Live and Invest Overseas
Belize: Reef, Ruins, Rivers, And Rainforests, Plus Easy Residency And Tax-Free Living Free Report

FREE REPORT: DISCOVER BELIZE






    We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
    • Home
    • Countries

      Top Destinations:

      Whether you’re looking for fun and sun, a peaceful retirement, or the chance to earn some extra income, you’ve got a real world of opportunity open to you… In short, we’ve done our best to narrow down your best options, but only you can decide the right country for you.

      • Spain
      • Portugal
      • Panama
      • Belize
      • Colombia
      • Cyprus
      • Mexico
      • France
      • Montenegro
      • Browse All Countries

      Best For:

      • The Best Places To Retire
      • Health Care Abroad
      • Cost Of Living
      • Investing in Real Estate
      • Establishing Residency
      • Gun Laws In The World
      • English-Speaking Countries
      • Safest Places For Retirement
      • Best Places In Latin America
    • Budgets

      How Much Will It Cost You To Live Overseas?

      The only honest answer is, we have no idea. And neither does anyone else. The only one who can answer that question is you. Here’s the most important thing to understand about budgeting your new life overseas…

      Super Cheap

      • Chitré, Panama
      • Santa Marta, Colombia
      • Phuket, Thailand
      • Dumaguete, The Philippines

      Cheap

      • Medellin, Colombia
      • Boquete, Panama
      • Kyrenia, Cyprus
      • Hua Hin, Thailand
      • The Algarve, Portugal

      Affordable

      • Valencia, Spain
      • Cascais, Portugal
      • Las Terrenas, The DR
      • Pisa, Italy
      • La Rochelle, France
      • Mazatlán, Mexico

      Luxury

      • Ambergris Caye, Belize
      • Kotor, Montenegro
      • The Panama City Beaches
      • Paris, France
    • Resources

      Global Living

      • Living & Retiring Overseas
      • Raising A Family Abroad
      • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
      • Offshore & Diversification

      Making Money

      • International Real Estate
      • Banking
      • Employment
      • Investing

      Follow Us:

      • Meet Our Experts
    • Real Estate

      Join our Weekly Newsletter
      Overseas Property Alert

      Sign up for our weekly newsletter to receive expert insights on the best international real estate investment opportunities.






        We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

        Buying Real Estate For Cashflow

        • Discover tips and strategies used by global property investing veterans

        Explore Our Latest Posts

        • Learn how to invest and purchase property abroad…

        Go To The Overseas Property Alert Site

        • How To Become Independently Wealthy And Fund The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams
      • Conferences

        Upcoming Events

        • Explore Our Events Site

        International Property Summit

        Caribbean Virtual Conference

        Live and Invest In Spain Conference

        PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

        June 18-20, 2025

        VIRTUAL

        July 17-19, 2025

        Valencia, Spain

        Sep. 17-19, 2025

        LEARN MORE
        LEARN MORE
        PRE-REGISTER
        LEARN MORE
        PRE-REGISTER
        • MORE EVENTS

        Contact Our Events Team

        Toll-Free U.S. and Canada:
        1 (888) 627 8834
        From Outside North America:
        1 (443) 599 1221
        Working Hours
        Monday – Friday 08:00 am – 17:00 pm EST.

        Reach us with your questions by email at: events@liveandinvestoverseas.com

      • Store

        Unlock The World

        • Access Your Library

        Overseas Havens Reports

        • Expats' comprehensive destination guides

        Conference Kits

        • Hours of coverage  from our latests conferences

        Lahardan Books

        • Titles on living and investing around the world
        • Explore Our Store
        Your passport to a life well-lived abroad

        Services

        overseas living letter offers affordable retirement guidance
        The Simon Letter Wealth Protection Insights
        Global Property Advisor Global Investment Opportunities

        Our Customer Service team is here to assist with any questions or concerns CustomerService@LiveandInvestOverseas.com

      • My Library
      Live and Invest Overseas
      • Home
      • Countries

        Top Destinations:

        Whether you’re looking for fun and sun, a peaceful retirement, or the chance to earn some extra income, you’ve got a real world of opportunity open to you… In short, we’ve done our best to narrow down your best options, but only you can decide the right country for you.

        • Spain
        • Portugal
        • Panama
        • Belize
        • Colombia
        • Cyprus
        • Mexico
        • France
        • Montenegro
        • Browse All Countries

        Best For:

        • The Best Places To Retire
        • Health Care Abroad
        • Cost Of Living
        • Investing in Real Estate
        • Establishing Residency
        • Gun Laws In The World
        • English-Speaking Countries
        • Safest Places For Retirement
        • Best Places In Latin America
      • Budgets

        How Much Will It Cost You To Live Overseas?

