A

mbergris Caye, Belize is in the very southern portion of the Yucatan Peninsula. The island is approximately 26 miles long and runs from north to south. It is very narrow. The narrowest section is about 400 ft and the widest section is about 5 miles across.

Ambergris Caye has a domestic airport and uses commuter planes to bring visiting guests from the international airport (12 minute flight) and all other domestic airports. During the height of the tourist season, this airport runs around 70 flights per day.

There are also numerous ferry boats which run from Corozal town, Belize City and other islands.

Tourism is Belize’s number one industry and Ambergris Caye is Belize’s number one tourist destination.

Want to learn more? Contact us for all of your Belize real estate needs.

Learn about Ambergris Caye, Belize

Ambergris Caye is the largest of Belize's more than 200 off-shore islands. About 25 miles long and narrow, it resembles from the air a spiny backbone, a vertebrae of land divided by discs of irregular grey mangrove lagoons.

About three-quarters of a mile off shore, draped along the beach on the windward side of the island is the longest and most spectacular coral necklace in the Western Hemisphere, the Belize Barrier Reef.

The beach runs more or less parallel to the reef except at a place called Rocky Point, where it reaches out and touches it. Rocky Point is about 4.5 miles south of Boca Bacalar Chico, a partly man-made channel which separates the island from the Xcalac Peninsula and forms a portion of Belize's northern border with Mexico. This channel is, for the most part, narrow and shallow. In some spots it shrinks during low-tide to a stream which can be crossed on foot.

It is in fact so inconspicuous that a Mexican expedition which went to inspect it in May 1898 had to search several days before finding it. The expedition was led by the newly appointed Mexican Consul to Belize,

Brigadier de la Armada Don Angel Ortiz Monasterio and his Vice-Consul, Ingeniero Naval Miguel Rebolledo. They took the boat Ponton Chetumal to the mouth of the Rio Hondo.

From there two members of the expedition left the Ponton Chetumal with a small sailing boat to try to find the mouth of the Boca Bacalar Chico. They anticipated an entrance some 50 to 60 yards wide. After searching several days, they finally chanced upon a fisherman who directed them to Boca. They decided to sail through, but although their boat was only two feet deep they had to push it part of the way. They emerged on the other side of the island to the white caps and the ceaseless roaring of the waves crashing against the reef. Turning south they came across Bacalar Chico, a fishing village inhabited by people of Yucatecan descent who told the Mexicans that the channel had been dug by hand by their ancestors...[more]

RETIREMENT PERSONS (Incentive) Act- Chapter 62

This program has been designed to attract foreign retirees (and dependents), and their capital, to become permanent visitors of Belize, as "Qualified Retired Persons" (QRP). As a peaceful, English-speaking nation, Belize has much to offer, including a lovely year-round climate, easy access to land for construction of retirement homes, a stable currency, abundant natural resources, and, last but not least, friendly people.

The Retirement Persons Act has been implemented and was designed to attract foreign retirees (and dependents), to become permanent visitors of Belize as "Qualified Retired Persons".

The main incentives this program offers to Qualified Retired Persons is import free duties from taxes personal belongings such as approved means of transport, i.e. motor vehicle, boat, or light aircraft etc. The maximum exemption is US$ 15,000.00 in tax/duty for household items. The income generated abroad, from work or investments are exempt from all taxes and levies.

Although not required, applicants may solicit the services of a local attorney or accountant in completing the application process. English is the official language of Belize and spanish is also widely spoken, so communication is not a problem in Belize...[more]

COST OF LIVING

The cost of living is also relatively low, however it may seem expensive if you intend to live by North American standards, simply because Belize imports most of what it uses. So generally speaking you can count on mark-ups of 30-50% on most imported items. Prices are slightly higher on the Cayes, primarily because of additional transportation costs. On the other hand, fresh locally grown tropical fruits and vegetables are very tasty and very inexpensive. A favorite option is to do big-ticket shopping in Chetumal, the Mexican border town to the North or Melchor in Guatemala on the western border.

So with some ability and willingness to adapt, you can enjoy a lifestyle that is healthy and relatively inexpensive.

HEALTH

Health is of primary importance in the consideration by an individual who intends to relocate or retire to a foreign country. The cost of a typical visit to a general practitioner is about BZ$30.00 or US$15.00.

With the completion of the new Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City, with approximately 218 more beds and a more modern treatment facility, better health care is now available. Common prescription medicines are inexpensive.

Stability is also an important factor to consider. Belize presents itself has a democratically elected government and very open criticism from the opposition is an integral part of the political system.