Retire To Belize and Find the Best Diving Spots

Belize is one of the smaller countries located in Central America but it has the 2^nd largest barrier reef in the world.  It is also one of the most beautiful reefs making it one of the best diving sites all over the world.  If you love to dive then retiring to Belize may be your very own piece of heaven, the turquoise waters houses a few of the most beautiful species of the sea and divers will have a field day exploring the waters.  Here are 5 of the top diving spots in Belize.

Silk Cayes Wall

The Silk Cayes Wall is located in Placencia and is around 100ft deep.  It holds one of the largest assortment of marine life like the Spotted Frog Fish which can only be found in Belize waters.

Love Tunnels

Love Tunnels on the other hand is located in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and it is around 85 feet deep, the spot is around 25 minutes away from the San Pedro shores. The tunnels are not technically caves but they are small cave-like structures deep in the sea and you can go through and maneuver inside and see beautiful sea creatures living within its crevices.

Christ of the Abyss

Another great diving spot in San Pedro, is the Christ of the Abyss, although a bit shallower at 60 feet deep compared to the 85 feet of the Love Tunnels.  This dive location is only around 5 minutes away from San Pedro.  It is aptly called as such since there is a large statue that looks like Christ at the bottom. Although, it is said that the statue is actually that of St. Peter, the patron saint of San Pedro but most everyone refers to the statue as the Christ.

When you go on this dive and you want to make sure that you sight the statue, make sure to bring someone who is already versed with the precise location of the statue or else you might be disappointed that you didn’t see the statue on your dive.  The statue is actually a very beautiful site and it is quite impressive to see under the ocean.

The Blue Hole

One of the most beautiful dives is the Blue Hole in Lighthouse Reef Atoll.  It is deepest point is at 130 feet deep and it is a dive spot many divers look forward to when they go to Belize, The Blue Hole is one of the biggest dive spots  in the world.  Be amazed as you swim between stalactites and stalagmites and see the silhouette of the Reef Sharks swimming in a distance, you will truly marvel at the beauty of the ocean.  You can reach the Blue Hole through San Pedro or Caye Caulker, it is about 2 and 1/2 hours away from either starting point.

Long Caye Aquarium

The Long Caye Aquarium also found in Lighthouse Reef Atoll is only about 50 feet deep and it is bustling with beautiful corals and a healthy variety of marine life taking residence here.  It is said to be one of the well preserved dive spots within Belize Barrier Reef and indeed the marine life here thrives and hold one of the largest varieties of marine species including nurse sharks, spotted eagle ray, sea turtles, barracudas and a whole lot more. If you are looking to discover a host of marine species then this is where you should dive to.

Indeed, retiring toBelize is a great idea, more so for individuals who love to dive, what with all the great diving sites all over Belize and the great reef that is located here. Imagine living just a few minutes or so away from your favorite dive spot, the perfect paradise, so are you ready to go to Belize?

The Belize Retirement Incentive Program: A Closer Look

Belize is known as “Mother Nature’s Best Kept Secret” and indeed a number of Americans are considering retirement here, why? The simple answer is that it is a tropical paradise filled with sandy beaches, beautiful reefs and even more beautiful people, who wouldn’t want to live out the rest of their days, living in paradise, right?

Aside from the obvious, there is also another reason why more and more ‘foreigners’ are opting to stay in Belize, and this is the Retired Persons Incentive Program offered to qualified individuals who wants to retire to Belize. So, what is this program all about? Let’s find out.

The program is offered for individuals who wish to stay in Belize and can prove a permanent and consistent income coming from their pension or retirement benefits and/or investments (within or outside Belize). Such individuals needs to be 45 years old and above as well as his dependents including the spouse and children under 18 or children who are 23 years old and below who’s enrolled in a University and can provide all necessary requirements in order to be approved.

Requirements

In order to qualify for the program, the individual must submit the following requirements

     

• Completed application form from the Belize Tourism Board
• Birth certificate of the applicant and dependents
• Marriage Certificate (if applicant is married and the spouse is a dependent)
• Authentic Police Record – must be issued within 1 month prior to the application and must be from the         applicant’s last place of residence
• Clear Copies of Passports of the applicant and dependents – they must be clear, contain all the pages           including all the blanks and have been certified by a notary public. The copies must state clearly the               passport number, name, number of pages, and the seal of the notary public. 
•  Proof of Income – for you to qualify, you need to be earning at least $2,000 US dollars monthly and you       need to provide proof of such like financial statement from a bank or financial institution that certifies the         individual’s investment or deposited amount in the said institution will generate at least the required                 monthly amount or an official statement from the bank stating that the individual receives a pension or             annuity that amounts to the required monthly income.
• Medical Examination – all applicants must undergo a medical exam including AIDS test and a copy of the result needs to be attached to the application
•  Photographs – recent 4 front and 4 side photos in the passport size should be submitted by the applicant       and dependents.