        The only honest answer is, we have no idea. And neither does anyone else. The only one who can answer that question is you. Here’s the most important thing to understand about budgeting your new life overseas…

        Super Cheap

        • Chitré, Panama
        • Santa Marta, Colombia
        • Phuket, Thailand
        • Dumaguete, The Philippines

        Cheap

        • Medellin, Colombia
        • Boquete, Panama
        • Kyrenia, Cyprus
        • Hua Hin, Thailand
        • The Algarve, Portugal

        Affordable

        • Valencia, Spain
        • Cascais, Portugal
        • Las Terrenas, The DR
        • Pisa, Italy
        • La Rochelle, France
        • Mazatlán, Mexico

        Luxury

        • Ambergris Caye, Belize
        • Kotor, Montenegro
        • The Panama City Beaches
        • Paris, France
      • Resources

        Global Living

        • Living & Retiring Overseas
        • Raising A Family Abroad
        • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
        • Offshore & Diversification

        Making Money

        • International Real Estate
        • Banking
        • Employment
        • Investing

        Follow Us:

        • Meet Our Experts
      • Real Estate

        Join our Weekly Newsletter
        Overseas Property Alert

        Sign up for our weekly newsletter to receive expert insights on the best international real estate investment opportunities.






          We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

          Buying Real Estate For Cashflow

          • Discover tips and strategies used by global property investing veterans

          Explore Our Latest Posts

          • Learn how to invest and purchase property abroad…

          Go To The Overseas Property Alert Site

          • How To Become Independently Wealthy And Fund The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams
        • Conferences

          Upcoming Events

          • Explore Our Events Site

          International Property Summit

          Caribbean Virtual Conference

          Live and Invest In Spain Conference

          PANAMA CITY, PANAMA

          June 18-20, 2025

          VIRTUAL

          July 17-19, 2025

          Valencia, Spain

          Sep. 17-19, 2025

          LEARN MORE
          LEARN MORE
          PRE-REGISTER
          LEARN MORE
          PRE-REGISTER
          • MORE EVENTS

          Contact Our Events Team

          Toll-Free U.S. and Canada:
          1 (888) 627 8834
          From Outside North America:
          1 (443) 599 1221
          Working Hours
          Monday – Friday 08:00 am – 17:00 pm EST.

          Reach us with your questions by email at: events@liveandinvestoverseas.com

        • Store

          Unlock The World

          • Access Your Library

          Overseas Havens Reports

          • Expats' comprehensive destination guides

          Conference Kits

          • Hours of coverage  from our latests conferences

          Lahardan Books

          • Titles on living and investing around the world
          • Explore Our Store
          Your passport to a life well-lived abroad

          Services

          overseas living letter offers affordable retirement guidance
          The Simon Letter Wealth Protection Insights
          Global Property Advisor Global Investment Opportunities

          Our Customer Service team is here to assist with any questions or concerns CustomerService@LiveandInvestOverseas.com

        • My Library
        Live and Invest Overseas
         Free Belize Guide

        DISCOVER BELIZE

        REEF RUINS, RIVERS, AND RAIN FOREST, PLUS EASY RESIDENCY AND TAX-FREE LIVING

        Simply sign up to receive the FREE daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter plus our In Focus: Belize newsletter and we’ll immediately email you our editors’ latest research report… absolutely FREE






           

          We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

          Home Countries Belize

          Christmas In Belize: Giving Back To The Community

          Don’t Forget The Wine Or The Rum! Celebrating Christmas In Belize

          by Marie Peay
          Dec 15, 2021
          in Belize
          0 0
          Christmas-in-Belize-Credit-theartofpics

          Being in a beautiful place during the Christmas season can make the experience even more memorable.

          Right now, excitement is in the air in the northern coastal town of Corozal, Belize… twinkling lights adorn homes and businesses… Stores display sparkling Christmas trees… Christmas carols and holiday music are played as customers go about their shopping…

          People are going to-and-fro as usual, especially on Fridays when fresh fruits and vegetables are aplenty in the outdoor markets. But there’s a little more pep in their steps these days as they stretch their budgets to decorate their homes for the holiday season and get gifts for their children.

          Each year schools offer special activities for students, often featuring food, piñatas, gifts, and lots of merrymaking. Community groups often make donations to add to the festivities…

          presents orphanage
          Presents for Liberty Orphanage

          The Corozal Rotary Club donates gifts and provides services. One year, it donated book shelves to a nearby school after learning one was needed.

          More important than toys and exchanging gifts, the coming together of family and friends is priority in Belize.

          An even greater sense of community takes over the already tight-knit population so that everyone is looked out for this time of year, especially senior citizens.

