Hello to all who live in the cold, like me, and want to find a great spot to spend the winter, or just a great vacation all around. Belize used to be THE PLACE if you were looking for a great holiday at a great price. If you travelled there in the past and loved it, I'm sorry to tell you that it has changed. I am (was) an annual traveller to this area. But!!!
Belize has, in a short time, gone from being the number one vacation spot, to the place to avoid. It is too expensive, the government is unstable and price hikes show no signs of slowing down.
It now costs $50.00 just to get in for a 30 day visa or a one day visit, and about $40.00 just to get out. and the entry and exit points are not the only place where you get hit for money. There are hidden costs everywhere now as business owners and Belize government alike are after one thing--your dollar. Gasoline is over $4.00 per gallon, because only rich foreigners have cars or tour buses or boats. this makes your trip expensive no matter how you get there. Gas will be up to $6.00 by the end of the year because Belize has lost all of its tax credits with the major companies. The government is about to default and there are demonstrations in the street, strikes and increased crime.
Most businesses in Belize are foreign owned, meaning that the money you spend on a vacation in Belize goes directly into a US, Canadian or other foreign bank account and never goes to Belize or its citizens.
I am so sorry to say, stay away from Belize. This beautiful little country has put itself out of the tourism industry in record time.
If you do go, please do not stay in a foreign owned hotel. For example, in Hopkins Village, here is a list of hotels owned by foreigners:
Jaguar Reef Lodge-large resort, will over-charge you, money goes to Canada, owners don't even live in Belize, unfair to locals, owner dislikes locals.
Hamanasi-large resort, owners/investors live there, but unfair hiring/working practices with locals, will over-charge you, owner dislikes and is openly rude to locals.
Beaches and Dreams-small resort, hires very few locals, over-charges.
Pleasure Cove-small resort, new owner, foreigner.
All Seasons Guest House-owned by a foreigner, village folk don't like her aggressive business practices.
Kismet-owned by a foreign lunatic, don't even think of going there.
Hopkins Inn-small hotel, owned by foreigners, are nice to tourists but not to villagers and not appreciated by villagers, though they will tell you otherwise.
Ransom's Cabanas-owned by a foreign lunatic and not a nice place
Tipple Tree Beya-owned by foreigner who doesn't like the locals because they are black, great published rates, but will milk you for every extra penny, hidden charges etc.
Places in Hopkins owned by Belizeans, much better value:
Howard's Inn-nice beach, local lady who is nice and needs your tourist dollar
Harvest Inn-owned by Hopkins mayor, nice man, Belizean
Carribean View-Owned by local, on the beach
Tania's- not on the beach but nice people, Belizeans
Yugada-nice place, good food, locally owned, good value
Whistling Seas-my favorite, owned by Marcello, Belizean, great food, will set up all your fishing, diving, snorkelling etc and fill you in on local scene.
Sandy Beach women's co-op-locally owned but don't go there. not a nice place and they use their "women's co-operative" as a way to play on your sympathy and the sympathy of foreign governments to get money.
This is just what's happening in one village. It is happening everywhere in Belize. Foreigners are taking over the country and shutting out the locals from earning a dollar. They also drive up the cost of living for the average Belizean, so that instead of making life better in this poor and tiny country, they make it worse, and they take all the money out of a very small and poor economy. They are selfish, bigoted, greedy and do very little to help their communities. They will tell you otherwise and try to put their spin on it, because they want your money, but these foreign-owned businesses are the worst thing to happen to this beautiful little country.
The only way to help Belize is to STOP! going there. Mabye it will drive the foreigners out. If you do go there, DO NOT patronize foreign-owned businesses. If you do you will be part of the problem, and you will not be helping this tiny little country. As for moving there, just remember, everyone will be after your check-book and your wallet, it's too expensive and getting worse.
Sorry to be so negative about such a beautiful place, but find another vacation destination, especially if you have limited time and money.
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