Jan 15 No Comments

How to Use IRA funds to buy Real Estate in Belize

Author: Remax VIP Admin

Many of our clients have asked us if it’s possible to use IRA funds to buy real estate in Belize. Remax has now partnered with NuView IRA, enabling our clients to purchase real estate as an investment inside their retirement account without incurring penalties or taxes – before their retirement age. Many IRA holders see a big opportunity in Belize and decide to join thousands of NuView clients in adding a property to their portfolios.

INVESTMENT REAL ESTATE IS A GROWING ASSET CLASS

According to Morgan Stanley, US millionaires view real estate as the top alternative-asset class to own. Almost 60% of those surveyed expect to add to their real estate investments, whether through a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) or direct ownership. Many IRA funds holders see the same opportunity and decide to join thousands of NuView clients in adding property to their portfolio.

INCREASED EXPOSURE OF BELIZE HAS STIMULATED INVESTORS

The ever-increasing amount of tourist arrival in Belize has greatly increased the demand for rental properties, as currently, only a few new rental properties came on the market during the past four years.

TYPES OF REAL ESTATE YOU CAN USE IRA FUNDS TO BUY

Single Family Homes
A free-standing residential building.
Co-Ops
An association of people who cooperate for economic benefit.
Commercial Property
Business or land intended to generate a profit.
Apartment Buildings
A building consisting of rented self-contained housing units.
Condominiums
A building consisting of owned self-contained housing units.
Unimproved Land
Land without basic required services.

WHY HOLD REAL ESTATE IN AN IRA?

Most investors seek out real estate for certain tax benefits, such as depreciation, and long-term capital gains, or they utilize tax deferring exchanges to move from one investment to another. The benefit of holding rental real estate in an IRA is that there are no taxes due as long as the investment has not been distributed to the IRA owner.

All expenses are paid by the IRA, and all income belongs to the IRA. When properties are purchased with cash from an IRA, no taxes are due when rental income is received, or when the property is sold. There is no need to go through the expense and complexity of 1031 tax-deferred exchanges, as the entire IRA is tax-deferred (tax-free within a Roth IRA). While certain investments held within an IRA may be subject to Unrelated Business Income Tax, the rental real estate enjoys a special IRS exclusion, allowing all income to return to the IRA tax-free. Taxation only will occur when a distribution is taken, but a piece of property may never be taxed if it is owned in a Roth IRA.

FUNDING THE PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE IN AN IRA

Cash – the IRA pays cash for the entire property
Partnering – an IRA can purchase fractional ownership in a property
Financing – IRAs can mortgage real estate with a non-recourse loan

Please note that any property purchased in an IRA must be titled: NuView IRA FBO (For the Benefit Of) Your Name IRA. Once all closing documents are read and approved by the account holder or a designated interested party, NuView can execute the request and send funds to the closing within 48 hours. The IRA now owns the property.

Real Estate Purchase Process

1) Set up and fund a self-directed account with NuView IRA

2) Identify the piece of investment real estate

3) Submit a Purchase Authorization and the contract to NuView

MY IRA OWNS PROPERTY – NOW WHAT?

IRA account-holders invested in rental or leased real estate are encouraged to retain the services of a non-disqualified party to serve as a property manager and oversee rental property activities. A property manager may be able to respond to tenant or property emergencies and quickly pay for unexpected expenses. When you use IRA funds to buy real estate, the IRA must pay all expenses related to the property. If the IRA owns an undivided interest in the property, then the IRA must pay the pro-rata portion per its undivided interest. The IRA owner can direct NuView to pay the expenses by simply submitting a Payment Authorization Letter along with the invoice to be paid.

WITH A SELF-DIRECTED IRA, THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE CONTROL IS SIGNIFICANT.

The IRS does provide rules about IRA holders and other “disqualified persons” as it relates to the usage of the property once purchased. These people, as defined in IRC Section 4975 cannot get a beneficial use from the IRA-owned property. Simply stated, they cannot use a vacation home on an interim basis between rentals, regardless of what rent they paid back to the IRA.

