When the country of Belize is mentioned, many will say “Belize? Where is that?” And it’s not surprising, given that this tiny country has not been “on the map” of popular vacation or living destinations until very recently. What most don’t know about Belize is about to be revealed.
Some Basic Facts
Location
Belize sits immediately below the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and sits right on the Gulf of Mexico. It is a total of 8,867 sq. miles with a population of about 420,000 people.
History
Belize is the only country in Central America to have been a British colony, a fact which accounts for much of its current governmental structure, its relative stability in the region, and its primary language – English. 
But it has a rich ancient history of Mayan culture.
Population
The native people of Belize are a mixture of racial and ethnic groups – Mestizo, Creole, African (from early slavery), Maya, and Garifuna. More recently, Mennonite, Chinese, American, Canadian, German, and Russian “transplants” who have decided to make Belize their home.
Economy
Belize produces sugar, bananas, coffee, and mahogany for export, along with seafood, especially crustaceans, for export.
Tourism has become a rapidly growing industry, with resorts, restaurants, tours, and beautiful beaches all along the coast, as well as tropical forests for nature lovers, and mountains for climbers. The rise in tourism has led to a very low unemployment rate among the native population groups.
The Many Attractions of Belize
There truly is something for everyone in this little gem. Here are some of the most alluring.
Coral Reef
The 2nd largest coral reef in the world is located off the coast of Belize. Divers have come to Belize for years to study and observe. The government is adamant about preserving this natural wonder and has put many regulations and restrictions in place to protect it from pollution and overfishing. Unfortunately, not much can be done about climate change caused by powers far beyond its control.
Water Sports
From Kayaking to deep sea fishing, to snorkeling, to tubing in the rivers and swimming in pools under the waterfalls, there is no lack of water activities. The Gulf is shallow for quite a ways out, so swimming is a “must.”
Wildlife
From birds to monkeys, to jaguars, and everything in between, those who want to observe wildlife will find the tropical forests the perfect spot. Vacationers can hike on their own through established paths (easy to rugged) or hire a guide for the experience.
Vacation and Wedding Destination
With year-round warm weather, beautiful pristine beaches, and an assortment of hotels and resorts, and relative safety, it is no wonder that Belize has become an ideal spot for vacationers. And if users of the online dating app Hily are to be believed, it has become a hugely popular wedding destination. Move over, Florida and cruise lines – Belize is becoming your biggest competitor.
Mayan Ruins
There is no need to travel to Egypt to experience the ruins of a flourishing ancient civilization. Dotted throughout Belize are the remains of pyramids, temples, and other structures that were excavated in earnest beginning in the 1930s. Visitors can actually climb some of these structures with a tour guide, along with decent physical shape and balance.
Retirement
There is a large and growing expat community in Belize. Some 20 or so years ago, retirees discovered Belize – drawn by the climate and the low cost of living. At the same time, The Belizean government saw the value of promoting the country as a retirement haven and began a benefits program for those who wanted to retire there. 
Some of these benefits include bringing in entire households of furniture and cars duty free, the right to own property, and no taxes on any income derived from sources outside of Belize. A Belizean driver’s license comes with the program. There are, however, some requirements:
- The minimum age to qualify is 45
- Retirees must show a consistent income of $2000/month for an individual or $2,500/month for a couple.
- There is no requirement for permanent residency, but retirees must spend at least one month a year in Belize to continue to qualify. If they are seeking permanent residency status, they may only leave the country for 14 days during their first year.
- They may not take employment in the country; however, many retirees continue to work remotely for foreign businesses or as self-employed.
Put Belize on Your Bucket List
For such a tiny country, Belize has a remarkable number of attractions for those who want outdoor adventures, for those who want a lazy, relaxing respite, for those who want to begin married life, and for those who are ready to enjoy a peaceful retirement. Put Belize on your list of travel destinations – you’ll be happy you did.
