Lush and green, Belize is a nature lovers paradise with blue skies and blue waters lapping at it's thousands of cayes. The 185 mile long coral reef is the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world and makes Belize a popular destination for divers and snorkellers.

The country is on the northern coast of central america and is 8,867 square miles with over 200 miles of coast to explore with white sands, mangrove swamps and lagoons all contributing to the abundant flora and fauna. The interior has a jungle and jaguar and maccaws can be found in their natural habitat.

Foreign ownership is encouraged by the government and Belize's Retirement Program has been so successful that the government recently reviewed whether it should undergo a revamp. Not only that, the cost of living is fairly low. For example water supply for one month is likely to be around US$20 and your electricity bill is likely to be US$120 and up, with internet quite a pricey US$70 per month. However the weekly food bill can be as low as US$30 per month. If you don't own a car, it is possible to live there fairly comfortably for approximately US$1000 per month. This figure is taking into account that a house has been purchased to live in. Continue reading "A to Z Caribbean : Belize"

Guest post submitted by Maggie Jacobus in Costa Rica.





Do you dream of living abroad? If so, what’s holding you back from pursuing that dream?

Many people think they need to wait until retirement, when the kids are out of the house, to pursue that foreign living experience. In fact, doing it with your children just might be the most rewarding, enriching experience of your life…and theirs.

In September 2005 my husband and I packed up our kids—then ages 7, 8 and 10—and moved from the ‘burbs of Wisconsin to the jungles of Costa Rica. We came for a two-year adventure and, 4.5 years later, we remain here for the lifestyle.

Costa Rica is one of the most amazing places to live and raise a family. A tiny country about the size of the US state of West Virginia, Costa Rica is one of the most bio-diverse places on the earth. What does that mean? A vast variety of incredible nature as well as gorgeous topography that ranges from mountains to oceanfront, tropical rain forests to misty cloud forests. Imagine the explorations to be done together as a family! Continue reading "Living the Dream in Costa Rica"

Several Caribbean countries offer residency in exchange for good police records and proof that you will be contributing to the local economy. An acceptable proof in some cases is a guaranteed monthly income ie a pension income or other guaranteed income.

Costa Rica is one of these countries. However, on March 1st 2010 they will be changing their immigration model, and the minimum income that was set at US$600 per month to qualify for the 'pensionada' residency status will be increased to US$1000. There is also a 250% increase on the minimum for the 'rentista' residency – which will be increasing from US$1000 per month to US$2500.

Apparently this is due to the inflating numbers of migrants coming into Costa Rica from El Savador, Nicaragua, USA and Canada. Costa Rica has one of the highest levels of migrants with 1 in 10 of the population being from another land.

Costa Rica now feels that it has to get a hold on it's immigration situation and has started to add new residency stickers to the passports of 16,000 people who are entitled to stay in Costa Rica. There will also be more focus on investigating new marriages to understand whether they are based on love or passport acquisition. Continue reading "Changes to Costa Rica Immigration Policies"