News

Construction has begun on Channel Parcel 778, and these photos show work on the Dock Area.

Also, we are building a Woodshop, so we can build our own doors, trim, and cabinets for owners who would like to use our service.

This is a new archaeological find at the Classic Maya site of Santa Rita (Chactemal), Corozal. Thanks to Channel 7 News for photographing it, and to CorozalBayResort2 for posting it on YouTube.

Many updates. We have been very busy this quarter.

Click on the link for the Lonely Planet article. Belize was included among the Most Relaxing countries.

Click on the link below to see the most recent photos from Cerros Sands at La Playa de Cerros Maya, and also a gallery of the evolution of Cerros Sands.

Click on the link below to see the difference between now and aerial views from a few years ago.

We have added a new gallery and a new Youtube video.

"A mecca for hard-core scuba divers and laid-back beach types, this tiny Central American country on the Caribbean has even more to offer -- vast ancient ruins, stunning native crafts and a wealth of exotic flora and fauna -- for those who venture off the beaten path."

Forbes Magazine's choice of Belize as a top retirement spot confirms the tiny Caribbean country's reputation as not only a desirable place to visit, but as a great place to live, Chaa Creek's business manager Peter Tonti said.

"It's been a best kept secret, but the word is getting out that Belize is a great place to spend not only an affordable tropical holiday, but a happy and healthy retirement, too," Mr Tonti said.

The current (November 2012) online edition of Forbes Magazine features Belize as one of "15 Top Foreign Retirement Havens."

Surveyor plots another 30+ parcels, main channel excavated into the bay, southern extension nearly complete, decorative wall behind entry gate, developments in The Residences and Single Family Homes. — be sure to read it!

A history of peace, impressive cultural diversity, and the world's second-longest barrier reef. Belize's place near the top of the index seems natural to many who've visited the small Central American country. And for U.S. travelers, the happiness needs no translation, since English is the official language in Belize.

These photos show that the channel can handle large craft.

We now have a gallery of YouTube videos. The first added are

• The Residences Walk-Through at La Playa de Cerros Maya, Corozal, Belize
• Cerros Sands Entry Excavation at La Playa de Cerros Maya, Corozal, Belize
• Cerros Sands The Residences Beams
• Cerros Sands Setting up for Pouring at The Residences

We have made an option to The Residences. These homes now have the option of being one residence. We have designed an interior stairwell, whereby converting this into a single family home with a 3rd and/or 4th bedroom and 3 or 4 baths.

The interior square footage is now over 3200 square feet. The upper floor can be designed to your specifications.

With this as a single family home, roof access is available for enjoyment.

The Corozal District was featured in a New York Times article published on May 9, 2012, as a good retirement location, along with places in Vietnam, Ecuador, Malaysia, and France. A photograph by Debra Wilkes Gray of Loreta Randall and Bill Hunt is the lead image of the story!

This article, in US News Money, On Retirement section, focuses on two areas of Belize: San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and the Cayo District. We wonder how the author missed the Corozal District, but perhaps she was showing the contrast between the island and hilly extremes of the country. The Corozal area might be the best of both worlds.

Intelligent house layout and design, and home features such as dual-pane windows, air-tight duct work and high-caliber wall and attic insulation are curbing energy consumption. And when coupled with solar energy, captured through photovoltaic panels, these homes are becoming their own mini power plants that feed electricity to the grid.

"According to legend, the world will end in 2012 because the ancient Maya calendar, which spans 5,000 years, mysteriously ends on Dec. 21."

Great for Hollywood and tourism, but not so mysterious. 21 December will this year will mark the end of the Long Count, so it's something like our calendar going from the year 1999 to 2000.

But numerous tourism-oriented events will be scheduled, including a concert, light show, and fire ceremony at the ruins of Xunantunich on 21 Dec. Just one more reason to include Belize in your travel/relocation plans.

Joshua Berman, author of Maya 2012: A Guide to Celebrations in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras and other tourism books on Belize, says that Belize (and other nearby areas) is set to cash in on the publicity about the "Apocalypse" that has led to increased interest in Maya culture. Example:

Major airlines have already committed approximately 37,000 additional airline seats to Belize in 2012, compared to 2011 according to Anthony Hunt, a representative of the tourism sector on Belize's Civil Aviation Authority Board who claims there is no evidence that this increase is due to the Mayan calendar. Hunt says the reason for the new seats is "confidence of the airlines in the strength, stability and growth of the Belize tourism product," but that product is currently being sold under the 2012 tourism board tagline, "Where will you be when the world begins anew?"