The IRA holder gets to make all the decisions not just in the purchase process, but also in hiring the property manager, what to charge for rent, hiring subcontractors to rehab the property, negotiating contracts, or working with the property manager to screen tenants. With a self-directed IRA, the opportunity to take control and use IRA funds in the way you see fit is significant.

Who really controls your IRA funds?

Many IRA plan administrators, such as brokerage houses, only offer products they sell. Not only do they benefit from the sale of these products, but the offerings are also typically limited to traditional IRA funds, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. And the uncertainty in today’s financial markets makes it even harder to feel secure about your retirement and how to use IRA funds at maximum value.

How to use IRA to Buy Belize Real Estate — More Choices

With a self-directed IRA, you are allowed greater flexibility in the options available for investments. Under IRS rules, you can use IRA funds to invest in a broad range of alternative investments. With a NuView IRA, you can capitalize on these investment opportunities and still enjoy the great tax advantages an IRA affords.

More Control

By self-directing your IRA, you use IRA funds to decide what to buy, when to buy it, how long to hold it, and when to sell it. You can now be the play-caller for your retirement investments, giving you more control over the outcome of your retirement account, while potentially building wealth and securing your future.

NuView IRA

As a self-directed retirement plan administrate NuView allows you to use IRA funds to access an investment not prohibited by the IRS. We do not promote or sell any products, so your choices are never limited. And any cash in your account enjoys full FDIC protection.

As a NuView client, you’ll have access to our certified IRA professionals in our Florida and Ohio offices, as well as our affiliate in Chicago, all of which can provide a wealth of information either in-person or online. These professionals handle all administration of your account, providing accurate, reliable accounting transaction assistance and timely reporting. All you need to do is open your account, fund it, then choose your investments!

Use IRA funds to take the first step toward your dream of retirement and contact us today.

Jan 13 No Comments

Seine Bight | Belize Travel Guide

Author: Remax VIP Admin

Categories: Lifestyle

Remax Vip Belize: Commercial/Residential Space in Hopkins Village

Travelers looking for a real Belizean experience are always delighted to find the heart of the Placencia Peninsula in Seine Bight, a tiny Garifuna settlement where pristine white sand meets the Caribbean ocean. Just three miles north of Placencia town, Seine Bight is home to Garifuna culture, fast paced drums and bright festivities. Interested? Read more below…

The first time you stop at Seine Bight — whether it is for your groceries or for a grilled meal, you will feel the laid back soul of the Caribbean. With only 1000 residents, this town located on a small curve of the shoreline, also known as a bight, is home to many “cool spots”, a name given by the locals to their favorite places to drink an ice cold beer, or hang out over a shot of bitters — the local specialty. There is a great chance you will be captivated by the smell of a grill cooking chicken, lobster or fish at one of several outdoor restaurants. Our food recommendation when visiting Seine Bight is definitely Vern’s Kitchen.

Bitters lovers worldwide can also find the best Belizean digestifs in this small town; For an authentic drinking experience, tourists can visit Geepee’s, a local bar with an outdoor pool where loud punta rock and reggaeton music blasts for everyone to hear. Here’s a punta rock playlist you might hear while you drink your beer in this Caribbean settlement.

The people of Seine Bight

Tourists are always surprised at the warm welcome they receive in Seine Bight, not only from the restaurant owners, fishermen or other drivers, but from every waving resident in this town, both young and old.

Perhaps the main reason why the locals are so friendly is the unbelievable scenery surrounding Seine Bight: to the east, abundant white coral sand facing a turquoise Caribbean ocean, and to the west, a lush mangrove shored lagoon where locals brag about their daily catch and where 200 pound groupers are still caught by Seine Bight fishermen.

If you are staying in Maya Beach, then you might find yourself in need of a visit to the Seine Bight mega store, where one can find veggies, frozen meat and a wide assortment of groceries. A couple of Chinese restaurants have also opened in Seine Bight, adding variety to the culinary options available in the bight.

