There are some things on the Belize Report site, as BelizeTourism.net calls it, that are helpful and accurate, such as information about the weather, and suggested lists of things to pack.

There is also a basic map of Belize, which, although isn’t very detailed, it gives you an idea of the layout of the country, and basically where everything is found.

If you want up to date information on relocation to Belize, and help and advice from the people who really know, click this link: www.gringocentral.com/network. Once you get there, highlight any of the information you want abotu travel in Belize, and I’ll make sure the right people get in touch with you to provide you with answers to your need to know questions.

Belize may not be as popular a location as some of the other Central American countries, but it is definitely prime ground for living. If you are thinking about moving to Belize, start planning a trial trip today!

Life in Belize is not for everyone. Before making the decision to move here permanently, you should come and stay for an extended period of time and see if you really can handle what living here means. Even before you make that trip, however, it is important to do a self-analysis to see if you fit the mold of the kind of person who can make it work in Belize.

The kind of expat who can survive in Belize is:

1. Adaptable. In a place with such a different infrastructure than the States, it is important to be able to go with the flow.
2. Independent. You may find yourself in an area with few foreigners, and even if there are other expats, you are going to need to do things on your own, and befriend Belizeans.
3. Positive. Oftentimes your outlook on a situation can influence the outcome.
4. Tough. Sometimes you will face up with difficult situations unlike any you would experience back home. You have to be able to work through it.
5. Humble. You have to admit you’re wrong, accept another culture, and deal with the fact that things are run differently in Belize. You can’t change it, just accept it.

If you think you can be those 5 things, then you are a good candidate to retire in Belize, or any other foreign country for that matter. Plan a 3–6 month trip, maybe during your country’s winter months, and see if life in Belize really is all you dreamed it would be.

1. Malaria pills are generally all that a doctor will prescribe for visitors coming to Belize.
2. That having been said, make sure you get a full check-up by your doctor, explain the length of stay in Belize and any special activities you will be doing. That way, they can make sure you have everything you need.
3. Make sure to ask about any additional shots.
4. Pack enough of your prescription medications for the duration of your trip.
5. Bring insect repellent, and USE IT!
6. Bring sunscreen, and USE IT!
7. Bring lotion for bug bites for the times you forget to put on repellent.
8. Bring after-sun lotion for the times you forgot to put on sunscreen.

Really, coming to Belize does not indicate great concerns for your health. Just remember to take it easy as the sun, heat, and humidity are quite different from the summers in the North.

Always check with your personal health care physician before traveling outside of the country.

One of the most frustrating things can be not being able to find the exact product you want, or not being able to get something you really crave from back home. Most stores stock some imported goods, but the selections can be extremely lacking in smaller towns. The solution: fall in love with the products of Belize! You won’t find fruit this good back in Montana!

The weather, which is one of the main reasons why we move down here, can also be a major bummer. It starts with getting a little down during the rainy season, when the storms, heavy rain levels and high humidity can drive you nuts. However, the hot sunny weather can also get to you. Humidity, on top of heat… I suggest flying back up to visit family during the summer months.

Finally, bills! Of course, money will stress us out wherever we go, no matter how much of it we have (or don’t have). The issue here is that what you are spending the majority of your money on, your biggest bills, are not the same as they were back home. Fuel costs, while they may be high in the States are higher in Belize. Imported goods often carry a higher price tag and appliances can be outrageously expensive. Just keep in mind how much you are saving not having a heating bill, and how much less you drive and it will help you to balance out finanaces in your head.

Belize is beautiful and life here is wonderful, but make sure and do your research before you make a permanent move here.

Don’t get me wrong, there is a variety. I mean, you can order “rice and beans” and you will be served a dish of rice and beans that have been cooked together in coconut milk. Or, you can order “beans and rice” and you will be served a dish of rice and a dish of beans that have been cooked separately, for you to mix to your liking. The contrast is startling.

Normally whether you eat rice and beans or beans and rice it will be accompanied by a stewed meat dish, either chicken, beef or fish. Sometimes the meat portion is fried, but stewed is more traditional Belize.