Negotiations that are underway include the following chains:

• Starbucks
• Sanborn
• City Club
• Home Depot
• Super Che

Highlights from the article:

• Safe, easy banking off the radar.
• Reef, ruins, rivers, and rain forest.
• True safe haven.
• The good and simple life … is it for you?

Highlights from the article:

• Solar energy is now a $6 billion industry.
• Its employment base grew 6.8% the past year, to more than 100,000 jobs.
• Solyndra controversy an isolated affair, industry official said.

From the article:

The best of both worlds. The town, located in northernmost Belize, offers retirees beaches and tranquility in Corozal, and big-city amenities such as malls and museums just across the border in Chetumal, Mexico. English is the official language, though Spanish is widely spoken. The government operates a "qualified retired persons" program that allows non-Belizeans to enjoy perks such as tax-free imports of household goods, cars and even airplanes. One-time application and program fees add up to $1,350, plus another $750 per dependent.

Article includes:

• Why Belize?
• Where to Buy
• Cost of Real Estate
• The Benefits of Moving to Belize
• Moving your Household Goods

Located about 10 miles south of the Mexican border, modern, yet sleepy, seaside Corozal Town sits on beautiful Caribbean Corozal Bay in the very most northern section of Belize, and it is one of two relatively large towns in the area (the other is Orange Walk Town).

Unspoiled and tucked away from the hustle and bustle of modern-day life, Corozol Town beckons to retirees who have a sense of adventure, some self-reliance, a willingness to taste another culture and who do not need all of the amenities found back home. Belize is a stable democracy in which you can work, live, and own property without having to give up your present citizenship.

Now the question is whether to build the house, or to see whether it accurately marks the Summer Solstice. This being so near the Cerros Maya Archaeolgical Site, we probably shouldn't disregard the possibility of human sacrifice.

The couple brought Reese's two kids, Ava 11, and Deacon 7, along for the trip. For more on the happy family vacation, see the Article in UsMagazine.com.

Items worth noting are:

Staff -- The Rental Program will occupy a fair amount of the Manager and Office Staff time. An allowance has been made to credit this budget for 50% of this expense. Once we have operating actuals this figure will be adjusted accordingly.

Pool -- Our climate increases the cost of pool maintanence as more chemicals are necessary. We will be testing various products to manage this cost.

Insurance -- Three bids have been requested. We will make sure we get the best coverage for our dollar.

Cerros Sands Property Management Ltd -- This is the annual fee to each property owner throughout Cerros Sands for maintenance, roads, security and drainage for Cerros Sands.

Reserves & Systems -- You will not be maintaining the exterior of your homes individually. This is being done on a rotating basis to ensure The Residences maintain their standard. This includes all exterior finishings. Handrails and guardrails do require extra attention from time to time. We are looking at numerous products for look and durability.

With regard to Systems, we are totally off the grid. The cisterns will be fine. We are looking at a well and pump system for Sanitation water, so you do not have to waste rainwater for the flushing of toilets. We are continuing to work with Solar Suppliers to ensure once again we install top of the line equipment to reduce maintenance.

While Belize has long been associated with low cost and attractive real estate and has long been considered an affordable overseas destination for British and American tourists and retirees, never before has it sought to so fully embrace its cultural and ecological advantages and build on its reputation as a friendly and relaxed destination to directly target the wealthier tourism market.

KB Home estimates that the standard 1.4-kilowatt solar array will supply about 30 percent of the electricity for an 1,800-foot to 2,000-foot square home.

More Solar articles:

Energy expert advocates solar power

Chevron Energy Solutions Helps Schools Harness Solar Power

These are photos from a visit to Cerros Sands at La Playa de Cerros on 23 February, 2011.

The Restaurant, Bar, and Restrooms will soon be available for visitors and special events at Cerros Sands at La Playa de Cerros Maya. Watch for their official opening.

Thanks to Dusty Roads for a testimonial about Cerros Sands at La Playa de Cerros Maya.

There are some new additions on our new Marketing Team page. These folks help us grow our community.

Check out our new interactive parcel map.

The author explores Christmastime in Belize, from San Pedro throughout the villages to the Garifuna south.

Photo above courtesy of Corozal.com.

The author describes the surge of interest from Canadians and Europeans that is increasing real estate prices, and concludes that now is the time to buy.

Author's friend catches 3 pound bonefish barely 100 feet off the beach.

This is about a trip to Ian Anderson's Caves Branch.

This author gives a short summary of Belize as the second page in his list of 7 destinations around the world.