This is a great article for any foreigners who are looking to spend time in Belize.

The "Easiest" Country in Central America

Moving and living abroad for any reason is a big decision. Even if you're only thinking about a part-time move, the list of challenges can be long.

But Belize is one politically stable little Central American country that strikes a couple of those big challenges right off the list.

Especially for anyone from the U.S., Canada, or the U.K., it's probably one of the easiest places on earth to relocate.

And the fact that it's beautiful and affordable only sweetens the deal.

Formerly British Honduras, Belize is a true Caribbean paradise. And it offers several important pluses for anybody looking to ease into a move abroad.

First, English is the national language. You'll be talking to store keepers, real estate agents, taxi drivers, bank tellers, and waiters in a language you already understand. Even more importantly, any contract you enter into will be written in English. Strike off your to-do list the challenges of learning a new language and needing multiple versions official documents.

Second, the Belize dollar is pegged to the U.S. dollar at two-to-one, and the U.S. dollar is commonly accepted in Belize. Strike tricky currency conversions, anxiously watching exchange rates, and constant trips to the casa de cambio off the list.

Third, the tax situation in Belize is easy to manage. No taxes on foreign-derived income. No capital gains tax. No corporate tax. No inheritance tax. That's easy, isn't it? Strike convoluted foreign tax rules off the list.

Fourth, the population of Belize is a little over 300,000. That's not the population of the largest city in Belize... that's the entire country. And Belize is only 180 miles long and 68 miles wide. So it's easy to find the people, offices and resources you need to get things done. Strike getting lost in the crowd off the list.

Fifth, Belize has the Qualified Retirement Program, and you don't have to be retired to take advantage of it. If you’re at least 45 years old and have a monthly income of at least $2,000 from a pension or annuity (including Social Security), you can qualify. This allows you to bring all your personal goods to Belize tax-free. Strike from the list the maze of customs and duty regulations that exist in most other Central and South American countries.

Last but not least, it's easy to enjoy yourself in Belize. With miles of tropical coastline, the second-longest barrier reef on earth, some of the best diving and snorkeling on the planet, lush forests and mountains, immense natural preserves, vast river and cave systems, and a wealth of important Maya archeological sites, there is always something to do in Belize.

Add it all up, and Belize makes it easier than almost any other country on earth for you to make your move abroad.

Stay happy and healthy,

Dan Prescher
Publisher, International Living

FOR SALE

Here is your chance to own a piece of paradise. Located on Turneffe Island in the Turneffe Atoll is a 50 acre piece of paradise.

This land is ready to be developed into a resort, eco getaway, sub divided into lots or just to have your own private caribbean getaway.

The owners of this land have reduced the price to $700,000 firm to make a quick sale.

Don't miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity. Now is your chance to live like a celebrity.

Upon your arrival in Belize City you transfer directly to a boat to take you out to the island. The run out takes about one hour and a half and is a pleasant trip through palm fringed island surrounded by sparkling open waters.

Finally in the distance, lining the horizon the Turneffe Islands appear, a string of palm trees bordering them, dazzling and inviting. As you near the islands, the water changes color from the deepest blue, to azure, to aquamarine, to palest green where crystalline waters lap the white coral sand beaches. At the dock, it will be hard to pull your eyes from the teeming waters and the adjacent coral flats with the promise of bonefish and permit fishing.

Turneffe offers a fantastic variety of saltwater fishing as well as a diverse number of activities for non-anglers and divers looking for a relaxing tropical vacation. The variety of marine life found here is astounding -- colorful sponges, countless species of coral, tunicates, anemones, starfish, turtles, spectacular fish and dolphins.

As well as the Blue Hole and the Great Maya Reef, Belize has 3 of only 4 atolls in the western hemisphere. Atolls are rings of coral reefs and coral islands that encircle a shallow lagoon. The three in Belize, Turneffe Atoll, Lighthouse Reef and Glover's Reef offer spectacular clear water, drift dives, creek dives and incredible wall dives starting at 25 feet/7.5 m and decending to 7000 feet/2134 m.

Located 30 miles from Belize City, Turneffe is the largest atoll with a famous "Elbow" dive that includes a steep sloping drop off as well as a shallow reef. Glover's atoll is named after the 17th century pirate, John Glover who launched raids on Spanish Galleons from the atoll's 80 square mile lagoon. Lighthouse reef is home to the famous Blue Hole, as well as other popular sites, Half Moon Caye and Long Caye.

Meet the neighbors

Turneffe Island Resort

This Caribbean Island Getaway on the Outer Cayes and Atolls of Belize if you are looking for a scuba diving resort, or just a great vacation getaway then Turneffe Island Lodge would seem to be a definite possibility for you.

Turneffe Island Lodge is about 30 miles off the coast of Belize at the very southern tip of the Turneffe Atoll, right in the middle of the largest coral reef system in the Western Hemisphere.

It is a 14 acre private Caribbean Island and is a real scubadiving resort, with 70 dive sites within a mile or so of the resort, it is probably amongst the really great.

The Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole — the world’s largest blue hole — is a massive underwater sinkhole off of the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 60 miles (96 kilometers) east of the Belize mainland. The hole is near perfectly circular in shape, more than 1,000 feet (305 meters) across and 480 feet (146 meters) deep.

This incredible geographical phenomenon is one of the most astounding dive sites in the world, made famous by Jacques-Yves Cousteau who declared it one of the Top 4 scuba diving sites on Earth. In 1971, he brought his ship, the Calypso and his 1-man submarines to the hole to chart its depths and examine stalactites suspended from overhanging walls.