What’s In It For Me 

So, looking at the requirements, you realize that you might just be qualified for the program but isn’t quite sure why you would want to apply for it in the first place, here’s a few of the perks you can have if you do get accepted.

If you get accepted into the program, you are entitled to import all your personal effects including a mode of transportation when you first get into Belize without paying any duties or taxes on them.  You also don’t need to pay taxes on all incomes accrued from sources outside of Belize regardless of how the income is generated (work or investment).

Belize is generally a peaceful country with very friendly people plus its breathtaking beauty is beyond compare. It is very close to Mexico and the US, making traveling back and forth, should the need arise, be quiet easy. One can easily adapt here as it is mainly an English speaking country, so language will not be a barrier.  The stable Belize dollar also doubles your income easily. If you are looking for a peaceful and tranquil place to live out the rest of your days, then perhaps it is a good idea to consider Belize and with the incentive program the government has put out for anyone interested, it really might just be a ball to retire toBelize.

On the Spotlight: Ambergris Caye, Belize

If you are thinking about retirement in Belize, then perhaps your best choice would be in Ambergris Caye, one of the premier retirement spots within Belize. Let’s find out more about this beautiful spot in Belize.

Why Ambergris?

Perhaps one of the biggest considerations would be the prices of the properties in the area.  These properties are quite affordable but in premier locations, just a couple of steps from the beautiful beach. The community is quite lovely as well, and the streets, particularly in San Pedro, are also filled with shops, bars and restaurants that can fill your days with fun-filled activities.

Life as an Expat

Retirees, more often than not, want to spend their days in tranquil surroundings and permitting them to relax and enjoy the rest of their lives. Spending their time under the shade of palm trees or snorkeling around the 2^nd largest coral reefs and swimming with the fishes or enjoying a dunk in the Caribbean Sea.

The beautiful view can be quite relaxing, seeing the tropical plants fill your window and catching the cool breeze from the sea will surely make you feel like you’re in paradise. People in Ambergris are also quite friendly and the small community, only about 15,000 total population for the whole island, makes it a really close knit community. You are bound to bump into someone you know when you go to the store to buy some supplies and you will surely get side-tracked along the way.  For those individuals who are still looking to take an active part in the community, can easily fill their time by volunteering around the community.

Facts About Ambergris

Ambergris like the whole of Belize has a tropical climate and has a population of about 15,000 with around 12% being expats. The main town is San Pedro and has around 10,445 people living in it. The place is roughly around 20 minutes from Belize City by plane and one and a half hour ferry ride.  There is a hospital in San Pedro, so you will have a place to go in case of medical emergencies.  Properties range from $60,000 to $2.9 million depending on the type of property you are looking for.

Retirement in Belize is easy as well especially with the Retired Persons Incentive Program. Belize Dollar is also stable at an exchange rate of 2 Belize Dollar to the dollar, just imagine, you easily double the value of your money when you are here, stretching it a bit further. So, what are you waiting for, perhaps Belize is the retirement place for you. 

Top 5 Places For Retiring To Belize

Retirement day is just around the corner for you and you want to spend the rest of your years where the sun, water and palm trees abound and you are ready to kick back and relax under the palm trees in your very own hammock. If you are still thinking of the best place to go, then perhaps retiring to Belize should go up to the top of your list. To help you with your choice, here are the top 5 places you can choose to go to, should you realize that Belize is the retirement place to be.

Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is one of the premier places to be in Belize although one of the more expensive places to be in, although the place has a lot to offer retirees wanting to stay here.  It is a tiny barrier island located on Belize’s northern coast.  It is one of the nicest location in Belize, more so if you want to be around water but properties here are a few of the more expensive ones all over Belize.

The Placencia Peninsula

The Placencia Peninsula is located in the Stann Creek District of Belize and is along the southern part of the country.   The place is a bit more affordable and is still growing and improving to adapt to the growing community.  Placencia is fast becoming the retirement place of choice for anyone who is retiring to Belize and looking for their own piece of paradise on earth.

Ambergris Caye

If you have the budget for it, Ambergris Caye is perhaps the best place to retire in Belize.  The place has been featured in various blogs and magazines about retirement. The retirement community here is quite vibrant, the place is generally safe and there are plenty of things to do here, plus the number of expats and retirees will surely make you feel right at home.

Corozal

Corozal is one of most beautiful places in Belize with stunning beaches topped with one of the friendliest people around and Corozal is a retirement place of choice for many retirees. It also has one of the largest population in Belize with around 10,000 individuals.

Corozal has a large assortment of hotels, resorts, restaurants and bars, so you will surely find a lot of things to do here.  The golden sandy beaches are always a favorite spot and the variety of entertainment around the area makes it a premiere retirement place for many expats.