Are you planning to visit? Time your visit to one of Belize’s national holidays, or better yet, come on November 19th, the perfect day to visit and experience the bright Garifuna folklore. Settlement Reenactment Day is a cultural event where everyone in the Peninsula gathers for a reenactment of the first Garifuna settlers arriving to Southern Belize, a great show of the local drumming skills, dancing and amazing food.

Jan 04 No Comments

Part I: Why do some people choose to move to Belize after a vacation here?

Author: Remax VIP Admin

Categories: Front Page,Lifestyle,Placencia

Remaxvipbelize - Belize after a vacation

Canadians and Americans make up the bulk of the expat population in Belize. So why is it that some individuals move to Belize? Here are the top reasons given…

1.) The weather – once some people experience year-round summers, it is VERY hard to go back. Most of the US experiences 4 seasons, and many people do genuinely love to experience that. For others – they are just summer people. And the weather in most of the US (and definitely north of there!) does not cut it. Except for southern Florida, it does get “cold” in the winter. For those that are uncomfortable when the weather dips below the low 70’s, you do have to be close to Miami or south of there.

Actual pic taken recently from NE US, vs Belize in winter…

2.) Why don’t people just live in the southernmost parts of the US? There are a lot of great places to live in the US, where it does stay warm enough for most folks. In general – there is a vibe in the Miami area that does not match what everyone is looking for – for others, it is perfect, and Miami grows every year for this reason. Key West is a crowd pleaser for many – but it is one of the most expensive places to live in the US, and a bit challenging to get to. There are also many other choices on the southern tip of Florida, so to dig a bit deeper…

There is a different culture and vibe in Belize, and for some people, when they show up here, they feel at home. What are some of these cultural differences that make it better to live in Belize for some people….each one deserves its own section – read on!

If the idea of sand streets, golf carts, and rustic, candy colored street buildings appeal to you, you might like it here – pic from Island.com

3.) Lack of materialism – appropriate attire for Belize is flip flops or bare feet, and you are welcomed everywhere in what you might wear to the gym in the US. It doesn’t occur to you after a while here why you’d need a designer bag, jewelry, expensive shoes, fancy car, or most of the electronic toys that are part of everyday life in North America. The longer you are here, the less money you find you spend and the less you feel you need. If you are partial to a minimalist lifestyle and have felt turned off by the “keep up with the Jones’s” culture in North America, this could be a big reason you are drawn back here. For those that have lived here for a length of time – it is generally quite shocking and uncomfortable to experience the materialistic cultural difference when they return to North America.

4.) A “swim at your own risk” mentality – Many people find it very refreshing (and at first, overwhelming and even confusing!) that the restrictions/rules/regulations in Belize are very different than the US. This does NOT work for everyone – in fact, there are some that are put off by this lack of regulation, and they feel safer in places that have a list of rules posted everywhere you look. And in fairness, if you do have an issue of some sort, this difference in structure can cause you to long for home or get cultural fatigue.

Things like drinking a beer while driving your golf cart, the fact that golf carts are allowed like cars in places in Belize; the fact that you can swim with sharks or jump from high places without signing a waiver; walking on the beach with a drink (even if it is in glass!); if you want to rent out your space, or start a business, compared to a tourist place like New Orleans or Key West – the barriers to entry are wildly different; major differences in the regulations needed to build – this one can again be a positive or negative, but if you desire to trust in what you are building, with a permit, you have a different amount of freedom compared to what you can do in the US; enjoying the vast amount of small businesses that pop up by locals, right next to their homes sometimes, where they provide wonderful authentic food or experiences, and I could go on and on. It is a different day to day lifestyle here. I would describe it as a bit of a libertarian mentality – those that prefer to live and let live, think for themselves, decide for themselves what level of risk to take, who want less restrictions than the US will find it refreshing here.

You’ll find this sign all over Belize – and it is not totally joking….from etsy.com

Ready to Move to Belize yet?

