Am I over thinking this? Should I just show up on Belizes door step? Thinking of staying for 6 months renting a quite place to write and paint. Maybe do some volunteer work to get involved with the comunity.
From reading past message boards, and tour books the impression I've come away with hits the range from : Every one loves every one, you can drink a gallon of rum without getting a hangover, and problems just magicaly go away upon setting foot on Belizian soil. The other side of the coin is, fearfull tourist experiencing rape, pillage, and torture before they ever get out of Belize City. If they make it out of the City alive they can expect to be consumed by Jelly Fish Larva, Bot Flies, Jumping Snakes and worse.
I'm an optimist at heart. No hang overs in Belize?
How much should I prepare for in advance?

Do you know the name of the "Hangoverless" rum you mention?! I'll be needing it when i return to AC the 26th of this month!
I enjoyed the place so much last time that if i had a hangover i don't remember it!
If i were an artist i would go to AC or Caulker, probably Caulker due to the affordability factor. You can go to the cayes without going into town in Belize City by getting off one plane and on to another.

Right now there seems to be a lot for rent in San Pedro. Because of the recent closure of a medical school accommodations are not hard to find right now.
I know people that are now renting here for $400 US per month .. a decent place.
You need not worry in San Pedro but stay away from Belize City. If you do not know what you are doing there you can get into trouble. Caye Caulker is also nice and cheaper, but, even though I like a quiet place … that is too quiet for me.
There are people that do what you suggest and they seem to come back every year so there must be something that they like. Life is simple here, although that simplicity can cause frustration when things are not they way you are used to.
All the best.

Sorry to say this, and I do have two friends living on Caye Caulker, but I found CC people to be stand offish, and not as friendly as in San Pedro. Found it to be the same on both of my visits to CC.

I think Ambergris Caye would be a wonderful place to take a 6 month sabbatical to write or paint or do whatever kind of creative stuff you want to do.
For long term rentals, you might want to email Mary Hawthorne at Caye Management (she's on the www.ambergriscaye.com web site). She seems to know about long term rental availability and usually has things in a broad range of prices.
From what I have seen, the biggest risk factor that US folks planning long term stays on AC need to be aware of is that the "party" environment sometimes lulls some (not all, not most, just some) expats into over indulgence in alcohol, which can wreak havoc with the creative impulse in anyone (not to mention one's marriage or relationship).
And of course, many people are completely unaffected by this issue, due to lifestyle and/or genes. But it is something to keep in the back of your mind if you are coming for awhile to create, relax or just clear your head.

Ooops. Failed to mention before that I'm driving Via Mexico with Scottish Deerhound = BIG DOG in tow. Car and dog might make island life a bit complicated. AC & CC sound like a lot of fun. I love rum and diving, don't think I'd get much painting done. Safer for me on the mainland I think. Any good places to stay there? Some one suggested around San Ignacio.
Planning on popping over to the Cayes for the occasional rum and dive fix.

Susangg...we're ouy of sync. You posted while I was writting my last post. But we're on the same page thought wise. Agree that too much sun, fun, rum, and tropical waters is detrimental to the creative process. Might spend my last month on the Cayes as a treat for getting some creative work done. The old carrot in front of the mule trick.
I will look up the rentals, thanks.

There is definitely a booze factor on the cayes. I dont even drink anymore. I see so many of my friends here on CC and in SP half on the bag by 11 a.m., its just not productive. San Ignacio is CHEAP to live in or around and safe and quiet. I've lived in San Pedro, in a nice apartment 2 buildings north of Ramone's Village with a spectacular view, but no privacy! Living in a fishbowl was not for me, and the cost of living was too high. And now I'm in a 2nd floor apartment on Caye Caulker in a concrete building, right above my business, and you can't tell if I'm home or not from street level. Lots of artist in San Pedro and Caye Caulker, but even more from the Cayo area, and I think its because cost of living is so low.
--Silk
www.caribbean-colors.com

San Ignacio offers a lot, including low costs and few mozzies, but it does get really hot there, especially in the dry season, and there are no sea breezes to cool you down.

