Birds Without Borders…Saving Belize’s Environment
October 22, 2007 | Leave a Comment
You’ve probably heard about “Doctors Without Borders” and “Journalists Without Borders” but how about Birds Without Borders?
Birds Without Borders-Aves Sin Fronteras (Spanish for birds without borders) is a research, education, and conservation project sponsored by the Foundation for Wildlife Conservation, Inc. (FWC) and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM).
The project was founded by Dr. Gil Boese, president of the Foundation for Wildlife Conservation in 1996 to study and address the declines reported in bird populations in the Americas.
Birds Without Borders-Aves Sin Fronteras is notable because all it’s research and conservation efforts have taken place on privately owned lands in Belize and Wisconsin!
In 1998 the Foundation for Wildlife Conservation purchased over 6000 acres of land around Mile 6 on the Coastal Road in Central Belize. The FWC manages this land as the Runaway Creek Nature Preserve which it says provides “large expanses of undisturbed habitats for many animals as well as rare plants.”
Dr. Boese continues to oversee the management of the privately owned nature preserve where his staff have identified 304 species of birds.
Birds Without Borders have also identified 114 species of migratory birds which make their homes in both Belize and Wisconsin.
Birds Without Borders have recently published a “Landowners Manual” so landowners in Belize can try to do their part in “helping birds.”
Here is a link to their website where you can download the “Landowners Manual” as a pdf. The report contains many eye-opening recommendations which make good reading for everyone, not just Belizean landowners.
So just remember….the next time you see a rather exotic looking bird in your backyard in America, it may have just arrived from Belize!
How to FIND good Real Estate in Belize
October 22, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Trying to find your ideal property in Belize is not much different from doing the same in the United States or Canada, except for a couple of key differences.
The first thing you’ll notice is there isn’t a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) where you can conveniently browse most properties for sale in one location.
The main reason for this is the lack of a governing body or regulatory board for real estate sales in Belize. There are a couple of informal “Real Estate Associations” in Belize, but nothing officially sanctioned by the government.
So if you want to see all the available properties that are officially for sale you need to browse each and every real estate companies’ advertisements (usually only websites).
The second problem buyers complain about is the lack of a record of the prices most properties sell for. Without such data it is difficult for buyers to get an idea of the current prices for properties in certain areas. However, most of the reputable real estate companies in Belize will give you their HONEST opinion on what land is worth in certain areas, based on what they have seen it selling for.
There are several registered real estate companies in Belize, and the majority operate ethically and with their client’s best interests in mind.
Most companies specialize in particular areas of the country, although all will sell you property from other areas. It is usually worthwhile, however, to deal with a company that operates in the area you are interested in— simply because of the wealth of knowledge they can give you about that area.
Here are the steps I recommend for you to find your ideal property in Belize:
- Decide which part of the country you would like to find property.
- Contact one or two real estate companies in that area and tell them what you are looking for. Remember if the real estate company doesn’t currently have it listed, they probably know someone who does!
- Do your own research on the Internet. Spend some time browsing real estate sites and looking at land and prices for the area you are interested in.
- Come to Belize and look at the property! Some people buy properties sight unseen, (usually citrus farms for investment purposes, etc.) but the majority of buyers prefer to come and see what they are buying.
The real estate industry has come a long way in Belize over the last few years. Of course this increased efficiency has resulted in more buyers and steadily increasing prices, but that is the price of progress!
How to Buy Real Estate in Belize
October 21, 2007 | Leave a Comment
This article assumes you have already found the perfect property in Belize and are ready to fork over your hard earned cash and collect the land-title or deed.
If you would like some pointers on how to FIND your perfect slice of paradise in Belize, then please read THIS.
Okay so you’ve searched high and low, driven miles over back breaking, pot-hole filled gravel roads and now you’ve decided to buy a piece of property in Belize.
Great! Now what?
Actually, the process of buying property in Belize is not that much different from buying in Canada or the United States. (sorry for you readers from OTHER countries…. I can only comment on where I have experience!)
First, you need to present the seller with a formal OFFER TO PURCHASE.
