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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right place for Belize Resources and Information.

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0

Living in Belize

by tacogirl 16/08/2015
Living in Belize

Taking the Plunge

Since you clicked on this page, the idea of living in Belize has probably crossed your mind. Once that happens, the questions begin. Not only have I been where you are right now, but because I have decided to live in Belize full time I probably have been asked all the questions you’re thinking of. So, this page is dedicated to answering all your questions about living in Belize. If I missed something, just shoot me an email at tacogirlbelize[at]gmail.com and ask.

The Visa/Work Permit/Residency/QRP/Citizenship Questions

Everyone who comes to visit Belize is given a 30-day visa which is simply a stamp in your passport. This visa is renewable every 30 days as long as you are well behaved and not breaking any laws. For the first 6 months, it costs $25 USD or $50 BZD each month to renew and then it jumps to $50 USD or $100 BZD per month forever after, unless you leave the country for a week or two, in which case it starts over again at $25 USD.

The process itself is simple. Walk into the immigration office with your passport and tell them you need to renew your visa. They will determine whether it is $25 or $50 USD and give you a slip of paper, which you take to the Treasury Department (which is at the opposite end of the building) and pay. They will give you a receipt, which you take back to the immigration and they then stamp your passport and you’re good to go for another 30 days.

Don’t be late, they will often give you a little leeway of a day or two, but you don’t want to push it. The penalty for being late can be a fine, getting kicked out or both. Please note it will seem as though you lose a day each month, but because there are 31 days in some months, to average it out they always make the renewal one day “sooner” than you might think.

If you want to work in Belize, you must obtain a work permit. It costs $1,000US per year. Many people get around this by working online in some capacity but this is still considered a gray area. It is required that you reside in Belize for 6 months before applying for a work permit.

Belize residency may be filed for after living in Belize for a year without leaving the country for a total of 14 days. It costs $1,000 US once you are approved. You must also have a clean police record in Belize, take a couple of medical tests, proof of income or a bank statement that you can sustain yourself. There are no official procedures on the Labour/Immigration section of Belize Government website so the best thing to do is check at your local immigration office, which is where you also can pick up an application. Be sure to make a file folder with copies of everything before you turn it in. Once you have your residency, you are no longer required to have a work permit or obtain the monthly visa stamp.

QRP (Qualified Retired Person) is a nice program for those who qualify and want to retire and live in Belize. It is administered by the Belize Tourism Board and the fees of $1350 USD is payable to the board.  While it doesn’t give you permanent residency, citizenship or allow you to work in the country; it does give you the freedom to come and go as you please without the need for an additional visa. You may also bring in a vehicle and all your personal effects tax exempt. To qualify you must be at least 45 years old and have proof of income of $2,000 USD per month.

Citizenship may be obtained if you live here for 5 continuous years after getting residency or marry a Belizean and live here for one year. The application process is similar to the residency. There are no fees associated with the citizenship application. Once granted, a Belize Passport costs $300 BZD.

So now that you are living in Belize legally, how do you earn money?
This is definitely one of the top questions I get. Some people buy a business, however, you need a work permit or residency to physically work at it. Many people work on the internet. It might be running a blog like this one or working for a company in your home country that allows you to work offsite. The Belize government is very protective of its workforce and so if you are applying for a job that most Belizeans can do, such as bartender, you won’t get it. Starting your own business is always welcome of course and there are many niches that can be filled. Your best bet is to bring enough to live on for a few months to a year and chances are you can find something once you get here and become part of the community.

Okay so now onto some of the basic type questions.

Where is Belize? Belize is just south of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean and is part of Central America. It takes about 2 hours to fly here from Houston or Miami. It is often compared to the size of the state of New Hampshire. Belize has a population of only about 370,000 but now receives over 1 million tourists each year.

How’s the Weather? The climate is considered sub-tropical. The average annual temperature is 82° F. I’ve never experienced it get colder than 62° F or hotter than 100° F. Humidity can be a bit much at times which makes it feel even hotter. The rainy season that directly coincides with hurricane season; June 1st to November 30th.

Time Zone? Belize does not observe daylight savings so March to October it is equivalent to Mountain time and October to March, comparable to Central time; also known as GMT-6.

