| WELCOME TO BETTER IN BELIZE ECO-COMMUNITY:
Tucked in to 130 acres of pristine rainforest in the spectacular Cayo district in Western Belize, Better in Belize Eco-Community is located on the shores of one of Belize's most magnificent waterways, the Macal River, with its source high in the Mayan Mountains.
World-famous as a mecca for eco-tourism, Cayo’s wildlife and lush rainforest creates an incredible backdrop for our Better in Belize Eco-Community.
Better in Belize comprises a small-scale development of 98 single-family homes, 14 small, multi-residential homes and one commercial complex (e.g. restaurant, spa, conference center). Of the 130 acres, we have designated space for 128 lots which have been fully surveyed.
Our selection of lots includes Rainforest; Ridge View; Hilltop; Riverview; Mayan Circle; Multi-Unit and Commercial.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
Better in Belize’s guiding principles relate to Permaculture, the premise of which is care of the Earth; care of People; setting limits on our consumption.
Our “Green Conservation Initiatives” include a commitment to low-impact development practices and plans to enhance the exquisite, natural environment to protect the remaining intact ecosystems in perpetuity.
More than 50% of Better in Belize’s 130 acres will be preserved and conserved to maintain its natural landscape.
Thirty acres will be designated for common area green space and amenities.
Our “Environmental Advisory Board” has established eco-building guidelines that will preserve the intent and future sustainability of the community. Home plans and architectural eco-construction services will be available to all purchasers.
World-renowned “green architect”, Henry Yorke Mann is a Member of Better in Belize’s Advisory Board. “Mann describes architecture as ‘The God-Dance’ which connects the sacredness of site with the sacredness of people. This connection creates buildings with natural power and energy.”
LOCATION HIGHLIGHTS:
In the foothills of the Mayan Mountains in English-speaking Belize.
Prime waterfront location on the clean and pristine Macal Waterway in Cayo, Belize.
Breathtaking rainforest location across the river from the Pine Ridge Mountain Reserve, the largest protected area in Belize and home to Belize's largest limestone caverns!
Convenient location less than 2 hours from Belize International Airport.
Handy location, close to San Ignacio, one of Belize's coolest towns.
Close location to amenities and facilities in the village of Benque Viejo del Carmen.
Super location just two hours from the Caribbean coast.
Located in one of the world's greatest natural history locations.
Ecologically and culturally diverse location, 10 miles from the haunting and historic Mayan Ruins of Xunantunich!
SIZE AND PRICE OF LOTS:
For those seeking an alternative lifestyle, vacation home or investment property, our Belize eco-community provides an opportunity to own property at a fraction of what you would pay in most Caribbean locations.
Lot sizes range from ¼ acre to 1.7 acres, starting at US$18,000 with the average price being US$23,000. Prices reflect size, view and lot features - Hill Top View, Rainforest, Ridge View, Mayan Circle and Waterfront.
A US$500 fully refundable deposit secures your lot for 30 days.
WHY BUY AT BETTER IN BELIZE:
Lifestyle choices. We offer a community with lifestyle - and fellowship - at its very heart and core. If you're into a community of eco-minded neighbours who love bird watching, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding, nature trekking, shared camaraderie, pot luck barbeques and more, you won't find a more appealing community than Better in Belize
Simple mathematics. Take advantage of our exceptional pricing.
Reap the benefits of a lower cost of living.
Capitalize on an immediate lifestyle change. If you're tired of ice, snow, traffic jams and congestion, we provide a warm, uncongested alternative.
Enjoy the healthy benefits of our fresh rainforest air.
Green is the way of the future. We are in the top 4 of 43 international real estate developments that stand out in new green rankings.
Superior retirement and residency packages. Currently, Belize offers one of the best residency and retirement packages in the world, with many tax advantages.
Only 73 (or so) of our 128 lots are still available. The time to act is limited. Once they're gone, they're gone.
Our world is changing. If you're concerned about future food sources and water supply, banish the thought. At Better in Belize, we are blessed with a year-round growing season and our gardens offer a bounty of fruits and veggies.... year round. Plant your own or partake of our community organic gardens. Enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Low property taxes. Average property taxes under US$100 annually.
Home to over 100 species of birds and many species of exotic orchids!
Fabulous planned on-site amenities include: learning annex; organically-minded gardens; fruit orchards; swimming pool/sauna; community center; restaurant/bar; outdoor fireplace; dock/launching area for canoes and kayaks; picnic shelter; security and gated entry.
Wonderful activities in our area include: Bird watching; Canoeing; Caving; Hiking; Horseback Riding; Kayaking; Mountain Biking; Mountain Trekking; River-Rafting; Swimming; Tree-Climbing; Tubing; Visits to Mayan Ruins and Waterfalls and Zip lining!
Socialize with eco-conscious, interesting and like-minded neighbors from around the world!
Ethical and educational investment for your children!
FINDING YOUR PLACE AT BETTER IN BELIZE:
Join us for a quick tour of our eco-community. As you turn left from the Hydro Road into our gates at Better in Belize, you’ll be welcomed by the beauty of a naturally landscaped entrance incorporating plants and trees indigenous to Belize.
As you drive along Toucan Trail, our nursery is to your left and any number of seedlings and plants may be in evidence including avocadoes, bougainvillea, culantro, hibiscus, oleander, Peru’s passion flower, roses, wild yams and more.
A small trailer abutting the nursery accommodates visiting WWOOFERs and Belizeans who work at Better in Belize.
