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Placencia or Caulker Caye

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Lahry
  5/1/2018 08:51 EST

Hello everyone. I'm a 74 yo white male. I have VA health care. I'm in pretty good health. Just take some blood pressure meds. A1C was getting high, but I now have that coming down.
I'm not materialistic. Just have basic needs. I would need a room, AC preferred, shower, internet, small cooking area. I don't care if it is a stand alone studio, a hotel room, or a room in a private residence. Just need to be in walking distance to centro whatever. I like street food.

I love to snorkel. I really like to snorkel. And when I'm not doing that, I enjoy snorkeling. LOL
I also like to sing, and I'm really good at it. I can sing anything from Michael Bolton to Merle Haggard.
I have a retirement income of $2,000/mo.

So with all of that in mind, where can I get the biggest bang for the buck? I'm thinking Caulker Caye, or maybe Placencia. So I need some advice from the Belize side.

Thank you in advance for your kind assistance.

Lahry

Lahry
  5/1/2018 08:51 EST

Hello everyone. I'm a 74 yo white male. I have VA health care. I'm in pretty good health. Just take some blood pressure meds. A1C was getting high, but I now have that coming down.
I'm not materialistic. Just have basic needs. I would need a room, AC preferred, shower, internet, small cooking area. I don't care if it is a stand alone studio, a hotel room, or a room in a private residence. Just need to be in walking distance to centro whatever. I like street food.

I love to snorkel. I really like to snorkel. And when I'm not doing that, I enjoy snorkeling. LOL
I also like to sing, and I'm really good at it. I can sing anything from Michael Bolton to Merle Haggard.
I have a retirement income of $2,000/mo.

So with all of that in mind, where can I get the biggest bang for the buck? I'm thinking Caulker Caye, or maybe Placencia. So I need some advice from the Belize side.

Thank you in advance for your kind assistance.

Lahry

belizelenny
  5/1/2018 09:02 EST

Corozal Town...the only thing is the snorkeling is not close.

Lahry
  5/1/2018 11:25 EST

Thanks. But without the snorkeling, the motivator to come is missing. I already live in a place where I only pay utilities. And that on a hand shake. But I want to come down for a couple weeks and check things out. I haven't been to Belize since '88. :)

Lahry
  5/1/2018 11:25 EST

Thanks. But without the snorkeling, the motivator to come is missing. I already live in a place where I only pay utilities. And that on a hand shake. But I want to come down for a couple weeks and check things out. I haven't been to Belize since '88. :)

bobbyveee
  5/1/2018 12:52 EST

I would also think about Ambergris Caye as well, lots of music and stuff to do, more lively than CC, but Placencia good as well. Good luck

katzgar
  5/1/2018 16:32 EST

spend some time on gmaps. CC is tiny and a bit further from the reef than Ambergris Caye. Placencia is 20 miles from the reef so not good. On AC you can kayak out to the reef and use the tie offs for your kayak. The marine reserves are on the beach on AC. You want AC.

Lahry
  5/1/2018 17:55 EST

THanks. LOL. By "AC", I was talking about Air Conditioning, not Ambergris Caye. But I can do that too, if I can find an affordable low rent rendezvous.

If anyone has a room in their home that they would consider renting for a week or two so I can come down and check it out, that would be awesome.
I'm super clean, drugs and disease free. Don't smoke or chew. VERY easy to get along with. Let me know.
And thanks again for the info.

Lahry

5allan1
  5/2/2018 06:32 EST

Wrong country, Belize is the most expensive location in the region. Huatulco in Oaxaca State of Mexico or Akamal up the coast from Chetumal are supreme snorkelage spots. You can get rooms for 300$.
Food and beer is cheaper.
If snorkeling wasnt essential then lenny is right about Corozal.

hrlee7804
  5/2/2018 09:59 EST

I just got back from 10 days in Oaxaca Mexico. Two days in the city then went to the beaches from Huatulco to Puerto Escondido. Nice water even surf-able in some areas during the season. We snorkeled off Mazunte beach. Not as nice as the Caribbean but good. Pretty cheap....down side for us is Oaxaca City is 150 miles by car but 5+ hours good road but windy. and up at 9000+ ft elevation. Both towns, Hualtuco and Puerto Escondido are about 40K population but more extensive services in Oaxaca City but the drive is pretty but long and slow. Nice feel to the beaches there.....even the Nude beach in Zipolite :-). I am like Dr. Allen Belize is a good place to vacation but would not live there. Upper Yucatan State on the beaches above Merida is where we will go. Unfortunately it is on the Gulf so no great water to snorkel for the Original Poster.

Lahry
  5/2/2018 10:45 EST

I did some online looking at Corozal. Nice clean looking town. Hotels are dirt cheap.
How does one get from Belize City airport to Corozal?
How far away is Akamal? Can you get there by bus? Is that in Mexico? Is the border crossing easy enough?
How far is AC from Corozal. Is there a ferry? Isn't there good snorkeling at AC? Or what about Bocas for snorkeling?

