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During our final week, we made our way into San Ignacio on two different occassions and both times ended up at the local Market. It was noticeably busier on the Saturday than it had been on our earlier Wednesday visit, with about 3 times as many stalls in business displaying their goods for sale. The main part of the market is covered with a tin roof but, on busy days, other vendors set up in the overflow area out in the hot sunshine. While we were in town, we also made the rounds of some of the many other small shops to stock up on a few items that we were in need of.
We were looking for fruit at the market and were able to buy a pineapple on both visits (US$1.25 each) that we later had for breakfasts. Although there were quite a few on display, it was a bit of a job to find one that was ripe (by pulling on the green shoots at the top to see if one would come free easily). Four fresh limes (US$0.50) also made for some nice flavours to go with a bottle of local "1 Barrell" Old Rum (US$6.75) that we bought from a Chinese store in town. Leave a Comment Theme: Food and DrinkDirections: The market is located close to the bus terminal and near the Macal River.
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We used internet cafes a couple of times during our trip, the first time on Caye Caulker and again a few days later in Dangriga, on the south central coastline.
In Dangriga, we were looking for Val's Laundry & Internet as detailed in my Handbook. We discovered that it was not working, so we headed further downtown and parked at the bus terminal beside North Stann Creek. A walk of a block or so back the busy streets (where parking was almost impossible) revealed the second floor Griganet Cafe. Access was a bit tricky but we finally figured out that we needed to open an iron gate on the right side and proceed up the stairs from there. This place was quite nice, with air-conditioning and high-speed connections. I checked up on VT, Sue checked on home emails and our two friends from Saskatchewan updated their travel site for friends, regarding the progress on their planned 7-week trip from Belize to Panama (PS - they made it safely through Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama)!
Prices were US$1 for 15 minutes, US$1.50 for 30 minutes, US$2 for 45 minutes and US$2.50 per hour. Leave a Comment Theme: OtherDirections: Opposite the Belize Bank, on St. Vincent Street - south side of North Stann Creek
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All the towns and villages in Belize seemed to have at least one mini-supermarket or convenience store of some sort where you could buy a few basic items on short notice!
On Caye Caulker, we used either the Chan Mini Mart or the Friendship Shopping Centre: things like a container of dry-roasted peanuts, some water bottles, Belikin beers and bottles of red and white wines for our refrigerator. The typical costs for wine were US$13 for a 750 ml California Inglenook Classic Burgundy and US$22.50 for a Carlo Rossi 1.5 litre California White. These were fairly typical for costs throughout Belize, but any kind of wine was scarce and/or more expensive in some of the more distant places we later visited (Hopkins and San Ignacio).
In San Jose Succotz, on the Guatemala border, we used the Hua Yong Supermarket more than once, to help deal with the tropical sunshine beaming down. There,we simply grabbed chocolate covered ice-cream cones and even iced vodka drinks once. However, since we were staying at the nearby Trek Stop for a week, and had a common kitchen at our disposal, we also lugged back large jugs of water, drinking cups for our cabana, clothes pegs, granola bars and yoghurts for breakfast, boxes of Mango or Strawberry/banana fruit drinks and Pringle chips. It was a typical supermarket with a wide range of goods at reasonable prices and we really appreciated having it so close at hand.
Overall, I thought that the price of goods was quite reasonable, especially considering the remoteness of some of these stores! Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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A company that saw our business was Shell, with their petroleum stations located at strategic spots. We filled up our rental vehicle at one just outside the international airport when we picked it up and once again in Belmopan (shown here) when we were on our way back to drop it off. Although the Belize $ is pegged at two for every US$, they use Imperial gallons rather than the smaller US gallons (0.83 of an Imperial) when dealing with gasoline. The cheapest grade of gasoline was US$4.69/Imperial gallon. I started to get worried when the fuel tank, at the time of our vehicle pick-up, showed only 2/3 full, and it still required the attendant to pump US$62 into it to bring it to maximum!! In the end, we drove almost 200 miles before the indicator even dropped back to 'Full' ! The distances in Belize are not too great and there seemed to be no problem in finding gas stations in all the major locations. Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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Most shops in Belize are small, they don't have shopping malls on the American scale, but they do have a few small malls, most shops however are dotted along main streets.
Most shops it seems sell almost anything and everything, and they are well stocked and quite varied, I was expecting Spanish style shops where there seems to be no variety, but it isn't like that at all, there is a strong American influence and so they cater for that.
Sneakers or Trainers as you might call them go for about 190 BZ Dollars thats 45 US Dollars and most are baketball based designs. Food is fairly cheap but do take into account that Belize is one of the most expensive Countries in Central America. Still cheap by Western standards.
Branded crisps are likely to cost 3BZ to 7 BZ
Belikin Beers in shops 2.50 BZ
Coke etc. 1.50BZ
Cigerretts (Belize brand) about 3 BZ
Cheese slices 7 BZ
Ham slices 4 BZ
Prices do vary on location and shops, so looking around can save you some pennies but not much. Also do be aware that quite a few shops (ie. Grocers) are run by Chinese, so don't be shocked to see so many. Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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You can find slate carvings in every souvenir shop or streetside vender in Belize. However, the best place to buy them is along the Mopan River bank, near the entrance to Xunantunich. Here you can buy the carvings directly from the artists, making them cheaper. In addition, we found that their selection was of higher quality and offered more variety that most of the other venders in Belize. Be sure to haggle the price -- because they will bargain with you. Leave a Comment Theme: Local Craft
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The US dollar is worth 2-1 over the Belizean dollar so spend away. The prices at the small port in Belize City were tourist prices, but if you go in the city things change. I bought a six pack of coke, Belikin Beer, and a bottle of water for about $4.50
Get a local Beer
$0.75 Leave a Comment Theme: Other
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The street is lined with little shops full of local crafts, beach attire, souvenirs, and post cards.
There are also several places to shop for food. Leave a Comment Theme: Local Craft
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DO NOT shop at the large market in downtown San Pedro. Buy your snacks at the tiny individual marketplaces. The large shop in town that most taxis take you directly to does not have any prices on the merchandise and they charge what they want. Usually twice the price of the smaller street shops. Theme: Food and Drink
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All the shops in San Pedro are the same, and prices are comperable everywhere. All the touristy items are priced high, so if you get a chance to buy anything before you get to the islands, I would do it. The cost of shipping to an island is reflected in the tax on all their products.
You'll be amazed at the high grocery store prices, so it's best to eat out for every meal. A can of Pringles is as much as an entire lunch!
Make sure, if you're using your credit card, you tell your card company before you travel. I was cut off halfway through my Spring Break for suspicious spending! If you do travel over Spring Break, be aware that they celebrate Easter for 3-4 days and many of the shops and restaurants are closed during this holiday.
The hand woven hammocks are to die for.
Locals sell hand carved bracelets, earrings, and rings that are pretty cool.
Also try Belizean Coffee, habanero pepper sauce, and Pineapple Jam (soo good, trust me).
Prices are high on the islands, especially for food products and alcohol. Try to buy that stuff inland if you have the chance. Leave a Comment Theme: Local CraftDirections: San Pedro - Ambergris Caye
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on June 6, 2006
on December 5, 2004
on December 27, 2005
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