When Belizeans stew their chicken they first brown it in a paste called “recado” and sprinkle it with salt, pepper and garlic. After the meat is browned they add water, a splash of vinegar, chopped onions and sometimes sweet peppers. YUM! This is one dinner/lunch you shouldn’t pass up in Belize, although I have to imagine it would be difficult to do.

Lunch is usually served with a side of salad, regular lettuce salad or potato salad, and some variety of green or yellow plantains. (Fried is most common here… green plantains fried taste more like chips and yellow ones taste sweet).

Click this link for a Taste of Belize.

With the exception of cruise ship passengers, all visitors to Belize must present a valid passport before entering the country. Please note that driver’s licenses and birth certificates are not approved travel documents and cannot be used to enter the country. Passports must be valid up until time of departure.

In cases where a visitor remains in the country for over 30 days, an extension of entry must be requested. Extensions are available for the cost of:

                Up to 6 months for US $25
                After 6 months US $50 per month

Nationals of the following countries do not require visas:

• Australia
• Canada
• Hong Kong
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Norway
• United States
• Venezuela
• CARICOM member states
• Nationals of European Community countries do not require visas.

Visitors are permitted to stay in Belize for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days. The following category of persons may be granted by the Immigration Department extensions of up to three (3) months at a time. These three months would be after the thirty day period given by the Immigration Officer at the port of entry.

1. Persons living in remote areas away from the Immigration Office
2. Potential Investors
3. Business persons

The above is on the strict understanding that the applicant presents himself /herself in person and satisfies the requirement that the necessary funds (US $50.00 per person per day) are available for the duration of the period requested extension. Applicant must also have a ticket to his/her onward destination. Extensions are granted at a cost of US $50.00 per month.

To obtain a visitor’s extension, an application must be submitted to any of the district offices or to the:

Belize Immigration and Nationality Department
Belmopan, Cayo District
Belize, Central America
Telephone 011-501-822-2423
Fax: 011-501-822-2662

DEPARTURE FEES
International Passengers by Air

Philip Goldson International Airport

Passenger Service Fee   $15.00

Airport Development Fee  $15.00

Conservation Fee   $3.75

Security Fee   $1.25

Total Airport Departure Fees: US $35.00

Payable ONLY in US currency.

All fees apply to non-Belizean citizens and non-Belizean permanent residents.

These fees are sometimes included in the cost of your airfare.

If you have questions you can contact the Belize Embassy at the following address:

The Belize Embassy

2535 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest
Washington, D.C 20008
USA
Telephone: (202) 332-9636
Fax: (202) 332-6741

But how do you find work online?

Look no further.

Molly Hallman, from Payscale.com has written an article for Yahoo! hotjobs entitled “10 Companies Hiring for Work from Home.”

The article gives the name of each company, its web-site, and for what job they are hiring and is a great place to get ideas for how to support yourself living abroad.

You will find the article quoted in it’s entirety after the jump.

“10 Companies Hiring for Work from Home” by Molly Hallman from Payscale.com

Can you imagine how simple your life would be if you never had to drive to work? If you have the self-discipline to work from home, the right opportunity could help you get back those commute hours and gain some extra time each day to do whatever you want.

Wondering where to start? Here are 10 companies hiring for work from home right now:

1. Alpine Access
Website: www.alpineaccess.com
Job Title: Customer care professional

This forward-thinking company plans to hire 1,200 new employees in the first three months of 2009. “We look for people who are self-motivated, self-reliant problem solvers who have a strong work ethic,” says Remi Killeen, Recruitment Manager at Alpine Access. Besides offering the flexibility to work from home, Alpine Access, a virtual call center, provides health-care benefits, 401K, flexible work schedules and opportunities to grow. Each worker is an actual company employee with regular work hours and assignments.

2. HireMyMom.com
Website: www.hiremymom.com
Job Titles: Virtual assistant, professional blogger

HireMyMom.com is a Web-based job service designed especially for professional working mothers. Founder and President Lesley Spencer Pyle says the two most popular positions HireMyMom.com fills are professional blogger and virtual assistant. Bloggers write about their employer’s company, products, or services, often in response to user inquiries or industry discussion. They use specific “keywords” in their responses to get favorable Web search engine rankings. A virtual assistant is a professional office administrative assistant who can work from anywhere.