5.) Nature – There are parts of Belize that are just jaw dropping, and this is enough for some people to move to Belize. There are parts of Belize that look like the very best parts of the US all in one. I wrote this in my first few months of living in Placencia, and it is still true:
“The peninsula is very special and unique. We drove onto the peninsula the first time we came. The drive is so gorgeous and special….you go from watching the Maya Mountains, which look like Hawaii, to driving through what feels like a North Carolina shoreline…..to arriving at Hilton Head-like homes (Plantation area and North)….to driving through Maya Beach, which looks and feels like 1940’s Florida (at least what I imagine it did 🙂 ), to seeing authentic Belize culture in Seine Bight (this town is rough around the edges, but friendly, right on the water, and tons of local character), to arriving in the village, where not a structure is over a few stories high….everyone is friendly…..Caribbean-colored wooden homes and businesses….one cute restaurant and shop after another…and throughout this whole drive, you can see the lagoon and Maya Mountains on your right, and the gorgeous Caribbean the whole time on your left, and palm trees everywhere. I have never been in a place that had so many charming natural aesthetics.”

Also add to this that ALL THE BEACH IS PUBLIC! And you can find fun, lively beach action, or the prettiest remote stretch without another person in sight. And as this post is not specific to Placencia, I will add that I have never seen prettier water than Ambergris Caye, and the whole coast of the country has retained a vintage beach town feel that does not exist in the US.

I can verify this is a real pic because that is me sitting there!

6.) So add to above, many move to Belize because of the low cost to live here. You may read complaints that it is very expensive in Belize. It is for certain things, but if you give it some time and experience, you figure out how to live more cheaply here than you ever could in the US – let alone a popular beach town in the US. When people see that the real estate prices look like the US, and that a bag of Doritos is $6us at the store, and that gas is twice the price of the US, some say forget it, why would I live here without all the first world benefits?

Here are some ways this happens….property tax is pennies on the dollar compared to the US. It is almost nothing. If you compare this to the real costs of owning on a coast in the US, it is not even comparable. Water, gas, cell phone, are much cheaper here, electricity is relatively expensive, but this is somewhat in everyone’s control how much they want to use. Internet is reasonably priced – again this is a complaint here, but after 4 years here I can say I truly do not understand the complaints about internet access, speed, or cost – I am an average computer user and I experience no difference, and the cost is less here for us than in the US. Most people do not need a car here. If you do, you will only have one, and rarely use it. You walk and bike everywhere. If you get a golf cart (and let’s face it, this is a fun and charming way to get around!), there is no comparison in cost in every way to a car in the US. There are very few stores or things to buy – because the materialism needs are SO much less here – I barely spend money on anything here outside of food. Imported food and wine are expensive, period. But who doesn’t love the idea of farmer’s markets for shopping – which are way cheaper than any food shopping in the US. Local chicken, rice, beans are super cheap. And another huge money saver, which deserves its own section next…

7.) The entertainment is cheap, free, and plentiful – people who love it here are people who can sit on a pier or dock and enjoy their surroundings…….bike rides, swimming, happy hours, horseshoes, walks on the beach, hiking, relaxing in a hammock, kayaking…..all year long. Because some parts of Belize are set up for entertaining tourists – you find so many great activities that provide endless fun – trivia nights, movie nights, karaoke, games, drink specials, live music, dinner specials – there is something every night, and for the cost of a drink or two, or dinner less than $10, you can have fun any night you choose. Not to mention the many festivals, and the random things you see, like the high school band marching through town, or a fisherman fighting with pelicans and sea gulls as he’s cleaning his fish.

When I am in the US – the entertainment and cost is SO different. Socializing in the US usually involves movies, pedicures, expensive dinners, yoga classes, themed parties like makeup or jewelry which revolve around buying things, of course shopping, theme parks, miniature golf, trampoline gyms, Chuck E Cheese, golfing, skiing, and the endless ways we spend our money for entertainment. It adds up!

