By the Caribbean Journal staff

It might just be the hottest destination in the Caribbean – with surging arrivals, an array of new hotels and the kind of “it” factor vibe that comes from a special combination of exclusivity and adventure.

But Belize is also hot in another way: as a real estate destination.

There’s a reason more and more projects are coming to the country on the Caribbean coast of Central America, with more and more expats arriving and vacation buyers flocking to plant their flags, too.

One of the newest real estate destinations on the scene is the Royal Kahal, the first new-build real estate project in the ultra-popular enclave of San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye.

To learn more, Caribbean Journal caught up with the project’s developer, Mike Fairbairn, who has more than three decades of experience in luxury projects across Canada, the United States and Central America, to learn more about Royal Kahal and why so many people are looking for a piece of Belize.

Why live or buy a home in San Pedro Town?

San Pedro Town offers the best of Caribbean living, combining an almost complete lack of western franchise operations, with dozens of painters, sculptors, and other artists owning their own galleries and living along one of San Pedro’s three main streets. While golf cart rentals are readily available (cars are not allowed), parking can be an issue, making our complimentary bicycle rentals an attractive option to walking.   Miles of beachfront allow for runners and joggers to enjoy the stunning sunrises and sunsets when the weather is cooler and the gentle sea breezes are blowing.

Ambergris Caye.

Why buy a home at Royal Kahal?

First quality construction provides buyers with a worry free condominium, particularly when combined with full time management, freeing owners to oversee their investment to the degree they would like.  Since all units are eligible for participation in the rental pool, the management company’s primary goal is to manage expenses to maximize the owner’s profit on owning their unit.

In the fine home market, Royal Kahal offers the most attractive financing.

A rendering of a unit at Royal Kahal.

Belize is getting hotter as a real estate haven. What makes Royal Kahal unique?

Location.  It is the first project under construction in or near San Pedro in more than 10 years, offering walking and biking distance to the downtown core, and more than 30 restaurants, from pizza places to fine dining.  In addition, dozens of beach bars are within easy walking distance. 

A kitchen at a Royal Kahal unit.

And then there are the specifications.  The project incorporates a host (five page list) of areas where we have invested in order to reduce operating costs (VRF computer controlled A/C, building wide, Heat Pump dryers, Fully connected to gas, allowing on demand gas hot water in each demand area, a highly energy efficient approach that utilizes the least expensive energy source on the island  — in addition to providing gourmet gas appliance options in the kitchens.

Belize is one of the least expensive Caribbean destinations”

Talk about the resilience of the project, in a region where climate resilience is paramount.

The building is unique in not only meeting all safety oriented codes, but exceeding virtually all of them. Hurricane protection is normally handled by plywood window covers screwed in place in advance of a storm.  RKR has opted for full, Miami-Dade County-standard windows, which will meet the 100 year standards without damage.  In addition, the island’s water supply is inadequate for fire fighting, and although we have employed fireproof materials where possible, we have also built our own internal high capacity pumping system which draws water from the pool and pressurizes the building’s built in standpipe system, with hose cabinets located to cover all floor areas of the building. 

State of the art smoke, heat, and fire detectors report back to a fire monitoring station in the lobby to direct emergency workers to the source of the alarm immediately upon arrival.  Finally, our staff conducts regular fire drills to ensure that they are an effective firefighting team in the event the need arises.  Finally, the building floor level is just under five feet above sea level, and the building itself provides a further two feet of protection from water ingress.  Finally, the building lot is elevated behind a 4’ seawall, providing a total of 9.5’ protection above sea level in an area where the highest storm surge was less than six feet above sea level.

The striking design at Royal Kahal.

What do you find most special about living in Belize? 

Belize is one of the last remaining areas of untouched Caribbean culture.  With no franchise operations, buildings are painted in a crazy patchwork quilt of bright Caribbean colors, and there is a seemingly endless array of art and handcrafts available in many galleries, along with several outdoor markets.  Belize is one of the least expensive Caribbean destinations, and offers all the outdoor entertainment imaginable from fishing and diving charters, to sailing day trips with catered lunches on deserted islands, to parasailing, ziplining, cave tours, and many tours visiting remarkably preserved Mayan temples — Belize was the center of the Mayan population at its height.

For more, visit Royal Kahal in Belize.