This important document should be provided by your real estate agent and should include the
following:
- Purchaser’s name and address
- Vendor’s name and address
- The LEGAL DESCRIPTION of the Property, eg. Lot # 56 blah blah blah.
- The purchase price offered.
- Any other terms of the offer. All terms of the sale will have been written into the
offer by the real estate agent, such as time frames for closing, etc. - The purchaser must sign the Offer to Purchase and provide a deposit.
Then, the real estate agent will present the formal Offer to Purchase to the seller. The seller may accept the offer or respond with a counter-offer. If the seller accepts then he will sign and execute the offer.
At this point you should usually retain the services of a Belizean Attorney to supervise consummation of the deal.
The lawyer’s job is primarily to ensure the property title is “good and marketable”. He should do any neccessary Title or Deed searches to uncover any hidden encumberances which may be present on the Title or Deed. Also, he should check the “plan of survey” to verify the location and dimensions of the property.
There are three types of land property title registrations currently used in Belize.
There is the Conveyance system, the Certificate of Title (otherwise known as the Torrens system) and the Registered Land Act system.
Different parts of the country use different systems, but the Government of Belize has been converting all propeties in the country to the Registered Land Act system, area by area.
All three systems provide the owner with proof of ownership, with the Conveyence system providing a Deed and the Registered Land Act system and Certificate of Title (Torrens) systems providing Certificates of Title.
Although it is an excellent idea to convert all properties in Belize to the Registered Lands Act system, this may result in a slight delay in processing your new Certificate of Title.
That’s because there’s currently a backlog at the lands office in Belmopan.
But keep in mind that the new system guarantees the land exists and the title is YOURS, so it’s worth the wait!
Now all you have to do is pay the stamp duty, also known as a 5% land transfer tax. This is payable on any land transactions valued at over $20,000 Belize dollars. Usually this is paid by the buyer, but in any case it will be stipulated in the Offer to Purchase.
Lawyer’s fees for real estate transactions in Belize generally range between one per cent and three per cent.
And that’s it!
The Mysterious Case of Five Blues Lake Belize
October 10, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Recently a mystery like something out of the “Twilight Zone” unfolded in South-Central Belize.
The mystery surrounds Five Blues Lake, a well-known tourist attraction near St. Margaret’s Village at Mile 27 on the Hummingbird Highway.
Five Blues Lake National Park and Forest Reserve is one of the most beautiful and picturesque places in Belize.
The park is comprised of approximately 4000 acres of protected broad-leaf tropical forest and steep limestone hills with a remarkable 10 acre lake in the center. The lake, due to it’s varying depths and the way the ambient like reflects off the water, displays at least five unique shades of blue—hence the name. Five Blues is popular with both locals and tourists, offering visitors a pleasant locale for a family picnic, hike, fishing or refreshing swim.
The first part of the mystery occurred on July 20, 2006, when local fishermen reported a noise that sounded like “the lake was crying”. The fishermen reported seeing “a huge whirlpool” in the lake, and watched in horror as the water level began dropping. The water level continued to drop over the next few days until the lake was virtually drained. (The fishermen also reported hauling off dozens of large sacks of stranded fish!)
Jan Meerman, an ecologist from the Cayo District who has studied Five Blues Lake extensively, explains the lake was originally formed by the blockage of an underground waterway in the limestone bedrock. This type of formation is called a “karstic lake” or “blue hole cenote”. Meerman theorizes the clay and other natural deposits that formed the blockage which kept the water in the lake somehow dissolved, allowing the water to drain like a big bathtub with the plug suddenly removed.
So the question is, how and why did this occur, and where did such a large volume of water go to in such a short amount of time? According to Meerman this is a normal occurrence with karstic lakes, albeit a very RARE occurrence. In fact, the local fishermen say they have never heard of this happening during their lifetimes or even their parent’s lifetimes! As for where the water went, that remains an interesting puzzle.
The second part of the mystery occurred nearly a year after the water’s spooky disappearance. On the morning of June 27th 2007 visitors to the park excitedly reported the Five Blues Lake had somehow been “refilled”.
