An Expat’s Guide to Exploring the Heart of Belize

 

Welcome to our Belize District Dive-In series. This is the first article in a six-part series. Today, we’ll take a deep dive into what makes the Belize District so great.    

The Belize District is one of the six districts that make up Belize. It’s home to the largest municipality, Belize City, the world-famous Ambergris Caye, as well as Caye Caulker. This district has a multitude of attractions for tourists, expats, retirees, and global nomads who are drawn to the tourist sites, Caribbean Sea and coral reef, and all of the other perks that have made Belize one of the most Belize places to travel – Belize real estate attorney. 

Life in the Belize District has so much to offer. This is where you can rub shoulders with friendly and easygoing Belizeans but there are also certain things you’ll need to know. So, if you’re eyeing a move to Belize or need some tips to help you settle in, this guide covers many things you need to know about one of Belize’s most popular districts!

 

Belize District: A Brief Overview

 

Over 110,000 people live in the Belize District.

This district is spread across 1,623 square miles in the east-central area of mainland Belize and some portions of offshore islands. It is the most populous district in Belize, with people of Creole, Mestizo, Maya, East Indian, Chinese and other diverse ethnic backgrounds representing the vibrant multiculturalism of Belize. 

Belize District is both the economic and tourism hub for the country.

This District is very much the heart of Belize, with Belize City serving as the district’s capital. Politically, the district is divided into 13 constituencies with 10 of these falling within the urban Belize City area. Belize’s largest river, the Belize River also runs through here, emptying into the Caribbean Sea.

 

Towns & Villages in Belize District

 

Most of the towns and villages in the district lie in the east-central area of mainland Belize, along with several others on offshore islands. Some notable names in this district include Belize City, San Pedro Town, Ladyville, Burrell Boom, Gales Point Manatee, Caye Caulker, Goff’s Caye, St. George’s Caye, Caye Chapel, and Hattieville (named after the 1961 Hurricane Hattie). 

 

Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize. 

San Pedro Town is the main settlement on the Ambergris Caye, which is home to over 15,000 residents. It is known for its beautiful pristine Caribbean beaches and its proximity to the Belizean Barrier Reef. While the cost of living here is much less than most places in the U.S.A., living in Ambergris Caye is one of the most expensive places to live in the country, and only comparable to other regions in Belize like Placencia, Hopkins, and similar beach villages on the mainland. 

 

Caye Caulker

Compared to Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker is smaller and much less expensive. You can take a water taxi, Cessna airplane or hire a private boat as I did recently, to get to Caye Caulker. Check out this brief clip of my weekend jaunt to Caye Caulker.

This island is home to Caye Caulker Village, the only settlement on the island. It is known for its pristine beaches, dense mangrove forest, and lush forest reserve. It is popular among tourists and expats who prefer beach-oriented living and relaxation. Scuba diving, snorkelling, and fishing are common activities here. And the island is also known for its parties and bustling nightlife.

 

Belize City

Belize City is a port town serving as the commercial hub for the country. Every year, the port welcomes thousands of cruise ships and passengers from all over the world. This city is home to over 90,000 residents, making it the most populous city in Belize.  

While Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and Belize City are the undisputed superstars of the Belize District, there are still several other towns and villages in this district with their unique flavours. Some of these include island destinations such as Goff’s Caye, St. George’s Caye, Turneffe Atoll, Caye Chapel, and English Caye. 

Other notable towns and villages on the mainland include  Crooked Tree, Maskall, Biscayne, Corozalito, Santana, Lord’s Bank, Lucky Strike, Bomba, Rockstone Pond, Boston, May Pen, Gardenia, Grace Bank, Sand Hill, Ladyville, Burrell Boom, Buttercup, Scotland Halfmoon, Flowers Bank, Bermudian Landing (home of the world-famous Baboon Sanctuary), and many more. 

 

Things to Do in the Belize District

 

This district packs more than enough punch whether you’re an expat or retiree considering a move to Belize or an adventurer looking for a high-quality holiday experience. Beyond soaking up the sun on sandy beaches and the picturesque views from many of the island villages in the Belize District, the district also boasts other sightseeing opportunities for thrill-seekers. 

The Belize Zoo is one such example, exhibiting 129 animals native to Belize in a 29-acre tropical savannah that’s just a short drive from Belize City. You can also take a step back in time and tour the sacred Alta Ha Mayan ruins, the site of an ancient Mayan city. Altun Ha is located in the village of Lucky Strike.  Both of the protected Crooked Tree and Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuaries are also located in the Belize District. For some serious scuba diving and snorkelling, head over to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve nearby San Pedro, Ambergris Caye where you can swim with stingrays, marine turtles, and nurse sharks!

 

 

Off-the-beaten track adventures in Belize

Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker may be the crowd’s favourite, but there’s even more to the Belize District than these two popular island destinations. 

If you’d like to explore unique places in Belize, the sun-soaked uninhabited island of Goff’s Caye – Belize real estate attorney is worth the trip. This place is loved for its rustic beach setting and natural beauty. Care for a great snorkelling experience or a just peaceful escape from the crowds to sip rum? This island that lies on the edge of the world’s second-largest barrier reef guarantees all and more. It’s just a 30-minute boat ride away from Belize City. 

