Look for, and join, the "Placencia News & Happenings" group on Facebook. Volunteer opportunities get posted there. There is probably a similar group for Hopkins as well. Other options you could consider contacting directing are: Placencia Humane Society and Placencia Rotary. You should be able to contact both through Facebook.

If you have not figured it out yet, Facebook is how things get done here in Belize!

Shane Kenny IL Correspondent for Belize

For a two week rental, your best option in Placencia will be AirBnb or VRBO. You could locate a few places on those sites and then contact them direct and see if they will offer a multi-week discount. However, February is busy season here so most places may not be willing to offer a discount. Here are a few places the come to mind that you could take a look at:

Alaska Reprieve Bella Sway Bella Vita Casitas Casa Valencia The Flying Toucan Lazy Palm Suites Sea Glass Inn Seabird Villas Serenity by the Sea Silver Leaf Villa White House Placencia

When you are here, be sure to swing by and say "hi" at Placencia Beach Club.

Shane Kenny IL Belize Correspondent

Yes, recent changes to Belize's QRP (Qualified Retirement Program) have reduced the age at which you can apply to 40 as well as added a number of accepted ways you can prove that you meet the $2,000 per month in retirement income.

To get the latest on this program, visit: https://www.belizetourismboard.org/

Hi Natasha,

Belize is very protective of its workforce. Any non-Belizean working for a Belizean company from within Belize must possess a Temporary Employment Permit (more commonly known as a “Work Permit”), or they must be a Permanent Resident. Essentially, the government has the mandate to protect jobs a Belizean could do.

What does this mean? If you are looking to work in a job that requires specialized training or experience, like a rocket scientist, it should be easy to prove you’re not taking a Belizean’s job.

However, if you’re looking to work in a position a Belizean would reasonably be able to train for, like a diving instructor or real estate agent, you’re going to have a hard time getting a work permit.

That being said, there are a couple of options available that may make working in Belize a little easier.

Consultancy: Build yourself a business working for non-Belizean businesses as a contractor while living in Belize. In this case, Belize is just where you live and work from, and you are not taking a potential job away from a Belizean.

Entrepreneurship: Start a business in Belize. You’ll still need a work permit, but a business with a plan that includes the hiring, and training, of Belizeans would get serious consideration. In this case you’re not taking a job away, you’re creating jobs.

When it comes down to it, ask yourself, “Would a reasonable person believe that the job I’m looking to take could be accomplished by a Belizean?”

If the answer is yes, you will likely struggle to get approval. If the answer is no, or you are creating jobs, approval is very likely.

Read more about working in Belize on the dedicated page of our website here.

Hi Jim,

Thank you for sending in your question. Here are a few things to consider about renting in Ambergris Caye:

Your preferences will drive rental costs. For instance, beach rentals will always be more expensive than “near the beach.” Many expats learn to settle within walking distance or a golf cart ride from a beach they like in order to save a bit on their rent budget.

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) states that anyone in Belize on a tourist visa is considered a tourist, regardless of how long they are staying. This means that if the rental you’re considering is following the rules, a 9% “hotel tax” will be added to your rent each month. That being said, enforcement of this is mostly non-existent, but I wanted to make you aware that some rentals you look at may tack this tax on. If the BTB does start to actively enforce this, you may have this added expense somewhere down the road.

Ambergris Caye is the #1 tourist destination in Belize. This means during the high season (Thanksgiving through April), it will be very crowded. It also means that rent and other monthly expenses will be higher than other locations here. If you have not already, I would recommend taking a trip to scout around a bit and make sure you find the perfect place for you and your wife.

All that being considered, I believe you will be able to find something within your budget near a beach… but probably not on the beach. Your best bet would be to connect with a real estate agent who knows Ambergris Caye very well.

Getting International Living’s Escape to Belize guidebook would be a great step. It has tons of useful information, along with a rolodex of contact information for agents that will be able to help you with more localized knowledge of Ambergris Caye.