The High Cost Of Alcohol In Belize: A Traveler's Guide

Belize is a moderately priced destination for alcohol. The country's most popular alcoholic beverage is rum, which is also produced locally. The average person spends about $15 (BZ$30) on alcoholic beverages in Belize per day. The more touristy areas tend to be pricier, but you can usually get a simple rice and beans dish for a reasonable price.

The average person spends $15 (BZ$30) on alcohol per day in Belize

Belize is a rum-producing country, and its local dark and clear rum (known as white rum) is the best deal on the market. The average person spends $15 (BZ$30) on alcohol per day in Belize. This is a country where drinking and driving, and public intoxication, are illegal. So, if you're planning on drinking, it's best to stick to the resort's property or travel in groups.

Belize is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable. However, it is considered very expensive compared to other Central American countries.

Belize is a small country that imports most of its goods, which results in higher prices. Basic infrastructure makes it hard to get excited about what you're spending your money on. The price of food in Belize is fairly steep and more in line with what you'd pay in the U.S. than in neighbouring Mexico or Guatemala. That said, it's not impossible to save money—street food is cheaper than sit-down meals in restaurants. For example, you can expect to pay around $5-7 for a simple meal of rice, beans and some kind of protein from a street stall, or a couple of dollars for a Mexican-style tamale. In a sit-down restaurant, you'll pay around $10 for standard breakfasts like sausage and eggs or a breakfast burrito. Later in the day, you’ll pay around $10 for jerk chicken, $15 for a burger, $20 for a shrimp curry, and $25 for a rack of ribs and sides.

When it comes to accommodation, while properties in Belize are far pricier than in neighbouring Mexico and Guatemala, they still offer great value for money, especially if you’re coming from the U.S. or Europe. In Belize City, for example, you can stay at Villa Boscardi ($116 per night for a standard double room). In Placencia, there are a lot of pricey places (think $250+ a night), but Bella Vita Casitas is perfect for a mid-range budget, at $131 per night for a one-bedroom villa.

Public transportation is inexpensive in Belize, and it's recommended to take the local buses over hiring a scooter or car, both for safety reasons and to save money.

Belize is a rum-producing country, with local dark and clear rum being the best deal on the market

Belize is a rum-producing country with a rich history of rum-making that dates back to the early times of British colonisation in the 17th century. The country's warm climate and fertile soil make it an ideal place for sugarcane cultivation, the main component of rum. As a result, Belize has become a rum-producing powerhouse, with local dark and clear rum being the best deal on the market.

Two domestic rum manufacturers stand out in Belize: Cuello's Distillery and Travellers Liquor. Cuello's has been a family-owned and operated business for over seven decades, producing a range of rums, including dark rum, white rum, gold rum, extra-strong rum, and Caribbean coconut rum. Their products are known for their smooth finish and natural hints of tropical fruits like passion fruit, hibiscus, and papaya.

Travellers Liquor, established in 1953, is the manufacturer of One Barrel, perhaps the most famous rum in Belize. With its smooth finish and tropical scent, One Barrel is a popular choice with both visitors and locals. Travellers is the only beverage producer in Belize to incorporate local fruits into its drinks, and it is renowned for using only high-test molasses, carefully fermented according to traditional practices. Their other popular varieties include Don Omario Vintage Rum, Cristal Parrot Lite Rum, and Kuknat Rum (made with coconuts).

When it comes to choosing the best rum for your money in Belize, local dark and clear rum offer excellent value. These rums are crafted with precision and expertise, utilising locally sourced ingredients and traditional production methods. The distillation process, ageing, and blending techniques employed by Belizean rum distilleries result in a complex flavour profile that rivals any other rum in the world.

Belizean rum is a hidden treasure of the Caribbean, offering a rich and diverse flavour palette to satisfy all palates. Whether you're looking for a smooth and classic rum or a bolder, more indulgent option, local Belizean dark and clear rum should be your go-to choice. So, raise your glass and toast to the exceptional world of rum that Belize has to offer!

Imported wine is costly and unpopular, whereas domestic wine is popular and more affordable

Belize is known more for its beer and rum than wine, but the country does have fruit-based wines, including cashew wine made from the cashew fruit, orange wine, and blackberry wine. However, almost every drop of wine consumed in the country is imported, and the warm tropical climate is not ideal for fine wine-grape growing. As a result, imported wine is expensive and unpopular, while domestic wine is more affordable and popular.

