Uncover Belize Beachfront Real Estate

Belize is a Central American country, bordered by Guatemala and Mexico to the west and north. The Caribbean Sea borders Belize to the east with its crystal-clear water, coral reef, and lovely sandy beaches. It is also made up of a number of beautiful islands. English is the official language of Belize, although Creole, Spanish, Maya and Garifuna are also spoken. Inland Belize is dense jungle.

Why You Should Visit Belize

Belize is an incredible place to visit due to its history, biodiversity, and natural spectacles. Because of the variety of cultures there is a great choice of food and plenty to see and do. From the Mayan ruins to the nightlife in the capital city of Belmopan, there is something for everybody.

The variety of places to spot wildlife, starting with the Belize Barrier Reef, which boasts one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems with a real assortment of different species of fish and coral. Try the Hol Chan Marine Reserve that allows tourists to snorkel with stingrays, or the Blue Hole, where Caribbean reef sharks are often seen by scuba divers. The Great Blue Holes is a natural wonder situated a little off the coast of Belize; it is a gigantic cave about 500 feet deep.

Belize has a number of Mayan caves, such as the Actun Tunichi Muknal, where you can also see skeletons, stoneware, and ceramics. Belize has more Mayan Ruins than any other countries, as it was the base of the ancient Mayan civilization, and some of these ruins are just off the main highway, with a number having been excavated.

With little or no industrial development, Belize is mainly covered in bush and tropical rainforest. This means that wildlife is able to flourish. Because the people and government know that the wildlife is a major pull for tourists, they protect the animals and birds, so that visitors can see them in their natural habitats. Belize actually has the world’s only Jaguar preserve. The Cockscomb Wildlife Preserve in the south of the country is home to many animals and birds.

Living in Belize

There are many compelling reasons why people move to Belize. The first is that the subtropical weather which is great all year round, at an average 85 degrees, sunny and with cool sea breezes, perfect. Because Belize is a small country, you are never far from a beach and there are plenty of places to dive. If you ask somebody why they like living in Belize they never fail to mention how friendly the locals are, and they love the multicultural atmosphere of both residents and tourists.

Belize was a British Colony until it gained independence from Great Britain in 1981 so the official language is English, which makes life so much easier. However most of the locals speak Spanish and Spanish is the main language in schools.

Most business close at lunchtime for a siesta, including government offices and banks, so it is just easier to adapt and enjoy a siesta too and do the shopping and any business in the cooler morning and afternoons.

Buying Property in Belize

Property in Belize is popular and getting more and more popular, so prices are increasing all the time and so good profits will be made in the next few years. The currency is at a two to one exchange rate against the US dollar. Also Belize is only a two or three hour flight from many US cities, making it an attractive destination. This all goes to make Belize property a great investment.

A major draw for foreigners is that the same legal rights apply to non-nationals as to nationals, without any extra legal hurdles to negotiate the way they are in other countries like Mexico, so it’s just as easy as if you are buying real estate at home.

Another benefit of buying a property in Belize is that there is no capital gains tax and the property taxes are low. Another tax that doesn’t exist in Belize is local inheritance tax.

Contracts are written in English and property prices are often advertised in US dollars, making it much easier for North Americans to understand what is going on.

Where to Buy Real Estate in Belize

Foreigners prefer to buy properties that are near to the southern and northern borders, to facilitate going to nearby Mexico and Guatemala, where they can find more modern amenities.

A popular area to purchase real estate in Belize is Corozal, which is in the far north of the country, close to the Mexican border. A number of the best attractions in Belize are near to Corozal, these include Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. There is a growing expatriate community in Corozal, as it offers a number of beaches and activities such as fishing trips, wildlife and bird watching tours to Shipstern Nature Reserve and Mayan ruins, as well as shopping in Mexico.

There is a great variety of real estate available to buy in Belize. There is a countless choice of property from beachfront houses, to apartments with sea views, to homes in downtown areas of towns such as San Pedro. San Pedro is a town in northern Belize, known for its seafood restaurants and beach bars.

Single family homes in Belize come in many different shapes and sizes, locations and all sorts of beautiful colours. Belize beachfront real estate is often built on stilts to protect them from large waves and high tides. These beachfront properties allow the owners to really enjoy the spectacular beaches and views. It is possible to buy fully serviced condominiums on Belize with a full maintenance, cleaning and concierge service. If you want to build your own house, vacant lots are available to buy and local contractors and artisans can help you build your ideal home.

Beachfront developments in Belize have sprung up, offering excellent accommodation. Gated communities like Orchid Bay in Northern Belize offer all the comforts of home in the beautiful Caribbean. These developments offer a variety of properties, including condominiums with stunning views over the ocean and make excellent vacation homes. They also offer beautiful villas, with patios where you can enjoy the beautiful weather. It is also possible to buy plots of land for investment purposes.