Hopkins Village

Hopkins village is actually one of the more established retirement communities within Belize. The village boast only of about 1,000 inhabitants and is perhaps the friendliest community in all throughout Belize and they do welcome retirees and tourists to their place.  The people here, perhaps because of the low numbers generally know each other and thus, is a very safe place to stay in.  It is near the beach as well and offers other activities like fishing, boating, snorkeling and diving.  Properties are in the mid-ranges and quite affordable for most expats.

There you have it, top spots for you to choose from if you are planning on retiring to Belize. Take your best pick and take the plunge.

Belize Retirement: Why Choose Belize

After years of dedicating your life to your job and to upbringing your family, now is the time for you to relax and live your life the way you have always wanted to, the question is, where should you go?

Of course you have the option to stay exactly where you are and live the rest of your life doing generally the same thing but perhaps you would want to live it out, somewhere new, somewhere you can enjoy your golden years in peace and tranquility yet find enjoyment whenever you feel like it.

If you are looking for a tropical paradise, rich in culture and lush forestry then perhaps you are looking for a Belize retirement. The country is lush with rainforests, Mayan ruins as well as sandy beaches that lines its coast. Aside from these beautiful and culture rich spots, the country is also rich with friendly people who’s always ready to welcome new residents.

Why Belize?

If you are not familiar, then you might be asking why choose Belize as your retirement spot? Belize is actually becoming a retirement haven for many Americans, since aside from the fact that the country has a low cost of living, the country actually offers an incentive to expats who wish to make Belize their retirement place, The Retirement Persons Incentive Program.  The program has an easy application process and minor requirements and once you fill it, you can easily take advantage of the program.

Aside from this incentive, Belize is also a very accessible country, there are a number of flights that go to and fro from Belize and you can easily hop from Belize to the US, if you suddenly miss family and want to visit, or you can have the family visit you there as well.  

Belize has a laidback lifestyle making it an ideal place to live in as well as retire in. If you want to swim, then the sandy beaches along Belize’s coastline will surely satisfy you, diving or snorkeling can take you to Belize reef, a 300 km long barrier reef connected to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, and home to 36 soft corals, 70 hard, around 500 fish species and a host of invertebrates, you will surely enjoy diving and snorkeling here.  If you want to imbue on culture, then spend time in the Mayan ruins or perhaps a visit with the locales can satisfy your cravings. Perhaps you’d rather spend the day in your back porch just relaxing and enjoying the view, then you can easily do so as well.

So regardless of what you want, an adventure in the ocean, a journey through old culture or just sit back and relax, Belize retirement has got it all for you. 

Belize: A Premium Place To Retire To

Belize is a beautiful country in Central America along the Northeastern coast and a lot of Americans wants to retire in Belize. Why? For one, the country’s official language is English, so the language barrier is all but nil, although you can hear Spanish and English creole being spoken around as well.  The country also boasts of unspoiled beautiful beaches and surf, a perfect retirement place, when you think about it.

Why Belize?

These days a lot of Americans are looking for the perfect retirement setting, wishing to stretch out their retirement fund as much as they can and live in a beautiful scenic spot, where they can spend the rest of their days in peace. Belize can offer all these and more. Here are a few more reasons to pick Belize as your retirement spot. 

The country has a very low inflation rate, in fact, one of the lowest in the world and the economy is quite stable. 

Belize is a country in Latin America but their official language is English, so you may not have a difficult time adjusting to the language when you retirein Belize since English is well spoken here, although as was mentioned, Spanish speaking natives also abound.

Belize is not too far from home.  From Houston and some other points on the east coast, you can easily get to Belize within one or two hours, visiting friends and family will not be such an ordeal and can be done frequently, so you don’t need to miss any of them, that much anyway.

Belize system of law is British in origin, so they will be familiar for most Americans.  You don’t have to worry about breaking the law as much, since you will have an inkling of what is considered as unlawful in the country.

Affordable real estate.  It may not be the cheapest place to invest in within Central America in terms of real estate but it is quite affordable in comparison to real estate properties of the same caliber in the US. 

Belize’s government welcomes retirees and depending on how your income is earned, you might be surprised to find yourself with zero tax liability when you retire here. 

If you’re more than 45 years old, you can take advantage of various ‘perks’ provided for retired individuals including a program to assist you in establishing your residency within Belize legally as well as special incentives as well as tax advantages.

Expat communities abound in Belize, so you will see a lot of people who share your thoughts and you might make a friend or two when you retire here.

Finally, the country of Belize is quite breathtaking, it is a paradise of beautiful beaches and scenic spots.  The barrier reef here ranks in second in terms of size just behind Australia.  Inland, you will find beautiful rainforests that house exotic flora and fauna. You may also want to explore the Mayan ruins encased within the country. The people of Belize also prides themselves with their sense of community, so you can easily feel at home here and become family when you decide to retire in Belize

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