over head costs and tax free status. As Belize is a politically stable democratic, you will not experience any pressure here. You will live peacefully in Belize. The police do not even carry the guns here.  Making a permanent residence in Belize is easy and enjoyable.

What’s not to love about Belize? Belize has become a shining star in the international media. Magazines and newspapers are raving with publications on Belize and how truly wonderful this small tropical paradise is.

We decided to boil it down to five reasons to retire to Belize. So here you go:

1. The Most Obvious … the Place is Beautiful

Belize is a gleaming gem of the Caribbean which until recently has been give little attention. Its sun baked white sand beaches would make great scenery for any Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

How big is Belize? Its size is approximately 8,866 square miles; the mainland is approximately 180 miles long and up to 68 miles wide. Belize also consists of more than 200 cays (islands), ranging in size from a few hundred feet to 25 miles long and four miles wide. Most of the cays are located inside the 200-mile Belize Reef.

Belize has hundreds of miles of undeveloped beaches which are perfect for fishing, diving, scuba diving, yachting and more. Belize also has ruins of the ancient Mayan civilizations with excellent tour services. There are also tropical mountain ranges which offer spectacular hiking and birding activities.

2. Living Belize is Relatively Inexpensive

Belize’s government recently has enacted a retiree incentive program that permits U.S., Canadian and United Kingdom citizens to establish official residency in Belize and to live there free of most Belize taxes. Under the new program, retirees can’t work in Belize, but income from outside Belize isn’t taxed, and retirees can bring in household goods — cars, boats and even an airplane — without paying import duties.

The overall cost of living is generally lower than the United States. The average Belizean makes less than 6000 USD a year.

3. Belize is a Safe to Live

Belize is a parliamentary democracy and a member of the British Commonwealth. The country has a tradition of democracy and free elections. Belize has a constitution, which includes a bill of rights. Although no place in the world is completely safe the crime in Belize is relatively low in comparison to other Central American countries.

4. Belize is a Good Long-Term Investment

The country of Belize has no capital gains taxes and has a well-established offshore banking system similar to Cayman Islands and Switzerland. Full property insurance is available and underwritten by Lords of London.

5. Belize is Easy to Get To

Belize lies on the eastern coastline of Central America, bordered on the north by Mexico, on the west and south by Guatemala, and on the east by the Caribbean Sea. It is separated by sea from its neighbor to the southwest, Honduras.

The Belize International Airport is offering direct flights from major U.S. cities. Direct flights are available from many major cities in the United States and more are being added. Belize international airport is currently expanding the runways to accommodate direct flights from Europe. Right now major airlines including American, Continental and Taca (El Salvador) offer direct flights from major U.S. cities, including Dallas, Ft. Worth and Houston.

So you see, Belize is beautiful, safe, inexpensive and easy to get to. For those interested in a place to retire or have a second him, it is ideal. You’ll fall in love with this country, as I have in my many travels there. There isn’t a better time than to invest in real estate in Belize.

Belize is lined with the most amazing beaches as well as private islands with perfect weather and views. Even though the real estate markets in America change drastically this is the case for some areas of the world. Investing in Belize allows you to avoid many of the same general hassles that are involved in American real estate investing.

Everyone loves to purchase real estate near the ocean, but Belize offers great properties that are more inland and include ranches, citrus groves, and raw land for either residential or commercial property. When you invest in real estate that is more inland you will be assured much better waste management and accessibility to utilities.

Those who want to invest in property in Belize that is near the water and sand that is so popular than you will want to check out the Hopkins/Sittee Point or Sarteneja which are located on the southern coast. However you will want to stay away from the Placencia Peninsula. The area has been known to have a market that is on its way down which is not somewhere you would want to invest your time and money.

One of the most popular and expensive areas to live is Ambergris Caye. The Remote Cayes have more than two hundred private islands to offer for investors to purchase. Keep in mind that there is always the chance of hurricanes so keep the proper insurance.

Hurricanes are actually one of the main disadvantages to the real estate investing market in Belize. Residents from the area will tell you that it isn’t the wind that causes as much damage as the six foot talk tidal surges which totally devastate local properties and businesses. The costs of reconstruction is fairly inexpensive but you need to make sure that you hire the most qualified supervisors that live in the area and can pay the workers for you.