Huh? That’s right, almost overnight the water levels had returned to normal and even above where they had been before the mysterious draining.
Logically, it appears the natural “plug” has reformed and allowed the water to collect again in the lake. But now the question is, where did such a large volume of water come from in such a short period of time?
Currently there aren’t any real answers, and Meerman hopes further study of the lake will shed some light on the weird occurrences at Five Blues.
In the meantime, park rangers from nearby St. Margaret’s Village have begun clearing the four mile road to the lake and the overgrown parking and visitors center at the lake. The road and tourist facilities had been neglected since the lake’s disappearance, since very few people were interested in visiting an empty pit.
And if you’re planning to visit Five Blues Lake, try not to watch any re-runs of the “Twilight Zone” before you go!
Review of Antelope Falls Hike
October 8, 2007 | Leave a Comment
The hike to Antelope Falls in Mayflower Bocawina National Park is a recommended “must do” for hikers in Belize. I recently completed the hike and offer my review of the excursion here.
Mayflower Bocawina was designated a National Park in 2001 and is comprised of about 7000 acres of tropical broad-leaf forest set over a semi-mountainous terrain. The park was named after some Mayan ruins that were discovered there near the turn of the century but have only recently been explored and excavated. There are many trails throughout the park, most terminating near rivers and waterfalls where hikers can take a well deserved and refreshing swim. The hike to Antelope Falls is about 1.5 miles from the park entrance and is rated as not difficult
The walk begins on a well cleared path which winds its way over mostly flat terrain for approximately three-quarters of a mile before reaching a clearing which is the bottom-most base of the waterfall. Many .
elderly or not-so-fit hikers wisely decide this is far enough for them and make the return trip back to the park entrance. For those seeking a little more adventure (and exercise!) a trail continues winding upwards towards the top of the Falls for another three-quarters of a mile.
Since this section of the trail is less travelled, it also less maintained so care must be taken while climbing over fallen trees and branches. There are several sections where the grade becomes quite steep, and the park rangers have kindly provided thick manila ropes tied to higher trees and roots so you can pull yourself up. It is here I think less fit or elderly hikers may some problems.
After about 800 meters or so of climbing you reach a small clearing which provides a fantastic look-out point over the jungle canopy below.
The last 400 meters are perhaps the most difficult, with the grade steadily increasing until you reach the top. But a very nice reward awaits those who make it—a beautiful, emerald fresh-water swimming hole. After a very refreshing swim, the hike back down is easier, but no less challenging since there is the very real risk of falling while lowering yourself with the manila ropes.
The hike is definitely worthwhile and I consider it to be one of the more enjoyable walks I’ve done in Belize. But I think I would rate it as “intermediate” instead of “not difficult” because of the rope climbing and possibility of falling. If you are in the Stann Creek District and looking for a fun and somewhat challenging half-day excursion, I would definitely recommend the hike to Antelope Falls in Mayflower Bocawina Park.
Contest
October 3, 2007 | Leave a Comment
This is a post for pro-blogger’s giveaway… check it out here….
problogger contest
Welcome to Real Estate in Belize!
August 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment
It seems there is a “land-rush” in Belize and people from all over the world are coming here to possibly “buy a little piece of paradise.” Here you will find out about the current state of the real estate market in Belize and what you need to do if you want to buy land here.
Welcome to Snorkelling in Belize!
August 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Belize’s magnificent barrier reef attracts avid scuba divers from all over the world, but you don’t have to have a license to experience the wonders of the reef. Snorkelling has many of the advantages of diving, without any of the risks or costs associated with scuba diving.
Welcome to Scuba Diving in Belize!
August 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world, and the largest in the northern hemisphere. No wonder serious divers flock here from all over the world!
Welcome to Retirement in Belize!
August 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment
Millions of baby-boomers are starting to retire and look at different investment and relocation options in the warmer climates of the world. Belize is ranking as one of the top destinations for many reasons, here you can find out why and whether Belize is for you.