The Palapa-roofed, Mayan hut is the home of Francisco (our caretaker) and his family. Francisco’s friendly dogs may greet you at the entrance. If you see bees buzzing around his home, they belong to a Mayan stingless bee hive which we have erected under the eaves of the Palapa roof.
Next to Francisco’s home is our solar installation. We have also built a dome-shaped Welcome Center (based on Buckminster Fuller’s geodesic dome design) known as The Dome Home. The Toucan House, our 4-bedroom Eco-Lodge, so named because of the toucans that roost in the trees above it, is located next to The Dome Home. This is where we hang our hats and where you’ll stay if you overnight with us. You are invited – and more than welcome!
The lots along Toucan Trail are rainforest lots - with majestic, mature trees. Troops of howler monkeys often cavort in their branches.
At the end of Toucan Trail, Sunrise Circle branches out to the right and left. Veering left onto Sunrise Circle will take you around the Mayan Circle lots which enjoy good solar exposure. Veering further left off Sunrise Circle, you’ll pass by the hill view lots of Hibiscus Heights and Eagle’s Landing (in January 2011, Harpy Eagles were sighted in Belize again, after an absence of 60 years) with its breathtaking, panoramic views.
Doubling back to Sunrise Circle from the hill view lots, carry on along to your left to Butterfly Court - which rings our 3.3-acre, organically-minded garden, “Flutterby Finca”. Read more about our gardens below.
In addition to bordering our community garden, Butterfly Court plays court to rainforest lots – some large and fairly level which offer an easy building envelope – community green area and multi-unit lots. Blue Morpho butterflies are regular visitors in Butterfly Court – and throughout our eco-community. Their 6-inch wing span of shimmering blue and green is a breathtaking sight to behold.
Looping back onto Sunrise Circle from Butterfly Court will take you past 2 lots we are potentially designating for our Community Centre. One of the lots has a natural spring and we are planning a medicinal trail that will lead into the Centre.
In the circumference of Sunrise Circle, there’s several areas earmarked as green space. Scooting back along Sunrise Circle, you’ll pass some multi-unit lots on your left just before you get to Howler Hill. These ridge view lots have a small building envelope and a steep incline, with a knock-your-socks-off view. This is where you will find “Rainbow Roost”, a promontory lookout perfect for yoga practice, meditation, and bird watching….or simply just “being”.
From Howler Hill, loop down and then back up Forest Hill Drive to the Lower Milpa on your left. Vegetation and trees that grow in our Lower Milpa include banana, bread fruit, breadnut, hog plum, lime, mango, plantain, sour sop, zaricote and more.
Traversing Forest Hill Drive beyond the Lower Milpa brings you to the Parrots Cove cut-off. Retracing back to Forest Hill Drive, continue to the junction of Forest Hill Drive and Riverview Drive. Most of the lots along Forest Hill Drive are rainforest lots, with two multi-unit lots at the confluence of Forest Hill and Riverview Drives.
Some of the vegetation and trees you’ll see along Forest Hill Drive include apple, cashew, lemon, mango, marzipan, pineapple, plantain and sugarcane. Rounding the bend onto Riverview Drive, there is a commercial lot at the top of the drive, with the remaining lots being water front.
That completes your whirlwind tour of Better in Belize! If you are completely lost, don’t despair – a Full View Map can be found on our website.
COMMUNITY GARDENS:
Flutterby Finca is our 3.3-acre, organically minded garden which is encircled by Butterfly Court and Sunrise Circle. Named in the true spirit of just how the butterfly flutters on by, cyclical in evolution and nature, Flutterby Finca (finca translation = small farm) is, in many ways, the heart of our rainforest community.
Our nursery/experimental gardens provide fodder for our resident gardening enthusiasts. We have planted many different plants and trees including arachis pintoy, banana, cabbage, cacao, cassava, Chile Chapala, morenga, obel, passion fruit, radishes, Suriname cherries……and the list goes on and on.
Flutterby Finca is an open space wildlife corridor too. Tapir footprints have recently been spotted in our finca! Weighing in from 330 to 660 pounds, tapirs (“tay-peers”) can grow up to 6 feet in length. Their girth gives them dibs as Central
America’s “largest native terrestrial mammal”. Belize’s garden (!) variety of tapir (one of four species of tapirs in the world - all on the endangered or vulnerable species list, largely due to hunting) is the Baird’s tapir.
The tapirs traipse from the hill on one side of our finca, through our bean patch, making a slight digression into (and over!) the corn stalks. Nocturnally noshing on the bean plants, it will be interesting to see what sprouts up amongst the beans as tapirs are exceptional seed dispersers.
HOW TO RESERVE YOUR LOT:
You can reserve your lot for 30 days with a fully refundable US$500 deposit.
Your money is held in escrow in a Canadian bank account.
If you’d like to reserve a lot, log onto our website and click on the green icon in the left hand bar “Reserve your lot”. You can also call us at 1-877-836-2756 (toll-free from North America) or 519-954-7244 (from anywhere else in the world).
During that 30-day window, you are welcome to join us, as our guest, for an overnight stay and rainforest tour.
THE SMALL PRINT:
There is no small print. We offer 100% certified title (just like in America or Canada). In other words - ownership of land is free hold and title is absolute.
PARADISE BECKONS:
Imagine living in this tropical oasis of friendly, English-speaking Belize!
Want to find out more? We would be delighted to provide you with more information! Please call us toll-free, from North America, at 1-877-836-2756 or 519-954-7244 from Anywhere Else in the World. | 
