I live in Victoria, British Columbia. and when I am not in Canada I love to spend time in Belize, usually 6 months of the year. I chose this location because it is an English speaking country in the Caribbean, is governed by British law, has terrific weather and I especially like the people of Belize. I am very interested in the Mayan culture. You will see evidence of their Mayan past as you travel thoughout Belize. The Ruins are fascinating and there are many of them.
There are so many things to see and do in this country, and getting around is easy. Visiting little villages around the area is a delight and a visit to the Mennonite communities is a wonderful experience. I enjoy visiting all the cities in Belize.
Chetumal, Mexico is close by. It's only 12 miles to the border and the Free Zone is 7 miles away. Chetumal has everything that you could need, including a Sam's Club. You'll never know you are in Mexico if you go to Liverpool in Chetumal. There they have many stores like we have in our respective countries, and they have the best that Mexico has to offer. If you're a fancier of shoes, look up the Flexi store at Liverpool.
Fill up on gas at the Free Zone before you go to Mexico. as it is duty free there. It makes a difference especially with a larger car.
We have a staff member who can accompany you to Chetumal, this helps immensely in getting through the two borders, especially if you don't speak Spanish. He/she can then give you a tour of this seaside city. The cost is $100.00 Bz (50.00 US) plus meals for the day. Everyone who uses this service is delighted, as you get to see so much more and get a better understanding of the culture. They can also recommend places to eat and shop, especially if you are looking for something special. Don't forget to look at the hammocks before you leave. Using a hammock is great for the back and is a colourful addition to your home.