Carmelita Gardens, Belize

  • Community
  • 0 followers

About the Community

  • Established
  • Town/Small City

What we do

Intentionally planned as an off-grid, sustainable, and resilient village, Carmelita Gardens is well on its way to achieving its goals. We are truly a diverse intergenerational an international community. We now have residents ranging from newborns to octogenarians and all ages in between and we have residents from around the world and from various careers and avocations. One of the many attractions is how the community and homes are carefully designed to accommodate a range of budgets and lifestyles. It is a core philosophy to treat everyone with individual respect and civility.

Like Belize, “The Land of the Free by the Carib Sea”, we are a community of freedom-lovers. The country was founded by generations of independent-minded freedom-seekers who came together to form a small nation (population ~400,000). In keeping with that spirit we left the ‘rat race” behind and are living a peaceful life in the fertile Belize River Valley.

We enthusiastically embrace the legacy we are creating by building a sustainable village for the present and future generations. We understand that it is a rare blessing to be Founders of a new village in a tropical paradise.

Our Vision

“Independent Together” ~ Town Motto. We are self-sufficient and community-minded.

Our Mission

“Independent Together” ~ Town Motto. We are self-sufficient and community-minded.

  • Community type
  • Ecovillage
  • Activities
  • Services Business
  • Others

Video

  • 54 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
  • Open to volunteers
Total
54

How to join

The membership process at Carmelita Gardens is simple and flexible. There’s no formal application or approval process — instead, you become part of the community by purchasing a property and choosing to live here, whether full-time or part-time.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

We love welcoming visitors to Carmelita Gardens!

If you’re interested in experiencing the community firsthand, you can start by contacting us to schedule a Virtual Tour or sign up for one of our in-person Discovery Tours. These tours give you a chance to explore the property, meet residents, and get a feel for off-grid living in Belize.

Just email us at [email protected] with your travel plans or questions, and we’ll be happy to assist with logistics, local recommendations, and setting up a personalized visit. Whether you’re just curious or actively planning a move, we’re here to help every step of the way.

Primary decision-making authority

  • All Community Members Together

The whole membership decides collectively.

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • There is a one-time fee, investment, or share purchase to join the community separate from accessing housing
  • Members need to pay fees, dues, or similar to live there on a per month or per year basis
  • Members typically need to have their own job or other personal source of income to cover their expenses while living in the community?

Additional economic information

Join fee: $39000
Monthly fees/dues: $45
Members with pre-existing debt: Yes
Carmelita Gardens received it’s Final Approval and Environmental Compliance Permit in September 2010, but did not establish an HOA or any other organization to govern the community, or charge fees, or collect dues. The Founder/Developer is fundamentally opposed to HOA’s in their common form. Instead, he waited until there was an established community – a critical-mass of involved residents. In 2022 that milestone was reached and after Town Hall meetings the Community Maintenance Fund (CMF) was established.

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Library, Workshop, Swimming pond or pool, Waterfront access, Gym or sports area

Frequency of communal meals

  • 1-3 times per month

Substance use culture

  • Substance use appears in public spaces but no pressure
  • Religions
  • Christian

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By a single individual, couple, or Family Trust

Setting

  • Town/Small City

Smaller municipalities with local services but rural character.

Self-produced energy

  • Over 66%

Energy sources used

  • Photovoltaic Solar

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%
  • Land area size
    98 acres

Reviews

Location

  • Cayo, Belize

Carmelita Gardens, Belize

Promoted Needs and Offers

Need

Join our newsletter to stay up to date.

By subscribing you agree to with our Privacy Policy and provide consent to receive updates from our company.

Free Plan

Free plan
Free

Advertise in our Directory

  • Subtotal

    {{ currencyFormat( pricing_summary.total_amount ) }}

Become a + Member

  • Send Direct Messages and see contact information
  • Find communities based on your profile tool
  • Post Needs & Offers Listings and Events
  • Access to resources in the Members Library /// like vetted documents uploaded by communites (e.g. bylaws )
  • Member badge on your profile
  • View communities detailed reviews
  • Create Private Groups