3. Sylvan Online
Website: www.sylvan.com
Job Title: On-line certified teacher

Do you have experience teaching but aren’t interested in managing an entire classroom? Sylvan Online may work for you. It’s a Web-based tutoring service that seeks certified teachers to tutor various subjects and levels. Job requirements include a current teaching certificate, a Windows-based PC and high-speed Internet access. Sylvan offers paid training on-line and opportunities range from 8 to 29 hours per week.

4. National Shopping Service
Website: www.nationalshoppingservice.com
Job Title: Mystery shopper/researcher

Do you love to shop? Do you like to share your opinion? You can make money doing both. A mystery shopper earns perks or a paycheck for helping companies learn about their products and customer service. Paycheck amounts range from “$5.00 to $25.00 for a 15- to 60-minute engagement,” says Matt Wozniak, president and CEO of National Shopping Service. “The vast majority of mystery shoppers do not mystery shop for a living, although we have had a few earning over $40,000 a year. It’s a great way to pick up a free pizza on your way to get the kids from soccer or get some free gasoline.”

5. oDesk
Website: www.oDesk.com
Job Title: Various professionals

If you have experience in software development, Web design, language translation and other computer-based careers, oDesk can help you get hired for work at home. Recently featured on “Good Morning America,” oDesk lets job seekers apply for contract jobs, large and small. Job seekers search job listings which include the job requirements, pay and estimated time commitments. “Our business has three components — hire, manage and pay,” says Gary Swart, CEO of oDesk. Plus, you don’t have to submit invoices for your contract work, which saves time.

6. Working Solutions
Website: www.workingsolutions.com
Job Title: Transcriptionist, customer service representative

Are you a speedy and accurate typist? You might be interested in a contract position as a transcriptionist, someone who types down information from a recording, live reading, or conversation. Established in 1996, Working Solutions hires independent contract agents for various transcription and customer service assignments. You can earn up to $30 an hour if you have the right skill-set and experience.

7. Language Lab
Website: www.languagelab.com
Job Title: Teacher, actor, customer service representative

The best way to learn a language is to go someplace where you can practice with native speakers. Why not travel via the World Wide Web? Using a computer and Internet connection, Language Lab lets at-home students visit “English Town,” a virtual city where teachers help them learn English as a second language. Language Lab is looking to hire more English teachers. Shiv Rajendran, director of operations at Language Lab, says, “Teachers need to be native English speakers, Celta or Delta certified with five years of teaching experience.” Celta and Delta certifications are not college degrees, but post-high school certifications. The company also plans to hire actors and part-time customer service reps.

8. 1-800-FLOWERS
Website: www.1800flowers.com
Job Title: Customer service representative

If you have a phone headset, a way with people and, hopefully, a love of flowers, consider working for the long-established 1-800-FLOWERS. The company expects to hire temporary, full-time customer service representatives this year. It even promises competitive hourly rates plus a bonus at the end of the temporary assignment.

9. Aetna
Website: www.aetna.com
Job Title: Account manager, negotiator, customer service representative, nurse and more

From nurses to contract negotiators to account managers, Aetna is a nationwide company with a variety of telework-friendly jobs to offer. Whether you are medically savvy or are simply good with people on the phone, you could find a position with this reputable company that offers benefits and a possibility of a bonus. Even better, Aetna has been ranked 48th by BusinessWeek in its 2008 “Best Places to Launch a Career.”

10. Elance
Website: www.elance.com
Job Title: Legal, Web design, engineering, admin, marketing or writing professional

Elance creates a space where skilled professionals and would-be employers can bargain, haggle and place competitive bids for all sorts of projects. Elance works well for people who can provide video production, Web design, software engineering and other home-office-friendly services. If you have a computer-based skill, get yourself onto Elance.com and let the opportunities start rolling in. Plus, Elance does its best to ensure that the employers on their site are trustworthy and pay on time. And, employers rate workers so, the better work you provide, the better your chance of getting more gigs.

