The Top 11 Reasons to Invest in Belize

Stability

Belize has a stable, democratic government, the economy in Belize is stable and balanced, the currency is pegged to the US dollar, the legal system is based on the British legal framework, and Belize is still an independent member of the British Commonwealth. Along with Costa Rica, Belize has the most stable political system in the region. Belize has always been a very peaceful nation.

Property Rights

As a Commonwealth country, property rights are pro­tected in Belize through the traditions of English Common Law. In Belize, private property is respected and protected. Foreigners can own property in Belize, with exactly the same rights and protections as exist for Belizeans, with 100% fee simple title. There are absolutely no restric­tions on foreign land ownership. Along with the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom, Belize shares a legal system based on English Common Law – a familiar system for most investors.

Language

You don’t have to learn a new language, because English in the official lan­guage. Belize is the only English speaking country in Central America, making business and real estate transactions easy to navigate for English speakers. Everything from street signs, restaurant menus and newspapers, to official government documents and real estate contracts are in English. This makes Belize hugely attractive to English speakers as a second, retirement, or vacation home destination.

Currency

The Belize dollar is fixed 2 to 1 with the US dollar making it a very stable currency. The U.S. dollar is accepted anywhere and everywhere in Belize, and the Belize dollar has been pegged for decades at the current exchange rate of 2 Belize dollars to 1 U.S. dollar. Anything of substantial value, such as real estate, is priced in U.S. dollars. This means that prices in Belize are more stable for American dollar holders than they would be if the Belizean currency floated against the dollar.

Tax Friendly

Belize is a tax haven. The offshore financial services industry in Belize is highly regarded and well regulated; it is also quite advanced and well supported by the government. In addition, those who own real estate in Belize pay no capital gains or estate (inheritance) taxes. Property taxes are very low – just a fraction of what they are in Canada or the USA. Rental income is taxed at only 1.75% of gross receipts. Just for emphasis…no capital gains tax, and no inheritance tax!

Location

Belize is highly accessible from the US and Canada, and now from western Europe as well. Its proximity to Canada and the US creates short travel time and there is no jet lag due to time differences. (Belize is on Central Time.) Direct flights to Belize depart from Miami, Atlanta, Charlotte, Newark, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Toronto (seasonal). With the expansion of the runway completed at Belize International Airport, long-haul direct flights from Canada and Europe are expected to begin service in the very near future. International arrivals to Belize have been increasing drastically in the last 6 years – at an annualized growth rate of 11.1% (which is the highest in Central America).

Natural Beauty & Eco-Tourism

Belize has the 2nd largest and most fascinating and beautiful barrier reef in the world. The diving and snorkeling are consistently rated among the very best in the world.

The Mestizos of Belize are descended from the union of the indigenous Maya and the Spanish who came following Columbus’ discovery of the New World. As far as history goes, many texts indicate that the Mestizo community owes its origins to Gonzalo Guerrero also known as (Gonzalo Marinero, Gonzalo de Aroca and Gonzalo de Aroza) - a Spanish sailor shipwrecked along the Yucatan Penninsula from Palos in Spain, who despite being initially enslaved by the Maya later impressed them with his military prowess and was embraced by the Maya. It is said that Guerrero became a great ally to the Maya in the struggle against the Spanish conquistadors in Belize. Historians generally accept the view that in the 16th century he served as a political and military advisor to Nachancan, the ruler of Old Chetumal/Chactemal - (Santa Rita, COROZAL) was probably part of ancient Chactemal, the Maya capital of the area at the time of the first Spanish attempt to conquer the Yucatec Mayas in the early 16th century). It is said that later Guerrero married his daughter, a Mayan Princess, Tzazil Há, fathering three children that would be known today, as essentially the first Mestizo children of the Americas.

Over 46% of Belize is dedicated to National Parks and Marine Reserve, including United Nations World Heritage sites such as the 27,000 acre Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve on Ambergris Caye. Belize is home to thousands of species of trees and flowers, hun­dreds of kinds of birds and butterflies. It has reefs and tropi­cal rainforests, beaches and mountains, over 600 sites of Ma­yan ruins, and many rivers teeming with wild and rare flora and fauna. From diving to fishing, cave tubing to zip-lining, snorkeling to sailing, and exploring Mayan ruins, Belize is an ecologically diverse, unspoiled paradise. Also, Belize is one of the least densely populated countries in the western hemisphere.


Photo: Belize Abroad© - Circa early 1900’s - Belize Ferry Crossing

Excellent Retiree Program

The Belize Residency Program (QRP) enables foreigners to retire to Belize under a very favorable set of guidelines, with status as a Qualified Retired Person. This simple process exempts people from the payment of all taxes and levies on all income or receipts which accrue from a source outside of Belize (whether income is from work performed or an investment). This program also provides a duty & tax exemption on new and used personal and household effects (inc. motor vehicles, boats and aircraft). You must be over 45 to qualify, and be able to substantiate monthly income of at least $2,000 (USD).

Friendly People

Belize is home to the most genuinely and sincerely friendly people to be found anywhere in the world. You will hear this time and again from everyone who visits to Belize, and for good reason. While Belize is of­ten referred to as “Mother Nature’s Secret”, and most people think that Belize’s natural resources are its greatest asset, the Belizean people are in truth the greatest asset Belize has to offer.

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