Purchasing Land in Belize

Purchasing Land in Belize

This BLOG was initiated to inform individuals and groups about the progress of LTA. This includes the past and present success as well as the stumbling blocks that have been encountered. These BLOG communications are intended to help satisfy our fifth strategic objective:

Documentation of events for duplication in additional countries.

   http://www.livingtreeacademy.org/objectives.html

Many people in the world sit at home or in the office on a cold and dreary day searching the internet for a location that will satisfy their paradise appetite. While the persistent uninviting weather stirs this desire to escape the elements, many times the cold season brings to surface the need to change life styles. To be around a warm atmosphere of people that care and love for the sake of loving,

is part of the fabric of the heart.

Many websites depict these “Norman Rockwell” type settings which makes us want to be on a tropical island with family and friends. During a Goggle search for this paradise, locations such as Fiji, St. Thomas, Grand Cayman, Costa Rico and Belize will appear. With the Belize search results you often see articles for beach front property at the 1950’s prices where one can live the life of the Rich and Famous for 500.00 a month - a place where all the people are friendly and helpful, the food is fresh and good, and you can live like a kid ALL the time. (Healthy!)

Not all these internet searches depict the reality of purchasing property in Belize.

About seven years ago, Living Tree Academy was diligently seeking property in the Dangriga area of Belize. Dangriga is one of the largest cities in Belize. It is a coastal city midway between Belize City and Punta Gorda. While at a school dedication event, the LTA crew was asked to meet with a local official. (No name will be used.) Excited about the plans of LTA, he decided to “help us out”. He just happened to know of acreage in a nearby village that would be perfect for a school.

After days of meeting and looking at the land, we decided to pursue this location. When asked about the need for using a Real Estate agent, he discouraged LTA by simply stating “it will just cost you more.”

After a lot of time and expense via travel, LTA finally decided against this purchase. Over time, we heard from others that this land was an inheritance owned property with many legal entanglements. It seems many siblings claimed the rights to the land, and they live around the world. Some wanted to sell; others did not. Needless to say, this would have been a poor choice for Living Tree Academy and a very costly mistake. This land still sits undeveloped.

Lesson learned: Find an honest and qualified Real Estate agent and make sure the land has a clear title.

Living Tree Academy recently closed on three acres in San Pedro Belize in January 2011. This property (marked above by red blocks) is about 3 miles north of town and needs a lot of work, but under the circumstances it should work well to fulfill our objectives.

This particular piece of property was introduced to us by Dennis J Kay II, one of “The Elite Team” at RE/MAX Isla Bonita. We had a special need:  several acres of land near town and at a low price. Dennis worked diligently to find this property for us. After one year of looking and talking, Living Tree Academy purchased the land.

Belize Currency

In Belize what  is the unit of currency ?
The Belize Dollar!
One U.S. dollar equals two Belize dollars. For several decades now the Belize Dollar has been tied to the U.S. dollar at an official rate of two Belize Dollars to one US dollar. However, increased borrowing by government has led to growing pressure on this official exchange peg. A lively parallel market usually gives BZ$2.05 for U.S.1.00 Dollar. US dollars are gladly accepted throughout Belize. Thus visitors with US dollars do not need to worry about changing their money into Belize dollars - it doesn't make much sense.

Belize Dollars are generally worthless outside Belize and the few places that might change them, for example a foreign exchange abroad will offer little for it. Belize dollars are readily accepted in the towns immediately across the borders of Belize, at Melchor de Mencos in Guatemala and at border of Chetumal in Mexico. Strangely, the Belize Dollar is not accepted at the Corozal Free Zone inside Belize at the Northern Border. Only Mexican Pesos and the U.S. dollar are negotiable there.

Belize Currency!

Belize currency is printed at the British firm of Thomas De La Rue Ltd. All Belize bank notes feature a prominent image of Queen Elizabeth II on the front. Belize is a member of the British Commonwealth and has the Queen of England as Head of State.

Nationals of Belize are prohibited by law from holding U.S. dollar accounts - this is one way the government tries to shore up its Belize dollar. Belizeans - from the ordinary citizen to businessmen, must fill out special forms and apply to purchase foreign exchange for whatever reason - be it for emergency medical treatment abroad, or to pay for imports. The, government also taxes these purchases and the banks of course charge a commission. At times of high demand, the banks simply have no foreign exchange for regular customers. U.S. dollars are usually sold by the banks at a rate of 2.0175 Belize dollars for one U.S. dollar.

 

If you hold a Belize Passport but are a not domiciled in Belize (non dom), and thus classified as a non-resident, the law against owning or holding foreign exchange does not apply to you when entering Belize, but as noted above, you MUST declare money in any form or denomination equivalent to U.S. $5,000. or more that you are bringing into the country.

