Life in San Pedro Belize
If you’re thinking about relocating to San Pedro Belize, you probably have plenty of questions about what life is really like? In actuality, Belize is now the most popular destination in this part of the world – and within Belize, Ambergris Caye is where most people want to go.
Belize is made up of the mainland region, which shares a border with Guatemala to the west, the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico to the north and the waters of the Caribbean to the east. Several islands and Atolls are also a part of Belize, of which Ambergris Caye is the largest.
The earliest settlers were the Mayan people, but shipwrecked Britons claimed the territory in the seventeenth century, officially naming it the Colony of British Honduras in 1840. Belize finally achieved independence in 1981, becoming a Commonwealth Realm that retains Queen Elizabeth II as head of state, but much British influence still remains. English is the common language here, along with a form of Creole French, and of course, Spanish.
Business is often done in US dollars, although the local currency has enjoyed a stable exchange rate of two Belizean dollars to one US dollar since the early 1970’s.
The climate is tropical, and the temperature holds steady around 80˙F pretty much all year round. It’s humid but breezy, and it rains often, as most of the country is a natural rainforest. It’s often said, if you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes! Rainy season is June through August, but luckily the area doesn’t have to worry much about hurricanes, as its unique location tends to miss most of the worst tropical storms.
Water temperatures remain warm all year, and there is always plenty of ways to enjoy it – fishing, sailing, boating, swimming, diving and snorkeling are just a few!
Fresh fish, lobster and conch (in season) are plentiful, and there are plenty of restaurants to cater to any budget. Cuisine varies, with a strong influence from Caribbean island spices like Jerk and curry, as well as Mayan staples such as rice and beans, tamales and a delicious slow roasted pork dish called Cochinita Pibil. Belikin beer is the local ubiquitous brew, a German style pilsner that is luckily quite good as imports are heavily taxed, even coming from neighboring countries Guatamala and Mexico. As for wine, there are some interesting fruit wines made from cashew fruit, ginger or the indigenous soursop, and if that’s not for you, there’s always rum!
Whether you are coming for just a short time, or if you’re thinking of investing, relocating or retiring here, Belize has something for everyone. There are sure to be a hundred ways to indulge your senses, and you are guaranteed to discover new experiences wherever you look.