When my husband Dave and I first visited Belize we were blown away by the island lifestyle and culture. We loved seeing swaying palm trees and white-sand beaches everywhere we looked. We loved seeing people actually enjoying their day, walking to get their groceries, the lack of materialism, and the fact that we could be outside 12 months a year.

Although it’s difficult to pick my favorite things about living in Belize, here are some of the reasons I find it so special:

1. The diversity of this small country: From our home in Placencia we have beaches and the jungle just a short drive away. We can spend the morning on the beaches near our house and while away the afternoon deep in the tropical forests at the Jaguar Reserve. We can be looking at tropical birds and waterfalls, and sweeping mountains, winding rivers, and tiny rustic Mayan villages…and be back home in time for dinner and a drink at any one of the many bars and restaurants right on the Caribbean Sea. It really is the best of both worlds.

2. Everyday life is easy. The official language in Belize is English. Although the locals speak Kriol most of the time, they all speak English and you will never be at a loss for someone to help with directions or finding the best place to buy fresh local produce.

And it’s easy to know how much you’re spending as the Belize dollar is set at a permanent rate of 2:1 against the U.S. dollar (also the U.S. dollar is accepted almost everywhere). This can be particularly helpful when figuring out how much you’re spending. I find that my monthly food bill is about 60% of what I spent in the U.S. Everything is natural and organic, so we’ve never felt better with the way we eat.

3. Lack of materialism in Belize. When I visit the U.S. now, I am overwhelmed by the choices available, and the quantity of “stuff” you feel you need. In Belize, I forget what it is that I “need” to buy outside of groceries. The dress code down here is t-shirts and shorts with flip flops. My husband and I always marvel at how refreshing it is to get a break from the urgency and consumer culture we are so used to in the U.S.

4. Belize is a perfect mix of Caribbean and Central American cultures. One of the things I love most about Placencia is that I can walk the main road into town and feel like I am in a true Central American village. Wood-stilted houses line the streets, locals passing you on foot, in golf carts, or on bicycles…then I turn a corner and I’m on the famous Sidewalk—the world’s smallest Main Street—which transforms the scene into a Caribbean vacation paradise.

This is a charming pedestrian-only sidewalk with glittering sandy beach on both sides. The entire street is filled with brightly painted wooden buildings which house charming bed and breakfasts, restaurants, ice cream stands, souvenir shops, and much more. Even now, two years later, I feel like I am on vacation when I walk down here.

5. The 200 islands and about 240 miles of coastline. If you enjoy sailing, boating, kayaking, or paddle boarding (or ever wanted to try them out) Belize is your paradise. Dave and I now own two kayaks and a paddleboard. These were activities I had never even tried in the U.S. and now I love them. And if I time my water activities right, I often see manatees and dolphins when I’m out on the water.

Then there’s the endless cayes (islands) around the coastline, each one prettier than the next. Most of them look like something straight out of a tropical calendar with white sand, curious pelicans, crystal-clear water, and cabanas on wooden stilts. You can also snorkel with turtles, stingrays, and sharks and fish right off the beach.

There’s so much more to love about Belize…the fact that you can still find affordable sea-front homes…the large, happy expat communities…the fresh, organic, tasty food. Although people at home called us crazy for moving here, really it’s no surprise that so many expats, me included, love to call Belize home.

Learn more about Belize with Internationl Living.

Life here is busy, but it’s a good kind of busy. We have less driving and commuting than when we lived in Ohio…and we don’t miss traffic jams, shoveling snow, and de-icing the car in the morning, which used to take up so much time. Here, grocery shopping or paying bills involves a bike ride or a walk in sunny weather, where you can hear birds and see the beach.

We’ve just returned from a fun weekend of showing our family the islands of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, where we snorkeled with turtles, ate a mountain of lobster, swam in the ocean, lounged in hammocks on the beach, and kayaked in the Caribbean.