Money? Pretty much everywhere you go will take US dollars. The Belize dollar is pegged at 2 to 1, which means if something costs $5 USD, it is $10 BZD. This makes it really easy and has been this way for over thirty years. US money is pretty widely accepted here though you will likely get local currency back as change. ATM’s are readily available and will only give you Belize dollars. Not all businesses here take credit cards so be sure and check first if you are planning to pay with plastic.

Language? As Belize was a former colony of the British, almost everyone in the country speaks English. Most also speak a local dialect of Creole/Kroil and many speak Spanish. Other local languages include Garifuna, Maya Ketchi and Maya Mopan. 

People? Belize is quite the melting pot, comprised of the indigenous Mayan, Spanish, Mexican, Garifuna, British and the more recent immigrants from Lebanon and China. Sprinkle in the US, Canadian and European expats and you will see, there is a great deal of diversification.

Religion? With the melting pot of people, you get quite a variation in religion as well.

Food? The local favorite dish is stewed chicken with rice and beans. If you love your McDonald’s or Starbucks you will be in for quite a shock as for the most part. You will not find franchises in Belize. The local Chinese food shops have taken the role of fast food provider and serve, burgers, fried chicken, pork chops as well as all the regular Chinese food choices. You can always find nice restaurants around town if you want to dine a bit more upscale.

Tipping? Tip like you do in your own country, and more if the service is good and you can afford it. Since wages are low tipping is very much appreciated in Belize. For things like tours I often do a head count of how many staff are there and tip $5 BZD a head which would buy each person a beer at a bar.

A few more things to consider

Belize is still considered a developing country so do not expect it to be like where you came from. As mentioned above, we there are no fast food chains and to get to a Walmart you have to go to Mexico. Get used to the idea things taking longer to get done. The electricity and sometimes water goes out occasionally, often seemingly for no reason or without warning. The internet is slow and expensive and it often goes out as well. The government is very protective of business and imposes stiff import taxes on things like alcohol and electronics.

Would I do it again?

Absolutely! Living in Belize has changed my life forever. I love living on an island in the Caribbean where you can still see children playing with marbles. I could never go back to 6 months of winter no matter where life takes me. Once you live here, there is a shift that happens that allows you to move from the tourist economy to the local economy. You figure out how to get things at a better price and how to get things done. Besides the weather and beaches, I love the community of people who live here. This island has a way of “weeding out” those who really don’t belong here and leaving behind those that do. 🙂

Who wouldn’t want to spend their days in a place that looks like this?

Cost of living in BelizeLiving in BelizeCost of living in Belize
 

50 comments

Dean 16/02/2019 - 3:46 pm

Hi Tacogirl,
We have been getting more and more serious about escaping the cold here in Alberta. I have been researching and found some great info on your site. We are wanting to invest in a property now and eventually move to San Pedro permanently. Do you now much about buying condos in the resorts? This is what appeals to us for now. The rental income can offset the cost of still living in Canada. Do real estates agents normally take care of these types of properties or does the resort handle the selling? Is there a reputable real estate agent that you recommend that handles this type of property?
Thanks for the help and keep up the great site.

Reply
tacogirl 18/02/2019 - 11:41 am

Morning Dean, shoot me an email at tacogirlbelize@gmail.com and I can answer all your questions in an easy to track place. I have a few friends that own condos here and do part of the year in the rental pool and then they get a large chunk of time there every year. Agents definitely come across these types of investments. I can put you in touch with an agent.

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Gregg Keen 27/01/2019 - 5:20 am

Hi Tacogirl, My wife and I are ready to trade in our 2 short term rental homes in Colorado for a place in Belize. Its not clear to me if someone on QRP status can legally run an AirBnb place in Belize. Can you help clarify? Thanks!

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tacogirl 18/02/2019 - 11:02 am

QRP means retired status so no business allowed when you are here under that Gregg. I do know people that came down as both, one came QRP and one came legally able to run a business which she did successfully until she decided to stop.

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Bruce 16/10/2018 - 4:15 pm

Hello!! Great site and useful information all around. Wish we had found this site sooner. We are going back next month and want to invest in some property. Can you suggest a reputable real estate agent?

