Quote from @Mike Lambert:
@Kirsten M.
I don't see why the fact that Belize is part of CARICOM makes me incorrect. Sadly, both the country and its population are super poor. There is no middle class and practically no industry. The government has no money. If anything happens there and tourism stops, the country is bankrupt. And how long are the poor locals (the overall majority) going to tolerate to lend their country to the villas of the rich. Crime is high like in neighbouring Mexico but the difference is that, while Mexico's is drug-related and doesn't affect tourism, it's just overall crime due to poverty in Belize.
I understand you have lived and worked there and must like it and look at it from a real estate agent point of view. I look at it from an economist point of view too.
You stated that Belize is not part of the Caribbean, however, it is part of the Caribbean which makes you incorrect. I've lived in both Mexico (5 years) and Belize (2 years). Yes, Belize is heavily reliant on tourism, but it does have some industry. You are also incorrect to state that there is no middle class. That is very much a wrong statement. I taught Financial Management and Business Management at the college on Ambergris Caye. I was also very engaged in the community. There is a growing middle class due in part from the growing emphasis on education and more job opportunities. Their industries include tourism (which we know), agriculture, and fishing. During the pandemic, when tourism was absent, Belizians worked together to assist each other. Was it easy, no, but they made it happen. Belize also has a lot going for it - protected natural resources, law and property ownership similar to England (as it was once an English colony), and English as the national language. These things open it up to so much opportunity.
As for crime in Belize, a lot of it is petty theft and drug related. You act like you know the country without ever having visited or spoken to a Belizian. Mexico's drug problem does affect tourism. Many of the once popular destinations ie: Mazatlan, Aculpoco, and Cabo have been overrun by cartels. Many Mexicans that I have met, who either grew up in those cities, or worked in them, no longer visit because they too are worried. The now popular cities: Tulum and Puerto Vallarta have made deals with the cartel to keep their business to a minimum.
Economically speaking, I think both countries are wonderful in their own right and can provide a great return on investment if done correctly. Personally, I wouldn't invest in either of them even though I understand both markets better than most.
