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Showing posts from April, 2023

Belize Customs & Import Duties

Belize Customs & Import Duties Belize imposes import duties on a wide range of goods that are imported into the country. The import duty rates can vary depending on the type of goods, their value, and their country of origin. Here are some of the main categories of goods and their corresponding import duty rates in Belize: 1. Food and agricultural products: Import duties on food and agricultural products can vary depending on the type of product. For example, import duties on meat products can range from 10% to 40%, while duties on fruits and vegetables are generally lower, ranging from 0% to 25%. 2. Vehicles: Import duties on vehicles can be high, with rates ranging from 45% to 72% depending on the type of vehicle, its value, and its age. 3. Electronics and appliances: Import duties on electronics and appliances can range from 0% to 40%, depending on the type of product and its value. 4. Clothing and textiles: Import duties on clothing and textiles can range from 5% to 30%, de...

Belize Tourism

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In 2022, Belize saw tourism rebound and far exceed the COVID years of 2020 & 2021. In 2022, Belize saw nearly 400,000 tourists. So far, in 2023, Belize has seen nearly double the amount of Q1 tourists from the year prior (2022). In January & February 2022, Belize saw roughly 55,000 tourists (the first 2 months of the year). In 2023, over the same period of time (January & February), Belize has seen over 90,000 tourists (according to BTB). After a strong

5 Misconceptions About Moving to Belize

5 Misconceptions About Moving to Belize Home Belize 5 Misconceptions About Moving to Belize Posted on December 20, 2022By Dustin RennieIn Belize 5 Misconceptions About Moving to Belize Belize is an amazing place to live and there are tons of opportunities for people not only looking to retire but also invest and/or start a business. Moving to Belize is much easier than in other countries with a lot of incentive programs in place. But there are a few things everyone should know before moving to Belize (to avoid any surprises). The lifestyle in Belize & Ambergris Caye is amazing and it is easy to see why so many people are making the move every year. Here are the 5 biggest misconceptions about moving to Belize! If you’re considering moving to Belize from the US or Canada be sure to give this video a watch before doing so. We break down some of the key things you should know before making a move to Belize and 5 misconceptions people have before making the transition Misconce...

Complete Guide to Belize Secret Beach Real Estate Investment

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Complete Guide to Belize Secret Beach Real Estate Investment Home Belize Land Belize Property ... Complete Guide to Belize Secret Beach Real Estate Investment Posted on December 20, 2022By Dustin RennieIn Belize Land, Belize Property, Belize Real Estate, Secret Beach Belize Secret Beach Real Estate Investment Belize Secret Beach on Ambergris Caye is one of the top emerging destinations in Central America & The Caribbean for tourism and investment. WHY HAS SECRET BEACH AND AMBERGRIS CAYE’S WEST COAST BECOME THE TOP GROWTH AREAS WITHIN BELIZE? Ambergris Caye Belize Thirty years ago, the main industry on Ambergris Caye was the same as it had always been. A sleepy fishing village built along the island’s eastern coast only a few hundred yards from the world’s second-largest barrier reef, the fishermen would rise with the sun and set out in their boats before the dawn had even reached the island’s barely populated western side. In the time since then, the island of Ambergris ...

The Belize Barrier Reef

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The Belize Barrier Reef The Belize Barrier Reef or Belize Reef is a coral reef system that extends the entire coast of Belize. The Belize reef (also known as Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System) is a 300-kilometer or 190 miles long. The Belize Reef is without a doubt the #1 tourist attraction in Belize. The Belize reef is roughly 980 ft (or 300 meters) from the East Coast of Ambergris Caye (in the northernmost area of Belize) and 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the coast of the Southern areas of Belize (Placencia & Punta Gorda). Even though the Belize Reef is mostly in Belize, it is referred to as the Mesoamerican Reef since it is continuous from the Cancun reef system on the northeastern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula and continues down towards Honduras. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest coral reef system in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Even though it is the second largest reef in the world, it is the largest living reef. The Belize Barrier Reef is th...

Ambergris Caye Utilities

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Home Ambergris Caye Ambergris Caye Real Estate ... Ambergris Caye Utilities Posted on December 6, 2022By Dustin RennieIn Ambergris Caye, Ambergris Caye Real Estate, Belize, Belize Property, Belize Real Estate Ambergris Caye Utilities We are often asked about Ambergris Caye utilities and how much they cost. Electricity, telephone, internet, water, and sewer utilities are all available and relatively reliable in San Pedro Town and on Ambergris Caye. On Ambergris Caye, the municipality of San Pedro (and the surrounding areas including developments that are located in and near town) have full access to utilities. For developments situated north and south of town, septic tanks or contained wastewater systems along with cisterns are typically used. Cisterns often are often used as a secondary source of water, and there is a reverse osmosis water treatment system in San Pedro Town that provides water to town residents and the developments/communities close to the municipality. The more rem...