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tacogirl 17/10/2018 - 7:52 am

Morning Bruce, I can please email me at tacogirlbelize@gmail.com with a bit more on what you are looking for and I can put you in touch with an agent.

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Thomas Esposito 15/06/2018 - 6:30 pm

Hi Tacogirl .
I enjoy reading your blog I just moved to Placencia on June 2nd and I love Belize. 30 years ago when I was stationed in Hawaii I saw a photo of Belize in a magazine and swore to move here one day . I visited San Pedro the last 2 years and absolutely loved it. I chose Placencia Belize because I got a great deal on a house right on the water to rent . Although I love it, I think my place is in Ambergris Caye. Thanks for your blog, hope to see you soon.

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tacogirl 19/06/2018 - 5:51 am

Glad you enjoy reading my blog Thomas, congrats on your move to Placencia. Maybe you will end up visiting Ambergris Caye more and have the best of both worlds.

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Peter 08/06/2018 - 6:48 am

Hello. I have been reading your blog and have a few questions. Are the following items available Caye Caulker? Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise, raw fresh chicken, potatoes for BBQ, heavy duty aluminum foil, celery, and cucumbers. I will be in Caye Caulker June 29-July 5, and then San Pedro July 5-11. In Caye Caulker I do have a kitchen where I am staying and a BBQ outside and would like to do some cooking. In San Pedro there is no where to cook where I am staying. Would you recommend staying loner in Caye Caulker, say 10 days and only go to San Pedro for the last 3 days? I have read that San Pedro is not that nice, more expensive than Caye Caulker, lots of golf cart traffic, and dusty and dirty. Please advise. Thank you for your wealth of info on your blog.

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tacogirl 08/06/2018 - 9:33 am

Morning Peter. You can find most of what you are looking for on Caye Caulker, just ask your accommodations people if you have trouble finding it and they will point you in the right direction. As for the length of stay that depends if you want busy then more time on Ambergris Caye if you really want to relax and unwind more days on Caye Caulker.

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Carol 09/04/2018 - 8:33 am

Tacogirl, I’ll be there April 20-24. Meeting with a friend to look for places to rent. I hope we can get a chance to meet while I’m there.

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tacogirl 10/04/2018 - 7:12 am

Sounds good Carol, just keep in touch.

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shawngwright 30/03/2018 - 8:04 pm

Hello,

I have enjoyed reading your posts, and only discovered your site once we were already in Belize, a few weeks ago. The trip was a last minute decision, but I am so glad we went! We only had 10 days, but it was enough to make me realize that Belize made me feel better than I have in many years – especially when I was sailing a Catamaran for the last two days. I am very near retirement, and ready to make changes necessary to travel more, and live at least part time somewhere like Belize. I am interested in how you made the transition, and how often you return to Canada? We live on Vancouver Island, which is also a wonderful place to live, especially in the summer. Are you concerned about medical coverage in Belize, or do you maintain Canadian coverage? So many questions… Thanks!

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tacogirl 05/04/2018 - 11:30 am

So glad you have enjoyed the read, Shawn. What a great vacation experience. Mine was similar, I came here on a vacation and by the end of 3 weeks was planning a move. Vancouver Island is great, I moved from downtown Toronto. I do not maintain Canadian coverage as I have been gone so long (12th year).

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Carol 22/02/2018 - 10:41 am

Thanks. Looking to come in May for about 4 days to check out places. Can’t wait to get back there and see how much it’s changed in 13 years.

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tacogirl 24/02/2018 - 9:12 am

Nice Carol, you will find it has changed a good bit in 13 years. You can still find some of the charming old San Pedro if you look in the right places. Taking a recent picture of a front carrier pedal bike with a golf cart rood on it reminded me of that.

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Carol 22/02/2018 - 10:06 am

Thanks for the help. Contacted a few places yesterday but they don’t allow pets. I have a cat so can you tell me how hard it is to find a place to live with a cat?

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tacogirl 22/02/2018 - 10:37 am

I do not have pets but many of my friends that rent do so there are places that allow pets, you just have to keep watching for one Carol.