I also got the chance to show my family the unbelievable number of things to do in our little, thriving village. We went tubing on a lazy river through the tropical forest and saw crocodiles and monkeys at Monkey River. Another day we hiked up a small mountain with 360-degree views of mountains and the Caribbean, and swam in a waterfall. We also visited Mayan ruins, hung out for an afternoon with a Maya family and learned how to make Maya chocolate.

Belize has so many great activities to offer. As part of our regular week, we like to kayak, go fishing, and hike—we try to choose a couple activities a week that we know we could never do in our hometown (especially in winter).

A bonus to living here is that we’ve learned how to do things like the locals. For example, we’ve found out where they go on their days off…they know where the most beautiful waterfalls are, the best hiking spots, and the places to snorkel without taking an expensive excursion.

Another thing we like to do is wander around the farmer’s market. The produce comes from local, organic, family farms, and everybody shops there…and I pay about 60% of what I was used to paying in the U.S.  The variety of exotic fruits and vegetables changes weekly; everybody seems to find their favorite stands where you know the stand owners by name, and they will even explain how to cook with the produce. Sometimes they will even throw in a sample or two for free.

I normally spend about $20 to $40 and walk away with four bags of produce. The same amount in the U.S. would cost double if not more, and it is all organic. With all the fresh produce I like to make homemade salsa, pickled onions, and huge salads. While I miss convenience food sometimes, I have learned how to use the ingredients available and cook more like a local.

Even though Placencia is small, we seem to have endless activities to keep us busy. We’ve been here for two years and there’s still so much we want to do. Next on our agenda is getting certified to scuba dive, kayaking to the cayes you can see from our shore, and we have more hiking trails we still want to try. The longer we live here, the better the experience as we find out so many secret places a bit off the tourist track.

Source: International Living

Caye Caulker is a tranquil paradise in Belize that is quickly making a name for itself as one of the top island destinations for budget travel in the Caribbean.

We stayed on beautiful Caye Caulker for two weeks while backing packing from Mexico to Panama, and we could have easily stayed for another two. Or ten. And we honestly can not wait to return.

The vibe on this rustic island is completely laid back and relaxed in true “island life” fashion. There are very few major structures on Caye Caulker, and almost no motorized vehicles, other than those used for official business. Visitors spend their days lounging around, taking in the golden sun and the azure waters. Those craving more action partake in the wide selection of water based sports activities the island offers. There is a bit of a mild night life scene on Caye Caulker,  but in general peace and quite reign supreme.

Anyone who plans on traveling to Belize, especially those looking to keep their travel costs down, should make sure to drop by Caye Caulker. Getting from Belize City to Caye Caulker is pretty easy. You can read about transportation options here.

Below is a list of things to do in Caye Caulker, most of them either cheap or totally free. You should try everything on this list at least once when visiting the island paradise that is Caye Caulker. We doubt you will be disappointed.

Things to do in Caye Caulker

The Split

Where all the cool kids go to hang out, the Split is located on the north most end of the island. Spend the day relaxing, swimming, meeting new people, watching kite surfers, and soaking up the sun at dock. You can buy drinks from The Lazy Lizard bar, or invest in a 20 Belize ($10.00 USD) bucket of ice cold Belikin Beer. Do so on a weekday for smaller crowds. Or do it everyday, because why not! You’re in Caye Caulker. Relax, and enjoy yourself.

Snorkeling and/or Diving

Snorkel the Hol Chan Marine Reserve with Raggamuffin Tours, and experience some of Belize’s diverse marine life. The Great Blue Hole, one of the most famous diving spots in Central America is about a two hour boat trip from Caye Caulker. We don’t dive (yet) but we have been told that a trip out to the Hole is an absolute blast. So, if you’re into diving make sure to include the Blue Hole into your itinerary.

Kayak or Paddle Board

Paddling out in the afternoon to catch a sunset makes for an unforgettable experience. Rent a kayak near the split for 10 Belize ($5.00 USD) per hour and head out to the north island, to explore mangroves and observe wildlife. Make sure you bring lots of sunblock and plenty of water, and ask around to find out how what the current is like before you set out.