Visitors arriving by land from Mexico or Guatemala will encounter free-lance money changers, sometimes called "peseros" who will usually give you a better exchange compared to the banks. You will not have to fill out long forms with personal information or stand in line at a bank to get foreign exchange. These money changers are frowned upon, but tolerated by the authorities.

Belize Customs

The Belize Customs Department conducts inspection of incoming passengers' luggage, and collects the necessary taxes and/or import duty.
There are two category of passengers:

• Passengers with items to declare
• Passengers carrying items which are duty free (Nothing to Declare)

Important:

• Items for declaration should be accompanied by an invoice and should be listed on the Customs Declaration Form.
• Members of the same family may use one form (i.e. mother, father and their children under 18 years old).
• Passengers over 18 years are required to complete their own Declaration Forms.
• Passengers are required to present their passport, along with the Customs Declaration Form and relevant receipts, for processing.
• Payment of taxes and/or duties if any, may be made using cash, VISA or Master Card credit cards or certified cheques.

Below are 2 forms that are required for Customs in Belize.  They are included so you are familiar with what will be asked and expected from you upon your arrival to Belize.  The first form has a perforated section for arrival and departure.  KEEP THE DEPARTURE PORTION UNTIL YOU LEAVE BELIZE.  You will be asked for it when you leave and it has to be filled out before you go through security to board your airplane.  (This is when you may have to pay an exit tax depending on how your airfare was covered - around $40 USD.) The second form has a front and back. 

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

The hustle and bustle of the US airport begins as you stand in line to show the airline agent your passport.  Greeted by a machine to scan in your passport and ticket information you are pasted to an individual to check-in your luggage.  Depending on the airline, international flights generally allow more weight for your travel.  If you have a Bible like mine, it weighs 5 lbs but worth the weight!  Next you are scurried through security and if you haven’t experienced that lately, bless your heart!  Be ready to take off your shoes, jacket, and any metal as your carry-ons are hasted through a scanner (if you have a laptop or camera it must be removed and laid on top).  For more information on carry-on items see this link:  http://www.tsa.gov/311/   Oh, and make sure nothing is over 3.4 oz in your carry-on luggage or it will be taken away before you even leave the country!

Connections can be tight; delay in flights as well as large overwhelming airports can be intimidated, but let not your heart be troubled….it is best to allow approximately 2 hours between flights if you have a connecting flight to Belize (unless you like to run through an airport just for fun).  Now you are probably in Houston, Miami, Atlanta or Charlotte if you are flying from the US.  The larger airports have connecting “trains” that will help you get across to the other side of the airport where most likely your international flight will be leaving.  It’s always best to arrive to your gate early, because “plenty of time” can change if the airline decides to change the gate.  All of this is to ease your mind of the unknown; knowing this first, breathe deep and pray perfectly once you are on the flight to Belize. 

After several hours (depending on your location) of canned air, you will be asked to complete paperwork for Customs as you arrive to Belize.  When the flight arrives and the plane doors open, you will be escorted outside of the plane down a full flight of stairs.  Instantly you will be greeted with the warmth of Belize.  If you are accustomed to the air conditioning this may shock your system a bit.  As you catch your breath and realize the freshness of the air, you are directed by smiling Belizeans to walk across the runway into the airport.  Once inside the un-air-conditioned section of the airport you will stand in the first line where the agent will ask where you will be staying and for how long.  You will keep the departure section of your form and proceed to pick up your checked luggage before standing in the next line for Customs.  If you have nothing to declare (which volunteers would not have anything to declare), you are in one line.  Those with something to declare stand in another line.  If you happen to go by the duty free shop to pick up something before passing through Customs, you will have to show them your receipt in the “declared” line.  No worries, agents and signs are available for questions. 

Depending on your mode of transportation to San Pedro, you will either enter back into the airport for a commuter small prop engine plane, or you will be greeted by Phillip, a wonderful taxi cab driver, as well as LTA staff to welcome you to Belize.  (If someone besides LTA staff or Phillip helps you with your luggage you will be expected to pay them.)  Most volunteers will be traveling with Phillip to the water taxi.  The drive is about 20 minutes into town where you will be dropped of with your luggage.  The water taxi is probably nothing you have experienced before, but roomy and comfortable for Belize.  Approximately 30-40 people can be seated in the water taxi.  Yes, there are life jackets on board just in case you were wondering (no one wears them on the trip, but they are in your sights view).  Compared to other boat rides, the water taxi is generally a smooth ride to San Pedro.  The trip is about 45 minutes, if I remember correctly. 

This is just the beginning of your fun filled adventure of planes, train, and automobiles….not many automobiles on the island, mostly gulf carts and bicycles but you get the idea!  Once you arrive to San Pedro, you and your luggage will step your toes onto the “Isla Bonita” – my beautiful island. 