Thanks to all of you for your very helpful and informative input. :)

Lahry
  5/2/2018 10:45 EST

I did some online looking at Corozal. Nice clean looking town. Hotels are dirt cheap.
How does one get from Belize City airport to Corozal?
How far away is Akamal? Can you get there by bus? Is that in Mexico? Is the border crossing easy enough?
How far is AC from Corozal. Is there a ferry? Isn't there good snorkeling at AC? Or what about Bocas for snorkeling?

Thanks to all of you for your very helpful and informative input. :)

Lahry
  5/2/2018 10:58 EST

Akumal, Yucatan looks really interesting. Thanks again for all the input.

Lahry
  5/2/2018 10:58 EST

Akumal, Yucatan looks really interesting. Thanks again for all the input.

bradinbelize
  5/2/2018 12:32 EST

LAHRY,

Very simple for you. Just come down to Belize for about 10+ days and go to the following (based on your criteria, these are really the only places that have everything you want - all three with a little different vibe). Placencia, Caye Caulker and San Pedro. First fly into BZE Int'l and fly from there or take the bus or a rental car to Placencia. From Placencai you can fly to San Pedro (ambergris Caye), then go from AC to Caulker via water taxi for a few days and take the water taxi back to Belize city to fly home (this will give you 3 - 4+ days in each place) - really the only 3 good options for you, based on your criteria. There is an awesome little place on Caulker where you can rent a nice bungalow which I can share via PM and if you need a place on AC, I have a few rentals that I manage for people. Hope you have a good start to your new adventure in life.

Kenubelizeit
  5/2/2018 18:38 EST

You can get to Corozal by hiring a local guide that will show you the ins and outs or by taking a bus from the junction of the airport to Corozal need.more info email me.at [email protected]

Lahry
  5/2/2018 21:08 EST

Thank you, thank you. I'll keep in touch. Gonna be in rainy season here pretty quick.
Do you know if you're allowed to play music for tips? Like I'm a really good singer. I play with tracks. I'm fairly personable and know how to engage an audience. I'd love to play at some of the resturants and stuff.

Lahry
  5/2/2018 21:08 EST

Thank you, thank you. I'll keep in touch. Gonna be in rainy season here pretty quick.
Do you know if you're allowed to play music for tips? Like I'm a really good singer. I play with tracks. I'm fairly personable and know how to engage an audience. I'd love to play at some of the resturants and stuff.

josephinflorida
  5/2/2018 21:16 EST

Ken is great. I used him and he was a great, great help

josephinflorida
  5/2/2018 21:16 EST

Ken is great. I used him and he was a great, great help

terrific
  5/2/2018 21:23 EST

I am not sure an expat playing for tips would go down very well in any of the places you mention. If you were stepping on the toes of local musicians I think you would soon have the immigration folks, or possibly the police asking to see valid work permit. If you just want to make music for the joy of it, no tips involved, you would probably have no problems.

Lahry
  5/2/2018 22:50 EST

Thank you for the heads up.

Lahry
  5/2/2018 22:50 EST

Thank you for the heads up.

Lahry
  5/2/2018 22:51 EST

Wonderful. Thank you. I'm sure Ken appreciates the kudos. :)

Lahry
  5/2/2018 22:51 EST

Wonderful. Thank you. I'm sure Ken appreciates the kudos. :)

Retirednavy
  5/3/2018 07:58 EST

Hello Larry,
How about I answer your questions as someone who actually lives here in Belize ?
Let’s see......snorkeling , snorkeling, snorkeling ? Forget Corozal !
You are correct to look at Caye Caulker, Ambergris Caye, and Placencia Peninsula, especially Hopkins ( probably cheapest to live in) and Placencia Peninsula.
You can live on $2000 per month
No problem with your lifestyle. There are rents in all those locations.
I suggest maybe renting for a week or so in Placencia, and again on Ambergris Caye ( take water taxi out to Caye Caulker for a few days to check it out). Stay in either Hopkins or Placencia for week or two, and you can check both out from one place.
Medical, dental and pharmacy services are good in Placencia and Ambergris.
Rent cabana / small units via Airbnb, or HomeAway.com.

Come down, check out the waterfront bars and sing with the other Expats in the bars. Snorkel off beaches and boat tours, enjoy the life for a few weeks, then make your own decision.
Good luck.

Lahry
  5/3/2018 09:14 EST

Thank you. Excellent advice. I sent you a reply, but then there was an "error code" following so I'm not sure you got it.
Would you mind sharing email with me, so I can contact you direct for questions once I set a date for coming? At this point, it looks like it will be in the fall before I can get down there. Rainy season will be around in a week or two. So we'll just have to play it by ear. Thanks so much for your reaching out and willingness to help.
'Hopkins' is a new one on me. Where/what is that?