The couple knew that upon retirement they would want to live abroad, since their minimal income would limit their means of living in the United States. They share their personal story from how they went about the process of deciding on Belize, to what they have encountered there.

I suggest this web-site as must read material for anyone considering a move or retirement in Central or South America.

Ray provides a lot of tips, and he and is wife also own a Hostel, the Falconview Tourist Backpackers Adventure Hostel, and have a couple of separate apartments that they rent out for shorter periods of time to those looking at relocating in Belize. They have been in Belize for over 2 years, and have really made the most out of retiring there.

Follow the link for a sample of what you will find on their web-site:

The main areas of rich retirees are the offshore islands of San Pedro and Caye Caulker for the richer crowd. The land and cost of living is quite high. Corozal in the North near the Mexican border has a small colony of retirees. Place there called Consejo Shores is popular. The climate there is hot and sunny, fairly dry, due to low rainfall, land prices are variable, running around $2,500 an acre depending on where you want. They get bugs in seasons, due to seaside elevation. The Cayo hilly District here is popular and a mix of low budget and rich retirees. The rich ones usually have built mansions on large acreages. Real Estate guy we know said he has sold to twelve retirees property alone, for January, this 2008. We get considerable visits from the California Hollywood crowd drifting down from Puerto Vallarta in Mexico. The poorer retiree ones are building in one of the smaller canyons and hills around the area, which are very scenic. Land prices run from $2,500 to $15,000 usa for a building lot in a development, up to as high as $15,000 an acre depending on location. Most prices are lower if you are not in prime locations. Government has several housing schemes and you can buy either lots, or houses. Better to buy a lot and build what you want though, is my opinion. American real estate promoters are very active here. There are lots of real estate websites for Belize. Try Belize North, or Ambergriscaye.com for more information.

You can reach Ray by Belize phone (501) 663 5580 or by email: hillviewhacienda@yahoo.com

* Built area: 27 m2 (300 sqfeet)
* Land / Lot area: 4,047 m2 (1 acres)
* Price: 82,500 USD (Built area: 3,055.55 USD / m2) (Land area: 20.38 USD / m2)

Villa/Restaurant with 2 Huge Lots
This GORGEOUS piece of land consists of 2 huge lots with their own separate entrance onto the property. The lots run back to back making a striking view. Completely fenced. All utilities. All weather Road.

There is a restaurant with a loft over the restaurant that could serve as a residence. There is a completed covered veranda eating area with separate and enclosed double restrooms. Full kitchen. Complete bar area.

There is also playground equipment on the property that makes for a good area for family or young restaurant customers. The many mature trees and awesome landscape make for a jungle like atmosphere–IN TOWN.

This property is a MUST SEE for any needs you may have in purchasing a piece of paradise in Belize. GREAT BUY!!

• Pet friendly
• Terrace
• Cable TV
• Internet
• Parking

011 501 602 2740
http://www.rainforestrealty.net

Date & Time Listed: 2009-01-01 16:38:10 GMT

For the 20% off on the package your reservation must be for a minimum of 4 nights for 2 adults and is valid for stays between Jan 1–Feb 14 and March 21–April 31, 2009. Children who are traveling with 2 adults get 50% off of their package price. (See the travel deal by clicking here.)

The free meal plan comes with the purchase of a cottage or standard room for 4 nights for two adults, with one person purchasing the meal plan. (Your standard buy one get one free deal.) The dates are the same as the 20% off deal, from Jan 1 – Feb 14 and March 21–April 31, 2009.

You can book online by going to www.MayaMountain.com or via phone by calling 011–501–824–2164. If you call, just mention the deal, and if you book online mention the deal in the comment box and it will be applied to your reservation.

Maya Mountain offers “Soft Adventure Packages” and “Active Adventure Packages” ensuring that there is something for everyone. Packages include activities like canoeing, exploring the Mayan ruins, learning about local culture and food, hiking through the mountains to hidden ruins, and cave exploration.

There are also special honeymoon packages, family vacation packages, group deals, and even a cooking package that teaches you how to cook Thai (?) and Belizean cuisine. For a detailed look at all the travel packages offered by Maya Mountain in San Ignacio, click here.