Remaxvipbelize - our money for entertainment

8.) Some random things – fatigue over the political climate in the US – and this is everywhere, you can’t get away from it, but by being a guest in another country, I can promise it feels much less personal and upsetting no matter what side you fall on. People also often ask about crime in Belize – seeing that I just read about multiple carjackings and gunpoint robberies near my hometown – please consider that while theft here is common, it is usually the result of leaving things unsecured or crimes of opportunity (leaving doors unlocked, leaving things unattended). The rarity of guns, organized crimes, and nonexistence of mass shootings…while the police here are limited compared to the US, so is access to weapons that can be used against you here. Meeting people from all over the world – who are usually pretty interesting! Although you do find this in some parts of the US – plenty of us are from places where we see very limited demographics and backgrounds. The tourism culture – to succeed in Placencia or Ambergris Caye, you really do need to enjoy this kind of environment. I love the energy of new guests, the signs directing guests to the best snorkeling excursions, the happy hour with local music on the chalkboards at Barefoot Bar, seeing backpackers get off the water taxi, things like crab races and chicken drops, the many booths and stalls the locals set up for tourists, etc….it gives some people a feeling of a perpetual vacation, and some of us find that’s the best way to live! that’s why it’s easy to see why so many people choose to move to Belize!

Dec 14 No Comments

Top news from Belize this month!

Author: Remax VIP Admin

Categories: Front Page,Lifestyle,news,Placencia

Remax Vip Belize: Latest news out of Belize

Once in a while I like to round up all the happenings in this country, as I follow these like a hawk, and it might be helpful to have a summary of what’s been going on that you may have missed! As always, this tiny country somehow always ends up in world wide news pretty frequently. Here is the latest stuff!!
(and enjoy some totally unrelated-to-the-news-stories pics of Belize sprinkled throughout)

Remax Vip Belize: world wide news pretty

Silk Caye

—In arguably the biggest news for Belize, the government just signed a deal to start building a $100 million international airport on Ambergris Caye!

https://www.belizehub.com/government-belize-signs-memorandum-understanding-international-airport-alliance-belize-limited/

—A $33 million sports arena – seriously state of the art – just opened in Belize City after 2 years in the making:

Rick’s Cafe

—This is a bit of a niche area, but interesting – apparently Rugby is becoming a big thing in Belize!

https://rugbyamericasnorth.com/rugby-belize-2017/#

—I have followed this amazing green decor line for years – they just featured Itzana from Placencia!

https://inhabitat.com/gorgeous-belize-eco-resort-will-be-100-carbon-neutral/

Ranguana Caye

—Forbes has been hot for Belize in the last couple years, they decided in this article that it was one of the top 30 cheapest places to travel:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2016/11/30/30-cheapest-places-to-travel-in-2017/#547591c924c5

—Love this article from centralamerica.com highlighting some of the crazy sounding food you can sample here:

https://www.centralamerica.com/experiencing/eating/cow-foot-soup-belizean-food/

Tipsy Tuna beach

—Wow – here Belize is rated by the Telegraph and one of the world’s most underrated destinations:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/galleries/worlds-most-underrated-destinations/?WT.mc_id=tmg_share_tw

—I was thrilled to hear that Tropic Air is going to be starting a miles program fro frequent travelers here!

https://tacogirl.com/air-miles-belize/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Tacogirlcom+%28Tacogirl.com%29

Barefoot Bar

—New non stop flight between Toronto and Belize!

https://www.belizehub.com/air-canada-begin-flying-belize-week/

—Hilton just opened one of the first branded properties in Belize:

https://www.belizehub.com/hiltons-first-property-belize-officially-opens/

Friends Near the Pier

—Belize won the Bronze at the Central Amercian games in basketball – this is amazing in such a small country!

https://www.chabilmarvillas.com/blog/belizes-national-basketball-team-wins-bronze-medals-at-central-american-games.html

—And recently Placencia had its End of the World Marathon!

https://www.chabilmarvillas.com/blog/prepare-for-the-end-of-the-world-marathon-in-placencia-belize.html

Tipsy Tuna

Dec 13 No Comments

Private Islands in Belize — What you need to know

Author: Remax VIP Admin

Categories: Front Page,Lifestyle,Real Estate

Remaxvipbelize - Private Islands in Belize

While traveling, I have met many people who dream about escaping to the Caribbean and owning a slice of paradise. More often than not, I tell them about the white coral sand in the Silk Cayes, the wonderful Hatchet Caye hotel and the amount of islands and cayes for sale in Belize. Many find it hard to believe that in this day and age, there are still any affordable opportunities to own private islands.

