Shopping In Belize: American Stores Available?

Belize is known for its wide variety of products, from artwork to jewellery. Shopping in Belize City is not like shopping in the US or Europe, with small, locally-owned businesses and produce and craft stands taking the place of big malls with national retailers. However, there are some American stores in Belize, such as Zaara's Boutique, which offers clothing, jewellery, and more in an American Hi-Fashion style. Another example is the Habano Cigar Store, which sells Cuban cigars – an import that is illegal in the United States.

American-style shopping in Belize

Belize offers a unique shopping experience, different from what you may find in the US or Europe. Instead of large malls, you'll discover charming local businesses, produce stands, and craft vendors. Here's a guide to American-style shopping in Belize:

Downtown Belize City

The downtown area of Belize City is a hub of commercial activity, with shops catering to both locals and visitors. Gift shops and handicraft vendors concentrate in this area, especially near the Tourism Village, where cruise ships dock. While the village itself only opens when ships are in port, it features around 50 gift shops, duty-free stores, and jewelry boutiques. You'll also find essential services like restaurants, tour kiosks, and a cybercafe.

American-Style Shopping Destinations

For a shopping experience that may feel more familiar to Americans, consider visiting:

• Mirab Department Store: This sparkling, huge department store is Belize's largest and can offer a taste of home for those missing stateside shopping.
• Brodies: Brodie's is a mini-department store and pharmacy, offering a safe and comfortable shopping experience. With locations in Belize City and Belmopan City, it's a convenient option for stocking up on essentials.
• Save-U Supermarket: This supermarket is a convenient spot to pick up groceries, liquor, and other sundries during your stay.

Local Specialties

Belize boasts a wide array of locally made products, from handcrafted souvenirs to delicious treats. Here are some places to find unique items:

• Belizean Handicraft Market Place: Along North Park Street, you'll find vendors selling a variety of Belizean souvenirs, including hand-carved figurines, pottery, and woven baskets.
• MOHO Chocolate Shop: Located within the Tourism Village, this shop offers free samples of organic, Belize-made chocolates.
• Habano Cigar Store: For cigar enthusiasts, this store offers a selection of Cuban cigars, illegal to import into the US.
• Art Affair: This gallery showcases unique, artsy jewelry and other media with a true island flair.
• Zaara's Boutique: Offering American high-fashion clothing and jewelry, Zaara's Boutique has something for every taste and occasion.

Art Galleries

Belize is home to numerous talented artists, and its galleries showcase a diverse range of styles and mediums. Here are some notable ones:

• Image Factory Art Foundation and Gallery: Located near the Water Taxi Terminal, this gallery features locally produced literary and artistic works, offering a window into the local arts and literature scene.
• Pen Cayetano Studio Gallery: Housed in an old colonial home, this gallery displays the works of renowned Garifuna artist Pen Cayetano.
• Art n Soul Gallery: Featuring the works of owner Greta Leslie and other local artists, this cozy gallery is the perfect place to find a meaningful reminder of your time in Belize.

Chocolate and Sweet Treats

With its rich history in chocolate, Belize offers several destinations for confectionery delights:

• Belize Chocolate Company: With locations in San Pedro and San Ignacio, this company crafts bean-to-bar chocolate using organic cacao beans from small family farms.
• Goss Chocolate: Operating since 2007, Goss Chocolate is situated in the historic cradle of chocolate on the shores of Southern Belize.
• Cotton Tree Chocolate: This shop uses locally harvested cocoa beans from the Toledo District and collaborates with local farmers to create delicious confections.
• Sweet Ting Bakery: Specializing in decadent cakes and pastries, Sweet Ting is the perfect spot to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Whether you're seeking unique souvenirs, delicious treats, or a familiar shopping experience, Belize has something for everyone.

American products in Belize

Belize is a consumer country that relies heavily on imports, and the United States is its largest importing partner, accounting for 42.5% of overall imports. The country has a strong appetite for American consumer products.

Belize's top imports are refined petroleum, passenger and cargo ships, rolled tobacco, petroleum gas, and computers. The United States is the largest source of these imports, with China, Guatemala, Mexico, and Canada also contributing significantly.

Belize's economy is based primarily on tourism, agriculture, and services. In 2018, the country received an estimated US $244.85 million in tourist expenditures, accounting for 38.1% of its GDP. The sector is expected to grow further with investments in hotels such as Hilton Curio, Autograph Collection Marriott, Four Seasons, Wyndham, and Leonardo DiCaprio's Blackadore Caye.

Belize's agricultural and agro-productive sectors rank second in economic performance. The country's main exports are sugar and molasses (30%), bananas (18.5%), citrus (15.7%), marine products (10.7%), and crude petroleum (6.3%). While Belize exports some products to the United States, it imports a much larger volume of American goods.

In addition to the standard products, there are some American products and stores in Belize that are worth mentioning. Zaara's Boutique, for example, offers clothing, jewelry, and other items in an American Hi-Fashion style. The Habano Cigar Store offers Cuban cigars, which are illegal imports in the United States.

American-owned businesses in Belize

Belize is a small country in Central America with a population of around 400,000 people. Its economy is largely based on the export of petroleum and crude oil, agriculture, and merchandising, with tourism and construction also contributing significantly. While there are some American-owned businesses in Belize, the country lacks the population density to support many large chain stores. Instead, shopping in Belize City, the largest city in the country, consists mostly of small, locally-owned businesses and produce and craft stands.