Another exciting place to visit is the small St. George’s Caye, just 25 minutes away from Belize City. This island is only accessible via a boat ride and is suitable for snorkeling, diving, fishing, and ultimate relaxation. St. George also has a rich historical heritage. It was Belize’s first capital city in the 1700s and was also the site of the Battle of St. George’s Caye where the Baymen defeated the Spaniards, against unfavourable odds. 

 

Belize District Transportation Guide

 

Most international visitors will arrive in Belize through the Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE). This airport and the Belize City Municipal Airport (TZA) are the main airports in the city. 

But once you’re here, you want to be sure you can find your way around easily. The good thing is Belize is a compact country so distance won’t always be much of a big deal. Your options for transportation in Belize District include airplanes, taxis, water taxis, buses, private rental vehicles and golf carts! 

 

Water taxis

Water taxis are available across Belize City, Ambergris Caye, and Caye Caulker. Notable operators here include the San Pedro Belize Express, offering daily shuttles between Belize City, Ambergris Caye, and Caye Caulker for as low as US$28 round-trip. 

The trip from Belize City to Caye Caulker takes no more than an hour via San Pedro Ferry. A trip from Belize City to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye is roughly about one and a half hours. 

Ferries leave from the Belize Marine Terminal in Belize City which is where our office is located.

Check the Belize water taxi schedule at belizewatertaxi.com

 

Local flights within Belize District

Domestic airlines, Tropic Air and Maya Island Air, operate local flights from Belize City to places in the Belize District like Caye Caulker and San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, among others. This is fast and convenient, fifteen minutes from Belize City Municipal Airport to San Pedro Town, albeit a bit more costly than the water taxis.

A one-way flight from Belize City to San Pedro starts with Maya Air is typically US$75 and between US$71.75 and US$105.75 with Tropic Air. 

 

Taxi cabs

Cabs are available and easy to flag in Ambergris Caye or Belize City. There is a flat fee of US$25 for one-way taxi rides from the International Airport to Belize City. These are also much more affordable and can range from US$12 to US$28, roughly US$6 to US$14. On Caye Caulker, golf carts are more common than regular taxis. These are also used for transportation and can be rented out for a daily or weekly fee.

 

Buses

Buses operate mostly on Belize’s four major highways, Western, Northern, Southern, and Hummingbird highways. These buses, however, are often used for transportation to towns and cities in other districts and heading to Mexico and Guatemala. The domestic bus system is very affordable to use.

 

Real Estate Destinations in Belize District

 

Holiday goers would be fine with resort hotels and vacation accommodations available across the Belize District. If you’re an expat or retiree considering a move here, you’ll need to dive right into the Belize real estate scene. Thankfully, buying real estate in Belize is not all that complicated.

Many people who own real estate here attest to the fact that it’s cheaper to buy here than in most other parts of the world. So, the ease of residency, stable economy, and English being the main spoken language have been incentives for many of the expats who currently reside here.

But where should you look to buy within the Belize District? Well, the clear winners are none other than Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. 

 

Ambergris Caye real estate

This island is the inspiration behind Madonna’s hit song, ‘La Isla Bonita.’ In 2018, Ambergris Caye received almost half of all the tourists in Belize. Ambergris Caye, and its largest town, San Pedro, are loved for their pristine beaches, white sands, proximity to the Belize Barrier reef, and the overall laidback lifestyle. The 25-mile long island is the largest in Belize, offering property options like waterfront condos and more for buyers. It’s popular among expats and international real estate investors. 

Being the most popular tourist destination in Belize, it’s no surprise that Ambergris Caye is also one of the most developed real estate locations in the Belize District and across the entire country. While properties here cost more than in other areas in the country, it’s still much less expensive compared to what is obtainable in the Caribbean and Central American countries, as well as the Southern United States. 

 

Caye Caulker real estate

Caye Caulker is another real estate location with great opportunities in Belize.

Like Ambergris Caye, the sandy streets, blue seas, views of the barrier reef, the warm and friendly people, are just a few of the things that will blow you off your feet. 

Caye Caulker, like Ambergris Caye, is a tourist haven. 

The difference here is that the properties cost even less. Your options here range from vacation homes to condominiums to luxury waterfront villas. Whether you’re looking to rent or buy, the view is beautiful everywhere you turn!

 

The Belize District embodies everything that defines Belize as a nation. 

It’s a hub for commerce and tourism and also boasts some of the most active real estate markets across the country. The views here are amazing everywhere you turn. It’s a perfect place to live the ultimate Belize experience and represents a great opportunity for anyone interested in buying properties or investing in Belize real estate. 

 

 

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Ready to move to Belize? Contact Wrobel & Co, Attorneys-at-Law, and we’ll get you started on your Belize retirement or relocation journey today.

To learn more about buying real estate in Belize, visit our Belize Real Estate FAQ page here.

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This information was provided as a courtesy of Wrobel & Co. Attorneys-at-law. It is intended to inform, not to advise. No one should try to interpret or apply any law without the assistance of legal counsel. Please click here for the full disclaimer.