Belize Caribbean Jewel of the West

Belize Caribbean Jewel of the West Formerly known as British Honduras, Belize was a crown colony from 1862 until 1964 when it became independent, and finally became fully independent in 1981. It is located east of Guatemala, southe Mexico state of Quintana Roo and faces east in the Caribbean. What really sets Belize over its neighbors is that its people speak English. If you feel you are in a phase in your life when you really do not want to lea a new language, put Belize at the top of your list as a potential destination for business, retirement, or simply a relaxing holiday. Belize is a favorite place for pirates because of their illegality, in the 16th and 17th century due to the protection of coral reefs of the great vessels of the navy could not keep the pirates in coastal waters. The British leaed that the forests with the species of wood needed for the Royal Navy ships and soon began a timber, followed by Cologne. This explains the city names like Hattiesville, Orange Hill Walk.Belize sand and has a great natural beauty. On its shores there is a large number of blue Caribbean waters and deserted beaches. In the jungle interior to explore the Mayan ruins, tall waterfalls, forests and rivers. It 'a great place for birdwatching, there are parrots, toucans, flycatchers, and herons in their natural habitat. Or you can visit a jaguar preserve you can venture into the jungle in search of elusive cats.Belize 's tourism industry is booming and it is not surprising. This small tropical paradise could be on its way to becoming the next hot destination for vacationers abroad, retirees and investors, if the latest figures are any indication. In the cruise sector alone between 2003 and 2004, cruise visits to this country by an increase of 55.1%, compared to only 13.1%, for example, for the same period in the Bahamas. The Caival Corporation, which has some of the largest cruise ships on the oceans of the world, has signed an agreement to build a new cruise port in the Port Loyola area of Belize City. Will be the largest cruise port Caival has built all over the world, with an estimated cost of U.S. $ 50 million. It is expected to produce over a billion Belize dollars (500 million dollars) in revenue during the first 20 years of agreement.Belize has a clear advantage when it comes to banking privacy thanks to his great thinking banking laws. At a time when the accounts in other jurisdictions are under attack, Belize remain secure. It was not easy. Thanks to the trust Act 1992, Belize has become one of the main protective jurisdiction of trusts. Today, Belize is a haven that provides a strong protection of property that is transferred to a trust in Belize. E 'also one of the few trust jurisdictions in the world that offers protection against legal action initiated by creditors that might challenge the transfer of assets in a trust. In the absence of actual fraud in the creation of a trust, the assets of a Belize trust can not be attributed to implement the decision of a foreign court. Belize trust laws have been tested and proven solid.Belize 's retirement program provides incentives for foreigners seeking to move here - especially those who are already planning to declare their permanent residence outside the United States. On 15 September 1999, Belize enacted some of the most beautiful "retired" legislation available worldwide today. The program is designed in North America and the United Kingdom and the planning of the citizens to live full time outside their countries of origin. And this is almost non-printing or bureaucracy. To qualify, you must be 45 or more years and be able to demonstrate that only have a monthly income of at least $ 2,000. In many other countries that offer such programs foreign retirees, you should make a significant financial contribution in order to qualify for the program to keep your benefits.To "Qualified Retired Person" (QRP) status, you must spend a month in year Belize. To draw in Belize, the law allows you to import your car and personal effects and household goods duty free. (Later, you can import a vehicle duty-free into Belize every five years, as long as the previous vehicle is sold, re-exported or disposed of in a way). Belize is not the cheapest place to settle in Central America, Panama is less expensive. If you resolve to Ambergris Caye, the island that attracts the most tourists to Belize (and investors), for example, you may find life a little 'more expensive than back home in the United States. Being an island, everything is imported so that it will pay extra for transportation costs. On the other hand, if you live in the north of Belize in Corozal and can take advantage of easy travel to nearby Mexico, you can enjoy all the benefits of English, Belize, but not to buy their products across borders. Belize is truly a country of contrasts. From the Caribbean coast of Maya hills, Belize is unique in its kind. Low population density, remains intact, for the most part ... A treat for the traveler. If you are looking for a place on the bench for absolute privacy, has a second home you can visit a few months a year, full-time at the beach or simply retire to travel in style, Belize is a hot destination right now.Michael RussellYour independent travel guide