Living in Belize: A True Retirement Paradise
Imagine Life in Belize
International Living | For anyone looking for that perfect second-home or retirement paradise, living in Belize is hard to beat. This little Central American country has so much going for it—sun, sand, sea and an incredible retiree program. Three Major Reasons Why You Should Consider Living in Belize
1. English is Spoken Here
Once known as British Honduras, Belize gained its independence in 1981, but still retains English as its national language. Spanish and Creole are widely spoken, but you won’t have to learn them to get by in Belize… English is everywhere, making it incredibly easy to get along no matter where you are or what you’re doing.
2. The Belize Retiree Program
Belize’s offshore laws ensure maximum financial privacy, allow asset-protection trusts, and encourage international business and banking. Of particular interest to those living in Belize is the “qualified retired persons” (QRP) program, which resembles Panama’s popular pensionado program.
Foreign residents under the QRP program are exempted from all taxes on income from sources outside Belize. They can own and operate international businesses based in Belize, again exempt from all local taxes. They can also import personal effects without paying import duties.
3. Relaxed Beach-Living
If you’re looking for the perfect beach…power-white sand, waving palm trees, calm, clear water glinting in the tropical sun… Belize has the genuine article. Many genuine articles, in fact! Below are some areas of Belize worth considering as your ideal retirement or second home destination:
Ambergris Caye
In Belize, islands are called cayes, and the most famous Belizean caye is Ambergris Caye and it’s small, vibrant town of San Pedro. Ambergris Caye has been a world-class snorkeling, diving and fishing destination for years thanks to the abundance of sea life found on the barrier reef that runs along the island’s seaward shore. The reef provides a home for some of the most exotic sea life in the world… and provides protection from waves that makes the beaches along Ambergris Caye’s eastern shoreline incredibly quiet and relaxing. See the video below where IL’s Latin America Editor, Suzan Haskins, enjoys the sights on Ambergris Caye.
Caye Caulker
Near to Ambergris Caye is Caye Caulker, another popular beach spot off Belize’s mainland. Smaller than Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker is even more laid back than it’s larger neighbor, but it is blessed with the same dream-like, palm-studded beaches.
Placencia
One place on the mainland that boasts excellent beaches in Belize is Placencia, a peninsula about two-thirds of the way south along the Belize coastline. The barrier reef is much farther offshore at Placencia, but this doesn’t affect the nature of the beach here…long, white, gently sloping into the gentle, lapping waves. Truly a tropical beach paradise.
Corozal
The sleepy little town of Corozal is on the huge, calm, sheltered Bay of Chetumal in the north of Belize, and while some perfect beaches are born, some are made…like the beach at Orchid Bay, just a quick boat ride across the bay from Corozal. Orchid Bay has widened and improved the native beach…so much so that it rivals Belize’s natural beaches for beauty and tranquility, making the Corozal area and its shops, restaurants, and tidy main square an even more desirable retirement and second-home destination.
[...] few interesting bits I found this morning… Living in Belize – for anyone looking for that perfect second-home or retirement paradise, living in Belize is [...]