Real Estate in Northern Belize

Real Estate in Northern Belize is growing in popularity among American and British expatriates who are interested in retiring to Belize and making the most of the tax breaks offered and the lower costs of living that afford them far more in terms of lifestyle choice in Belize.

Northern Belize is made up of the Corozal and Orange Walk districts.  It is the part of Belize most famous for the reminders and remnants of the Maya Civilization which inhabited this part of this world with Maya sites discovered that date as far back as 2500BC.

Real Estate in Northern Belize is growing in popularity among American and British expatriates who are interested in retiring to Belize and making the most of the tax breaks offered and the lower costs of living that afford them far more in terms of lifestyle choice in Belize.

Both the Corozal and Orange Walk districts border with Mexico and the whole of Northern Belize has a strong Spanish flavour.  This part of the country was overrun with Spanish during their conquest of Mexico in the 1600s and then the Spanish influence was further strengthened during the Guerra de las Castes in 1847 when many Spanish refugees fled to this region.

Until around 1994 the Northern districts of Belize relied heavily on agriculture for income with sugar cane, forestry, fisheries and livestock production the mainstays for the economy.  Tourism has since begun to grow in this part of the country with the striking attraction of the Maya ruins, the jungle retreats and the many and varied outdoor activities attracting more visitors each year.  The income from tourism has replaced a lot of the income previously generated particularly from fishing with former fishing boats now used as tourist charters!  In 1994 Northern Belize saw the creation of the Corozal Free Zone which has attracted strong foreign investment as a direct result of the tax free business opportunities offered and which in turn has strengthened the economy of Northern Belize through diversification.

In terms of the real estate available in Northern Belize there is an abundance of property of wildly varying quality and price!  Starting off in the Orange Walk district, the main town of this region is Orange Walk Town.  It is the most accessible and populated town in the district offering all the services and facilities associated with a large town and yet it is one of the least explored by visitors to Belize!  This has kept real estate and general prices low and undeveloped land in the area costs from as little as USD 350 an acre. 

The main town in the Corozal District is Corozal town and this is a slightly more popular resort with visitors particularly because of its location near to the Mexican border and close to the Free Zone.  Properties here remain cheaper than in the Cayes however and a recent listing for a 3 bed 3 bath luxury waterfront home on 1/3 of an acre set in the best area of the town was priced at just USD 270,000.  Land in Corozal is slightly more expensive than in Orange Walk and allocated five acre lots with permission to build go for around USD 10,000.

For listings of residential and commercial real estate, waterfront lots and homes, farms, hotels, businesses and resorts in Northern Belize, http://www.belizenorthrealestate.bz/ is probably the best place to begin.