Real Estate Hot Spot in Central America and the Caribbean

There is a small Central American Nation that has a lot in common with the Caribbean, and is certainly a new hot spot. It has certainly been making headlines around the world in travel articles. So many people from all over the world primarily Canada, United States, Europe and the UK are choosing to purchase a retirement home, second home or invest in property in this small nation.

One of the reasons so many choose this country is because it's the only English speaking Central American country, which makes communicating with the locals easy and also facilitates your move. If you are wondering which country we are talking about you have to wait no longer. This country with so much beauty packed within its borders is most certainly, Belize.

Belize offers a diverse landscape. If you are looking for beachfront properties, private islands, farm lands or a secluded jungle home in the rainforests or mountains, look no further than Belize. You can choose to live in the city or in the rural areas. You will find that the real estate prices vary depending on the area that you choose. You will find that the prices in Belize City, Consejo Shores, San Pedro - Ambergris Caye and Placencia are generally higher than those in the rural areas of Belize.

The world's economy has certainly affected Belize, and since the start of the economic downturn, Belize has seen  as much as 30-35% depreciation in real estate values in some areas. This makes Belize the real hot spot of Central America and the Caribbean when it comes to purchasing real estate. It has become a real buyer's market with prices certainly being negotiable. We have seen rare discounts by as much as 50% on some land and homes. Comparing Belize's prices to that of the United States or Europe, Belize prices are still relatively low. Therefore, Belize is an excellent location for investment.

The Government of Belize as Well as the Belize Tourism Board has been promoting Belize, not only as a vacation destination, but offering Belize as Retirement Destination for expats to purchase a primary residence, second home or vacation home. For those that will be retiring in Belize, they can certainly take advantage of the Qualified Retirement Programme (QRP Program) which offers tax benefits to retirees.

If you are considering making the move to Belize or investing in real estate in this small Central American and Caribbean nation be sure to do all the necessary research or talk to a Belize Relocation Consultant about areas that would be most desirable to you.

BATSUB Dicontinues Emergency Services in San Pedro and Caye Caulker

We just read an article that was posted by Love FM on August 18, 2010.
We think is very important to share this information with the general public of San Pedro and Caye Caulker residents so that they may adjust their medical emergency plans if the need ever arises.

 According to the Article written:

"Residents of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye have expressed concerns following reports that they will have to find an alternative method to get patients off the island during an emergency.
Jorge Aldana reporting...
"When you live on an island with limited medical facilities, it is imperative for its residents to know what to do in times of a medical emergency. For the island residents who have faced a night medical emergency in the past, they were normally transported via the British Army Training Support Unit of Belize (BATSUB). But Love News learnt on Tuesday that BATSUB had cancelled civil emergency evacuations for the entire country including the islands of San Pedro and Caye Caulker. BATSUB Press Officer Major Sean Ryan confirmed that indeed emergency air evacuation has been cancelled. Major Ryan explained that several conditions contributed to BATSUB’s pulling off their emergency air evacuation. Ryan stated that with the unavailability of pilots and having to overhaul their choppers, they had no other option but to cancel the emergency evacuation. He could not state for how long such services would be cancelled, but even after the choppers are overhauled, BATSUB still will have a shortage of available pilots and will be unable to offer the service on a 24 hour basis. So what does this mean for the over 12 thousand plus residents on Ambergris Caye? Doctor Javier Zuniga of the San Pedro Poly Clinic stated that its spells “serious problems.” According to Dr. Zuniga, history has shown that most of the medical emergencies that require further medical attention on the island happen at night. Zuniga also explained that in the past, patients that would require transportation would be evacuated via BATSUB and arrangement would have been done through the Poly Clinic. Zuniga explained to Love News that with the cancellation of BATSUB’s emergency air evacuation, the Poly Clinic will only make arrangements for transportation for daytime medical emergency evacuation via the Belize Emergency Response Team (BERT). So what will happen to a night patient should they requiring further medical attention off the island? Zuniga explained that, unfortunately transportation arrangement in such cases will fall squarely on the family of the patients. He said that while it is not the most practical and realistic approach, it’s the only thing the management of the Poly Clinic can do until a proper arrangement can be made. Zuniga cautioned however that the situation “needs to be dealt with extreme urgency,” especial considering that the island is the prime tourism destination in Belize. He stated that he will be meeting with the NEMO representative on the island to get all possible emergency numbers. He is also calling on both the Mayor of San Pedro Elsa Paz and the Area Representative as the elected representative to treat the matter with urgency and come up with a plan of action for the island before such an emergency situation arise. For his part, Area Representative and Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture Manuel “Junior” Heredia told Love News late on Tuesday evening that he was unaware of the decision taken by BATSUB. He stated however that since the matter is considered of extreme importance, he will be following up with the relative authorities to come up with a plan. Heredia also stated that he will be taking the issue to Cabinet in the next meeting scheduled for Tuesday August 24th and promised to informed the public about a more practical and realistic plan. Until a quick and practical alternative is worked out, Dr. Zuniga is advising residents to have a medical evacuation plan should the need arise. Astrum Helicopter, Tropic Air and Maya Island Air offers night emergency air evacuation off the island on a private charter bases and residents are asked to get their emergency contact number. Prices for night private charters are not standard and include charges by the Belize Airport Authority. It is also advised that resident find out from the various water taxies if they offer similar services and if they do, then get an emergency number.”

