If you have ever dreamed of living in a country where the population is low and you have plenty of privacy when visiting the beach, hiking in the jungle or even when visiting the city, Belize may be the perfect place for you. Belize is a beautiful country in Central America and best of all for many expats, it just happens to be one of the few English-speaking countries on the Caribbean Sea. This is ideal for those who want to move to paradise but have little time to learn a new language. It’s also a quick hop on a plane to jet over in no time at all and easy to connect with not only the southern United States but also Mexico and Guatemala.
Please see below for an information on the attractions that bring so many expats here, as well as information about how to move your personal items along with you to Belize.
Fun Things to Do in Belize
Sure, a move may be your final goal, but it’s always good to know a few things that you’ll be able to do for fun when you arrive. Best of all, since Belize is so close to North America, it’s easy to take a little visit ahead of the move to check things out in person. This is also highly recommended so you can find a good realtor to start searching the perfect home before you pack up and move. Did you know that CNN Money named Belize one of the best places for retirement abroad? This is due to the many options retirees have for life in this great country. For a little fun, you may want to check out the following attractions in Belize that both tourists and residents enjoy.
Diving
Diving can be a great deal of fun and there are so many areas to enjoy the sport in Belize. You can start with a visit to the barrier reef where you’ll find 185 miles of spectacular coral reef to check out. This area is great for divers ranging from beginner to experienced, and you can find a great deal of marine life during your dive. Others enjoy checking out the Blue Hole which is world-renowned for swimming and diving. The Blue Hole includes large sink holes in the ocean, so be ready to tackle some deep dives if you venture out to them and take note that only experienced divers should dive here due to the depth of the water.
Sailing
Sailing is quite fun when in Belize and, whether you own your own sail boat or not, you can always head out to sea for a few hours. There are several sailing charter locations as well as businesses that will take you out for sailing tours any day of the week.
The Zoo
The Belize Zoo is open for business daily and you can see crocodiles, spider monkeys, deer, puma and a wide array of other animals in their natural habitats. This zoo, which is actually a wildlife refuge, is unlike others because the animals are free to roam within large outdoor enclosures and never caged as you would find them in other zoos around the world.
Hiking
You’ll find many places to hike in Belize including trips to the mountains, the rain forest or even hikes down the shoreline. For a little adventure, be sure to check out rock climbing or even ziplining during your stay.
While you may discover many adventures await you in Belize, you will also find friendly people ready to welcome you to your new home when you arrive. This is a country where you will feel at home immediately and will never feel like an outsider no matter where you go.
Getting Your Gear Moved
It may take a little time for a realtor to find the perfect home for you, but once you know where you will live, you need to consider moving your personal gear to Belize as well. You can replace many items, but if you have belongings that are rare or have sentimental value, you may want to hire a mover to ship those items to you. Some of the top spots to have property shipped to include Belize City, Corozal, Dangriga, San Ignacio and San Pedro Town. You will need to legally import anything that you cannot carry in your luggage. You will also need to turn in some legal paperwork to customs when trying to import your gear.
For Personal Property and Household Goods you will need the following paperwork for customs:
- Passport
- Photo Identification
- Inventory of Items
- Bill of Lading from shipper
Will You Need a Personal Car?
Before you move to Belize, you need to determine whether you will need your own car after you move. Some expats and retirees bring a car along while others rely on the public transportation found in Belize. You can find travel options in Belize to get you anywhere you need to go. These include bus, taxi cabs, boat and even horseback riding. You can also take a helicopter or plane ride to travel outside of your local area.
All the mainland towns and villages are connected by roadways although some roads may be in better shape than others. Having a personal car may not be necessary but if you do choose to bring yours along, you will need to hire an international auto transport company to export your vehicle to Belize and take care of the shipment for you.
International car shippers can help you by offering quotes and advising you on steps to take for shipment. You also need to show customs some important paperwork to import the car and this may include some of the following:
- Passport
- Photo Identification
- Title and Insurance Proof
- Bill of Lading
- VIN paperwork
- Original Sales Invoice
Once you arrive in Belize, whether during an initial visit or even after your physical relocation, it won’t take long to discover this is a majestic country with plenty to do to keep you busy for hours on end daily. Life in Belize is a life less stressed and no matter how long it takes you to make your move, you will fast find it all worth the time and effort as you get settled into your new home.
Please be sure to visit our Belize FAQ and Belize Resources pages for helpful information about retiring in Belize or relocating to Belize.
And if you have any questions about why Belize might be right for you, please contact us today to speak with a Belize attorney who wants to link you with a better life.
