Island: Ambergris Caye (pronounced as “key”, meaning an island) was named after large lumps of ambergris, a solid, waxy and flammable substance from the digestive system of sperm whales. Actually, Ambergris Caye is not really an island but rather the end of the Yucatan Peninsula. A channel, which the Maya dug, separates Ambergris Caye from Mexico. Today the channel is part of Bacalar Chico and is a marine reserve.
Neighborhood: San Pedro Town is the largest settlement and only town on Ambergris Caye. It is located on the southern end of the island.
Schools: Private and public including a high school and two junior colleges.
Supermarkets: American style grocery stores are conveniently located throughout the island . There are many more Belizean style mini-marts.
Food: everything available in the United States and more! (seasonal)
Celebrations: All Belizean holidays are embraced. Apart from the many different celebrations held nationwide, Ambergris Caye has four special occasions: Costa Maya Festival, Carnival, San Pedro Day, and Township Day. San Pedranos also join in celebrating everyone’s holiday.
Nightlife: Restaurants, bars, nightclubs – something for everyone; but most of the town is in bed by 10PM for early fishing or diving the next day.
Transportation: Bicycles and golf carts are the way to go; a limited number of cars are allowed by permit only. It keeps the island quiet, safe and quaint.
Name: Belize
Capital: Belmopan
Size: Approximately 8,867 square miles
Location: Central America on the Caribbean Sea. Two hours from Miami or Houston. Bordered by Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the West and south.
Climate: Sub-tropical, with trade winds from the Caribbean Sea.
Temperature: Summer: 70º – 85º F/approx. Winter 70º – 80º/approx.
Language: English is the official language. Spanish, Ketchi & Mopan Maya, Garifuna and other languages are spoken.
Population: 315,000
Government: Independent nation since 1981. Parliamentary Democracy, Member of the British Commonwealth.
Currency: Belize Dollar (BZD$). USD$1.00 = BZD$2.00
Electricity: 110 volts AC.
Airports: Philip S. Goldson International Airport. Numerous airstrips and Air service to all main towns and three offshore islands.
Seaports: Main deep-water port – Belize City, Commerce Bight, Big Creek, Punta Gorda.
Telephone: Direct dial service between Belize and all other countries.
Time: US Central Standard Time, year-round.
Entry Docks: Valid passport and onward or round-trip ticket for US and Canadian visitors, visas for others.
Driving: International driver’s license accepted up to 90 days.
Belize is the only English speaking country in Central America.
Clear title for property and land. It’s called a Strata Title in Belize
Fly from Houston or Miami in two hours.
Join the Belize Retirement Program for those over 45 or
Apply for the Belize Residency Program.
No visas are needed.
There is no Inheritance Tax and no Capital Gains Tax
Independent since 1981 with a stable parliamentary government.
Member of the British Commonwealth
Member of the United Nations
The exchange rate is US$1 = BZ$2. It is a fixed rate.
The climate is tropical. On the island it is usually in the 80’s.
The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest in the world.
386 km of coastline
Unspoiled, virgin rainforest in hundreds of protected areas.
English is the official language; but the second language for 90% of this multicultural society. Some of the others are: Creole, Spanish, Ketchi & Mopan Maya, and Garifuna.
A good educational system based on the British.
Electricity is 110 volts AC – same as in the US
The water on Ambergris Caye is from a reverse osmosis system. Potable.
Peaceful nation – with some of the friendliest people on earth.
Breathtaking scenery – from the blue waters in the cayes to the dense forests on the mountains.
An incredible quality of life.
Located in Central America, on the southern edge of the Yucatan peninsula, Belize is a progressive third world country. Real estate prices on Ambergris Caye and other tourist destinations,are comparable to Costa Rica They are much more reasonable than real estate prices in other Caribbean and Central American countries.
A real estate investment in Belize is much more secure than in any other country in Central America, Mexico or other Caribbean countries. Not only is the law based on British law (same as in America), the Belize government and law protect foreign investors.
Belize is the only English speaking country in Latin and South America – an incredible asset for foreign real estate investors.
The quality of life – from the air you breathe to the speed of your golf cart – is by far the best in Central America and most other Caribbean countries.
The close proximity to North America – from portals in Miami, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco, Atlanta, New York City, and Charlotte – is another vital factor in choosing Belize as a retirement or vacation real estate investment. Other airlines from British Airways to a private Canadian charter out of Toronto are in the works.
Belize is still “mother nature’s best kept secret”. Most of the other nations in the Caribbean have reached their real estate and property investment potential. Belize is still undiscovered.