Belize in the News

January 27, 2008 Washington Post

---

October 21, 2007 New York Times

---

August 28, 2007 CNN Money

---

June 1, 2007 International Living Magazine Article

Dear International Living Reader,

On my first visit to Belize, 18 years ago, as a young travel writer, I was shown the local ropes by Emory King. Emory was shipwrecked on the shores of this country at the age of 21. His shipmates repaired their vessel and voyaged on, but Emory liked what he saw in little Belize…and stayed. In the more than five decades since, Emory has developed real estate, written historical novels about his adopted homeland, sat on the board of Belize Bank, and acted as the country's Film Commissioner. As Emory likes to say, "the good news from Belize is … no news from Belize".

This sleepy country of but 300,000 souls remains contentedly disconnected from the world beyond it. Travel to Belize to put the troubles of 21st-century living behind you…and into perspective. That's not to say the world doesn't endeavor to exploit what Belize has to offer. This country's white-sand beaches and swaying palm trees are in ever-greater demand on a global scale, and, for the past decade, sun-seekers have pushed beachfront prices to ever-frothier levels, especially on Ambergris Caye, the Caribbean isle made famous by the two seasons of "Temptation Island" filmed here.

Belize may have been put on the tourist traveler's radar by its TV fame, but the country remains, thankfully, an outpost haven to adventurers and frontier-seekers, roamers and vagabonds. I'd recommend avoiding Ambergris and focusing on the mainland of the country, with its rain forest and water falls, Mayan ruins and dense jungle, rivers for kayaking, mountains for climbing, an caves for exploring. "A country never escapes its beginnings," Emory once told me. "The U.S.," he continued, "was founded by Puritans. Belize was founded by pirates." We return your attention to this country of modern-day corsairs this month in the print issue of International Living (see Hotspots, page 9), for Emory has been writing recently with news of growing attention from the international art community. Not only beach-lovers, these days, Emory reports, but also painters, film-makers, and other artists are finding inspiration in the virgin tropical landscapes of one of the least-densely populated countries in the world.

We're happy for Belize to enjoy her 15 minutes of fame, but we won't be disappointed when the spotlight moves on. Since my first visit, I've returned to this country at least 20 times. I'm comforted every visit to find that little has changed since the visit before.

Kathleen Peddicord Publisher, International Living

---

April 1, 2007 Property Tax Time. Taxes for all parcels have been paid.

---

March 13, 2007 International Living Article - Tropical Belize Beachfront

Dear Your Own Second Home in the Sun Reader,

Thought about Belize lately?

I have.

This little English-speaking Caribbean gem is tucked just under Mexico’s east coast behind the second-longest reef on the planet, making it an ideal scuba destination. The reef keeps the beaches smooth and inviting, and the hundreds of cayes, or islands, off the mainland are a treasure trove for explorers and island-hoppers.

Expats have been settling in beach homes and jungle bungalows throughout Belize for years. (Belize’s up-country mountains, jungles, and rivers have a charm and attraction all their own for some adventurous souls.) You’ve probably heard of Ambergris Caye … a tiny fishing village that has now become a hub of tourist activity. Ambergris may be one of the few places in Central America where you can see a golf cart traffic jam. San Pedro, the main town on the island, is choked with them during high season.

Though not a huge country, there is definitely more to Belize than Ambergris — and much of it is still relatively undiscovered. One notable spot is the area around the northern town of Corozal, close to the border with Mexico. The coastline here is sculpted into large bays and inlets backed by flatland forests. Some of these picturesque bays just cry out for developments, where people looking for a tropical lifestyle can still find beachfront and beach-view lots at reasonable prices.

That’s why Cerros Sands is such a welcome addition to the area. Cerros Sands has recently come on the market with 130 beachfront, beach-view, and channel lots (suitable for mooring your own boat in front of your lot). The lots average 0.25 acre apiece, and lie on the windward side of a sweeping bay where the breeze comes steadily onshore to keep down the tropical heat. The master plan for Cerros Sands calls for two full-service resorts on the property, a marina (remember those channel lots?), an equestrian center, and a commercial/retail center.

Two additional things make Cerros Sands particularly appealing.

Firstly, Cerros Sands currently has 21 0.25-acre lots on offer, seven beachfront lots, seven beach-view lots, and seven channel lots, all asking under $92,000. In fact, there is a beach-view lot and beachfront lot in the mix right now for just $37,000 and $59,000 respectively. Channel lots start from just $49,000.

Secondly, financing is available at Cerros Sands at 50% down and 9.5% interest on the balance over seven years, with no early payoff penalty. If you’re looking for tropical options off the beaten path, Cerros Sands still qualifies, and the prices are extremely reasonable. However, this could well be the project that puts Corozal and northern Belize on the map. It’s an early-in opportunity that may not last long.

Regards, Dan Prescher International Living

---

February 19, 2007 Herald Tribune - Development fuels staggering growth in Tropics - Herald Tribune