How's the economy in Corozal?

The economy in Corozal has been dependent on agriculture.  Sugarcane is the big crop, although there are other fruits and vegetables that are grown and marketed locally.

 

There’s a big market in the central part of town where you can buy any vegetables or fruits you ever thought of. Sugarcane prices are kind of low right now so it’s a little tough on the cane farmers and they’re looking for ways to diversify.

 

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The economy in Corozal has been dependent on agriculture.  Sugarcane is the big crop, although there are other fruits and vegetables that are grown and marketed locally.

 

There’s a big market in the central part of town where you can buy any vegetables or fruits you ever thought of. Sugarcane prices are kind of low right now so it’s a little tough on the cane farmers and they’re looking for ways to diversify.

 

There seems to be enough demand. They only had one gas station for a long time and now they’re building a great big new one out towards the airstrip and with all the gringos coming down there’s quite a bit of construction happening.  So there’s employment for the locals from that.

 

In addition, fishing and agriculture are big economic sectors. Lobster and conch are the big commercial harvests.  

 

(Botanical print of sugarcane, pictured.)

The economy in Corozal is in a rough position, and has been tough for the locals. Belize is growing in the area of tourism in general in the north, so as more tourism kicks in, it makes a lot of local spending happen. There were teachers who held a strike this year, and the cane farmers had a rough time, too. They always have negotiation problems. The price of gas has been a little high here in Corozal for the last couple of years although people’s jobs aren’t paying them...

The economy in Corozal is in a rough position, and has been tough for the locals. Belize is growing in the area of tourism in general in the north, so as more tourism kicks in, it makes a lot of local spending happen. There were teachers who held a strike this year, and the cane farmers had a rough time, too. They always have negotiation problems. The price of gas has been a little high here in Corozal for the last couple of years although people’s jobs aren’t paying them more. Corozal is actually a poor place here in the north of Belize, but most people are happy or don’t realize they don’t have a lot. 

 

Corozal’s economy is based mainly on tourism and construction, which are the two biggest sectors of this region, followed by farming and agriculture for locals. There’s a lot of agriculture in the north of Corozal. Fishing is also a major part of the economy here in Corozal. There are lots of fishermen in the north villages here in Corozal. 

 

I think the country’s figuring out how to make things better because they have to perform better for the people. There may have been a lot of corruption in the past that went on for years, and it’s starting to come out. 

 

Social media is getting word out to people who had no idea what was going on. Corozal doesn’t have papers or other means of communication that we’re used to in the US. Facebook has actually become effective for Belize. There are news sites that send out information or uncover corruption going on in the government, so people are hearing and seeing more.

 

With that transparency, it sounds like there’ll be less corruption in Corozal, and there’ll be more fiscal responsibility. I think there’s actually probably a lot of money that was misappropriated that the people never knew about.  

 

(Canal in progress at Orchid Bay resort, near Corozal, Belize, pictured.)

I took a person around there today who is staying at the inn. He’d been here a couple of years ago, and he made the observation that the town is a lot neater today than it was two years ago, and it seemed to be more prosperous. He also noticed that there are a lot more and newer cars here in Corozal now, so that would indicate that there is more money in people’s pockets. With that in mind, I would say Corozal’s economy is getting better and better. I wouldn’t...

I took a person around there today who is staying at the inn. He’d been here a couple of years ago, and he made the observation that the town is a lot neater today than it was two years ago, and it seemed to be more prosperous. He also noticed that there are a lot more and newer cars here in Corozal now, so that would indicate that there is more money in people’s pockets. With that in mind, I would say Corozal’s economy is getting better and better. I wouldn’t describe it as booming, but it’s certainly not sliding. It’s moving ahead slowly but surely.

 

There is considerable tourism outside of Corozal Town. Here at Orchid Bay, we have many products available, and people choose to come here for a week, two weeks, or a month. Even snowbirds come down in winters for two to three months.

 

The majority of hardcore tourists, which refers to those who just have 1-2 weeks off, would go to Ambergris Caye for the bright lights, the loud music, and the toys. You’re going to spend a fortune if you go to Ambergris Caye.

 

People who think about what they’re doing choose Corozal because it is way less expensive than Ambergris Caye, and yet they can get to all of the places that make vacationing a true vacation. You can run inland to the Mayan Ruins at Lamanai, head down to Belize City for a day, or run out to the Xunantunich to go rafting or tubing to the caves. 

 

You can even get down south from Corozal very easily just by taking the main highways. We’re about five hours from Placencia, which is very doable on any day of the year. We find that the more discerning people will choose to stay a week in Placencia, a day in Ambergris, and a week in Corozal. If money’s no object and you’re only here for a short time, then by all means spend your whole time on Ambergris Caye.

 

(Tubing, Belize, pictured.)