We should remember to plan for emergencies in advance, don't wait for something tragic to happen before you decide what you will do.

Start Making your Medical Emergency Plans Today!

Happy New Year - 2010

Sending you our warmest wishes...
For a year filled with good cheer, joy and peace
Wishing everyone a Happy and Prosperous
Happy New Year!

MOST POPULAR NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS
■Lose Weight
■Manage Debt
■Save Money
■Get a Better Job
■Get Fit
■Get a Better Education
■Drink Less Alcohol
■Quit Smoking Now
■Reduce Stress Overall
■Reduce Stress at Work
■Take a Trip
■Volunteer to Help Others
■Learn Something New
■Get Organize in your Home and Work
■Spend More Time with Family and Friends


Which one of these did you make?

Belize Promoted in the Dive Market in Europe - London International Dive Show

Belize was proudly represented at one of the biggest diveshows in Europe on March 28th and March 29th at the London International Dive Show (LIDS).

It gathered an impressive list of top names from the diving world. Belize representatives included Nick Davies and Mike Preston of the Belize Hotel Association, Teresa Parkey of Belize Adventure Lodge and Melecia Banks of the Belize Tourism Board.

The two day show showcased the very best of diving and more than 250 exhibitors. Organized by Diver Magazine, this year’s LIDS had something for everyone – from dives for the children and non divers to the latest kit, clothing, advice and training plus the very best of diving holidays worldwide.

Twice a year, the diving world gears up for the highlights of the sport’s calendar – the London and Birmingham Dive shows. At each event, hundreds of leading suppliers of the latest diving gear, holidays, training courses, leisurewear and boats meet with thousands of experienced and wanna be divers from the UK, Europe and beyond.The Dive Shows also attracted world-renowned diving experts to the speaker programmes that run alongside each event. Recent high-profile speakers included diving environmentalists Jean-Michel Cousteau, record-breaking freediver Tanya Streeter and underwater explorer Monty Halls.

The London Dive Show was the culmination of a series of shows that the Belize Hotel Association had organized to bring Belize to the forefront of the European Market. The first was the Vakantiebeurs Show held in Holland in January, the second was the Destination Show in February in London that had the representation of the Minister of Tourism, Hon. Manuel Heredia, Jr. and the third was the TUR Shows held in Sweden in mid-March.

At the show, Belize gave away a full prize package courtesy of Belize Adventure Lodge and Cahal Pech Village Resort. The package included a 8 day diving package courtesy Belize Adventure Lodge, 3 nights at Cahal Pech Village Resort and 3 days of car rental courtesy Discount Car Rental. The European Marketing Initiative group of the Belize Hotel Association also furnished the winner with international air as a part of the prize package. The winner of the prize package was Ms. Edit Darabos.