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Carol 16/02/2018 - 10:30 am

Thanks for all the info. I’ve been to Ambergris and love it. Currently living in the Florida Keys and plan on coming for another visit in May, I hope. Looking to find a 6 month rental (I’ve been in touch with Sally(real estate agent) who’s been great with some condo listings. Would love to sit down with you and get more scoop on moving there. I’ve recently looked at Caye Caulker and see that it’s cheaper there to live. Any other info on that? Thanks.

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tacogirl 16/02/2018 - 12:25 pm

Morning Carol

Feel free to email me closer to the time to work out a sit-down. You can also try Ana Lausen she and her husband Erik do property management ambergrisvacations@yahoo.com

I like Caye Caulker a lot although some people find it too slow. I would say it is worth looking into as it is a very cute colorful island. Since it is closer to the mainland some things would be cheaper there. People often forget to factor in for pricing, when everything comes to an island by barge or plane that transport cost increases pricing.

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loretta spencer 10/02/2018 - 9:57 pm

I am looking to check out Belize for retirement and I am not sure where area to start. I need to be close to good healthcare, so I was thinking of corozal area. I want to be able to kayak easily, hike and live in nature, but not isolated. I would want some protection from hurricanes and flooding. Can you suggest other areas to look at? Thank you for your time and blog.

Loretta

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tacogirl 14/02/2018 - 12:42 pm

Afternoon Loretta, another area would be Cayo. Lots of outdoor activities options there and it is nice and hilly so a higher ground place there would help in regards to flood protection. Placencia also a popular destination.

Thanks for appreciating my blog.

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jeremy 10/04/2017 - 7:27 am

Hi Tacogirl,
This is my first time to check out your blog. I was really impressed as you provide us with a lot of useful information for our trip! Keep on your great work!

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tacogirl 24/02/2018 - 9:14 am

Thanks Jeremy.

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LOUIS BRITZ 08/02/2017 - 7:24 am

HI TACOGIRL.

FIRST OF ALL, THANKS FOR YOUR VERY HELP FULL BLOG.

ME AND MY WIFE WILL BE VISITING THE ISLAND FROM 22 APRIL TO 2 MAY THIS YEAR. WE WOULD LIKE TO MEET UP WITH YOU AS WE HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS.
WE ARE ACTUALLY COMING TO THE ISLAND TO SEE IF MY WIFE WILL BE HAPPY TO LIVE ON THE ISLAND PERMANENTLY.

CHEERS LOUIS BRITZ

Reply
tacogirl 10/02/2017 - 8:12 am

Cheers Louis. Just shoot me an email closer to time.

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ERIC TOMLIN 12/01/2017 - 2:17 pm

Hi Tacogirl,

My wife and I have visited Ambergris Caye twice in the last 9 months and we love it. We are considering buying a piece of waterfront land on the WEST side of the island, north of Secret Beach. I’m looking for reliable info sources that might be able to give me insight into the plans for GBE and the area around it with regards to roads, electricity, etc. Even if we buy now, we wouldn’t be looking to move for at least 5 years. But I’m still concerned that there will be little to no progress on development of the west side over that period of time.

Any guidance you can provide will be much appreciated.

-Eric

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tacogirl 12/01/2017 - 6:55 pm

The west side while remote is still a very cool area Eric. While development may be slower in that area, the popularity of Secret Beach is helping it move along. Got your email answering it now.

This post has some video footage and pictures of the area north of Secret Beach. https://tacogirl.com/2-tickets-to-paradise-on-seas-d-day-boat-charter-belize/

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Angel 07/12/2016 - 10:35 pm

Thank you for putting this blog together, I really like the flow and ease of it!

Do you have any suggestions on how to find a short term rental, other than AirBnB or VRBO. Nothing against them, it just seems that there isn’t that many choices for our price range.
We are not looking for anything super extravagant. Safe area, 1 bedroom, 1 bath, close to the water and near the necessities like a market, and preferably under $1,000 for about four weeks. Is that a realistic request?
We’re hoping to travel between January and March.
We haven’t settled on any one specific spot, but we are looking at doing a vacation slash retirement home search.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Reply
tacogirl 08/12/2016 - 6:51 am

Part of the trouble is long and short term rentals have different classifications tax wise. Short term rentals tend to all be hotel type places or the kind that get listed on AirBnB or VRBO. It is easier to find a deal on a long term rental which is 6 months or more. Check your email Angel, I will send you an option.

