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Being such a small country, you can experience five different ecosystems in Belize within a two hour drive. Read more about these wonders of nature below:

Tropical Rain Forest — Ecosystems in Belize

Much of Belize is still unexploited wilderness. More than half of the country consists of subtropical rainforest or jungle with over 75% under government protection. All this unspoiled wilderness has led to the growth of ecotourism, which is now the nation’s second largest source of revenue. The Belize rainforest is home to an incredible variety of wildlife including wildcats such as the elusive jaguar, ocelot and puma. Tapirs, crocodiles, howler monkeys and armadillos also live in this ecosystem. The jungle is also home to countless Mayan cities and caves, most of which are undiscovered.

Coral Reef — Ecosystems in Belize

The Belize barrier reef is home to a large diversity of plants and animals, it is estimated that only 10% of these species have been discovered. A World Heritage Site, the reef is a series of coral structures that span 300 kilometers in length. Astonishingly beautiful, this ecosystem is diverse and balanced. It is Belize’s top tourist destination, popular for scuba diving and snorkeling. The reef is home to more than 500 species of fish, 36 soft coral species, 70 hard coral species and hundreds of invertebrates.

Savannah — Ecosystems in Belize

The savannas of Belize occupy about 10% of the country’s land area, providing distinctive landscapes of ecological value. This ecosystem is mostly present in the northern part of the country. Tropical savannahs are dominated by grasses, sedges, shrubs, trees and palms. It is an ecosystem also known as “pine ridge” as the pine trees are the most obvious large tree visible. The coarse soil is made up of hard quartz and shallow gravel. At first glance the savannah appears to have no wildlife roaming around, however, the most frequently seen mammal is the Belizean gray fox who feeds on small mammals and insects. At nights, armadillos roam the land and pumas are the dominant predator.

Rivers — Ecosystems in Belize

Belize has approximately 27 major rivers with tributaries that encompass 4 separate watersheds. These rivers carry crystal clear rainwater containing plant matter and energy from the rainforests to the mangroves and eventually to the sea. They are also the source of hundreds of beautiful waterfalls. Many rivers run through caves and offer spectacular cave tubing experiences. Other activities include kayaking, fishing and whitewater rafting.

Mangroves — Ecosystems in Belize

Growing in seawater, mangroves are unique trees that purify water from pollutants, prevent erosion and provide shelter to countless species of fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. During hurricanes, mangroves dissipate wave energy. 34 percent of Belize’s coastline is mangroves which provide a beautiful backdrop for many activities, such as kayaking and fishing.

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If you’ve ever planned to retire in the Caribbean, you might want to consider Belize as your retirement destination. Named in the 52 places to go in 2017 by the New York Times, this country offers many reasons to retire safely in Central America, here’s some of those reasons:

Named #2 best retirement haven by International Living Magazine, Belize has gone to great lengths to attract foreign retirees, such as the Qualified Retirement program. This program has incentives that allow you to retire in Belize and import your household items and vehicles duty-free. A QRP also pays no tax on foreign-earned income. To qualify, one must simply be aged 45 years or older, have a monthly income of at least $2,000 US dollars and comply with several other minor requirements. Incredibly, you must also live in Belize for a minimum of one month out of the year.

The Qualified Retirement Program is classed as one of the best in the world for tax breaks, to qualify for the QRP you must: Be 45 years or older, you can also include your spouse and dependents under the age of 18 in the program. Submit an application along with:

1. 1. Birth certificate.
   2. Marriage certificate.
   3. A police record from your most recent place of residence, issued within a month prior to the application.
   4. A copy of each page (including blank ones) in your passport. Retain a notary public to certify the copy with his or her seal and mark how many pages are in the passport, the passport number, and your name.
   5. Proof of income. This can be in the form of a statement from a pension of an annuity company or from your bank. The statement must show that your income is at least $2,000 a month or the equivalent of at least $24,000 a year.
   6. Medical certificate stating that you are in good health and not HIV positive
   7. Color photos — four recent front-view and four side-view passport- size photographs of yourself and any dependents who are applying.
   8. You must also submit a non-refundable $100 application fee plus a “program fee” of $500 for yourself and $350 for each dependent. If you’re accepted into the program, you’ll owe an additional $100. Also figure on $2,500 to $5,000 to retain an attorney who can steer you through the application process.

Advantages of the QRP — Belize Retirement 101: How to Retire in Belize

Paying no Belizean tax on foreign earned income — you won’t be taxed twice on money you’re bringing into the country. As a QRP you can import your household goods tax-free up to a total exemption amount of $15,000. You can also bring in a vehicle tax-free, which can be a car, a light aircraft or a boat.

Every five years you can import a new vehicle tax-free as long as you sell the original vehicle outside of Belize.

In many countries you have to make a significant financial commitment in order to qualify for a program that provides financial incentives for living in the country. In Belize, you must simply prove an income of at least $2,000 a month.

Explore the five Belizean ecosystems, start a business, or retire in Belize; Get all of our articles in your inbox, weekly!
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