          A while ago, the Hope Building in Punta Gorda in Toledo District hosted a grand event for elders. Buses transported residents for free so they could take advantage of the holiday festivities planned just for them; the turnout was fantastic.

          As each person came through the door, they were presented with a colorful holiday pin to wear. After being escorted and seated at decorated tables, each attendee was treated to a dinner.

          The entertainment program included speeches from members of the Belize government, live music, sing-alongs, and fun. More than a few energetic seniors glided across the dance floor to the sounds of seasonal music.

          The highlight of the afternoon was the arrival of Santa Claus who came with his bag filled with goodies, greeting each senior, wishing them season’s greetings, and offering them gift bags full of useful items.

          Before heading home, each party-goer was given a big bag of fresh fruit. It was a memorable event for both the attendees and the hosts.

          Because Belize is home to varied religions, churches plan their own ways of celebrating Christmas. Congregants take part in their own services and join in community gatherings that are often held in town plazas and parks.

          central_park_ambergris_caye
          Central Park in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

          There’s a strong sense of family in Belize, but more so than ever during the Christmas season. Communities and families practice traditional festivities and welcome newcomers to join in.

          In Corozal, the town council hosts a tree-lighting ceremony every year. This is not just any old tree-lighting event… it’s spectacular! As is the tree that adorns Corozal’s central town park. It stands tall and stands out.

          Children enjoy playing on the nearby huge, colored ornaments. On the first Saturday in December, residents come from everywhere just to see this great tree being lit. Vendors display and sell an array of goods and Holiday music is enjoyed.

          As anywhere, businesses have high hopes for sales this month… but if harvests are low, so will be sales. Most Belizeans don’t have credit cards; they can’t spend what they don’t have (as so many of us do back home).

          No matter what the year has brought them, families make sure that if they have nothing else, their children will have a delicious, nutritious, and fulfilling meal on Christmas Day.

          And with the help of local businesses and organizations, a number of children who may not have otherwise will wake up to find a gift under the tree. For now, excitement and anticipation keep a sparkle in the eyes of youngsters.

          Belizeans are a warm and friendly people and they treat strangers as family. Here, everyone smiles all the time… whether they are riding bicycles, walking on worn-out flip-flops or even barefoot, or driving a shiny, new car or even an old, beat-up one.

          But with the spirit of Christmas in the air, the joy felt in Belize this time of year goes beyond the normal friendly atmosphere to a happy wonderland.

          A uniquely Kriol Christmas tradition, the bram is a dancing spree for everyone in the country. The population takes to the streets and parades from house to house spreading holiday cheer by singing, making music, and boogieing in honor of the season.

          In rural Belize, the two-day Christmas holiday is synonymous with the bram festivities. The Gales Point Manatee bram is reportedly the best example of a traditional bram today.

          Brokdong is the traditional Kriol music that accompanies the bram. It’s explained that brokdong can occur without the bram, but the bram cannot occur without brokdong.

          This Caribbean-style music is typically made with forks, graters, a two-sided drum called a goombay, banjo, harmonica, accordion, a quijada (the jawbone of a donkey), a shakka gourd (like a maraca, anything that rattles can be used)… and just about anything else that makes noise.

          The lyrics of brokdong music are usually narrative, often reciting histories, legends, and satire and are always in Kriol.

          While brokdong music is less popular with the youth these days, the over-40 crowd in Belize still love to jam to this rhythmic, infectious sound.

          I visited Corozal Town recently with quite a list of things to do… and I had no idea the day would turn out to be so hot. Sweat pouring down my face, I thought about going home and returning another day.

          But, as I continued walking, headed in the direction of the Corozal Town Council building, I heard the ending of a favorite Christmas carol coming from the loudspeakers.

          I listened, hoping it would be replayed. Instead, I heard “Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? In the lane, snow is glistening… a beautiful sight, we’re happy tonight, walking in a winter wonderland…”

          “Are you serious…” I couldn’t help but wonder to myself, “in 90-degree weather?”

          I began to laugh, “OK, I’ll go along with it.” And started to sing along as I continued my walk and finished my errands.

          Here I am, ready to celebrate what I’m sure will be a memorable Christmas in Belize—a wonderland, definitely… just without the winter!

          Marie Peay
          Belize Insider

          Tags: 'Belize''Christmas In Belize''Corozal'Expats in Belizeholidays in belizelife in belizeretire in belize
          Share84Tweet52
          Marie Peay

          Marie Peay

          As I continue on my life’s journey, I am always grateful for the wonderful opportunities that come my way. It was one such opportunity that led to my decision to get out of my comfort zone and try living in another country. It certainly worked well when I moved from the United States to Belize—and at my age… I asked myself, “Why not?” and “Why wait?” So, in 2017, even without being fluent in Spanish, I relocated from Belize to Mexico and what a great move this has been. What can I say? “Viva México and long live the world!”

