Sunday, February 22, 2009

Belize Hotels and Resorts Amongst The Best In The World

On the night of the Oscar's (Feb 22, 2009) I thought it would be fun to share some great news about how Belize ranked in the 2009 Traveler's Choice Awards!

TripAdvisor's 2009 Travelers’ Choice Awards has recognied Belize as having some of the best hotels and resorts in the world.  Some of the Traveler Choice Awards categories that Belize was recognized for are:

  • All inclusives resorts
  • Luxury resorts
  • Hidden gems resorts
  • Romance resorts
  • Family travel resorts
  • Best bargin resorts 

In total nine hotels and resorts were recognized in TripAdvisor's poll.

So what does this mean for Sanctuary Bay investors?  In my opinion, such great press re-assures me that there is growing demand for the "Belize experience" and this demand holds well for Sanctuay Bay property owners:

  • The tourist industry in Belize is still in its infancy and this ranking certainly reinforces the fact that Belize is approaching the developmen of their tourism industry in the right way.  Already it is being recognized as a top destination.
  • As more people explore Belize there may be greater demand for owning property in the country -- thus driving up property values even more for investors who are 'getting in' during phase 1 and phase 2 of Sanctuary Bay.
  • For those of us who are planning on building our homes sooner rather than later and renting out our places, there seems to be an existing and growing market for high quality resorts/homes.  
All this to say, the reports that argue that Belize is an undervalued and up-and-coming destination seem to be bang on!  


Monday, February 16, 2009

Two weeks ... but the blog is now live!

On December 13th the Ottawa Citizen newspaper ran a story on my family’s Belize endeavour and in the story I made reference to the fact that I would be launching a blog.  I think I mentioned to Sheila, the journalist who interviewed me, that I would be launching the blog in late January.  As I look at my Blackberry I realize that it’s Feb 16th, 2009 so I’m a few weeks late with the launch -- but here it goes!

Tada!  The blog is intended for anyone interested in following the development of Sanctuary Bay and I hope that current and potential owners find value in the blog as well as anyone who has a general interest in Belize and these types of real estate endeavours.

To make sure that I’m delivering valuable information I plan to gather project updates from Sanctuary Bay, reach out to other owners and understand their plans for their land, share research on living in Belize, and providing summaries of general events in Belize.  To help make this blog relevant to you I’d really like to hear your thoughts and comments on my postings.  Please feel free to leave comments or email me (christopher@digital-endeavor.com). 

Cheers,

Chris

Taking A Step Towards The Lifestyle We Desire!


Taking A Step Towards The Lifestyle We Desire!

Well my wife Patricia, my daughter Néa (2 yrs), and I decided to take a giant step forward towards the lifestyle that we desire; a lifestyle that will allow us to spend a portion of the year in Canada and a portion of the year exploring the tropical paradise of Belize.  We look forward to boating on the Caribbean sea, trekking through the rainforest, caving, spending time in unspoiled villages, dancing to the drums of the Garifuna, and who knows what else.

We decided to buy 1.4 acres of land in Sanctuary Bay, which is located more or less between Dangriga and Hopkins in the Stann Creek district of southern Belize.  Sanctuary Bay is a community that is currently in phase 1 of its development but over the next 5 years John Usher, the owner of Sanctuary Bay, and his team are building a luxurious eco-friendly community that will be equipped with a marina, a commercial area, landing strip, and other great amenities.  For the time being though, we are proud owners of a GREAT piece of jungle that is about a 20 minute walk (at a very leisurely pace) to the Caribbean Sea.  Our back yard looks out to the Mayan mountains and we are a stone through away from a beautiful lagoon and river. Over the next two years we plan to build a guest home so that we can start enjoying our investment and then we plan to build a main home that blends our desire to be stylish and eco-friendly. 

Family, friends, potential investors, and people who are just naturally curious about our investment seem to ask us two questions; Why Belize? And Why Sanctuary Bay? I thought I would share some of these reasons with you.

Why Belize?

  • Amazing natural beauty including tropical rainforest and the second largest barrier reef in the world
  • We can escape the rat race and relax in a tropical paradise filled with friendly people and a laid back Caribbean vibe.
  • It is the only English speaking country in Central America making business and real estate easy to navigate for English speakers
  • Belize boasts a long standing history of a stable, democratic political system
  • Commonwealth country with legal and governmental systems based in English Common Law. This is a familiar system for many investors
  • Currency pegged to USD ($2 Belize = $1 USD)
  • Great financial incentives including no capital gains tax in addition to other incentives for business owners 
  • Belize has yet to be flooded by foreign investors. This has kept prices low, unlike the already flooded markets of many Caribbean Islands, Costa Rica and Mexico
  • Property prices are on the rise creating a good return on investments
  • Carnival cruise lines is investing $50,000,000 in their Belize City port
  • Both Canada and Europe are working on adding direct flights to Belize, which will increase tourism and bodes well for property values
  • Non-Belizeans may own properties and businesses with 100% title and no restrictions on location
  • Belize has an amazing retirement plan

Why Sanctuary Bay?

  • Sanctuary Bay is located in what many consider to be the most beautiful part of Belize, the south.
  • The community sits on the Caribbean sea
  • Preserving the natural beauty of Belize is paramount to Sanctuary Bay.
  • 12K acres of land are being reserved for wildlife
  • The community has lush forest and an abundance of wildlife, flowers, and plants
  • An outstanding 70-slip marina is in development
  • Amenities such as restaurant, markets, doctor’s office, etc. are part of the master plan for the community
  • A landing strip is planned for Sanctuary Bay
  • An equestrian centre is planned
  • John Usher and his team have a reputation for getting things done

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Whatzzz the word on Southern Belize?

Many people that I spoken to over the past 2-months about Belize have asked about what the southern part of the country is like.  I’m collecting a number of extracts from various sources which provide some insight into just how fantastic Southern Belize is.  I’ll keep adding to this this list as I come across good sources of information.

Extract from Lan Sluder’s book entitled "Living Abroad in Belize"  (2005)  on the topic of Southern Belize. 

“Southern Belize has the best beaches on the mainland and some of the most dramatic scenery in the country.  The region is comprised of two districts, Stann Creek (this is where Sanctuary Bay is located) and Toledo, which together have a population of almost 50,000, predominantly Maya and Garifuna, and also many Creoles, and Mestizos.  Four areas of particular interest to those relocating, retiring or visiting Belize for an extended period –or for those looking to buy property in Belize – are Hopkins Village (close to Sanctuary Bay) , the Placencia Peninsula, and Puta Gorda.  The main road through this region is the Southern Highway, almost all of which has been paved and upgraded.  It is now the best road in Belize. Climate is a big draw for Belize, and Sothern Belize has the most tropical climate in the country.  (p. 155)

Link to Lan's book!



Extract from Belize Media Center on Southern Belize:

"Known by many as "The Forgotten Land," Southern Belize's undiscovered landscapes serve as a threshold for lush rainforests, ancient Maya artifacts, fascinating cultures and enough eco-adventures to impress even the most discerned traveler. As the most sparsely populated region of the country, Southern Belize is the perfect find for those searching for the opportunity to venture off of the beaten path and taste some of the rich natural and cultural diversity Belize has to offer.

The geography of Southern Belize, which include the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts, differs considerably from the country's other regions. Its watershed to the southeast from the Maya Mountains creates numerous short rivers that rush through slopes combed with overhanging ledges and caves, housing hundreds of Maya artifacts. The rivers, carrying sand, clay and silt, have enriched the coastal belt over the years, making this area of Belize a haven for agricultural products such as citrus and bananas."