Some of you sure can be subtle the way you question the obvious. The only thing ECO about this is Everything Completely Overdeveloped. It is the height of hypocracy and an insult to common intellegence to try and convince anyone that puting 700 lots on a 2 and 1/2 by 3/4 mile island is anything other. I can't believe people buy into this hype. It would be refreshing sometime to have someone just try and sell it as it is. "Hey, I am developing this island to make as much money as I can. Why don't you buy here and be the one doing the polluting, because if it isn't you, it will be someone else". As far as an environmental impact study goes, Belize's definition of that is "an envelope with a couple hundred thousand in it given to the right politician". I am not one to wish ill fate on anyone, but it would be in the best interest of Belize's environment if this project does not make it. Unfortunatly, sooner or later, there will be someone with enough money and enough people willing to buy into it to make a success of this type of over-development.

CMNate! We have been traveling to the Yucatan Coast 12 times over the last 10 years. We went down to Xcalac and stayed at the Costa de Cocos dive resort 5-6 years ago. We where looking a little into land and where offered a beautiful beach front lot for $10,000. I think it was a couple acres. We just did not have the money back than and where afraid to invest in Mexico. Now we wish we purchased the lot. We know people that purchased 2 lots along the Costa Maya and if you like I can give you the e-mail adress as they are very nice and willing to share their experience. If it would be less expensive we would love to buy a condo or small house in the Akumal area because we love it there but are afraid that within the next 10-15 years the area will not be so desirable to us anymore do to over development, over population and environmental destruction. This is what had made us wanting to explore Belize and we are glad to have found Belize. This is why we purchased the lot on Long Caye after we visited the Island in September 2000. Of course we did not know than how it would develope after all but we where willing to risk it and we think it will turn out a good investment. We loved the Eco Preserve plans! We did not want to miss the boat again and are hoping for a little Island of Eden when there is not much of that left in the world. We are not wealthy and we are not old but hope to semi retire in about 10-15 years. We know we will not want to live in the US full time anymore (to crowded and stressing) and also not full time in Europe but also would not want to live full time in Belize or Mexico. The ideal will be 4 month Belize (or Akumal depending on how things turn out there) some time in Europe and the rest back here in California where we will still work. I know we will do it somehow.

I don't think anyone is planing on poluting Long Caye. Why else do you think there are strict eco guidelines and buyers sign off on following them? There are many like minded people purchasing there. Of course a developer wants to make money but at least they will put money back into making the Island an eco friendly neighborhood. Please look around other Islands (Roatan for example) and see what happens to the human waste there. The sh... goes untreated into the ocean and I am still not sure what they do with it on AC or other parts of Belize. I have seen outhouses hanging right over the ocean on little tiny Islands in Belize. Does anyone know? Would you rather have that happening to Long Caye? If anyone believes all these Islands will stay undeveloped especially next to wonderful dive sites dream on. They where not made Preserves like Halfmoon Caye by the government therefor they are not protected from other people developing them. Why do you think that is? Because the government would like to make some money!!! Much, much worse could happen to Long Caye than the Long Caye Preserve. Eco developments can work look at St. John's Maho Bay Camp. Maybe Bywaren lives in a less developed area of this planet. In that case he is very lucky! But please look around newer development in the US alone and many other places on this planet. Leaving 80% of the island undeveloped does not sound terrible to us. For some of us it was also a cost factor. Maybe you can afford much more expensive land. We can't but we where able to afford a lot on Long Caye and if we do build there we will make sure we are not poluting anything. It can be done if you care about the environment!!!! And we care a lot! We have gotten a lot of negativity in regards to Long Caye. We will all see with time what will happen. Maybe people could be a little more optimistic and believe that there are some people that actually would like to live in peace with nature. It will not be another Cancun or even San Pedro! And if it does turn out bad I will crie about it with you. It would have happend with us owning land there and without us. It always would have happend. But we do have a right to at least try to make this Preserve work out don't you think? We have nothing but good in mind. Why am I even spending my energy and caring what others think posting anything here? Maybe this should be my last post and just read from now on.