The Corozal Town area is another option. Rental prices are even lower there, you are close to Chetumal, Mexico, for a wider variety of shopping and good health care, and while there are no real beaches the bay is beautiful.

--Lan Sluder
Belize books and publications by Lan Sluder:
Belize First Magazine (http://www.belizefirst.com)
Fodor's Belize & Guatemala Guide (new 4th edition coming this summer)
Adapter Kit: Belize (the first and only comprehensive guide to living, retiring, working and investing in Belize -- a best-seller on Amazon.com)
San Pedro Cool (the first and only visitor guide to Ambergris Caye)
Belize First Guide to Mainland Belize
UpClose Central America
Belize Book of Lists

Silk. Yeah!!! An artist! BIG QUESTION How hard is it to get art suplies there??? Right now I'm ignoring the fact that I should be figuring out how to fit me, the dog who's about the same size as me,my scuba gear, camping gear, computer,and clothes all into the car. Something's going to have to get thined out, or I buy a Mac Truck.
Planing on writting and illustrating a book. Like to work in Guaches,inks, and water colors. Can you buy paints and inks there or should I bring with? How about Plasticine or Sculpey Clay?

There is usually a house or two for rent in Consejo Shores (www.consejoshores.com). Consejo is just north of Corozal. The water is not clear like the Cayes because of nearby rivers and you can't snorkel but its great for swimming and there are some small beaches in front of a couple of now defunct hotels. The houses usually rent for just a few hundred bucks a month and most of them are very nice substantial houses. The developer will know what's for rent even if there's nothing listed for rent on the web site. As Lan says, its very convenient to everything and very peaceful and quiet. You might want to contact Crystal Car Rentals and arrange to rent an older car on a long term basis as there is no public transportation to and from Consejo. Weather is great there too.

Agree with Corozal. Cooler, cheaper and close to the border for those nice day trips to Mexico for shopping.

Art supplies? Virtually nonexistant. I brought a year's worth of supplies in a big big suitcase and paid some duty coming in over my limit. Chetumal and Cancun have art supply stores. IN Belize City Angelus Press, and National Printers offer limited supplies, Simon Quan is where the artists buy their canvas. The quality of the supplies is what could be considered "student grade" not the best quality. Cancun is 5-1/2 hours from Chetumal.
--Silk
www.caribbean-colors.com

Thank you Silk. You just saved me a big future headache. Looks like most of my clothes aren't going to make it to Belize now, and I'm off to the art store to stock up. I love new art supplies anyway. With each new tube of paint there's hope.

If your so inclined to say where your from. I have a couple of ideas for your means of traveling. I too have a dog,scuba equip., "girlfriend", and all my tools and other supplies i plan to bring. I have a few ideas on how i' going to get to cc but tell me if you would like to talk and i'll fill you on some ideas. I was planning on starting my expanding bus. there and I want a different more layed back life style. NO more nyc fast paced lives that most americans go through. 9-5 awh never again. You moght be intrested in spliting costs, traveling together, I'm also sending a ship container to belize with all my personal stuff drop me a line...

CAPT RON
Assuming you're the one planning on sailng to Belize. Wow, what a great plan. If I didn't have a huge dog that is often referd to as a horse, and is absolutly terrified of water, I'd be there swabing the decks and hoisting the sails, or what ever it is sailors do, in a second. But I do.
I'm going take 5 or 6 months camping my way from LA through Mexico.
I am curious about your plans. I'm sure that if you post some messages on this board you'll eventualy find someone to travel with, plus a fan club of people that would love to hear of your travels.

Well yeah i've found plenty of people willing and wanting to come on my venture but it's tough to find the commited. I'm doing the sailing and actually found a business venture too that i'm starting there. I'm prepaired to leave near the end of the month. I may not sail the first time. I want to just get there then send it down if ness. dog,scubagear, boat, stuff, etc...
I'll keep people up dated the biggest thing is that i want to gain some vauable friendshipt to start my little haven with bar, and the whole gig.