Belize should be on the top of the list for people interested in Caribbean real estate. If offers property options in beautiful places like Ambergris Caye and Placencia for less than more mature areas of the Caribbean, with the great barrier reef (the largest in the hemisphere and a World Heritage site) just offshore. Not surprisingly the region is famous for deep-sea diving as well as fishing in its crystal clear salt water flats. The country has a stable democratic government, a currency pegged to the US dollar and a legal system based on English Law. And one more thing, it’s the only country in Central America that has English as it’s national language.
But if you don’t mind learning Spanish and enjoy Latin culture then head a little further south to Nicaragua. Here the prices are even lower than Belize and the cost of living far cheaper than you’re used to back home. There is a saying that in Nicaragua you can experience twice the lifestyle for half the price. For just US $1000 a month you can live a luxurious lifestyle, heading out to restaurants, enjoying the night life, traveling to the top tourism spots and even have a maid or gardener to help around the house. Check out places like Rancho Santana Nicaragua on the Tola Coast or the colonial town of Granada.
Real estate investors searching for fresh areas will know that when a region has become favored by people going on vacations, a real estate boom is quite likely to follow. That’s exactly what has happened in Costa Rica since 2002. Popular vacation spots such as Playa Flamingo Costa Rica have evolved into well heeled second home residential markets. It’s now worth looking at up and coming areas of Costa Rica, where a new tourism wave is starting and seek out the new property hotpsots. Market commentators are pointing to the southern pacific coast as the next investing frontier.
The compact country of Panama offers investors a bit of everything. From speculative investment in ‘early in’ locations on the Azuero peninsula to mature markets like Avenida Balboa in the heart of Panama City which has been attracting investors for decades. Somewhere in the middle lies Boquete, a scenic little mountain community with dramatic surroundings and enjoying pleasantly cool climatic conditions throughout the year.
