Bill Gates' Belize Mystery: Unraveling The Truth

Bill Gates has visited Belize on multiple occasions. In 2012, he vacationed in Belize with his family, arriving on the super yacht Attessa IV. During this trip, Gates and his family went snorkelling in Hol Chan Marine Reserve, visited Mayan archaeological sites, explored Belize's aquatic caves, and saw whale sharks. Gates has also visited Belize's Yucatan Peninsula, where he enjoyed the beaches and visited Mayan temples. Additionally, Gates owns a private island in Belize called Grand Bogue Caye, valued at around $25 million.

Bill Gates visited Belize in 2012

Bill Gates, the billionaire Microsoft co-founder, visited Belize in 2012. Gates has a well-known affinity for the country, even owning a private island there called Grand Bogue Caye, which he purchased in 2006. The island is the largest in the Turneffe Atoll and is located around 24 miles east of Belize City, spanning approximately 400 acres.

During his 2012 visit, Gates' 330-foot yacht, the ATTESSA IV, was anchored offshore of San Pedro town for a few days. This was not Gates' first time visiting Belize, and he has since returned on multiple occasions. In 2018, Gates arrived on Ambergris Caye, helicoptering in three times over three days from his offshore yacht to practice his tennis game with a tennis pro at the Belizean Shores Resort.

Belize holds a special appeal for celebrities and the wealthy due to its tropical beauty, favourable exchange rate, and proximity to the United States. In addition to Gates, other notable figures such as Francis Ford Coppola, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Madonna have been drawn to the country's allure. DiCaprio, in particular, has praised Belize as "heaven on earth" and has invested in a private island with plans to turn it into a resort.

Beyond its natural attractions, Belize also offers a unique blend of history and culture. Once a British colony, the country boasts a strong economy based on aquaculture, agriculture, and tourism. It is also known for its Karst topography, characterised by thick layers of limestone that form caves and rivers. Additionally, the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest of its kind globally, is a significant drawcard for divers and snorkelers alike.

Gates and his family have certainly embraced all that Belize has to offer. During their visits, they have explored Mayan archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza and Lamani, ventured into aquatic caves, and even gone snorkelling with whale sharks—an experience he recounted on his blog, Gates Notes. With its natural splendour, rich history, and diverse attractions, it's no wonder that Belize has become a favoured destination for Gates and many others.

He owns a private island in Belize

Bill Gates Owns a Private Island in Belize

Bill Gates, the billionaire Microsoft co-founder, owns a private island in Belize called Grand Bogue Caye. The island is the largest in the Turneffe Atoll and is located around 24 miles east of Belize City. It spans approximately 400 acres, with 15 acres currently up for sale for US$1.1 million.

Gates bought the island as his private tropical retreat, and it is valued at around $25 million. The island was purchased in 2006 for GBP 13,399,800, and its current value is estimated to be GBP 18,116,102.

Belize is a popular destination for celebrities and investors due to its tropical beauty, favourable exchange rate, and accessibility from the United States. The country is also committed to preserving its natural wonders, such as the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest of its kind in the world.

Bill Gates and his family have visited Belize on multiple occasions, enjoying the beautiful beaches, exploring aquatic caves, and snorkelling with whale sharks. They have also visited Mayan archaeological sites such as Lamanai and experienced the unique geology of the country, which includes Karst topography and underwater caves.

He travelled to Belize on a super yacht

In 2012, Bill Gates travelled to Belize on board the Attessa IV, a 330-foot private super yacht. The vessel was given clearance to navigate into Belizean waters and remained in the country until May 9th. Gates was joined by six family members and a crew of 23. The Attessa IV is one of the world's top 25 private super-yachts by length and is owned by industrialist Dennis Washington.

The Attessa IV super yacht was relaunched in 2010 and is estimated to be worth $250 million. It can accommodate up to 36 guests and 23 crew members. The yacht features a helicopter, which was cleared to fly in Belize. During their trip, Gates and his family visited various destinations in Belize, including Hol Chan Marine Reserve, southern Belize, The Turneff Atolls, and the Great Blue Hole.

While Gates has been known to enjoy vacations on super yachts, he does not own one himself. In 2020, there were rumours that Gates had purchased a $600 million hydrogen-powered super yacht called Project Aqua, designed by Sinot Yacht Architecture & Design. However, these rumours were later refuted, and as of 2023, it was confirmed that Gates does not own a yacht. Instead, he prefers to charter luxurious yachts for his vacations and celebrations.

In 2021, Gates celebrated his 66th birthday on board the luxury yacht Lana, alongside Jeff Bezos. He also spent $2 million to charter the yacht for a week and flew out 50 guests to join the celebration. The Lana measures 351 feet and can accommodate 12 guests, with a cruising speed of 12 knots and a maximum speed of 18 knots. It features a master suite, a lounge with a piano, a full gym, a sauna, and a spa. Additionally, it offers a beach club, a swimming pool, and a variety of water sports equipment.

He went snorkelling in Belize

Bill Gates has been to Belize on more than one occasion. During one visit, he went snorkelling with his family in the hopes of seeing migrating whale sharks. They did not see any whale sharks during their family snorkelling trip, but Gates mentions in his blog that his daughter and a friend were lucky enough to see one when they went.

Belize is known for its snorkelling, with the second-longest barrier reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, bordering nearly the entire length of the country (about 192 miles). All of the country's snorkelling spots are located on this barrier reef or the offshore atolls.

The most popular snorkelling spot in Belize is the little town of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye. Gates visited Ambergris Caye in 2012 and 2018, arriving by helicopter. Gates also mentions in his blog that his family visited Belize's aquatic caves, which can be explored by tube. They also visited Lighthouse Reef, an atoll where the former lighthouse has fallen down but whose remains can still be seen.

He visited Mayan archaeological sites in Belize

Bill Gates and his family visited Belize for a vacation. They had a relaxing time, enjoying the good weather and beautiful beaches. They also visited Mayan archaeological sites such as Chichen Itza and Lamani.

Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza is a Mayan archaeological site in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The Mayans carefully tracked the movements of celestial bodies and developed a calendar that was more accurate than European calendars at the time. They knew that a year was 365 and one-quarter days long. Their temples were aligned with the sun so that on solstices, the architecture would cast shadows in the shape of a snake, an animal they worshipped.

Lamani

Lamani is one of the largest ceremonial centres in Belize. It is located on the New River in Orange Walk District and is known for being the longest continually occupied site in Mesoamerica. The initial settlement of Lamani occurred during the Early Preclassic, and it was continuously occupied until the colonisation of the area. During the Spanish conquest of Yucatán, the conquistadores established a Roman Catholic church at Lamani, but a revolt by the native Maya drove them away. The extant remains of the church are still standing today.

Lamani has more than 719 mapped structures, including two 16th-century Christian churches as well as an intact 19th-century sugar mill. Due to the extraordinary length of time that Lamani was occupied, one can explore several periods of Maya construction techniques, from the Classic Period to the Post Classic.

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