LIVING IN BELIZE – “The Long Drive to Corozal“ 9/13/12

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On Day 2 with my Belize Relocation client, she wanted to explore the area of Corozal. As I said in my blog yesterday, we are staying in Hopkins. I had explained to her when she first suggested the itinerary that it was a very, very long drive from there to Corozal, but she wanted to do it anyway.

So at 7:00 a.m. we hit the road.  We took the Southern Highway to the Hummingbird Highway to the Western Highway to the Burrell Boom Road to the Northern Highway.  Three hours and forty-five minutes later, we arrived in Corozal.

My client really wants to live near the water, so she was happy to see the Bay upon arrival.  We parked the car and started exploring Corozal by foot.  I took her to the Town Square, we walked up and down the streets so she could see the different types of stores and shops.  We also went inside A&R, which is probably the nicest store in Corozal Town, and has pretty much all of your household, office, and children supplies that you would need.

Next we stopped in at the local doctor/pharmacy and checked if the medications her husband takes were available, and all but one is.  The doctor personally helped us, which impressed my client, and he also mentioned his wife was a dentist, which she liked very much.

We also walked and drove through many of the different neighborhoods where you could find rental homes so she could see what they looked like.  After a couple of hours, we were hungry, so we headed over to Corozo Blues.  The last time I ate there it was night time, so I was glad to get some day time photos, since it’s one of my favorite spots in Corozal on the water.

After a nice lunch of shrimp kebobs, and driving around a few more neighborhoods, we decided we needed to make the long drive back.  Eight hours in a car is a long day, but very productive for her. She has definitely decided Corozal could be the place for her.

That night, we headed over to a new B&B in Hopkins called Caribbean Shores.  Some expats from Illinois bought the house, completely gutted and renovated it, added two master king suites, a bar, restaurant, roof top deck, and swimming pool.  Next, they will be getting a catamaran and offering tours. They are just a few minute walk from our hotel, Beaches & Dreams, and offer wonderful, home cooked meals for non-guests at dinner.

I recognized our waitress, Michelle, right away. She usually works at Almond Beach, and last time I saw her she was pregnant. She’s had the baby and is working at Caribbean Shores while Almond Beach is closed for a month.  Once again, I was pleasantly surprised by running in to yet someone else I knew, even though I’ve only been to Hopkins for one six-day trip. It really is a tight knit community.

What kinds of things do you worry about when thinking of moving to a foreign country?

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  • michael

    Hey Sharon and how are ya doing? I have been reading your blogs and its soo fascinating how you write..bless you! What are the immigration procedures for living in belize? Thanks

  • Sherry

    Ted and I had a good chuckle over your description of the drive from Hopkins to Corozal:-) Have they bladed (scraped to smooth) the road to/from Hopkins yet? If not, you were really “flying” to make the trip in 3:45! We swear it takes 30 minutes just to dodge the ruts and potholes into/out of Hopkins:-)

  • http://www.wealthships.com Sharon Hiebing

    No, Sherry, they have not bladed that road yet. Instead, we took the Sittee River road out of Hopkins, which while longer in distance, is in much better shape and let’s you get out of the village easier. And yes, there were definitely areas I was “flying.”

  • http://www.wealthships.com Sharon Hiebing

    Hi Michael! Glad you find my blogs interesting. There are three different options for immigrating to Belize. Each with their own pros and cons based on your personal situation. This is exactly the type of thing I cover with my relocation clients. If you’re interested in finding out more about how my services work, email me at sharonhiebing@gmail.com. Thanks!

  • Matt

    Love the post! The pics of Corozal were conversation starters for us! Deanne and I can’t wait until we are driving around Belize finding a home, with your help… :)

  • http://www.wealthships.com Sharon Hiebing

    I would have loved to have taken more pictures, but I really do try to respect my client’s time. After all, they’re not paying me to write a blog, lol! But I’m glad you got something out of them, Matt.