Can't imagine why anyone would want to live in a place where someone can tell you how to live your personal life (as in "no pets")?? Everyone to their own taste, I guess. As for me, FREEDOM has to be at the top of the list.
There is still plenty of levittown-free island land available in Panama. Yeah, the developers are converging there too, but there's still lots of places you can buy and surround your self with quiet and live in freedom without spending a gazillion dollars.
We bought 27 1/2 acres of rainforest land with 1800 ft of waterfront for $135K. Not much "beach" (most of it is on a bluff) but there's a reef 150 feet out....about what we'd pay for a single lot on the north end of AC. No utilities, its all BYO (Build Your Own...) We will be able to grow most of our own food (there's already coconut, avocado and all kinds of fruit trees that I can't identify growing wild. If we want company, town is a 15 minute boat ride away. No roads. No cars. No CCR's....

Munichchick,
Yes, please do forward the email address of your friends that have the property in Mexico. The company that I have been dealing with is going to have information for me at their office in Playa del Carmen (maps and things). Unfortunately, I won't have a lot of time for research in Mexico this trip, but I will be returning in Nov.
I too am looking for a little beach property that I can live on for 4-6 months during the year (looking ahead 10-15 years).
Thanks for your help.

Nate

Susang! Your property in Panama sounds wonderful. Yeah, the no Pet thing will have to change otherwise we will be forced to sell the land because we will not let them tell us to leave our fury baby's in a Kennel just because they say so. No way!!! All other rules and regulations are fine by us and will help make the neighborhood nicer.

Nate! Please give me your e-mail address since I do not want to post my friends e-mail address here. I am sure you will find a nice piece of land along the Costa Maya. The beaches there are nicer than in Belize but be careful and stay away from Ejido land. Make sure you do a good title search.
There has been a land dispute in the Tulum area and that is Ejido land. Very tricky to find out who actually holds the true title on that kind of land. I am sure you are aware of the Ejido land problems.

I put a couple of pix of our land on a personal album at: http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291552863&p=4252467732&idx=1

As a bonus, there are pictures of some of our cats (including our little Jazzy Cat who has now left us, the photo is a couple of years old) and Tigra, who we are adopting and bringing home to California from North Carolina.
ALSO: I got a couple of pix of the Paradise Villas silver tabby mamacat, she is gorgeous and needs to be tamed and adopted not to mention FIXED if someone can catch her. She is beautiful.

Munichchick,
I'm looking at the area south of the biosphere reserve. I'll need to find out the lay of the land before I get real serious. Things are already getting pricy, but I think I still have time. First, I have to see how I like Belize, since that is really my primary focus. My concern is that prices there might get out of my range (if they already haven't).

NatTScat@aol.com

AH - FREEDOMThat’s a nice word. So is community. As is the phrase “To each his own.” ByWarren, I don’t think you would like to live on any small island. I wonder, are you one of those woodsmen who have acres and acres of land and you can’t see your next neighbor? Well, STAY THERE! You are a very negative person and I think you take delight in pissing people off.
MuniChick – I’m so sorry to hear about you’re attachment to your dogs. Well, that doesn’t sound right, but you know what I mean? I think we could spend some nice time sitting on the verandah, just sitting.
For me, I’ve had a few dogs I’ve really loved but I mostly don’t like dogs and I certainly don’t like a lot of people’s attitude about their dogs. My neighborhood is full of dogs that bark day and night. One little guy behind me cries all night. The owners pretend not to be home when I go up the hill to talk to them. I feel sorry for the dog. We do have leash laws here and most people abide by them. However, no one I’ve seen walking their dogs picks up after them. Enough said?
As I’ve said before, thank goodness we don’t all want to be in the same place at the same time. I want to live a quiet life with people who love the things I love. I call that community.
Some questions were asked about the commercial lots. Plans are posted for a welcome Pavilion, environmental and Info Center and Observation Tower. Looks like a pretty big bar and lounge area. here will be two fairly small dive resorts and one bed and breakfast. These are right on the beach on either side of the dock. A couple plan to open a place they have named “Caye Mart,” another couple talked about opening a camping equipment rental place. There was talk about an eating place called “Fresh Catch” (I sure don’t want to cook all of my own meals.) There will be a hyperbolic chamber and 24/7 medical care. But I think most people are a little like me, want to dive and fish, sit and talk, listen to the wildlife (not like at Fido’s – sorry Barefoot) and pickup after ourselves. There will be no cars – thank you!!
I am not looking at this as an investment, but as a way of life.
Warren – have you ever read “The Desiderata?” you are a loud and obnoxious person. You finally got to me.
BTW – there is a mosquito abatement program already underway. I wonder what made me think of that.
MuniC -- I sure hope this works out for you. How old are your dogs?
Harriette