          Get Your Free Belize Report Today!
          Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you our FREE REPORT – Discover Belize: Reef, Ruins, Rivers, And Rain Forest… Plus Easy Residency And Tax-Free Living.

          We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
          Our Expertise Unlocks The World

          quick links

          • Best Places To Live
          • Best Places To Retire
          • Finding A Job Overseas
          • Real Estate

          LIOS Resources

          • New To LIOS
          • Ask An Expert
          • Media Center
          • Contact Us
          • FAQs
          the 10 best places to retire in 2025
          Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and get your FREE REPORT: The 10 Best Places To Retire Overseas In 2025






            We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

            As seen in

            US Media Logos

            © 2008 – Live and Invest Overseas™ – All Rights Reserved.

            About Us / Contact Us / Privacy Policy / Terms / Unsubscribe
            Facebook-f X-twitter Youtube Linkedin-in Instagram

            Welcome Back!

            Login to your account below

            Forgotten Password?

            Retrieve your password

            Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

            Log In

            Sign up to receive the FREE daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter and we’ll immediately email you our editors’ latest research report…

            BEST PLACES TO RETIRE 

            FREE REPORT:






              We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

              Sign up for FREE and learn how to live the good life on a modest budget, find bargain property, and more. Plus, check out our free report on the 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE.

              RETIRE OVERSEAS AND LIVE LIKE ROYALTY






                We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
                HOME

                Top Countries

                • Spain
                • Portugal
                • Panama
                • Belize
                • Colombia
                • Cyprus
                • Mexico
                • France
                • Montenegro

                Best For:

                • Health Care Abroad
                • Retirement Living
                • Cost Of Living
                • Investing in Real Estate
                • Establishing Residency
                • Gun Ownership
                • English Speakers
                • Safety
                BROWSE ALL COUNTRIES

                Budgets

                How Much Will It Cost
                To Live Overseas?

                Super Cheap

                • Chitré, Panama
                • Santa Marta, Colombia
                • Phuket, Thailand
                • Dumaguete, The Philippines

                Cheap

                • Medellin, Colombia
                • Boquete, Panama
                • Kyrenia, Cyprus
                • Hua Hin, Thailand
                • The Algarve, Portugal

                Affordable

                • Valencia, Spain
                • Cascais, Portugal
                • Las Terrenas, The DR
                • Pisa, Italy
                • La Rochelle, France
                • Mazatlán, Mexico

                Luxury

                • Ambergris Caye, Belize
                • Kotor, Montenegro
                • The Panama City Beaches
                • Paris, France

                Resources

                Global Living

                • Living & Retiring Overseas
                • Raising A Family Abroad
                • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
                • Offshore & Diversification

                Making Money

                • International Real Estate
                • Banking
                • Employment
                • Investing
                Meet Our Experts

                Real Estate

                Overseas Property Alert 

                 

                How To Become Independently Wealthy And Fund The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams

                VISIT SITE

                Buying Real Estate For Cashflow

                 

                Discover tips and strategies used by global property investing veterans

                READ MORE

                Explore Our Latest Posts

                 

                Learn how to invest and purchase property abroad…

                EXPLORE

                Conferences

                INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY SUMMIT

                PANAMA CITY, PANAMA June 18-20, 2025
                LEARN MORE

                CARIBBEAN VIRTUAL CONFERENCE

                VIRTUAL July 17-19, 2025
                LEARN MORE
                PRE-REGISTER

                Live and Invest In Spain Conference

                Valencia, Spain Sep. 17-19, 2025
                LEARN MORE
                PRE-REGISTER
                MORE EVENTS

                Contact Our Events Team:

                Toll-Free U.S. and Canada:
                1 (888) 627 8834

                From Outside North America:
                1 (443) 599 1221

                Working Hours
                Monday – Friday 08:00 am – 17:00 pm EST.

                Reach us with your questions by email at: events@liveandinvestoverseas.com

                Store

                Overseas Havens Reports

                • Expats' comprehensive destination guides

                Conference Kits

                • Hours of coverage  from our latests conferences

                Lahardan Books

                • Titles on living and investing around the world

                Services

                • Overseas Living Letter: Affordable Retirement Guidance
                • The Simon Letter: Wealth Protection Insights
                • Global Property Advisor: Global Investment Opportunitites
                VISIT OUR STORE

                Free Report

                THE 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE IN 2025

                FREE REPORT: The 10 Best Places To retire in 2025

                Sign up to receive the FREE daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter and we’ll immediately email you our editors’ latest research report…






                  We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.

                  LIBRARY

                  Follow Us:

                  © 2008 - Live and Invest Overseas - All Rights Reserved.