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Chip 01/12/2016 - 9:03 am

OK, thanks! I never thought about the donation angle – interesting.

We’re counting the day until we get back again!

Chip

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tacogirl 01/12/2016 - 11:37 am

Often there are more angles to consider Chip, glad you found that interesting. Enjoy your countdown to becoming repeat offenders 😉

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Chip 29/11/2016 - 10:36 am

Silly question, but……

My better half and I visited Ambergris last year on our honeymoon and LOVED it! We’re captivated!

We are planning on coming back in June 2017 and bringing our “accumulated children”, ages 21, 20, 17, 15. (We were both widows when we met.)

The 20 year old loves fishing. Bringing fishing gear from Ohio may be challenging, so I was wondering if you might have any references or ideas for renting or borrowing fishing gear for him while we’re there?

Thanks!
Chip

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tacogirl 29/11/2016 - 11:00 am

Moring Chip. I do not know of any rental places off hand. Fishing guides do have pols available for their tours and Captain Sharks in town does sell them. That is a good item to donate to a local if it is easy and cost effective for you to get one at home and bring it down. Not sure the luggage restrictions on items like that now days. A good friend always brought boxes of hooks for his favorite Ambergris Caye fishermen when he vacationed.

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Joyce 29/04/2016 - 7:16 pm

I retire soon and my 22 year old son would like to join me in Belize and get a job in a hospital as a surgical tech. He realizes he’ll need to volunteer for 6 mos-to a year so the hospital(s) can get to know him before he could start applying for jobs. Is this possible? I’m reading he needs to be at least 45 years old to apply for a work permit. I don’t need to work, and can support both of us with my pension for as long as needed (but want a “return” on my investment on that college education!)

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tacogirl 30/04/2016 - 12:25 pm

Hi Joyce

Ministry of Health would be the ones to look to and find out correct procedures. He may have to do schooling here as well depending on exactly what he plans to do and their regulations.
Guide to Hospitals in the country http://www.guidetobelize.info/en/yellow-pages/belize-health-care-medical-current-guide.shtml#health-hospitals

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Michele Ryan 12/04/2016 - 2:57 pm

Hey Taco Girl, love your posts here. I am considering moving to Belize. Looking to keep up on postings from this website.

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tacogirl 30/04/2016 - 12:18 pm

Sure thing Michele, glad you love my posts. Feel free to sign up for RRS feed upper right hand side if you want automatic post delivery.

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Pamela Hill 06/04/2016 - 12:10 pm

This is my first time to read your blog..Loved it..was very interesting to learn some tings about Belize..Looks so beautiful..would love to visit and maybe live there one day..

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tacogirl 06/04/2016 - 3:05 pm

Thanks for the compliment Pamela. It is very beautiful here, hopefully you will be able to plan a visit soon and see the country first hand.

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Nancy Engle 23/02/2016 - 7:23 pm

Hello. My husband and I are coming do live permanently within the year. I have read every blog and newspaper online to keep abreast of the goings on there. We are interested in volunteering opportunities after we get settled. I like how you promote that aspect of Belize. I have a couple of questions. In all of my readings between newspapers, multiple books, blogs, and my research there, can we go to the San Pedro Police Department to get our passports stamped every month for our permanent residency procedures or do we have to go to Belize City each month? Can we pay the fee on the island as well? Does it really cost $1000 per person after a year to apply for permanent residency? The book I read must have had old information. And, would you happen to have a link to a website to get the application early for permanent residency? Is there a way to pay all of the fees up front for the entire year to speed the process up? I don’t think it is possible on that last question (with all of my research), but I figured I would ask anyway.

I appreciate your time and your blog Tacogirl.

Regards
The Engles

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tacogirl 24/02/2016 - 8:12 am

Nancy, you would go to immigration (currently upstairs across from Tropic Air) on the island for monthly stamp. Price is still the same for residence $1000 US Dollars or $2000 Belize dollars. You cannot pay the fees in advance to speed things up. I have never seen the form online. When you are close to done your year, then you can go to Immigration and get the form – sometimes they want to verify you qualify before they will give you the form.

