Stunning reefs protect the Belize Shorline

I came across a magazine called Luxury Living International yesterday that has just launched an online version and we found an entertaining article on Belize. Called a “webzine”, apparently this one was originally a paper magazine. After spending some time on their sites, some unbelievable homes in the Belize real estate section as well as other places in the Caribbean, etc., I thought I’d post it. As I looked around the pages of Luxury Living International, I found it interesting that here is a magazine done with an emphasis and focus on Belize, Costa Rica, the rest of Central America and the Caribbean in both real estate and as they say “living the good life in paradise”. So, unlike most that I’ve come across, this site gives a pretty good perspective on this growing tropical region.

One thing I agree with in the story is…well…my quote!

“Placencia is the hottest Belize real estate market on mainland Belize,” says Bill Shea, with Three Palms/Coldwell Banker in Placencia. “Although the market here cooled along with everything else in the Caribbean, in the past three months we are getting traction again. The new airport coming in is one key, the charm and the best beach in Belize doesn’t hurt either.”

Yes, its true. Yours truly is now famous! Here is a link to Luxury Living International – www.luxurylivingint.com – enjoy!

Rarely have I woken up on a Tuesday and had the distinct feeling that it might be Sunday. Only one other time have I ever had to shake the dust off my shoes before wearing them for the first time in days. In Caye Caulker, the days really do run together, shoes and shirts are completely optional attire. This is a very simple place and time is somewhat irrelevant. In recent years Caye Caulker has turned into a growing stop for tourists that come to Belize and it’s no surprise. La Isla Carinosa – the friendly island – Is what people think of when they visit countries like Belize. Similar to Ambergris Cay (without the t-shirt shops), it is one of the places that convinces you to come back again – once they visit the mainland and places like Placencia.

Despite the tourists having “found” Caye Caulker it has largely maintained its original feel, say the locals, and that makes it a more comfortable experience for them and ultimately for the tourists. I absolutely got that feeling: I found it extremely comfortable. The food was good; there were some very easy bars and cool beaches, fun shops, etc.

Marine biologists came en-masse decades ago when it was “leaked” just how cool the diving and marine life was here in Belizean waters. Then, about thirty years ago, the first hotel, El Pescador, opened its doors to guests and an outside world eager to experience the island life. Due to its location near the reef it’s great for tourists who want quick easy access to the reef. The marine biologists have been swapped for tourists and beach-goers. As the tourist trade grew the residents stepped up to host their guests and built or acquired facilities to accommodate them. Fishermen turned to ferrying captains, lobster harvesters began showing off their expertise to captivated tourists, and then came the golf carts, which shrank the island. Still, even with the influx of visitors this Caye has remained in the hands of its founding families. Native-owned mom-and-pop guesthouses, restaurants, bars, ice cream parlors, travel agencies, and dive shops have opened on inherited lands. Few of the families from the three-cent lobster days have chosen to leave, and those that have, for educational purposes, have come back to the only place they would ever want to live.

The Caye is a must see and a must experience. It’s a really superb easy getaway – even from my vacation in Placencia – and when I got back I felt a little more grounded and a little more at home…and after my dozen trips to this beautiful and diverse place called Belize it’s safe to say that this will be home some day. Put a day or two on Caye Caulker on the list right under (or over) visiting the ruins, paddling the caves or hiking the rainforests…but only after you get your fill of salt flats fly-fishing and magnificent scuba diving.

Can’t wait to get back… Bill

Why Belize Now?

The answer is simple. You know Mark Twain’s famous quote “buy land, there not making it any more”? Well, they’re is a lot of truth to that especially in Belize. Keep in mind this little English-speaking speck on the map is only 170 miles long and 60 miles wide, barely. It’s just not very big to begin with, and much of it is rainforest and jungle that fortunately can never be disturbed by development. And frankly, the northern section above Belize City is not exactly the paradise most want own a vacation home or to retire to. Flat, a bit barren and hot.

Belize is less than half the size of Costa Rica yet has all that has made that country a famous destination, and a bit more. Don’t get me wrong I love Costa Rica, but I can’t speak Spanish (or read the Spanish contracts), it’s a longer flight to C.R., the beaches and snorkeling are OK at best, it doesn’t have the second longest barrier reef in the world (doesn’t have one at all), and the weather is not as good year-round as Belize. Dry season in Belize is very green, C.R. very hot and brown (at least in Northeast Guanacaste) and both have beautiful rainforests. But as far as real estate is concerned Belize is at least a 30 to 40 percent cheaper if you’re comparing apples to apples.

So when clients ask me to compare living in Belize to Costa or other Caribbean islands, I just say “dollar for dollar, adventure to adventure, easy to easy, Belize is a runaway winner.” And don’t tell anyone, but we sell in Costa Rica too. The value and fun for the buck is definitely in Belize. But what you’ll quickly see when you come down here and get to know the lay of the land, is that the best places to hang your hat and flip flops and hammock in Belize are going to be gone within the next two or three years as each year more people find out about just how cool this place is. The good stuff will never be cheaper than it is today.