Belize is a Caribbean paradise, even if it is located in Central America, and the locales that compare favourably to those of the more famous Caribbean islands come in at a relatively cheap price. Costs for land and property aren't incredibly low, it has to be said, but there are more than enough affordable choices out there for the potential off plan investor. The economy of Belize is solid and has been for many years, and the currency of the country being locked to the US Dollar means things are unlikely to falter much, if at all, in the future. A pseudo-Caribbean experience at a fraction of the cost, throw in some stunning natural beauty, a bevy of historical and archaeological fun and a people widely regarded as some of the friendliest in the world and you have a recipe for success.

Property and land in and around Belize City has a huge range of value, from low cost fixer-uppers and less desirable areas offering prices in the £10,000 (approx $20,000) range, to larger and more sought-after plots and buildings hitting from around the £200,000 (approx $400,000) mark. For what a buyer gets though, these prices are more than decent - they don't compare with a lot of emerging markets when it comes to sheer bargain-power, but the location of some of these plots and properties is something that has to be taken into account, with sweeping tropical vistas up for grabs at a fraction of the Caribbean equivalent. Elsewhere in Belize prices tend to hold quite steady, though obviously more rural and off the beaten track regions can come in at very cheap - if a bit uneconomical. Prices on some of the cayes, however, can be far higher than those in the main cities thanks to their position in the Caribbean Sea and how luxurious some developments have been over recent years. It is also quite plausible for a potential off plan investor to pick up their own island - obviously the costs rise depending on how much island a buyer is getting, but the potential for development is enormous.

The potential for growth in Belize isn't what could be considered explosive, but the country is seen as a sure fire long term investment - now is the time to pick up and develop properties, and years down the line they are sure to be worth a lot more than what they were initially purchased for. It is most definitely a long haul proposal, and while nothing in the world of investment can be considered a sure thing there are certainly all the right signs. Add on to this the fact that there are no capital gains or income taxes in Belize and potential off plan buyers have more than enough reasons to want to invest there. Those that aren't already convinced can add the relatively low cost of living to the list too, just for posterity's sake.