Best Caribbean island / area to live ON LAND?

[sgl]

By the way, couldn't agree more with belizesailor. He's spot on. You need to be here physically, and real estate is indeed not for the faint of heart. Some lots get sold multiple times to suckers, some expect to be paid in gold, others in bitcoin. You'll need a good lawyer, 80% are crooks.

My advice would be to get a short-stay visa, rent for a few months, see what you like, and then consider buying.

As far as where to go, if you're determined on live on the Caribbean sea, then Bocas Del Toro is it. If you don't care about water, then Boquete is quite popular. I personally love Bocas, it's still wild, and not americanized like Boquete, while still having a pretty good expat community.

Our lawyers for residency and real estate are Kraemer & Kraemer. They're busy but very professional.
https://www.kraemerlaw.com/

Our RE agent in Bocas was United Country Realty. They were easy to work with.
https://www.bocasdeltoropanamaproper...red-properties

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by sgl

By the way, couldn't agree more with belizesailor. He's spot on. You need to be here physically, and real estate is indeed not for the faint of heart. Some lots get sold multiple times to suckers, some expect to be paid in gold, others in bitcoin. You'll need a good lawyer, 80% are crooks.

My advice would be to get a short-stay visa, rent for a few months, see what you like, and then consider buying.

As far as where to go, if you're determined on live on the Caribbean sea, then Bocas Del Toro is it. If you don't care about water, then Boquete is quite popular. I personally love Bocas, it's still wild, and not americanized like Boquete, while still having a pretty good expat community.

Our lawyers for residency and real estate are Kraemer & Kraemer. They're busy but very professional.
https://www.kraemerlaw.com/

Our RE agent in Bocas was United Country Realty. They were easy to work with.
https://www.bocasdeltoropanamaproper...red-properties

Yes, Bocas has become quite popular. Ive been surprised how much the expat population has swelled there just in recent years.

The Bocas archipeligo is also a very nice mini-cruising ground with loads of good anchorages, snorkel sites, beaches, etc. With Bocas Town not far away for provisions.

Ive not used Kraemer & Kraemer, but Ive consistently seen them highly recommended.

I keep my boat over in Bocas. COVID, and other matters, threw a monkey wrench in our usual cruising season, but I hope to get over to Bocas very soon to crew in the regatta (20th), get started on some boat projects, and submerge myself in some salt water!

[belizesailor]

And, since this is a sailing forum after all, Bocas now has an annual regatta. Just sailed in it yesterday. With just a few exceptions, its definately a cruising boat event. Good fun!

https://bocasdeltororegatta.com/

[sgl]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

And, since this is a sailing forum after all, Bocas now has an annual regatta. Just sailed in it yesterday. With just a few exceptions, its definately a cruising boat event. Good fun!

https://bocasdeltororegatta.com/

Ha! I must have seen you pass by, we were watching the boats from our patio. I'm on Solarte facing San Cristobal, between Hospital Point and Bambuda Lodge.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by sgl

Ha! I must have seen you pass by, we were watching the boats from our patio. I'm on Solarte facing San Cristobal, between Hospital Point and Bambuda Lodge.

Highly likely! One mark was near Blue Coconut so you should have had a good view.

I was aboard "Halcyon" an FP Belize 43.

Some of my pics from the Regatta:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ufugyi063...FbgksYWZa?dl=0

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by sgl

Ha! I must have seen you pass by, we were watching the boats from our patio. I'm on Solarte facing San Cristobal, between Hospital Point and Bambuda Lodge.

Nice shot!