Digital Nomads Rejoice: Belize To Introduce “Work Where You Vacation”

by Carolee Chanona
work from paradise itzana belize placencia digital nomad

For remote workers and digital nomads, popping open a laptop to work on a Caribbean beach is a familiar occupational hazard. But amid the pandemic, having to work while you’re in paradise seems like a small price to pay to escape the confines of the living rooms and home offices where we’ve been sequestered for the last 12 months.

Our collective cabin fever hasn’t gone unnoticed. With low virus rates in Belize, lots of empty hotel rooms, and the Tourism Gold Standard safety protocols now firmly in place — besides so many working remotely, anyway — a number of Belize resorts have launched programs for people who want to spend an extended period of time in the Caribbean gem. Not to mention, the country’s Міnіѕtrу оf Тоurіѕm аnd Dіаѕроrа Rеlаtіоnѕ is approved to introduce a long-stay visitor program, permitting more than 30-days of visa-free stays. As the pandemic stretches into its second year, here’s all the places to consider to remote work and play in Belize, blissfully distant from your own backyard.

Itz’ana Resort & Residencies

remote work digital nomad belize beach placencia
Quit the daily grind in Belize. Photo courtesy Carolee Chanona
bleisure belize business travel digital Itz’ana Blend business and pleasure in Belize with WFH: work from hotel.
Photo courtesy Carolee Chanona
work from anywhere belize online workers Placencia
Work from anywhere, including your Deluxe Room at Itz'ana Resort. Photo courtesy Carolee Chanona

With their Work from Paradise offer, Itz’ana Resort & Residencies places you within mere feet of the Caribbean Sea’s sandy shallows on the Placencia Peninsula. Starting at US $129/night, enjoy:

  • Daily a La Carte Breakfast
  • Bottomless Specialty Coffee
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Complimentary Laundry Service
  • Early Check-in and Late Checkout
  • 20% off Food & Beverage

Valid on stays up to December 17, 2021. More details here

SunBreeze Suites

With their Work & Play offer, SunBreeze Suites on Ambergris Caye has you within arm’s reach of the beach and the town’s sandy hub. Besides having one of the best restaurants on the island (especially for sushi!), the suites are a self-sufficient option for those seeking long-stays in Belize to remote work and play. The 30-night package starts at US $3605, which includes:

  • Suites with full kitchen, private bedroom, bathroom, kitchen , dining and living area. Each unit has its private balcony.
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Complimentary in-room coffee
  • Room tax and Service Charge

A minimum of 30-nights is required. More details here

Umaya Village

As an entirely new concept to not only Belize but also to the Caribbean, Umaya Resort and Adventures has expanded their offerings to the first remote working village: Umaya Village. Nestled on the shores of the coastal Maya Beach on the Placencia package, packages start at US$1500 a month for a private room ensuite in a waterfront villa with over 1,000 sq ft of living space, which includes:

  • Weekly programs, activities and access to resort facilities
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Weekly cleaning services

A minimum of 21 days is required; shorter stays are available on a case-by-case basis. More details here

Belize To Introduce A “Work Where You Vacation” Program

workcation belize kaana resort

Online workers with itchy feet can cure burn-out in Belize. Photo courtesy Ka’ana Resort

This month, Belize’s Міnіѕtrу оf Тоurіѕm аnd Dіаѕроrа Rеlаtіоnѕ was аррrоvеd tо іntrоduсе а lоng-ѕtау vіѕіtоr рrоgrаm, allowing ехtеndеd vіѕіtоr реrmіtѕ fоr tаrgеtеd travelers аnd nаtіоnаlіtіеѕ. Тhіѕ рrоgrаm іѕ аіmеd аt еnсоurаgіng travelers like remote workers tо ѕtау lоngеr іn Belize with а рrоgrаm tо bе knоwn аѕ Wоrk Whеrе Yоu Vасаtіоn.”

Аfter all, an іnсrеаѕіng numbеrѕ оf Аmеrісаnѕ аnd оthеrѕ hаvе rеlосаtеd tо ѕunnіеr сlіmаtеѕ like Веlіzе; whether tеmроrаrіlу оr реrmаnеntlу, tо аvоіd thе wоrѕt оf thе раndеmіс іn thе U.Ѕ. аnd оthеr Fіrѕt Wоrld соuntrіеѕ. In addition, Cabinet gave its approval for the Ministry to expand and improve the Qualified Retired Persons Incentive Program.

Header photo courtesy of Itz’ana Resort & Residencies.

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