Experience Belize with our Travel tips + tricks

Belize currency is the Belizean Dollar (BZD) and it is tied to the US Dollar (USD) at a constant exchange rate of 2:1. That means $2 BZD is $1 USD. For everything in BZD, you just have to cut that number in half to know what it equates to in USD. This makes exchange rate math very simple. 

If you get money out of an ATM (there are many options in downtown San Pedro), it will be in BZD. Many places accept USD, but remember you will receive change back in BZD. 

New: The supply chain issues in the US have made it so most banks will NOT exchange BZD when you return, so spend this money on the island if you can. Also, tipping in local currency is a great way to use up those BZD. You can also buy souvenirs, Marie Sharps, Belikins, etc. at the airport on your way home! 

While onboard your international flight, you will receive an immigration form like you normally do before entering a foreign country.  

Most flights from the US, Europe, Canada, and Mexico fly to Belize City (BZE airport). From Belize City, getting to Ambergris Caye can be either via short flight on Tropic Air or Maya Island Air, or you can use the Water Taxi to get to the island. See below for more details. If your flight is late to arrive, do not worry. The Tropic and Maya airlines monitor this closely and can move you to an earlier or later flight.  

Make sure you have handy where you are staying on the island, your passports, and all paperwork ready when you deplane, so you are ready for immigration. 

After you deplane, you first go to the international terminal and head to Immigration (before you get to baggage claim). At immigration you give your forms you filled out on the airplane, passports, and if traveling with children, their passports and birth certificates. You can never bring in children without BOTH birth parents unless you have special documentation proving why one parent isn't there. Belize is a non-extradition country. You get your forms processed and handed back and then move toward baggage claim. 

Checked baggage will be straight ahead in the airport, and right next to Duty Free. We recommend buying your wine and liquor here at Premier Duty Free. Have your passport ready when you check out (see below for more info). Then head to the Customs counter to declare your purchases (if you are not shopping at Duty Free in the airport or bringing in more than $200 of goods to sell or keep in Belize, go to the "nothing to declare line"). 

Because Ambergris Caye is an island, sometimes the selection of imported wines and liquors can be limited or expensive in grocery stores. We suggest going to Premier Duty Free at the BZE Airport. Each international traveler over the age of 18 can bring 4.5 liters of wine/liquor/combo with them to the island free of tax. If you mention "TacoGirl" at Premier, you can receive 15% off your order. Also check out Taco Girl (the famous Ambergris Caye blogger) at her site here. 

Make sure you stop at declarations if you've shopped at duty free to declare your purchases and avoid the taxation. You will not be taxed, just show the receipt and your passport. Each person can declare 4.5 liters so be smart about what you buy. We purchase non-island made imports such as: Prosecco, chardonnay, red wines, Tito's, Patron, gin, etc.
We recommend buying island-made items ON island. These are things like: Belikin beers, sodas and mixers, locally made tequila, vodka and coconut rum. 

Downtown San Pedro has several fantastic art galleries and fun souvenir shops.  We love Belizean Arts and The Gallery of San Pedro for local artists' work. 

Toucan Two and Friki Tiki are both fun souvenir shops with a wide variety of items, almost all produced locally. 

The local artists open air market is located on Back Street by Juvinies Cevicheria, and many of these artists also set up along the beach front in downtown San Pedro. Bring cash to avoid tax, and shop local artisans' paintings, wood carvings and dishes, jewelry, soaps, and more. 

The "Smelly People Wanted" store creates amazing homemade soaps, but they also sell an incredible non-toxic bug spray/repellent too. 

 At Miramar we are fortunate to have a grocery and sundry shop very near (within walking distance). Here you can get water, beer, basics such as sunscreen and bug spray, and most grocery items. Whenever you can purchase locally made food items, they will be much less expensive than items imported from the United States. Try local cereals, chips, wafer cookies, cheeses, produce, tortillas, and eggs. Roadside produce, juice,  jerk chicken and taco stands can be found all along Coconut Drive, so take a little cash and explore the wonderful local foods of San Pedro. 

Shopping for Pick-up or Delivery: Marins Market - Grocery by Sunset and Miramar - They will get all ready and can swing by and pick up. May deliver after their guy gets familiar with area.Contact Name: MIOH Whatsapp: +501 608 8577 

Grocery Stores: We like Superbuy middle street, Marinas Market (1.5 miles south of town - very close to The Baker), and Marin’s by our place. Richies down by the turning circle north of downtown also has a good selection. Walk mart by Carlo and Ernie’s is ONLY good if you have specific American products you need (Oreos, cereal, gluten free, frozen foods, etc.) Otherwise very expensive and limited local products. 

Here's our personal Grocery List

• Eggs
• Shredded Cheese
• Butter
• Half and half
• Bottled waters
• Soda waters / Ginger ale
• Beers - Belikin and Land Sharks
• Tortillas and chips (if they have local ones - delivery happens around 10am, they run out quickly)
• Fruit punch + grapefruit squash 
• Marie Sharps hot sauce
• Worcestershire sauce (for Micheladas) 

At grocery OR roadside stand: 

• Onion
• Tomato
• Potatoes
• Limes
• Pineapple

When traveling with kids we add: 

• Milk
• Wafers
• Bread
• Cereal
• Peanut Butter + Jelly (local if possible)
• Ham or salami

You can't come to beautiful Belize and not experience the wonderful local cuisine of this island. 

Juvinies mix Ceviche - ask for the container with a lid. Keeps longer and easier to transport.*There is also a road side stand near here for produce, very slightly north, walkable while you wait.

Maria’s roadside stand (open until about 4pm):

• Salsa 
• Guacamole 
• Juices
• Fruit

*Aurora’s Seasoning can be purchased at Casey’s Boathouse by Maya Terminal

Salvaderenos Pupuseria makes pupusas streetside to order. This is also the home of one of the best lobster burritos on the entire island! This place is cash only, so come prepared. 

Ceviche - conch or lobster when in season, mixed fish, shrimp; it's all delightful and served fresh. The fish is "cooked" in lime juices and mixed with peppers, onion, cilantro, etc.

Belizean hot dogs - Hot dogs sold by streetside vendors and rolled in tortillas (instead of a bun).

Empanadas are corn shells with filling made from beef, chicken or fish and cheese, fried to a light golden color 

Fry jacks - Deep fried pieces of flour-based dough, fry jacks are typically served for breakfast. You can have them savory or sweet.

Pupusas - Balls of dough, flattened into pockets and stuffed with beans, cheese and either beef, chicken, fish, or lobster then lightly fried like pancakes on the grill. 

Marie Sharps - Locally made on the mainland in Belize, this carrot and habanero-based sauce is a Belize staple!

Belikin Beer - Your first stop at the BZE Airport (after you go through Duty Free, Declarations and Customs of course) should be for a Belikin beer at the airport bar. You can also purchase this local island beer (brewed in Ladyville, Belize) at almost all grocery stores, resorts, restaurants and bars on the island. 

Panty Rippa - The official drink of Belize is made of coconut rum, pineapple juice and a splash of grenadine.

Michelada - This cocktail (served all day, even at breakfast) is made with lime juice and Landshark or Belikin beer, lots of lime juice, Worcestershire sauce, Marie Sharps, and a secret seasoning blend. Typically served over ice with a Tajin rim. 

Spinymosa - Popular during lobster season, this champagne cocktail is made with fresh watermelon juice to give it the look of the spiny lobster!