Thinking of Buying Land in Belize?

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The news on Belize is out. The Caribbean & Central American country of Belize has entered the world’s radar and is no longer a “secret.” Since Belize and Ambergris Caye are no longer secrets the Belize real estate market has been attracting a lot of attention from investors and people looking to relocate to a tax-friendly, English-speaking, tropical destination. Belize is full of opportunities; from residential properties that people intend to use for their own personal use (moving or retirement) to developing investment properties. When investing in Belize and buying land in Belize there’s something for everyone. If you’ve been considering purchasing property and real estate in Belize, it helps to understand and be knowledgeable about what you can and can’t do. When buying Belize Real Estate or Ambergris Caye Real Estate you ultimately want to consult and work with a real estate professional. Our team at RE/MAX Belize is here to help with your Belize real estate search. If yo...

Currency Used in Belize & For Belize Real Estate

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Currency Used in Belize & For Belize Real Estate Home Belize Belize Banking ... Currency Used in Belize & For Belize Real Estate Posted on December 9, 2022By Dustin RennieIn Belize, Belize Banking, Belize Real Estate, Investing in Belize Belize Currency The official currency used in Belize is the Belize Dollar (BZD; symbol BZ$). The Belize Dollar has a fixed exchange rate of 2:1 with USD ($2 Belize = $1 US Dollar). The Belize currency at an exchange rate of $2 BZD to $1 USD can be exchanged at most banks and hotels in Belize. There are not as many ATMs in Belize as people are used to at home. The ATMs in Belize generally accept most foreign cards (Canada & US). It is also important to note that when you are in Belize that the majority of businesses accept Credit Cards (MasterCard, Visa, and some AMEX). US dollars are also universally accepted in Belize at a rate of $1 US to $2 BZ, MasterCard. Tourism is the number one industry in Belize and most of our tourists are from Am...

Guide to Buying Belize Real Estate in 2023

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Guide to Buying Belize Real Estate in 2023 Home Belize Belize Property ... Guide to Buying Belize Real Estate in 2023 Posted on December 10, 2022By Dustin RennieIn Belize, Belize Property, Belize Real Estate, Investing in Belize Belize Real Estate in 2023 As 2022 comes to an end and we look towards 2023, Belize real estate continues to boom as Belize is now very much on the world’s radar. When looking at the Belize market (considering we do not have an MLS), we have seen Belize real estate demand and prices trend upwards over the past 10 years. Going into 2023, demand is still on the rise. Properties on the islands that are popular tourist destinations like Ambergris Caye continue to be an excellent investment, for both appreciation and passive rental income. The tourism sector is booming and we saw 2022 Belize tourism rebound, nearly reaching pre-COVID numbers. Belize is a great place to live and invest. The lifestyle on Ambergris Caye has a very laid-back Caribbean vibe. If you are...

Inflation & Belize Real Estate

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Inflation & Belize Real Estate A recession and inflation are not new things, they are part of any economy. The US just came off a long bullish market. Just because inflation and recessions happen, doesn’t mean investment stops, strategic investors look to new avenues and leverage cost-effective ways to place capital. When economies turn, people no longer look for Return on Investment, they look for Return of Investment. They start looking for investments and strategies around; Wealth Preservation Asset Protection Tax Optimization When looking at a real estate investment, there are generally 2 elements cash flow and appreciation. Savvy real estate investors and people investing in offshore markets like Belize tend to dive a little deeper and there are essentially 4 pillars strategic real estate investors look for; Capital Protection, Capital Growth, Yield (Cash Flow), Favorable Taxation. Luckily, when you invest in Belize Real Estate, you are in a position to check all 4 boxes....

Investing in Belize Real Estate

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Investing in Belize Real Estate Belize real estate has become a popular topic among investors. Investing in foreign real estate can feel overwhelming and knowing where to invest requires a lot of research. When investing offshore and buying foreign real estate, an investor has nearly endless options and destinations to choose from. With all the options and countries around the world, it is hard to know which location has reached its peak and which has room for growth (especially from an investment standpoint). Investors always want to find real estate with appreciation growth potential. We’ve all heard real estate investors say, “location matters,” and it is easy to see why destinations in the Caribbean as well as South and Central America are so appealing. The regions are home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, a warm climate, and an affordable cost of living. All of these are factors that make an offshore investment appealing, but different locations have advantages. ...