How are the stores and shops in Belize? How’s the shopping in Belize?
Therese Jonch - Programme for Belize
We do not have malls in Belize. This is one of our biggest downfalls as a country, I think, because we could definitely use one. Recreation- wise, such as going to the movies or dining at restaurants, there is not much to do here in Belize. There are some restaurants, but not like in the US where there are just so many options.I do not buy clothing here in Belize. There are a couple of stores downtown where you can get clothing, but the quality is not...
We do not have malls in Belize. This is one of our biggest downfalls as a country, I think, because we could definitely use one. Recreation- wise, such as going to the movies or dining at restaurants, there is not much to do here in Belize. There are some restaurants, but not like in the US where there are just so many options.I do not buy clothing here in Belize. There are a couple of stores downtown where you can get clothing, but the quality is not the best. There are boutiques where you can buy really good clothing, but they cost an arm and a leg. So what I do is order my clothes from the US. You can buy online, or if you are going for a trip to the US, you can just buy there and bring them back.
If you really like going to the mall to buy clothes, Belize will not be your first choice. If you can afford it, you can just order online and have them shipped here, but for most Belizeans, they just buy whatever is available here in Belize.
The Indian people control most of the smaller stores in downtown Belize, and sell clothing and shoes. Most people just go down to that area to buy clothes, but if you are fashion conscious, you will not buy there. Some people go to Chetumal in Mexico, right across the border from the Belizan City of Corozal. I go to Chetumal sometimes, but I do not go there to buy clothes; I go to Chetumal for just recreation. The clothes they sell in Chetumal do not fit me because I have a different body type than they are used to in Chetumal. Their clothes and shoe sizes are small, so their clothing does not fit me.
Posted January 25, 2015
Macarena Rose - Rainforerst Realty
If you are a mall shopper and you are looking for big names like Louis Vuitton, Belize is not the place for you. I have a client in New York City that I was able to keep married because his wife is a high-end shopper. She wants big names, she wants the malls, and I kept telling my client, “You can’t move to Belize. You will be divorced because we don’t have malls here.”
Belize is not a country that has McDonald’s. We...
If you are a mall shopper and you are looking for big names like Louis Vuitton, Belize is not the place for you. I have a client in New York City that I was able to keep married because his wife is a high-end shopper. She wants big names, she wants the malls, and I kept telling my client, “You can’t move to Belize. You will be divorced because we don’t have malls here.”
Belize is not a country that has McDonald’s. We do not have fast food and we do not have big chains. If there is a party and I want to buy a new dress, I will go downtown and walk into a little shop that might have a hundred dresses to choose from and yet there is all different sizes. They won’t have a size 14 and or have a huge selection in any size.
What I recommend for people to do is to bring their clothes that they have to have and then just start adopting the local culture that we are not looking to see what you are wearing or what style of shoes you are wearing. We are not looking if they have a certain emblem on their shirts. Belize is just not that place. So if you are a mall shopper, you will not enjoy being in Belize. If you like to talk to people while you are shopping and not have a thousand choices, well then, Belize is absolutely for you.
Posted January 31, 2015
Walter T. (Tom) Fisher - Corozal Belize Properties
Shopping in Belize for basic food commodities is pretty straightforward, available, and inexpensive. However, there are challenges. "Luxury" food items like pre-prepared meals or frozen pizzas, etc., stuff you take for granted in the States or Canada, are non-existent or very expensive. Meals take planning. Sometimes shops will be out of a particular brand of mayo, cat food, etc. There is a certain "hoarder" mentality among ex-pats. You see an item that's...Shopping in Belize for basic food commodities is pretty straightforward, available, and inexpensive. However, there are challenges. "Luxury" food items like pre-prepared meals or frozen pizzas, etc., stuff you take for granted in the States or Canada, are non-existent or very expensive. Meals take planning. Sometimes shops will be out of a particular brand of mayo, cat food, etc. There is a certain "hoarder" mentality among ex-pats. You see an item that's been out of stock for a while, so you load up. You are part of the problem, but you just can't help it! Belize, being a small market with basically two points of entry for imported food goods (Mexican border or shipping port in Belize City), has it's challenges in even inventory management. Get used to it. There also seasonality to local produce. Some items are only available seasonally, such as certain kinds of lettuce, avocados, etc.
One advantage I've found in living in Corozal is the ability to shop in Mexico, which mitigates some of the issues. Be forewarned though, there are prohibited items and you will pay duty on any purchases that exceed about $75 USD brought in from Mexico. If you live in northern Belize, you will learn this. But, duty or not, being able to walk into an auto parts store in Chetumal and get the part you need (Autozone, etc.) instead of having to order it, is a big advantage. Meats have improved a lot over the last several years. Beef especially, has improved with producers like Running W and Rhineland producing some much needed products, especially steaks.
(Arial view of Chetumal, Mexico, north of Belize, pictured.)
Posted April 14, 2015