That being said, there are some American-owned franchises in Belize, particularly in the hotel and hospitality industry, including Four Seasons, Radisson, Best Western, Ramada, Marriott, and Hilton. Other American franchises in Belize include Coca-Cola, Mail Boxes Etc., DHL, FedEx, and Avis, Budget, and Hertz in the auto rental business. In addition, real estate franchises such as Century 21, Re/Max, and Sotheby's International Realty also have a presence in the country.

When it comes to shopping, American-style malls and national retailers are not common in Belize. However, there are some Belizean-owned businesses that carry American-style products. For example, Brodie's, a Belizean-owned grocery store in Belmopan and Belize City, has been described as resembling a "North American-style grocery store." Additionally, some American products can be found in Chinese-owned grocery stores, which are common throughout the country due to the close relationship between Belize and Taiwan.

Overall, while there are some American-owned businesses and franchises in Belize, the country primarily consists of small, locally-owned enterprises that cater to the local population and tourists.

American food in Belize

Belizean food is a blend of many cultures, including Maya, British, Spanish-American, African, Indigenous, Caribbean, and Creole. The country's diverse cultural influences are reflected in its cuisine, with various dishes and ingredients borrowed from its neighbouring Central American and Caribbean countries.

Belizean cuisine features a variety of spices and is largely based on crops, herbs, seafood, meat, and poultry. The most commonly used ingredients include rice, corn, plantains, coconut, vegetables, fish, chicken, beef, and tropical fruits.

While there is no specific mention of American stores in Belize, the influence of American culture can be seen in the availability of certain American-style foods and products in the country. Here is a list of American foods that are available or influenced by American culture in Belize:

• Johnny Cakes: A popular bread made with flour, coconut milk, baking powder, salt, and sugar. It is usually eaten with refried beans, cheese, or stewed chicken and is similar to an American biscuit.
• Fry Jacks: A popular Belizean breakfast similar to fried dough, often served with refried beans, eggs, or sweet toppings such as jam or honey.
• Meat Pies: These are similar to American hand pies or turnovers and are a popular breakfast and snack option in Belize. They are filled with onions, peppers, meat, and spices, and are often served with hot sauce.
• Cheese Dip: A tangy and sometimes spicy blend of processed cheese, evaporated milk, green bell peppers, and salsa, often served with tortilla chips.
• Belizean Pico de Gallo: A salsa-like condiment made with chopped tomato, onion, carrot, cucumber, lime juice, cilantro, and habanero peppers.
• Ceviche: A traditional Central American dish made with raw fish "cooked" in lime juice, with added vegetables and habanero peppers. The Belizean version often includes shrimp and conch, and is served with tortilla chips.
• Conch Fritters: A seasonal appetizer popular in Belize and throughout Central America and the Caribbean. It is made with conch, onions, celery, green bell peppers, and spices, and is typically served with a spicy sauce.
• American-Style Hi-Fashion: Zaara's Boutique in Belize offers clothing, jewellery, and more in an American high-fashion style.

While these dishes and products may have American influences or similarities, they are adapted to suit the local tastes and ingredients of Belize, creating a unique blend of cultures and cuisines.

American tourists in Belize

Belize is known for its wide variety of products, from locally made items to imports from Mexico, Guatemala, and beyond. Shopping in Belize City is quite different from shopping in the US or Europe. Instead of malls with big-name brands, you'll find small, locally owned businesses, street vendors, and craft stands.

If you're an American tourist looking for a taste of home, Zaara's Boutique in Belize City offers clothing, jewelry, and more in an American high-fashion style. The city's largest department store, Mirab, might also offer a familiar shopping experience.

For unique, locally made items, head to the Fort Street Tourism Village, which has around 50 gift shops, including MOHO chocolate offering free samples of organic, Belize-made chocolates. The village is usually only open when cruise ships are in port, but vendors also set up booths on nearby streets. The National Handicraft Center carries high-quality Belizean arts and crafts at fair prices, and the Belizean Handicraft Market Place on North Park Street is a great place to find souvenirs like hand-carved figurines, pottery, and woven baskets.

For a Cuban cigar, head to the Habano Cigar Store, which features four humidors and a smoking chair. You can also try a Cuban import at the Art Affair gallery, which sells 'artsy' jewelry alongside other media with an island flair.

Belize is also known for its chocolate. The Belize Chocolate Company in San Pedro crafts bean-to-bar chocolate using organic cacao beans grown on small family farms in southern Belize. Cotton Tree Chocolate uses locally harvested cocoa beans and works with local farmers to create high-quality confections. Goss Chocolate, located in the historic cradle of chocolate in southern Belize, has been in operation since 2007 and uses organically grown Belizean cacao.

If you're looking for unique, handcrafted souvenirs, the San Pedro Artisans Market is a must-visit. Here, local artists display their works, including wooden sculptures, shell art, and hand-woven hammocks.

For a truly off-the-beaten-path experience, Sew Much Hemp, located between Hopkins and Sittee Point, is a classic hippie outpost where you can find handmade hemp creations.

Whether you're looking for familiar brands or unique, locally made items, Belize has something for everyone.

Frequently asked questions