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Janine 21/02/2016 - 6:51 pm

Hi my name is Janine. I was recommended to check out your blog and that you may be able to help me. I am a high school teacher here in Toronto, Canada.
I am taking a leave of absence from July 2016 to Feb 2017 (with the option to extend if I wish).
I would like to find a job and place to live, preferably in Corozal, for this time period…and longer if possible.
I saw that for a single woman cost of living is approximately $900 US/month. I would very much love being near the water and in a friendly environment.
Could you please give me some advice on an apartment rental and job?
I have 15 years teaching experience. I have taught ages from 12 years to 20. I have taught the elementary system (all subjects). I have also taught the high school system – English, Law, &Religion. I am also a professional dancer and dance teacher, as well as Yoga Instructor.
I love people, animals, the outdoors, being active and creative.

Please help me 🙂

Janine xo

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tacogirl 22/02/2016 - 9:17 am

Morning Janine

Congrats on your leave of absence. Corozal it is likely doable at that price but really depends on hwo spendy you re as to how much it will cost you here. As for Job unless you are volunteering you would have to find someone willing to hire you and go through the work permit process first.

The Belize forum on Expat.com is a great place to network with Corozal people. They can point you in the right direction for rentals and possible help on job info.
http://www.expat.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=226

Sending you an email as well.

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Shawnee Miller 27/01/2016 - 7:51 pm

Hey Taco Girl!!
I have been reading your blogs for quite a while.
LOVE THEM!!
I even got my sister to start following you – and getting her to do anything is a mess.
Finally, after a number of years, she and I are coming to Belize. I can hardly wait!! BUT, I have one or two questions about stupid paddle boarding for a 60 year old in San Pedro. Can you email me and give me a few ideas about “old people” stuff there in San Pedro? I have already used your coupons and booked other trips on many of the sites you recommended. Would LOVE to meet you THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH???

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tacogirl 28/01/2016 - 6:58 am

Hi Shawnee.

Thanks for getting your sister to follow me too. Congrats on coming to Belize.

There are 2 paddleboarding places in town. One at Belize sailing club at Caribbean Villas, they do a nice mangrove paddleboard tour around back side of the island ot you can just putter around at their beach/dock area on front side. There is another one Big SUP at Chick and Robbie’s Dive shop dock in town.

Doing golf cart tour if island fun and sating a walk down sunrise strip (the Boca Del Rio Beach road) and checking out all the fun beach bars.

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jay erickson 19/01/2016 - 10:11 pm

hi there , I have read some of your blogs before and like to hear how a person can transition to belize, I have been there twice and went to san Ignacio the first time and liked it there and also to san pedro and the second time went to Hopkins and san Ignacio griga and caye caulker I definitely like the islands the best but everything is more expensive especially real estate . I would like to make the move there someday and liked reading your blog. im coming again in two weeks and going to corozal ,caye caulker and placentia . im kinda feeling it out to see if and where I would like to possibly move to in the future . where are you located there and have you been to different locations there to check them out?? I liked san Ignacio and felt safe there as I came by myself . Hopkins I didn’t like and found out a girl was raped and killed on same road I had been going to town on a couple weeks before. and in dangriga was approached by a guy who said I was an attractive man and would like to get to know me better, a little scary for me at 5.00 am at bus stop. its beautiful on caye caulker and san pedro but don’t know if I could afford to live there or not . catch you later jay Erickson a Minnesota person ready for 75 degrees as its been 20 below zero here for the last three days ahhhh warm air

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tacogirl 25/01/2016 - 7:55 am

Glad you reading your blog Jay. You are definitively doing a good job of location scouting in preparation for your move. Having top get all our goods brought over by air or sea makes for higher prices on the islands. I am on Ambergris Caye and have traveled to other areas but not with the thought of moving anytime soon. Sadly there are people and places to watch out for worldwide. I have good friends here from Minnesota – 20 below wow that is cold.