Here’s all you need to know about Private Islands in Belize

The most common question I have heard in the past years is: “Can anyone buy an island?

So, let’s get that out of the way. Anyone can buy an island in Belize, and shockingly, the prices are not ridiculous— with island acres going for sale around 100k USD. While the initial price tag will buy you a slice of absolute privacy, there are other things that will raise the costs of your investment – but before explaining additional costs, it is important to know the benefits of buying an island.

Why would anyone buy a private island in Belize?

Say you get a title for your island property in Belize; Along with the bragging rights and awesome stories, you can enjoy both sunrises and sunsets in a completely private environment. Due to the country’s location next to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, a private island owner can also permanently enjoy the clearest and calmest waters in the world.

With Belize being the eco-tourism capital of the world, many island owners have seized the opportunity to create businesses such as Hatchet Caye, Ranguana and Turtle Inn resorts. Even celebrities like Bill Gates and Leonardo diCaprio have an interest in the Belizean activities and adventures, with the latter opening his own eco-resort in the coming year. There is a general tourist desire to spend a couple of days out in the islands, with breathtaking sunrises and sunsets and great snorkeling, all less than an hour from the mainland.

Now, as promised, there is a whole other side to owning private islands in Belize, read more below.

The responsibilities of owning a private island in the Caribbean

Here’s some points to consider before you take the big leap of buying a Caribbean island.

Starting a business or even a small construction on an island is an expensive endeavor, as all materials need to be shipped into the vast Caribbean waters. Obtaining electricity and clean water is also an arduous process, which can be better explained by the people at Hatchet Caye, a wonderful island resort.

Isolation is another hurdle to be overcome when living on a private island, as Richard Branson knows, private islands are not the best place to be during bad weather or hurricanes, as aid can take weeks or months to reach your property.

If you are in the market for a retirement property down under, but you’re not entirely convinced with a private island, why not start your Belize real estate portfolio with a jungle, farm or beachfront property?
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Dec 05 No Comments

Our favorite pics from the start of high season in Placencia, Belize!

Author: Remax VIP Admin

Categories: Front Page,Lifestyle,Placencia

The start of high season in Placencia usually means that the village is in tip-top shape….all the painting, construction, etc, mostly ceases and it becomes all about the visitors! Here are our top 12 favorite images from around CBC and the village in the last couple weeks! You may find yourself booking a flight after you take a look…

Remax Vip Belize: all the painting, construction

The first views our guests see as they enter CBC…

The view from the tower in Hacienda…

Our new office! And we are now offering cold towels at check in along with your welcome drink 🙂

Had to add this one….our lovely guests sent these to staff after check out!

Love this view of the beach, that you’ll see each time you leave CBC and head into the village

Spectacular sunrise

Must-do on every beach vacation!

Great photo op by Tipsy Tuna…

Our two favorite beach pics from CBC! #1….

Remax Vip Belize: Our two favorite beach pics

#2!

Beautiful, clear day – the view from the Villas

My personal favorite of the bunch 🙂

Nov 15 No Comments

The start of high season in Placencia, Belize is an exciting time of year!! Here’s some new can’t miss ideas…

Author: Remax VIP Admin

Categories: Front Page,Lifestyle,Placencia

Remaxvipbelize - The start of high season in Placencia

If you follow our Facebook page, you’ll see all the new and exciting things to look forward to for this upcoming high season! If you visited in October, you may have seen/heard all the painting and updating many businesses do right before reopening in November. Below is some new information and images of what is new for this upcoming season!

