You can find a great number of places of interest in Belize, a small Caribbean country sitting on the continent. It used to be a British colony (called British Honduras) until 1973 when Belize gained independence. It borders on Mexico in the north and Guatemala in the south.
The coastline of Belize is protected by 185 miles of a barrier reef and hundreds of tiny coral islands can be found there. This is a fantastic place for diving, snorkeling, and fishing. On the continent, you will find thick tropical forests, mountain ranges with enigmatic caves, Maya city ruins, fast rivers perfect for rafting, and breathtaking waterfalls. The country is also home for hundreds of different tropical plants and various species of birds and animals including playful monkeys, talkative parrots, and multicolored toucans.
Besides, Belize is not too far away from North America. It is only a 2-hour flight from Miami, Huston, and Panama City, a 3-hour flight from Atlanta, a 4-hour flight from San Francisco, and a 5-hour flight from Toronto.
The coastal waters are shallow and they are dotted with multiple islets called ‘cays’ in the Caribbean region. The area of mainland Belize is 8,867 square miles, the longest distance from north to south is about 200 miles and the distance from east to west is about 60 miles. The temperature can be between 15 and 36 degrees centigrade on the coast while the difference can be greater higher up in the mountains.
Attractiveness of Belize for investors
Only a short trip to Belize will let you feel the friendliness of the local people and to be smashed by the natural beauties of the country. You will certainly want to buy a piece of property there and return to Belize often. If you visit our portal, you can also find out about other investment opportunities in Belize.
Let us give you an incomplete list of additional reasons why you may want to move to Belize for good.
- Belize speaks English and Spanish.
- A foreign national is entitled to own land in Belize.
- The country is within a 2-hour flight from the USA.
- Belize has a special residence program for retirees over 45.
- Belize has a stable government.
- The living standards are acceptable in the country.
- Belize is a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations and all major international organizations.
- The Belizean dollar is pegged to the US dollar at the rate of 2 to 1.
- Belize has a tropical climate, which means that summer never ends there.
- 185 miles of the Caribbean coast is at your disposal.
- Pristine tropical forests.
- A multicultural community.
- A good education system.
- A peaceful nation.
- Amicable people.
- Breathtaking views.
- No inheritance tax and other tax incentives.
Main reason why you should consider investing in real property in Belize
Belize offers a unique opportunity indeed. If you buy a piece of property and move to the country, you will be able to live in paradise at a low cost. In addition to crystal clear water and wild sandy beaches, you can find nirvana in Belize.
Over quite a few years, North Americans have been investing into some Central and South American countries where the climate is warmer than it is in the USA and Canada. Infrastructural improvements in these countries have naturally raised the living costs there. Today, living in Costa Rica, for example, is as expensive as living in Florida.
This is not the case with Belize, however. Its popularity with expats is only starting to gain momentum. Similarly to other Caribbean countries, Belize has also been improving its infrastructure but the prices remain lower than on most Caribbean islands, for instance. The situation is certainly going to change when a large number of Americans, Canadians, and probably Europeans start coming to Belize and buying houses there. This is not happening at the moment but this is sure to happen at some time in the future.
Housing affordability in Belize
We do not mean to say that property costs nothing in Belize. Every house will have a price but the location where the house sits is going to be stunningly beautiful. The islands of Ambergris Caye, for example, is already highly popular not only with tourists but with foreign investors who buy villas and bungalows in San Pedro and other settlements on the island. The nature is marvelous, the sea is warm, the infrastructure is good, and the prices are affordable. What else should you look for?
You should realize, however, that the property prices are growing in Belize together with the growth of popularity of the country with foreign investors. For this reason, you should not procrastinate if you would like to have a cozy place in a paradise country.
A growing tourist industry in Belize
Belize is within reach from North America let alone South America. As the overall economic situation is improving in the country, the tourist industry is also growing.
In particular, the airport is undergoing serious extension. This includes construction of additional duty-free shops, check-in counters, and departure gates. Besides, new parking areas for airplanes are built.
The number of tourists visiting Belize reached 2 million people before the Covid-19 pandemic (if tourists arriving in Belize by cruise ships are included in the count. The number dropped sharply in 2020 and 2021, as was to be expected, but it is picking up again. If you take into account the fact that the population of Belize is only a bit more than 400,000 people, you will see that 2 million is a lot.
The tourist industry generates up to 20% of the GDP in Belize in good years and this is certainly good news for a foreign investor in property. Tourists need places to stay and even though the high season falls on winter months in Belize, visiting the country in summer brings some important advantages too. So the inflow of tourists never actually ends in Belize over the year.
Caribbean culture
Unlike many other popular tourist destinations in the region, Belize has been able to preserve its authentic Caribbean culture. You are not going to find luxurious restaurants or high-rise trade centers in Belize. Instead, you will find cozy little shops, farmers’ markets, small restaurants, and cafes in the open air. Life is slow and peaceful in Belize. Rejoice in the everlasting summer, go fishing, snorkeling, diving, hiking in the mountains, visiting Mayan ruins and fantastic caves – and then return to a cozy home sitting close to the beach. We may be exaggerating a little bit but living in Belize is like living in paradise.
