Pulitzer Prize-winning W.H. Auden remains one of the most influential poets and writers today, despite the fact that he died in 1973. It was Auden who coined the phrase, “There’s more than meets the eye.” He proved it by marrying Erika Mann in 1935 to save her from the Nazis. Once out of Germany, the two went their separate ways, but for all anyone knew, the Auden-Mann marriage was a love match.
Most of us tend to form opinions based on what appears to be truth, but for those who customarily go beyond because they’re curious and thoughtful, unearthing what lies beneath can be an exciting, fulfilling, and often a life-changing experience – one that more and more travellers are learning from their first-time visits to Belize.
Small enough to navigate yet packed with natural resources and cultural surprises, folks curious about why travelers can’t get over Belize’s uniqueness, especially when compared to surrounding countries, learn that the nation is fast becoming a retiree epicenter for North Americans eager to take advantage of the nation’s relocation benefits, easy-to-understand legal and currency systems plus the fact that everyone speaks English.
Given so many benefits, North Americans started buying up property and homes at an amazing rate, but one element was missing – until Dan Silva met developer Phil Hahn. The two realized that what Belize needed was a self-sufficient, off-grid community appealing to retirees as concerned about the environment as they are about their retirement goals. The result of this epiphany was the development of Carmelita Gardens in 2009. Given the influx of retirees flocking to this ecologically focused community, this is a success story of major proportion.
Still a work in progress, Carmelita Gardens, located in Santa Familia’s Cayo District, has a small-town vibe filled with “Mom and Pop” shops. Fanning out from the town square, the community’s epicenter, are neighborhoods with independent off-grid homes, self-sufficient, welcoming residents, a riverfront resort and restaurant, civic buildings, parks and recreation areas, orchards, and gardens.
Newcomers are embraced so eagerly, they quickly find themselves filling calendars with get-togethers and excursions like canoeing, tubing, fishing, kayaking, mountain, and attractions with newly-minted friends and neighbors. Visitors to Carmelita Gardens often hear the phrase, “I can’t say no; there are just too many great things to do with our like-minded neighbors!”
More than meets the eye? Auden’s phrase was designed with Carmelita Gardens in mind, which is why you will want to tour this vibrant community now that travel restrictions are lifted and vaccine cards paired with passports are the only documents needed to visit Belize for a tour of this amazing community.
Every question you have about Belize retirement will be answered by welcoming members of the Carmelita Gardens team, so learn more by querying friendly staff at info@carmelitagardens.com. You’ll get great travel advice and you can sojourn onsite. It won’t be long before you agree that Auden was right: There’s more to Belize and Carmelita Gardens than meets the eye!
