BELIZE—Another “master-planned community” is making waves in Belize, promising modern living, luxury waterfront properties, and a nature-friendly paradise. But if history has taught us anything, Coconut Point might just be another name on the long list of failed real estate ventures that left investors high and dry.
Déjà Vu: The Belize Development Curse
Coconut Point boasts a “220-acre inland island” concept, nestled in a supposed marine nature sanctuary. Sound familiar? That’s because we’ve heard this sales pitch before—many times. Dreamscapes, Sanctuary Belize, and Holistica all lured investors with grand visions of eco-friendly utopias, only to crumble into financial disasters, legal battles, and, in some cases, outright scams.
Sanctuary Belize, in particular, left a trail of devastation when the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) shut it down for running a massive real estate fraud. Investors lost millions, roads were never finished, and the so-called “paradise” turned into a ghost town. Dreamscapes promised a futuristic Belizean escape but failed to deliver even basic infrastructure. Holistica? Another casualty of big promises and poor execution.
So, what makes Coconut Point any different?
Too Good to Be True?
The developers of Coconut Point claim that it’s just “45 minutes from Belize City’s International Airport” and “35 minutes from Belmopan.” But let’s get real—this is only possible thanks to the recently rebuilt Coastal Highway, a road infamous for its history of being impassable during the rainy season. A quick drive through other so-called “luxury” developments along the highway will show you a grim reality: abandoned projects, half-built homes, and disappointed investors.
Coconut Point markets itself as an “exclusive waterfront community” with homesites along 75-foot-wide canals. But before you get swept up in the dream, remember that many “waterfront” projects in Belize have ended up being mosquito-infested swamps, with inadequate drainage leading to flooding, erosion, and eventual property devaluation. Just ask those who invested in failed canalside projects in Placencia or Ambergris Caye.
Luxury Living or Isolated Nightmare?
The so-called “community features” sound impressive—parks, a sandy beach, and 24-hour security. But here’s the catch: these types of developments often struggle with long-term maintenance. Roads deteriorate, security becomes non-existent, and investors are left footing the bill for upkeep that was never part of their dream.
Past Belizean developments have struggled with providing even basic infrastructure. Power, water, and internet services are not guaranteed, and many developers abandon projects before these essentials are installed. Coconut Point claims to have “Architectural Design Guidelines” to ensure quality, but that’s not worth much if the project runs out of money before homes are completed.
The Harsh Reality of Belizean Real Estate
Investing in Belize is a gamble. The country has seen its fair share of well-marketed disasters, where buyers were left with worthless plots, legal nightmares, or half-built structures that nature reclaimed. Coconut Point might look good on paper, but so did Sanctuary Belize—and we all know how that ended.
So, is Coconut Point the next big thing, or just another grand illusion? Only time will tell, but history doesn’t paint a hopeful picture. If you’re considering investing, ask the hard questions: Where’s the long-term funding? What guarantees do buyers have? And most importantly, what happens when the developer disappears?