When you go to visit any new place, understanding the geography is important. It’s what determines your proximity to local sights, the safety of the neighborhood you stay in, and the potential for authentic immersion in the culture. That’s doubly true if you decide to stay there for good. On the surface, Carmelita Gardens is a community that does everything right. This planned community was built with sustainability as a core value from the start. But where they’re located is just as important as how the community was built.
It’s Located in the Cayo District
The Cayo District is one of the most popular destinations for travelers to Belize. Located to the west, it’s a region rich with national parks and ecological preserves – but unsurprisingly, that pristine beauty and abundance of resources helped position the Cayo District as the heart of the beating heart of the ancient Maya Empire in what is now Belize. It’s still home to some of the most majestic – and some of the most impressively preserved – ruins of that forgotten civilization.
In the Village of Santa Familia
Santa Familia is a quaint village of less than 2,000 people, but it’s a surprisingly recent development. Positioned among verdant stretches of farmland, Santa Familia is a sleepy and friendly little community. Like the rest of Belize, residents speak English primarily. While there’s access to modern conveniences, life here is much the same as it has been for generations. Its charm and laidback atmosphere have earned Santa Familia a spot on Live and Invest Oversea‘s list of the best places to retire.
With Plenty Available Nearby
Santa Familia may be quiet, but it’s closer to interesting attractions than you might think. A local Mennonite community is just a seven-mile drive away, and the village itself is positioned right along the river. And the comparably big towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena – also just seven miles away – are the cultural hubs of the region.
But a Community All Its Own
People have been occupying the area of Santa Familia for generation upon generation, but the rise of Carmelita Gardens is much more recent. As a self-sufficient community, it comes with all of the amenities of modern living that you would come to expect. Their goal is to create a modern community with a sense of small-town living, and their location is an integral part of that.