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Maggie 16/01/2016 - 12:42 am

Hello, your blog was referred to me as I’m seriously considering moving to Belize in six years if not sooner. I can fully retire at age 60 which is 6 years away for me. Did you move over there as a single female? That is what I’ll be doing. Do you feel safe there by yourself? Did you move into an expat community? Would you recommend renting or buying a house? Does land come with either so one could garden? I read that living inland is less costly than near the coastline. What would you recommend? Did you ship your personal items over? If so, how did you do that and was it costly? I live in Colorado and love it but I am ready for a change and know I will definitely be ready to make that change within the next six years. I have quite a few pets and within six years, some of them will have passed on. I will have to decide when it comes time to move over there whether I will bring my remaining pets with me or not, as to whether I would want to put them through the trip and customs and possibly quarantine. Did you bring any pets with you? What items would you recommend bringing with you? I did read on another blog to bring cotton clothing with you as it clothing over there is made of synthetic fibers and to bring a small TV and DVD with you as electronics are very expensive to purchase. Another blogger said they were glad they brought their favorite pots and pans as those were hard to get too. Thanks for reading my comment and answering my questions in advance.

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tacogirl 19/01/2016 - 9:42 am

I started out here moving together as a common law couple and am now in process of divorce. I still feel safe living on my own and I live in a local neighborhood that has a sprinkling of expats in it. Rent first and see how you like it then that gives you tile to see if you want to buy and find the perfect place. Good thing about renting is someone else does the maintenance.

We moved here on 2 trips with 4 suitcases each time, sold everything else off. Did not bring any pets. Shopping is much better than it was at the time of our move 10 years ago, I do agree with both bits of advice you read. I would also bring good cutlery and sheets. I did a dollar store run when we moved here and got all the utensils and cutting boards plastic plates, bowls and stuff to outfit a kitchen, as it turns out while our first apt was furnished the kitchen was bare aside from table and chairs. I would also bring good water proofing options for yourself and your electronics.