CanAm Health and Wellness: Healthy food and classes….
From their new Facebook page:CanAm Health and Wellness was created to help assist our clients explore a different way of health and lifestyle. As coaches we share our knowledge of primal foods and movement. One way we have decided to share this is through our CanAm Cafe. We recently opened up the doors to this new venture. We currently are offering baked goods(all gluten-free) coffee drinks , fresh brewed chai tea, green smoothies and fruit smoothies. Coming as soon as this week, we will offer a 3 course breakfast. We prepare foods in an alternative way using locally sourced products, whole foods, gluten-free and organic/pasture raised. This breakfast offering will be available on select days. Please follow us on Facebook and we will share our menu and days available. The menu will be set for each day with fresh juice and coffee included. Lucky you…no decisions to make! Have a seat, relax and let us serve you.

Here for Thanksgiving? Check out this locally famous spot to try a Belize Thanksgiving dinner!Back by popular demand Cliff’s delicious finga licking turkey dinner sale Thanksgiving Day Thursday November 23rd at Nite Wind Tours next to the old shell service station.Super moist oven baked turkey served with coconut rice and beans,real Belizean Christmas ham,potato salad,homemade stuffings and gravy and cranberry sauce.Price $15.00bz per plate.Place your orders here or call Ms. D at 660-6333.

From their Facebook page…

Remaxvipbelize - Belize Thanksgiving dinner

Paint and Sip at Lost Reef!
Paint & Sip Classes @ Lost Reef Resort as well as Artwork for sale by Eddie Guerra
We are blessed to have “Eddie the Artist” Eddie Guerra come teach for a sip an Paint! ….Classes will be held on the sea side under the shade of palms in natural light. Class sizes will be limited to 8 people…We will do one class at 11:30, and another at 3:00. We will supply the following: paint, easel, brushes, one yummy adult beverage, and a 2 hour tutorial lesson with this amazing artist! Located in Riversdale approximately 5 miles north of Maya Beach. Classes are already filling up, so please contact Molly Morton directly to secure your spot and take home an original piece made by the one and only YOU!!! Molly Morton 668-5053

From their Facebook page…

Remaxvipbelize - Paint and Sip at Lost Reef

This Sunday – local culture at Tipsy Tuna!

From their Facebook page…

Also at Tipsy Tuna – check out this weekly volleyball tournament with prizes!

From their Facebook page…

Remaxvipbelize - volleyball tournament with prizes

New frozen yogurt place in town…..Deja Moo (how cute is that!)

From their Facebook page…

New wine shop at Los Porticos – The Wine House opened a branch here in Placencia!

From their Facebook page…

Check out this new cafe located right across the sidewalk from Tipsy Tuna!! Afrodite Cafe –

Afrodite is a unique sidewalk cafe open from 7 am ’til midnight, featuring fresh baked goods, juice bar, salads, pizza, ceviche, Lick Me, full bar and more in a comfortable and stimulating atmosphere. We deliver.

New Yoga Schedule for high season!

Does this seem like a lot of new stuff for this little village? I think so, and it keeps things fresh for all the return guests that come here! I seem to have to update this new stuff every few months or so – if you missed any of these posts, you can check out other recent new stuff at the following!!

Click here to see new more new places and what’s reopening for high season….

Some can’t miss new places here.

What you can’t miss every night here.

Our recommended itinerary here!

Nov 03 No Comments

Walk through all the new and improved touches at CBC! Stunning, tropical, exotic scenes….

Author: Remax VIP Admin

Categories: Front Page,Lifestyle

Walk through all the new and improved touches

Many of the resorts in Belize, big and small, have to shut down for a few weeks a year to do some touch ups. The salt air is really hard on paint, mechanicals, etc, and we don’t want our guests’ experiences to be disrupted by this maintenance. We also closely listen to what our guests tell us that they love, and ideas that they have, and we try to make small improvements any chance we get! Here are this year’s improvements, and the first couple weeks we have reopened have been a great success!

The entrance is more soothing, more natural, and now has a huge shaded palapa and reception area! The new office and reception was our biggest change this year.