Rent a Private Cabana

Rent a cabana at Ignacio’s or Colinda Cabanas and relax on their docks at night, staring at the innumerable stars and listening to the ocean gently lapping against the moored boats. The cabins are pretty basic, but you won’t be spending much time in them anyway. They are a great budget option if dorm rooms and hostels are not your thing.

Rent a Bike

Rent a bicycle for 15 Belize ($7.50 USD) a day (or get one free from one of the many hotels and hostels that offer them) and cycle about the island. Cars and most forms motorized transportation are banned on Caye Caulker, so a bicycle is the best method of transport. The motto in Caye Caulker is “go slow” so make sure to do just that, the roads are bumpy and filled with little tiny peaks and valleys. If a local sees you speeding along on your bike you better believe you will hear cries of “Hey man, go slow!”

Savor Some Fry Jacks

Fry jacks are a traditional Belizean dish. These delicious pockets of deep fried dough are served as a breakfast item, and can be shaped as squares or triangles. Eat a stuffed Fry Jack for breakfast for 2.50 Belize ($1.25 USD) at Herrolyn’s House of Fry Jacks. Don’t show up after 11 am since they will likely be closed already, and don’t forget to splash some of the amazing hot sauce they provide into your fry jack. Herrolyn’s is located across the street from the bank/ATM. You’ll thank us afterwards! These things are delicious!

Trivia Night

Spend Sunday evening doing trivia with Trivia Mike and the awesome staff at the Barrier Reef Sports Bar and Grill. Make new friends, sample the veggie burger, and order a “Panty Ripper” (rum and pineapple juice) while you are at it.

Kite Surfing

The island of Caye Caulker provides excellent conditions for kite surfing on most days during the high season. A good strong wind blowing off the east side of the island, flat water, and a shallow lagoon make this a great place to learn how to kite surf. Go kite surfing in Caye Caulker with Kitexplorer, and feel the rush of riding the wind!

Fran’s BBQ Grill

Have lunch for 10 Belize ($5.00 USD) at Fran’s lip-smackingly good BBQ grill. We can’t give you Fran’s exact location, since she doesn’t have an address. Fran sets up show along the main street along the way to the Split, and hawks her delicious BBQ with a big ol’ smile on her face. As the sign says its “Frantastic!!”

Go Slow

Finally… Go slow. It’s the motto of Caye Caulker, and you should keep it in mind. Go slow and enjoy yourself. You are in paradise!

Source: Just A Pack

An offshore foundation is one of the major ways for savvy investors to get the ultimate tax benefits and privacy protection. There are popular offshore tax havens, like Belize, that provide unmatched tax benefits for international investors like no capital gains tax, no income taxes and other tax exemptions.

Here are the main benefits of establishing a Belize offshore Foundation.

Asset Protection

Ensuring that your assets are managed in the right manner is a big concern for many people. In order to avoid having any legal rulings imposed on your assets and risk losing the rights to them, investing the assets in an offshore foundation would ensure that you remain total control over their administration.

Tax Breaks

Offshore foundations in Belize provide a wide range of tax breaks that make them very desirable to investors. Some tax benefits Belize offers founders of offshore foundations are exemptions from any income tax, business tax, withholding tax, asset tax, gift tax, profits tax, capital gains tax, distributions tax, inheritance tax, estate duty tax, and stamp duties.

Inheritance Planning

This is probably the first reason that comes to mind for establishing an offshore foundation. Offshore foundations are the ideal way to set money aside for your children after you’ve passed without having them accrue any of the taxes listed above. Also, by placing assets for your heirs in an offshore foundation, you get the security of knowing that your assets are totally protected and will only benefit the beneficiary listed in the bylaws.

Retirement Program

Many large corporations use offshore foundations as a vehicle for their employees’ pension schemes. By utilizing the offshore foundation for this purpose, employees are ensured that their funds are secure and can be easily disbursed via the rules in the foundation’s bylaws. Because the pensions’ funds will be placed in the offshore foundation, employees will receive a higher interest rate on the money since it is not taxable.