Renting in Belize | Try it on before you buy

Anytime you start thinking about moving to a new city, state or country research is usually in your future.  You start digging into as much info as you can about your potential home, but ultimately the best research will be visiting first.  Thinking of becoming an expat in a foreign country such as Belize is no exception. It is not uncommon for people to buy property in Belize before they visit.  There are a number of real estate web sites that can make buying blind appealing; sometimes it just looks too good to be true.  The problem is that it usually is too good to be true.  Traveling to Belize for a week or two can make all the difference in your decision to purchase land.

Belize has received a lot of press lately about the appeal it has for retirees looking for a tropical location with a relatively inexpensive price tag.  I loved the 2 ½ years I spent living in Belize, but I know a number of people who weren’t as thrilled with their experience.  It really takes some time to determine if Belize is the place for you.  I didn’t have a very well-informed opinion until I had spent about three months in the country.  At that point I had experienced a lot of the things that could be considered negatives.  I decided I still loved being there, but you may not feel the same way.

If you plan on staying in Belize for at least a month to tour around and do some on-the-ground research, then renting a place to stay in is probably your most affordable option.  I recently experienced a month of renting in Corozal Belize.  This was a new experience for me and one I want to share since I receive quite a few inquiries about rentals in the Corozal area.  There are a few options for renting in Belize, from a long-term guest house to renting a private residence.  My need for a place to stay was slightly rushed so I had to make a quick decision.  I didn’t have enough notice to rent a private residence so I spent a day looking around Corozal for the best option given my situation.  I decided on Hotel Maya located on the Northern Highway on the way into Corozal Town.  Hotel Maya has single and double occupancy rooms as well as furnished apartments for longer stays.  Their building is located right across from a public park space along the Corozal Bay.  The benefits of their location (in my opinion) are the view and the breeze (from being right across the bay).  I rented a one-bedroom, furnished apartment at Hotel Maya.  There was a living area and small kitchen along with the bedroom.  Cable and Wi-Fi were available as well.  For a one-month stay I paid $1,000 BZD ($500 USD), and that included the cable and electricity charges.

Some of the rentals I would recommend in Corozal for long-term stays are;

• Hotel Maya
• Paloma Pacifica Villa
• Copa Banana

I do not receive any compensation for making these recommendations.  They are simply the spots I have had direct experience with.  Feel free to contact me if you have questions about renting in the Corozal, Belize area.