Imported wine is costly because it is shipped to Belize and there is a heavy duty levied on the cases to protect local winemakers. Wines that are reasonably priced in the United States, Europe, or Canada can be twice as expensive or more in Belize. For example, a $5US bottle of wine abroad may cost about $15US in Belize.

Domestic wine, on the other hand, is made from locally sourced ingredients such as blackberries, cashews, rice, and dried hibiscus flowers. Crooked Tree, for instance, is well-known for its cashew wine. Domestic wines are also produced by rum distilleries, such as Travellers' Rum, which makes cashew wine.

While imported wine may be available in some higher-end hotels and restaurants, it is generally not worth the high price in Belize. Instead, visitors are encouraged to enjoy the local drinks, such as rum and coconut rum-based cocktails, fresh fruit juices, and local beers.

The only major domestic beer producer in Belize is Belikin

Belize has a proud history of brewing delicious local lagers, and Belikin is the only major domestic beer producer in the country. The name Belikin comes from the Maya name for the Belize River, which translates as "road to the east". The company was founded in 1969 and is a multi-generational family-owned business based in Ladyville, just outside Belize City. Belikin is the largest beer company in the nation, bottling 450 bottles a minute. The company is known for its distinctive logo, which features the ancient Maya site of Altun Ha.

Belikin offers a range of beers, including a classic lager, a stout, a Lighthouse Lager, a premium beer, and chocolate and sorrel stouts. The company is also officially licensed to brew Guinness. In addition to their core range, Belikin also produces a number of seasonal brews, such as the Chocolate Stout, inspired by a traditional Maya recipe, and the Sorrel Stout, which features a blend of German hops, specialty malts, and local sorrel.

Belikin is a beloved part of Belizean culture, and the company is known for its commitment to the community and the environment. The company's founder, Sir Barry Bowen, was a seventh-generation Belizean who was deeply passionate about his country and its people. He was known for his philanthropic efforts, including contributions to the Rio Bravo Conservation, the largest private nature reserve in Belize. Today, Sir Barry's family continues to carry on his brewing and Belizean legacy, with his son, Michael Bowen, now serving as CEO of the company.

Belikin is more than just a beer producer; it is a symbol of Belizean pride and spirit, and its beers can be found throughout the country, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

Alcohol can be purchased almost anywhere every day until midnight at convenience stores and up to 3:00 a.m. at casinos and nightclubs

Belize has a wide variety of alcoholic beverages available for purchase, including spirits, wine, and beer. The legal drinking age in Belize is 18 years old, and alcohol can be purchased almost anywhere every day. Here is a breakdown of the availability of alcohol in Belize:

Convenience Stores

Convenience stores in Belize typically sell alcohol until midnight. This includes local shops and supermarkets. It is important to note that the selection of alcoholic beverages may vary between stores, and some stores may have restrictions on the types of alcohol they can sell.

Casinos and Nightclubs

Casinos and nightclubs in Belize offer extended hours for alcohol purchases. These establishments are usually allowed to sell alcohol until 3:00 a.m., providing visitors with a late-night option for their drinks. The atmosphere and selection of drinks may differ between these venues, so it is worth exploring to find your preferred choice.

Bars and Restaurants

Bars and restaurants in Belize also serve alcohol, typically until the venue closes for the day. These locations often offer a wide range of alcoholic beverages, including local and imported options. The prices at bars and restaurants can vary, with local beers starting at $5 BZD and imported liquors being significantly more expensive.

Duty-Free Shopping

Belize is one of the few places in the world that offers duty-free arrival shopping, allowing travellers to purchase alcohol at significantly lower prices than those found outside the airport. The duty-free stores at the international airport provide a great opportunity to stock up on alcoholic beverages at a discounted rate.

Local Specialities

Belize has several local specialities when it comes to alcohol. Rum is incredibly popular in the Caribbean, and Belize is no exception. The country has two prominent rum distilleries: Cuello's Distillery, known for its variety of rums, including dark, white, gold, extra-strong, and Caribbean coconut rum; and Travellers Liquor, renowned for their "One Barrel" gold rum infused with passion fruit, hibiscus, and papaya.

In addition to rum, Belize offers unique wine options made from local produce such as cashew wine, ginger wine, and soursop wine. These wines are often affordable and provide a unique drinking experience.

Belize also has its own domestic beer brand, Belikin, which offers a range of varieties, including a classic lager, stout, Lighthouse Lager, and chocolate and sorrel stouts.

Frequently asked questions