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Delvin Kelly
Delvin Kelly
18:38 22 Jun 22
I just returned from my trip to Belize in mid-June 2022. I had been planning the trip weeks / months in advance and... Laurie (taco girl) wasextremely helpful in preparation for my trip. Her intimate knowledge as an expat who was ONCE a tourist, really helps because she is able to share first hand knowledge of how a tourist can explore Ambergis Caye like a "temporary local". An example of this, was she recommended 2 yoga classes for my wife to enjoy while on vacation that we would not have known about otherwise and the class was far better than a class arranged by a hotel, as you get the local experience not a staged one. In addition, she was helpful in providing recommendations for dinner and sharing some discounts she has arranged with local retailers. Reviewing the taco girl blog and reaching out to Laurie is like having a tour guide, but more important a tour guide that KNOWS Belize.read more
G
G
22:52 16 Jun 22
From the perspective of a couple preparing for a permanent move to Belize, Laurie has been enthusiastically helpful in... both answering our questions and connecting us with local resources for our move. Highly recommend you contact her and make use of her valuable services!!!read more
Darrell Moore
Darrell Moore
13:15 18 Apr 22
Laurie was super helpful in providing places to eat, things to do and best yet had ongoing blogs that allowed us to... look back on other places that she pointed out. A fantastic resource for both first time and return visitors of Ambergris Caye!read more
B W
B W
18:01 08 Feb 22
Fantastic service .I needed to find a place where I could buy a local sim card as my UK sim doesnt work in belize and... Tacogirl put me on the right path .Decided to walk across town and discovered so much more in beautiful San Pedro.Many thanks.BWread more
Kristi Palm
Kristi Palm
20:40 12 Oct 21
We have been using TacoGirl for what feels like decades when planning our trips to Belize! It has only been a few... years but she is the first place we stop to see what is happening in our favorite vacation spot. She knows all the best spots to get away and do so many fun things - whether it is relaxing or exploring! We are planning our next trip with our twins and she was the first person I reached out to. Knowing we have a resource like her, makes trip planning a breeze!read more
D Zep
D Zep
12:39 01 Oct 21
Found tacogirl while doing some research on an upcoming trip to Belize. This is the place for all the information you... need to plan your vacation. Incredibly helpful and responsive. I sent an email with lots of questions and received a very quick and detailed response that helped us finalize our plans.read more
Kelley Adams
Kelley Adams
20:19 21 Sep 21
We have been following TacoGirl for years now and before booking any trip to San Pedro we check to see what is... currently happening. We love the emails to let us know when a new blog has been posted. Keep up the great work Laurie, we feel like we know you.read more
Pamela Nixon
Pamela Nixon
18:36 20 Sep 21
I first got my Passport in 2012 and Taco Girl was my first connection back then Great then and Marvelous Now! She's... blossomed and developed into a wonderful contact for any and all information Belize. She goes above & beyond to respond with information that you need whether visiting Belize or relocating! I wasn't able to fund the move then but now that I have much more equity I am doing it.This time she was the 1st person I reached out to! Now I am selling and moving to Belize. She responds immediately! Like I do in my Pet Sitting Business! I was so impressed I followed her all this time. And was not disappointed!Pamela Nixonread more
Chris S
Chris S
17:12 17 Sep 21
Wanted to give a shout-out to tacogirl belize for helping us! She is a plethora of knowledge and was super helpful and... responsive in helping us find longer term stay on the island. Thank you so much for your help!read more
Ty Willingham
Ty Willingham
01:47 20 Aug 21
I've spent the last month exploring Belize. I'm retired & seriously considering moving down to Belize permanently from... the US. I contacted the local San Pedro expert "Taco Girl" to help me get started in finding an apartment to rent. With her help, I've located several places that meet my needs & budget requirements. Thank you Laurie!read more
Greg Cox
Greg Cox
18:58 04 Aug 21
I am very glad I found you and asked you a question about a spice in Belize. You helped me figure out the name of it... and where i could buy it. You went above and beyond to help. Thanks again.read more
Katherine Jones
Katherine Jones
18:41 02 Aug 21
I am so grateful for the time and energy Laurie has taken to share about her experiences traveling to and living in... Belize as well as provide thorough recommendations for planning a trip there. I was so thankful (and honestly surprised) that Laurie took the time to respond to several of my questions via email. I highly recommend reading Laurie's blogs and helping to support her business. Thank you Laurie!!read more
Greg R
Greg R
02:12 29 Jun 21
tacogirl was very nice to share her knowledge with us and assisted with planning our trip to Belize; thank you for the... help and info, it was helpful and allowed us to plan utilize our time accordingly while both on the mainland and islands of this great country.read more
Katherine Carlson
Katherine Carlson
18:46 02 Jun 21
As a Canadian—tired of long winters—I cannot wait to spend some time in Belize. I haven't set foot yet, but I am... yearning for lots of Caribbean adventure. Thanks so much to tacogirl for her endless enthusiasm and generosity of spirit. She is a constant stream of up-to-date information. Her knowledge and love of the area is priceless, and I will need her expertise for future endeavours!read more
Kathleen Ward
Kathleen Ward
18:29 02 Jun 21
We started coming to Ambergis Caye in 2014 and stumble on to Tacogirls blog, so glad we did! We used her 15% discount... at The Premier Duty-Free shop in the airport! It worked great all we did was let them know we read it on her blog . She has great information awesome pictures, we have tried several places she has recommended, all were amazing. Highly recommend reading her blog. Kathleenread more
ksniegoc1
ksniegoc1
17:45 02 Jun 21
It was my first time visiting Belize and San Pedro so naturally I had a ton of questions when it came time to planning... the travel. Taco Gril's blog was an invaluable source of information for all the travel questions in Ambergris Caye. I was able to learn a lot of basic information, as well as many tips and tricks. In addition when I reached out to Taco Girl for advice on finding a local photographer and a restaurant recommendation, she was very quick to respond and gave me many helpful suggestions. She also provided a lot more information from a local's point of view, which was much for valuable than than a typical guidebook. Thanks to her helpful suggestions we were able to celebrate my daughter's birthday at a nice restaurant, and had a great photo family session with a local photographer. I'm very thankful for all her resources and knowledge.read more
Myra F
Myra F
01:30 25 Mar 21
I started coming to San Pedro Belize in 2007 and that is when I met the online presence of Taco Girl. Her blogs on the... island and area are very personable and informative. She gives out promo codes from time to time so watch out for those. You cannot go wrong with someone who was a tourist and now lives here for quality info. Thanks Taco Girl for helping make my trips memorable!read more
Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton!I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice... to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local... information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do what... everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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Belize Blog Est. 2007

belize travel specialist

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation. If you have any questions or want Belize help planning and booking, please feel free to contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

A few childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age. Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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