Sometimes, you just need a break from the daily grind. A weekend away seems like a good idea at the time, but it could only be a temporary band-aid. Doomscrolling while being chronically online, commuting long hours, not living in a walkable city: whether we realize it or not, these everyday small tasks add up—against us. Studies show people in cities suffer from mood disorders and anxiety at a disproportionately high rate. A small amount of green space can make a big difference while leaving the bustle of a city can improve people’s psychological well-being, and combining both is, by all definitions, paradise. In the small, English-speaking Central American nation of Belize, ex-pats have integrated into communities for all of the reasons above with like-minded individuals. Even if you’re not ready to make “the big move” just yet, how about trialing a month (or three) in one that works for you? This summer, spend it abroad and rewire your definition of community with a settlement like Carmelita Gardens in Cayo, Belize.
Rewire Your Brain—To Both Belize Time And Happier Days
Photo by Carmelita Gardens
Within the entire country of Belize, there’s not a single global franchise branch (think McDonalds or even just Costco), a handful of traffic lights in major cities, and one international airport. It’s a major lifestyle shift for anyone coming from the go-go-go pace of North America but in a good way. Most ex-pats recount adjusting their expectations and practicing more patience once they move to Belize; without even realizing it, they slow down to savor the days and romanticize their lives once again.
Though most retirees flock to the islands, like Ambergris Caye, the westernmost Cayo district that borders Guatemala is a quiet, laidback, and affordable alternative. It’s quaint too, with ‘the twin towns’ of the Hawksworth Bridge-connected San Ignacio and Santa Elena acting as the main metropolis and Belize’s second-largest town. The Mopan, the Macal, and the Belize River traverse here, whereas the Mopan and Macal come together just outside the small town of Bullet Tree Falls. It’s here on the banks of the Belize river you’ll find Carmelita Gardens, a planned community founded in 2010 with sustainable goals on 98 acres of rich farmland.
If You Go
Cayo is ideal for those working entirely remotely or frequently traveling, as it’s one of the closest ex-pat hotspots to the country’s one international airport outside Belize City. It’s also a district that thrills with Maya sites, rainforests, and rivers; the beautifully pristine Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve offers all of the above, but a peaceful kayak just from Carmelita grounds suffices too.
Photo by Carmelita Gardens
Conveniently, American dollars go twice as far in Belize, so your monthly rent would actually only start at $900 USD with Carmelita Gardens. There’s a handful of organic produce shared directly in the community, but food and amenities won’t cost you more than $300 USD. And although Carmelita Gardens isn’t within a town or city, you wouldn’t want to for a truly off-grid experience; fairly new, self-sufficient, solar-powered, rainwater-fed, and amongst like-minded neighbors of all ages, Carmelita Gardens’ target audience is community members that’ll add to its value. This destination is for those looking to leave the rat race, even if only for the summer, practically promised from the moment you land in Belize and arrive to Carmelita Gardens.
All images via Carmelita Gardens.
