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The Island of Ambergris Caye, Belize

AMBERGRIS CAYE, BELIZE: VOTED #1 BEST ISLAND IN THE WORLD in 2013 and 2014 (Visit TripAdvisor.com Website)

NEWTON, Mass. – February 19, 2014 – / PRNewswire / — TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel site, today announced the winners of its Travelers’ Choice Islands. In its second year, the annual awards recognize more than 100 islands globally, including top 10 lists for Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, the South Pacific, and the U.S.

 

For the second year in a row, Ambergris Caye takes top honors. The beautiful Belize island of Ambergris Caye offers the perfect blend of modern development and laid-back tranquility. A mangrove swamp is the eye of this white beach island, the largest in Belize, and golf carts are the main form of transportation along the sandy roads. Reef divers drool over the Belize Barrier Reef and the Blue Hole, a 400-feet deep circle of limestone that teems with angelfish, elkhorn coral, cleaner shrimp and stalactites. Travelers’ Choice Island winners are determined based on the quality and quantity of the most highly-rated hotels, restaurants, and attractions listed for each island on TripAdvisor gathered during a 12-month period.

Why is Belize LifeStyle Homes developing projects on Ambergris Caye, Belize?

1) Belize LifeStyle Homes development sites and land holdings are located on Ambergris Caye.

2) Belize LifeStyle Homes Sustainable Development Facility and Corporate Headquarters will be located on our development site, in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

3) Ambergris Caye Was Voted The #1 Island in the World for 2013 and 2014 by Trip Advisor.

4) Most of the Belize real estate activity targeting the second home and vacation markets is focused in Ambergris Caye and Placencia. Ambergris Caye holds almost half the country’s total. Ambergris Caye and Placencia combined, account for two-thirds of active real estate projects in Belize.

5) Ambergris Caye has more foreign residents than any other area of Belize. The strong visitor numbers to Ambergris Caye support a buoyant rental market, a key driver for those investors looking for income generating property.​​​​​​​​​​

Map of Ambergris Caye, Belize

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Watch an Aerial Video of Ambergris Caye and See Why It Was Voted

The #1 Island in the World for 2013 and 2014 by Trip Advisor

Improving Property Market in Belize:

Belize’s real estate market saw significant improvement in 2012, after slow sales in 2010 and 2011 as a continued reaction to the financial situation in the US. Despite problems selling their homes in the US, Americans found ways of purchasing property in Belize. This trend will continue through 2013, believes John Acott,  Association of Real Estate Brokers of Belize (AREBB)’s director of the board and RE/MAX Property Center’s real estate agent.  He expects prices to rise at least in line with inflation.

 

Belize’s Real Estate Hotspots

The most popular destinations are Ambergris Caye and Placencia, which have most vacation and second homes. Corozal and Caye Caulker are also getting attention.

 

Belize’s Natural Attractions

A combination of natural factors – climate, the Belize Barrier Reef, a Caribbean flavor, as well as the Maya ruins make Belize truly Mother Nature’s best kept secret.

Belize Investors Follow the Tourists to Ambergris Caye

Most of the Belize real estate activity targeting the second home and vacation markets is focused in Ambergris Caye and Placencia. According to RevealRealEstate.com market analysis of active real estate projects, they found that Ambergris Caye holds almost half the country’s total. If you add the Placencia projects, you’ve accounted for two-thirds.

 

Famous Retirement Spot

Among the Central American countries, Belize (2012 pop. approximately 307,000) has the largest foreign population. In 2000, around 14.8% of the Belizean population was composed of foreigners, according to International Organization for Migration. Yet Belize remains one of the world’s least densely populated countries, averaging 12.2 persons per kilometer in 2006. Aside from being the only English-speaking Central American country and its beautiful landscapes, what attracts foreigners, specifically retirees, is the “Qualified Retired Persons” (QRP) program. 

What’s Special About Real Estate In Belize?

  • Belize property prices are lower than the more established Caribbean destinations.

  • You’ll find smaller, boutique style real estate developments as opposed to the larger destination resorts underway in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama.

  • An emerging world-class tourist destination with strong vacation potential.

  • A benefit laden “Qualified Retirement Program”.

  • A developing infrastructure, especially around tourist areas.

  • Friendly tax and banking jurisdiction.

TOP 5 REASONS AMBERGRIS CAYE WAS VOTED #1 ISLAND IN THE WORLD FOR 2013 AND 2014 ON TRIPADVISOR

The best part about the beautiful Island of Ambergris Caye being voted #1 island in the world is that it’s not a vote by a select group of judges or a panel of analysts; it is because the votes came from “real people” who actually vacationed, live and retired on Ambergris Caye. All the people who have visited La Isla Bonita are the ones who voted and gave Ambergris Caye this great distinction. It’s the people who have come to enjoy the island’s natural beauty and the warmth of the islanders that have come to love Ambergris Caye, Belize, and voted it the #1 Island in the World for two consecutive years (2013 and 2014).

 

5. Night Life

There is always something going on in Ambergris Caye every day of the week, be it a jam session at a local bar, a sunset cruise, a beach wedding of a guest at any of the resorts, a big family celebration, gathering at Central Park or even a stroll on the beach enjoying the moonrise. With cool breezes sweeping through town you can do everything or nothing at all.

 

4. Food

There is always food around every corner on Ambergris Caye. Shortage of food is hard to imagine; from the hole in the wall selling salbutes, flautas, tostadas, pupusas, to the hotdog/burger/burrito stands at Central Park or corner setup, to the world famous and elegant restaurants serving authentic Belize/Caribbean/International cuisine. Ambergris Caye is a melting pot of different cultures that add to the spice of food. Dining out is always a very pleasant experience. Oh! And one cannot forget the street vendors that deliver those delicious snacks and afternoon treats at your doorstep - Belizean treats like stuffed jalapenos, ceviche, meat pies, key lime pie and more.

 

3. Island Life

Island Life is not that hard. There are no concrete jungles, no traffic lights, no highways, no towering sky rises; just towering coconut palms swaying in the gentle breeze. With all the tourism growth, Ambergris Caye is still a quaint island. Walk a couple blocks and you’re on the beach; take a U-turn and you are on the lagoon side in less than as minute. Downtown San Pedro is the busiest part of the island but it’s easy to take a boat for a ride, a golf cart for a lazy ride outside of town limits or a bike ride for some exercise. You need not travel for miles to find all of the island’s beauty at hand. Be carefree and barefoot casual.

 

2. Location

Ambergris Caye is ideally and perfectly located less than a mile from the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere (second largest in the world) and at some places just five paces from the reef. It is easily accessible by boat or plane. Spectacular dive spots dot the length of the island and a trip to the reef can be done on boat or kayak. Marine reserves offer spectacular snorkeling and diving spots while fishing becomes a lifestyle and not a hobby. Did you know that the Great Blue Hole of Belize (named by Discovery Channel as the Most Amazing Place on Earth) is just a couple hours away from Ambergris Caye. Belize is just Amazing all around.

 

1. People

Ambergris Caye was built by families of fishermen who built a strong foundation of family values, hardworking people, kind, loving and SUPER friendly people. As people started migrating to the island, they were all accepted with open arms and embraced as family. Now that the island is a melting pot of many cultures, with people coming in from mainland Belize and surrounding Latin American countries, the people are even more vibrant, beautiful and share their love to all who come and visit Ambergris Caye. It is so hard not to fall in love with Ambergris Caye!

Cuisines of Belize
Cultural Diversity of Belize
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