Lahry Sibley
[email protected]

Lahry
  5/3/2018 09:14 EST

Thank you. Excellent advice. I sent you a reply, but then there was an "error code" following so I'm not sure you got it.
Would you mind sharing email with me, so I can contact you direct for questions once I set a date for coming? At this point, it looks like it will be in the fall before I can get down there. Rainy season will be around in a week or two. So we'll just have to play it by ear. Thanks so much for your reaching out and willingness to help.
'Hopkins' is a new one on me. Where/what is that?

Lahry Sibley
[email protected]

katzgar
  5/5/2018 09:55 EST

Lahry-Your comments suggest you arent spending time doing you due diligence on gmaps. Hopkins as about 20 miles from the reef like Placencia. You say snorkeling is your focus so that sort of distance involves a boat. Do you have a boat in your budget?

Lahry
  5/14/2018 14:43 EST

I like that. Good info. Thank you.

bobbyveee
  5/14/2018 16:11 EST

As far as i know you can snorkel off any beach in the world for free, unless its a private beach, so not sure what that info was about.

katzgar
  5/15/2018 09:46 EST

Lahry-Your comments suggest you arent spending time doing you due diligence on gmaps. Hopkins as about 20 miles from the reef like Placencia. You say snorkeling is your focus so that sort of distance involves a boat. Do you have a boat in your budget? Placencia is 20 miles from the reef so not a great snorkel destination unless you either have a boat or money for tours.

LorraineWard12
  5/15/2018 10:45 EST

You don't need a boat in caye Caulker either to snorkel but you don't see much off the shore. The really good stuff is at the reef and you need a boat to get there.

LorraineWard12
  5/15/2018 10:45 EST

You don't need a boat in caye Caulker either to snorkel but you don't see much off the shore. The really good stuff is at the reef and you need a boat to get there.

katzgar
  5/15/2018 11:00 EST

"you don't need a boat to snorkel in placencia" the reef is 20 miles so yes you need a boat or sufficient income to afford guide boats. This is all easily seen on gmaps.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:43 EST

HI. I have neither, and I did not know that which you shared.
Yes, ideal snorkeling for me, would be near a beach, where the water is quite clear. Thank you very much for the heads up.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:44 EST

HI. I have neither, and I did not know that which you shared.
Yes, ideal snorkeling for me, would be near a beach, where the water is quite clear. Thank you very much for the heads up.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:45 EST

Well now. Tell me more. Someone just tried to tell me I did. LOL.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:45 EST

Well now. Tell me more. Someone just tried to tell me I did. LOL.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:46 EST

I gotcha. Thank you. Really helpful.

I can snorkel in the Mississippi River. But I won't see much. ;)

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:46 EST

I gotcha. Thank you. Really helpful.

I can snorkel in the Mississippi River. But I won't see much. ;)

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:48 EST

ELDERLY? WHO'S ELDERLY. I have you know I'm only 74, and in very good health. LOL.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:48 EST

ELDERLY? WHO'S ELDERLY. I have you know I'm only 74, and in very good health. LOL.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:48 EST

ELDERLY? WHO'S ELDERLY. I have you know I'm only 74, and in very good health. LOL.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:48 EST

ELDERLY? WHO'S ELDERLY. I have you know I'm only 74, and in very good health. LOL.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:48 EST

ELDERLY? WHO'S ELDERLY. I have you know I'm only 74, and in very good health. LOL.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:48 EST

ELDERLY? WHO'S ELDERLY. I have you know I'm only 74, and in very good health. LOL.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:48 EST

ELDERLY? WHO'S ELDERLY. I have you know I'm only 74, and in very good health. LOL.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:48 EST

ELDERLY? WHO'S ELDERLY. I have you know I'm only 74, and in very good health. LOL.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:49 EST

ELDERLY? WHO'S ELDERLY. I HAVE YOU KNOW I'm ONLY 74 and in very good health. LOL.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 10:49 EST

ELDERLY? WHO'S ELDERLY. I HAVE YOU KNOW I'm ONLY 74 and in very good health. LOL.

bobbyveee
  5/16/2018 11:46 EST

People who keep posting the same answer are ELDERLY LOL Hope you find what you want

katzgar
  5/16/2018 16:46 EST

should have thought of this sooner. You need to look at Roatan. The reef is very close to shore and english is common on the island. Great food and caves to explore.

Lahry
  5/16/2018 20:47 EST

Hey thanks. I've looked at it off and on. But I've not conversed with anyone there. thanks for the heads up on the reef. That's where the dazzle is, underwater. :)

Lahry
  5/16/2018 20:47 EST

Hey thanks. I've looked at it off and on. But I've not conversed with anyone there. thanks for the heads up on the reef. That's where the dazzle is, underwater. :)

katzgar
  5/17/2018 09:32 EST

Utila is close by and has great dazzle. It is small but worth a few day trips if the ferry is running (it is hit and miss). Roatan is hilly but the collectivo is cheap.

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