WHAT'S BELIZE LIKE?

Ultimately, we hope to have lots of pictures which give you the flavor of the country.  For now, here are some salient points:

Third world country.  What does that mean?. (Click here for a formal definition)  From my point of view, it means that the country is still "emerging".  It has been touched by the media and the technology, but it has not been transformed.  Belize remains one of the last real frontiers in proximity to the United States.  Click here for facts & figures. Click here for geographical and economic details.  Click here for a discussion of traffic safety issues.  

Warm.  Latitude 19º, about the same as Acapulco.  It rarely breaks 100º F. in the shade, but it's hot in the sun.  Nights are often cool, usually in the 70's.  Click here for the weather.  Click here for a lesson about seasons.

Inexpensive.  The per capita annual income is about  $1200 US, which means that a family of four probably gets by on about $7000.  (Roughly $25 a day)  If you have retirement income of $1000 per month, most Belizeans will think you are "rich"-- and by their standards, YOU ARE!!   Click here for our budget. NOTE:  This is true in BelizeNorth, and costs here may be less than anyplace else except Belize South.  This presumes, too, that you will live at a moderate standard.  If you insist on all the comforts of del Norte, you will find it more expensive than South Texas.   NEW:  (2006) Many predatory taxes have made it more expensive for Gringo ex-pats, and many are moving elsewhere.  Look here for alternatives. 

Friendly.  Generally, Belizeans are glad to have us Gringos in their country.  We bring money, new ideas, and an enthusiasm for their country that they may have lost because of familiarity.  

English-speaking.  English is the official language, so most people understand it, and speak it well enough that you can understand them.  However, in Northern Belize, most of the people speak Spanish or Creole day-to-day.  We tried taking Spanish at the Community College.  but the course was "Spanish Grammar for kids who already speak Spanish."  Oh, well -- we're picking it up gradually!

Different.  Belize is strikingly different from any place we have ever visited, even tho Rick has traveled all over the world.   On this website, you will find the letters we have written to our friends, describing these differences.   

Adventure-Filled.  Quite frankly, we were stuck in a rut in Colorado.  Belize has forced us to look at everything differently.  In fact, it has turned each day into an adventure.   Not frightening, but challenging.   It keeps us young. Click here to read about our adventures. 

For more about Belizean Living, click here. 

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