Ambergris Caye: Your Strategic Starting Point
What’s so appealing about this particular Caribbean island? It’s known for its stunning natural beauty that’s reflected by the surrounding azure sea. The east coast’s white sand beaches are fringed with swaying palm trees. From your hammock, you can watch the waves break on the world’s second largest barrier reef.
World-class scuba diving, fishing, snorkeling, sailing and water sports abound. Simply strolling the beach with your dog is a satisfying daily pleasure. But there are also many social activities if you prefer music, festivals, and socializing to swimming, fishing and walking.
The only risk? You may fall in love with the island and never want to leave. It's happened to many of us who now call Ambergris Caye home, where year-round or part-time.
But not to worry – a condo on this laid-back-but-lively Caribbean island is within your financial reach.
Whereas property prices in the British Virgin Islands or Cayman Islands can easily exceed $1 million, Ambergris is still comparatively undiscovered -- and priced accordingly. Affordable condominium developments on Ambergris Caye offer diverse styles and sizes of properties. For less than $100,000, you could buy a brand new one-bedroom island escape, if you know where to look.
Caribbean Ambiance for a Central American Price Tag
I’m referring to San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize. Remember the infamous “Temptation Island” reality show? The cameras and TV crews left long ago. But, this quirky little Caribbean island continues to rack up awards:
- Best Island to Retire On (2009) – Islands Magazine
Second Best Place to Vacation in Mexico and Latin America (2010) – Travel & Leisure 2010
- Best Island in the Americas (2009) – Travel and Leisure Magazine
- Second Best Relaxation & Spa Destination in Central & South America (2010) – Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Awards
So what’s so appealing about Ambergris Caye? It offers more than its natural beauty and engaging activities. There are also practical reasons to consider investing and living on this hip, thriving little island. Here are my top reasons:
- Transitioning here is easy. English is the primary language in Belize. This independent nation is still part of the British Commonwealth. It inherited Britain’s legal system, making it easy to understand contracts and other documents, without the need for expensive and time-consuming translation.
- The weather is balmy, with a refreshing Caribbean Sea breeze.
- San Pedranos and Belizeans are friendly and helpful.
- A flight from Miami or Houston takes less than 2.5 hours.
- Belize’s Qualified Retirement Program offers anyone 45 or older special retirement benefits. It’s one of the best retirement programs around. And it’s easy to qualify for QRP residency.
- The banks are solid and stable. The required liquidity ratio is 24 percent.
- Belizean banks offer privacy and cater to the needs of international customers. It’s easy to set up an offshore account while visiting.
Expand Your Financial and Lifestyle Options at Presidents Week
With its Presidents Week Forum, Hemispheres gives you a great opportunity to both develop new financial strategies and take your first steps to make them happen -- all in one week on Ambergris Caye.
Ambergris Caye is more than just a “no shirt, no shoes, no problem” beach bar hang out. Of course, the island economy depends upon tourists during the high season -- and that's why our Isla Bonita offers so many delights for such a tiny island.
You'll find a surprising selection of quality restaurants and quirky bars, free live music, diverse options for healthy and satisfying outdoor activities, and colorful festivals and street fairs.
Talk to expats like myself who have made this island our home, and you'll discover a community where social interaction and working together for the good of all is part of daily life. Volunteering is ingrained in local San Pedranos and expats alike, so we have abundant volunteer opportunities where newcomers are welcomed.
The bottom line is there’s plenty to do around San Pedro Town. You just need to know where to find the action. And when you're ready for a break from island life, it’s only a 20 minute flight to the mainland. There are many more options on the mainland, and in Mexico. Chetumal is only a boat ride away.
For the last two years, I’ve been leading "Chill Weekend" tours of Ambergris Caye. The program includes five group meals at local restaurants, a half day of lifestyle and financial lectures, and a personalized tour of the Town and local area.
The Chill Weekends are sponsored by Grand Baymen Belize, and include a tour and description of the Grand Baymen development, which takes about a half-hour. With condominiums starting at under US$100,000, Grand Baymen is the most affordable quality pre-construction development within walking distance of San Pedro Town.
My husband and I first came to Belize on a week-long discovery tour, 12 years ago. We are the “independent traveler” types. It’s highly unusual for us to join a tour. But we were delighted with the detailed information and contacts provided during our tour. At the end of the tour we headed back to Ambergris Caye to conduct our own research.
We invested in several properties on Ambergris Caye after our initial tour. We’ve never regretted it. Our investments paid off, both financially and in the Caribbean island life we now enjoy on Ambergris Caye.
