Ara Macao Resort and Marina ioVest Charter Program Invites Illinois Residents to Largest Resort Development in Belize

CHICAGO, May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Ara Macao Resort and Marina developers from Chicago will be hosting a series of open houses at the Butterfield Country Club on June 5th and June 7th in Oak Brook, Illinois by invitation only. Principals Vince Minniti and Paul Goguen indicated that our "cold weather" Illinois customers are looking for a unique, fun, life-changing experience and a safe real estate investment for their extended families and friends. On a recent trip to this Central American tropical paradise, proud owners Jack and Sheila Christensen found the people in Belize to possess a rich cultural heritage, delicious cuisine, and a fine sense of well-being. Our exploration of the barrier reef along the sunny Placencia coastline and a successful fishing trip topped off a totally relaxing five-day escape with other baby-boomers from Illinois.

"My only regret is that we did not allow enough time to explore more Mayan ruins such as Caracol up in the Maya mountains, only 2.5 hours from the coastal village of Placencia, noted, the Chicago resident and teachers. Bordering Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and the Caribbean Sea, the country is emerging as the hottest tourism location in Central America, famous for diving, water sports, fishing, hiking in the Jaguar preserve known as the Cockscomb Basin and hundreds of Mayan ruins to explore. It's a laid back safe place where English is the spoken language and new vacation property opportunities have emerged. Ara Macao Resort and Marina located on 582 acres is the largest development of its kind in Belize today.

"We could have also sampled more of the fresh made Italian gelato at Tutti Frutti," the only authentic gelato shop on the Placencia peninsula which supplies fine homemade gelato to the finest restaurants including Francis Ford Coppola's famous Turtle Inn.

"Our family decided to explore Belize with Ara Macao founders rather than staying home and watching the Rose Parade with front row seats in Pasadena last New Year's noted Tom and Julie Brady. "We took our two daughters on their first fishing trip off the end of the pier in Placencia and caught fish up till 10:00 p.m. Lights from the long pier attracted the hungry marine life and created a wonderful natural aquarium. A school of barracuda managed to find their way into our friend's net the next day. In addition to the Karaoke nights and walks under the crystal clear moonlit skies we had made life long friends during our journey. We like the relaxed pace and enjoy boating along the dense palm coastline. We can ride bikes and do not worry about the kids," said Brady.

Since several in our group were amateur divers, Chick Baruffi organized a private tour to the reefs in the Black Orchid operated by a local Belizean who has welcomed the Ara Macao developers to his village and now entertains the new arrivals with boat tours up the Monkey River as well as spectacular outer reef visits each month. "Our guides take pride in Belize and show guests some of the best dive sites in the world. The water is always turquoise and sparkles down fifty feet from the surface and that is a welcome greeting to anyone from the Great Lakes region," according to Chick Baruffi, an Ara Macao principal and certified dive instructor.

Mary Aiardo would say her husband enjoyed the laid-back friendliness and

warm spirit of the Belizean people. "We met some good friends and they introduced us to paradise." You can always immerse yourself in that summer reading collection or book an outdoor open air roof top massage. Don't worry about dinner plans. The Inn at Robert's Grove and restaurant is masterfully orchestrated by ex-New Yorker Robert Frackman and his lovely wife. In Belize, guests stay out as late as they wish and can sit under the canopy of stars until the wee hours; enjoy the warm breezes and gentle strumming of a guitar on shore.

While the Ara Macao project received full cabinet support from the Belizean government in a landmark decision on May 7th which endorsed the ioVest project unanimously and dismissed an attempt to derail the project. Citing this recent decision, Paul Goguen noted that special care has been taken in working to achieve a healthy balance within this delicate ecosystem. "The water and soil engineering studies have been exhaustive and extensive over the past two years. ioVest Development is committed to building a high quality development and while protecting this precious environment."

Based on the success of Phase I, the Ara Macao Resort and Marina has launched a Charter Member program which offers incentives to the next 50 unit purchasers for a limited time. "With every purchase, we have organized a wonderful 5-day trip to Belize including all transportation costs, most meals, and a menu of varied excursions for our owners," mentions Chick Baruffi.

Open House in Oak Brook -- Butterfield Country Club

Beginning June 5th, including one subsequent date of June 7th, a limited number of units are available through the Ara Macao Charter Member program at a savings of 10% to 20% off the 2007 current published prices which range between $400,000 and $550,000. "Our goal is to sell out this second phase within the next 60-90 days and raise prices as we achieve our fiscal milestones," noted Minniti. Several early round investors from Colorado, Illinois, and Florida have already seen 33% appreciation on their unit values since January 2006 and intend to hold and enjoy this vacation property for years to come.

To attend an upcoming open house where you can hear what makes the Ara Macao Resort and Marina a five star destination and enjoy a complimentary gourmet dinner at the Butterfield Country Club, reserve your space by calling 800-625-5915 x4475. The 582 acre master planned community on the Placencia coastline is setting the stage to join other world class resorts in the Caribbean. The resort will feature 5 star amenities which will include a world class 18-hole Championship golf course, luxury hotel, condominiums, villas, full service marina, multiple pools, spa escapes, light house restaurant and casino just to name a few.

"We are just waiting for Tiger Woods to come and explore the Placencia coastline with us. I will even drive the cart," smiled Vince Minniti. "After all, Francis Ford Coppola and Leonardo Di Caprio are already our neighbors."