When shopping in the country, you'll find lots of items made locally. As the second smallest country in Central America, you will be surprised by how big the variety of handicrafts and foods you have to select from.
You will have no problem finding gifts for your loved ones as well as treats for personal spoils. If you are wondering what to purchase here, you’re in the right place. To help you find that perfect memory or keepsake from your trip, here is our guide to shop in Belize.
The country is not a notable shopping destination, but the locals have created a nice little handicraft and art industry complemented by some very sumptuous packaged food items.
Each of Belize’s unique ethnic groups makes their own crafts using local materials and traditions. The coastal Creoles are well-known for their jewelry made from coral and shells, as well as woodcarvings of sea creatures and ships.
The style is kept simple, but the talent is there, making for some nice souvenirs to bring back home.
The Garifuna population who live in the southern coastal area of the country are popular for their petite dolls that are quite unique. Towns like Punta Gorda and Placencia are good places to tour the craftsmanship of the Garifuna.
The Mayan people of Belize naturally take their cue from ancestors, manufacturing replicas of ancient Mayan hieroglyphics and modern interpretations of the Mayan style and symbolism by stone. While these Mayan carvings can be located throughout the country, San Ignacio is one of the awesome towns due to its location in the heart of the ruins.
Belize has the most expansive shopping scene, in part due to the cruise ships that regularly dock at Fort George. Visitors are a major part of the city’s businesses, but their prices are not always the most competitive.
The Belize Tourism Village on Fort Street has the biggest display of handicraft and souvenir stalls, but the downtown core of the country is where most of the more developed curio shops can be found.
If you’re looking for a piece of Belizean art or something of higher quality, head to either The Image Factory Shop or Fine Arts, in Belize City, both of which carry high-end quality crafts for more discerning buyers.
Outside of the capital, the shopping scene becomes even more foreign-centric. Generic souvenirs, t-shirts and mass-produced crafts are pervasive on Ambergris Caye, though they're still a fair number of malls that focus on quality artwork and handicrafts.
Belizean Arts is the top shop on Ambergris Caye for local original artwork and some very well created crafts. In fact, there are numerous interesting shops inside Fido’s Courtyard worth checking out for jewelry and some keepsakes.
Another great place to shop on Ambergris is along Barrier Reef Drive, where local craftspeople trade their handmade items at great prices from stalls along the road.
Jewelry made from coral is a big seller in the coastal villages, but foreigners should be aware that coral is a living creature and not an inexhaustible material like stone.
Black coral in particular is very charming but also very endangered. Coral grows so slowly that it is almost impossible for the supply to strike the demand, so look to your conscience when considering products made from endangered species.
The shopping life here is a rumble jumble for exploration every single moment!
Belize is also the home of some very tasty food products. In particular, their hot sauces are well regarded around the region. Marie Sharp's Hot Sauce is arguably the best of the lot, though Lizette's is also very addictive.
Bottled sauces are available in many gradients and styles and easily found in supermarkets at prices much lower than in gift shops. Belizean rum-like One Barrel or Prestige are also great mementos to bring back home.
"I enjoy shopping and I found it affordable but some of the clothes are definitely not of the highest quality." - Hassan from Turkey
