Throughout Belize at this time of year, there is a distinct slowdown. It hits almost immediately. You'll notice less golf cart traffic, smaller crowds at the popular nightly events, and you won't need to call ahead for reservations, even at the best places...
“We’re trying to get better at retiring,” laughs Leslie Sorrell. She and her husband, Will, bought land in the seaside town of Hopkins, Belize, a decade ago with the intent of retiring from their demanding careers.
New restaurants, bars, services, and experiences are continually increasing the quality of life for locals, expats, and visitors. I split my time between Placencia and Ambergris Caye, and both locations have seen a host of new businesses open this year.
Another Easter has come and gone in Belize, and I wanted to share with you some of the differences you can expect compared to things back home in the U.S., should you choose to move to this small Central American country.
In Ambergris Caye and Placencia, the two top visitor locations in Belize, most of the fun is by the water. But you won't find the commercialized, sanitized boardwalks of the U.S. and Canada.
A lot has changed since David Santilli first came to Belize in 1996. You'll find a lot more paved roads. Electricity is more reliable and many more tourists are coming. There's cable TV, high-speed internet, and a wide choice of restaurants in expat hotspots.
There are fantastic, cheap places to dine all over the country—but there are also plenty of places where you'll be paying "tourist prices" for a meal that's not authentically local. The trick is to know the difference, and that's why I'm here to help.
Belize offers a wide range of vacation accommodation. With the influx of tourists, you can now find the fanciest hotels and homes to rent. But you don't need to stay in luxury accommodation. Chances are, you won't be spending much time in your room anyway.
I can remember a time when my job as a home builder, designer, and retail furniture store owner had me dealing with endless paperwork, constant phone calls, huge crews, and super-long work days. As I crawled into the bed each night, I would say “one day” and fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean (played from a bedside speaker) as the snow was falling outside my window.
Belize has virtually no chain stores, and there are no fast food chains. For most of us expats, this is a good thing. We moved here to get away from fast-paced North American commercialism, and to enjoy a more laidback way of living.