10 Reasons Why You Will Love Retiring in Belize

1. Sub-tropical climate - Belize has a sub-tropical year round climate where frosts and freezes are unknown.
2. Hol Chan Marine Reserve - Hol Chan is a national park that includes part of the barrier reef.
3. Shark Ray Alley - Belize is one of the best places to get up close and personal with sharks and stingrays.
4. The Barrier Reef - The Belize Barrier Reef is the largest in the western hemisphere and is 190 miles long.
5. The Howler Monkey – Belize has a rare breed of howler monkey that is known as one of the top ten loudest animals in the world.
6. Mayan Ruins - Belize has a rich Mayan history with over 900 historic locations.
7. The People – Belize is home to some of the most interesting and friendliest people who are very accepting of other cultures.
8. The Jungles – 60% of Belize is forested, hiking through the jungles is an amazing experience.
9. The Caribbean Sea – The waters off of Belize are known to inhabit more than 400 species of sub tropical fish.
10.  BELIKIN BEER – “The Only Beer Worth Drinking”

Photo:  AJ Baxter, Picture Belize

Pet Care in Tropical Climates

We plan on moving with our three beautiful huskies to Belize when we retire. While they are use to the hot humid weather in Mississippi, we will be more concerned making sure they do not develop heartworms in Belize.

Hot tropical climates have lots of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes carry heartworms from dog to dog or cat to cat.  Tiny offspring of the heartworm live in an animal's blood.  This is how the mosquito passes the heartworm from one pet to the next.  Pets, especially dogs are very likely to develop heartworm disease if they are not regularly given medication to prevent the disease. 

Heartworms is a serious problem for dogs. If left untreated, heartworms will kill a dog that is infected by causing heart failure or clots in the lungs.

Even the healthiest pets can suffer from heat stroke, dehydration and sunburn if they are overexposed to the hot tropical heat.  Give your pets plenty of water when spending extended periods of time outdoors.  Make sure they have a shady place to get out of the sun and be careful not to over-exercise them.  You may even need to keep them indoors on extra hot days.