What Can I Buy at the Grocery Store?

Generally you can buy almost any basics in Belize that you can buy in the US.  You may have to travel across town, visit several stores, and/or pay “the price” if you are looking for something specific.  If you are a food connoisseur, you might be disappointed.  For example, while staying in another part of Belize a few years ago, one volunteer loved Mt. Dew.  We traveled to every store in the town until we found a source; needless to say, we bought them out but the volunteer was thankful to have Mt. Dew.  Different areas of Belize provide different foods.  In fact, we were used to having an abundance of potatoes and onions in the Stann Creek District.  However one local shared that potatoes were harder to come by in San Pedro. 

Two of our favorite groceries are Richie’s and the Greenhouse.  Richie’s, located at the round-a-bout, has reasonable prices and great customer service.  The Greenhouse always has a really nice supply of fresh produce and fairly decent prices.  They are located on Middle Street.  Some of the items found were an abundance of wheat pasta and even lady’s fingers for Tiramisu (can’t even find those in the States sometimes).  Some of the produce included romaine lettuce, broccoli and even Brussels sprouts.  There wasn’t an abundance, but they had them. 

The point being many foods are available; you just have to be flexible with your American taste buds.  Many local fruits are available like bananas (be careful that they are not too ripe), oranges, and grapefruits.  You have never tasted these fruits until you have eaten them in Belize – delicious!

Island Supermarket is located more on the southern part of town.  With several isles (they have those potatoes you may be looking for and a variety of cheese as well), it’s the largest supermarket in town but be ready to pay the tourist prices!  If you are more frugal, check out the fresh fruit and vegetable stand across the street from the Belize Yacht Club.  Her name is Maria and she is delightful.  She sells fresh juices as well by the gallon (orange, pineapple, mango, watermelon etc...)  We also heard that if you find yourself not feeling well for whatever reason, she was the bush doctor on the island before medical doctors were around.  She will fix you up with herbs and teas and other “all naturals” that will work. 

Several Mennonite farms produce vegetables, eggs, chicken, etc that are brought over from the mainland.  Fruits generally come from the mainland citrus farms.  If you are a big pork and beef eater, you might not be satisfied with the sausage or hamburger from Belize.  Fresh fish is almost always available from local fisherman.  A staple for many Belizeans is stew chicken with “rice and beans”; or “beans and rice”.  Yes, there is a difference!  (“Rice and bean” is mostly white rice cooked in coconut milk with some beans mixed in.  “Beans and rice” is stewed beans and a bed of white rice.).  Enjoy your venture to the store!  And bon appetit!

Places to Eat in San Pedro Belize

For anyone traveling to Belize for the first time, it is helpful to get some direction from former Belize travelers. We will keep you informed of the places we have found that are good experiences and also the locations that aren’t so good.

Tonight we will cover locations that have been good eating experiences in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.

First for breakfast you can go to Ruby’s about 7:00 AM. There you find local and tourist alike packed into a kitchen size room ordering coffee, egg sandwiches and SWEET ROLLS. And are they good!?!

http://ambergriscaye.com/rubys/

The next two restaurants can either be lunch on dinner.

Fidos is on the beach. It has an open atmosphere and descent food. Most nights there is a live band and during high season plenty of tourist. Never many local folks seem to be there unless they are escorted by a tourist.

http://www.belizegateway.com/db_clients/2975.php

Blue Water grill is probably my favorite restaurant in San Pedro so far. The atmosphere is warm and restful. It is right on the beach and the food is fantastic. Many of the local folks eat there as well as tourists.  If you decide to eat at Blue Water Grill, ask for Jorge, he will take very good care of you.

http://www.bluewatergrillbelize.com/



That is all the reporting for tonight. We have been all over Belize and will continue to update you with our findings.

What LTA Needs!

Many people ask us what we need. And of course the need changes from day

to day, but for today here are some items.

1. Frequent Flyer Miles: If you have any Delta, Continental, American Airlines or US Air frequent flyer miles and they are not being used, we can definitely use them. Especially Delta airlines! We would pay the transfer fee, so there would not be any expense for you.

Just email me at: LTA.Anthony@Gmail.com

2. Volunteer staff for San Pedro: After the staff house is acquired (April 12^th) we need 3-5 people (volunteers) at the staff house. There are several functions that need to be performed while there and a schedule is being developed to show the open slots. We will present the details of volunteering if you request: LTA.Mailus@Gmail.com

3. School Sponsorship: On the http://www.livingtreeacademy.org/ website, we have setup a sponsorship plan. This is available for an individual or group to sponsor an LTA School or Volunteer for 25.00 US a month. All donations are tax deductible.

As always, we look forward to seeing you here, there, San Pedro or in the Air.