We are just thrilled with the new office. The lights, art, and seating set a really exotic, natural, and comfortable experience as guests arrive. The cold towel and complimentary drink don’t hurt either…

Festive lights and a light breeze from above…

Exotic seating area for guests checking in, or waiting for their excursions…

Our new office! On site concierge, and a central place for guests to find us.

Inside the office, cold water, a/c, and friendly faces!

The reception area from behind as you enter CBC…

We made a lot of small landscaping changes, new palapa trim on the Casa, and fresh paint to make the entrance as soothing as possible

New Casa area

Many new exotic plant touches will enhance your experience as you walk through

Sidewalk refacing will be noticed throughout

View from Villa Mar second floor terrace

New second table under the pool! Plenty of seating for all

The Casita has received special attention recently, new couch, pillows….

New lights, stools….

Walking up to Sol veranda….Sol received new indoor lights and new paint

New sidewalk and refreshed landscaping

Sol from the front

The art has all been refreshed and placed to be even more enjoyable

New game area! All the games are now in one place, and you can go play Cornhole right on the beachfront!

Looking back from the beach

Luna also received paint and lights

Relax in the new hammock or the old favorite, the palapa table!

Close up of hammock

Refreshed art

View from La Hacienda

Closeup of new pool coping

The Hacienda tower got a paint refresh

We have even more wonderful changes and surprises in store for future guests! We have a new logo and our new logo gear is coming in shortly. We have so many repeat guests and we want each experience to be even better than that last!

Oct 13 No Comments

2 super cheap, easy staples to make while you are in Belize!

Author: Remax VIP Admin

Categories: Front Page,Lifestyle

I have these two things in my fridge constantly, and they are so cheap and easy. You can always find the ingredients, and even if you are here only for a few days or a week, it is nice to have some simple food in your fridge so you don’t have to run out to eat every time.If you go to any chicken, rice, and beans stand – you will often see a jar that has (delicious) onions and jalapeno/peppers chopped up and mixed together, that you can put on top of your food. It is SO good. I put it on everything – for example, if you were just here a few days on vacation but wanted simple snacks in your room, you could put this on eggs, nacho chips, or roll a tortilla and cheese with this (see below). It makes everything taste amazing.

Here’s a pic from the actual jar I just pulled out of my fridge 🙂 – made with red onions which turns them pinkish…

Here is the best way I’ve found to make it:

“Pickled” onions, Belize food stand-style

2 onions – white or red, or a combination

4 habaneros – I like it hot, but use less if you don’t!

2 cups white vinegar

2 cups water

salt to taste

sugar or Splenda to taste

Cut up the veggies to the size you like, and throw them in a saucepan with the liquids – bring to a boil, then lower heat for several minutes until the onions are a bit soft. Add sweetener to taste when it cools down, then put in a jar or container and put in the fridge. It lasts over a week. You can find habeneros at farmer’s market stands.

My Favorite Salsa

tomatoes – about 5-6 Roma

onions – any combination of red or white

cilantro – one bunch (about a small handful)

small can of jalapenos – find at any local grocery store

juice from one lime

salt

Coarsely chop and throw all this in a blender. That’s my favorite and most easy way to make this, but you can also chop it all up if you don’t have a blender.

FYI These are my favorite chips you can buy here…..

_________________________________________________________________________________

So with these two recipes, you can throw together so much easy, cheap, and fun food – get some tortilla chips, eggs, cheese, tortillas, (maybe some butter and Marie Sharps hot sauce!) and the ingredients above, and this is going to make you very happy – and you can always find these ingredients here. Here are a few of these ingredients that I just pulled from my fridge –

And here are some amazing combinations with those ingredients:

Eggs+cheese+salsa+onions
Same and above but put in a tortilla
Same as first line but put over tortilla chips
Tortilla+cheese+salsa for dipping (saute in butter or just put in the microwave)
Chips+cheese+salsa

Sep 28 No Comments

Discover Five Ecosystems in Belize

Author: Remax VIP Admin

Categories: Lifestyle

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.

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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