Belize Booze: Navigating Alcohol Purchases In The Country

Belize is known for its relaxed attitude towards alcohol, with a lower drinking age than many countries, set at 18. The country is a producer of rum, and drinking is a common activity for both locals and tourists. Alcohol is widely available, and it is relatively easy to purchase almost anywhere until midnight at convenience stores, and up to 3:00 a.m. at casinos and nightclubs. The national beer of Belize is Belikin, which produces Belikin Lager, Belikin Stout, and Lighthouse Lager. Local rum is also popular and affordable, with a bottle costing around $10-15. Belize has strict laws against drinking and driving, as well as public intoxication, with a blood alcohol limit of 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

Where to buy alcohol: duty-free shops, convenience stores, nightclubs, and casinos

Where to Buy Alcohol in Belize

Duty-free shops

If you're arriving in Belize by air, you can buy alcohol at the duty-free shops at Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Ladyville, just outside Belize City. It's worth noting that duty-free shops have a higher price tag for local rum and fruit wines, so it's recommended to buy these in regular shops in the country. However, if you have a preference for a specific brand of spirits, it's a good idea to buy those at duty-free, as they will be cheaper than in grocery stores in the country.

Convenience stores

In Belize, it is relatively easy to purchase alcohol almost anywhere, including convenience stores, every day until midnight.

Nightclubs

Alcohol can be purchased at nightclubs in Belize until 2:00 or 3:00 a.m., depending on the source. One source states that the daily closing hours for licensed nightclubs are between 2:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. the following day.

Casinos

Alcohol can be purchased at casinos in Belize until 3:00 a.m. or 4:00 a.m., depending on the source. The biggest casino in Belize is at the Ramada Belize City Princess in Belize City, which offers three table games and three hundred slot machines. Alcohol can also be found at the mini-casinos on Ambergris Caye and in the north of the country, near the border town of Chetumal.

Drinking laws: the legal drinking age is 18, and public drunkenness is illegal

Belize is a popular tourist destination, known for its relaxed attitude towards alcohol. However, it's important to be aware of and abide by the country's drinking laws to avoid facing serious consequences.

The legal drinking age in Belize is 18, which is lower than in many other countries. Alcohol is widely available and can be purchased almost anywhere, including convenience stores, casinos, and nightclubs. The closing times for licensed premises vary depending on their category: shops and beer licenses must close between 9 pm and 6 am the following day, while publicans special must close between midnight and 9 am, and nightclubs between 2 am and 10 am.

While the drinking culture in Belize may encourage overindulgence, it's important to remember that public drunkenness is illegal. You are not allowed to drink on public streets, but it is permitted on resort property. Drinking and driving is also strictly prohibited and can result in severe penalties. This includes driving golf carts, which are the preferred mode of transport on the islands. The Blood Alcohol Level Limit in Belize is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, or 0.08, which is similar to the limit in the UK, Canada, and the US.

If you're planning a trip to Belize, it's recommended to take advantage of the duty-free arrival shopping at the international airport, where prices for alcohol can be up to 50% lower than outside the airport.

Drinking and driving: do not drive over the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit of 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood

Drinking and driving is a serious offence in Belize, and if you're caught, you could face severe repercussions. The legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit in Belize is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, or 0.08%. This is the same limit as in the UK, Canada, and most of the United States.

In Belize, driving while drunk is a criminal offence. If the police suspect you are driving under the influence, they can pull you over and administer a sobriety test. If you are found to be over the legal BAC limit, you may be detained for up to 36 hours, including if you are driving a golf cart, the preferred mode of transport on the islands. If you are arrested, you will be taken to a public medical facility and asked to provide a urine or blood sample.

Refusing to provide a sample will result in additional charges unless you can provide a reasonable explanation as per the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act Chapter 230. It is important to note that there is a risk of extortion by law enforcement officials in Belize, who may find ways to keep you detained for longer than the legally mandated 72 hours.

To avoid any legal issues, it is best to refrain from drinking and driving altogether. Stick to non-alcoholic beverages if you plan on getting behind the wheel, and always follow the local laws and regulations regarding alcohol consumption.

Alcohol types: popular drinks include rum, rum punch, panty rippas, beer, and wine

Belize is a rum-producing country, and the local dark and clear rum (known as white rum) is the best deal on the market. With over 15 types of rum produced in the country, it's safe to say that Belize and rum go together perfectly. The two most popular distilleries are Traveller's Liquor and Cuello Distilling.

Traveller's Liquor, established in 1953, is known for its smooth gold rum, "One Barrel", accented with passion fruit, hibiscus, and papaya. While One Barrel is iconic, Travellers is the only beverage producer in Belize to incorporate local fruits into its drinks. All Travellers rums involve fermenting molasses and include the following varieties: "Don Omario Vintage", "Aged Dark", "Cristal Parrot Lite", "Classic White", and "Kuknat".

Cuello's Distillery, a family-owned and run business in Orange Walk for over seven decades, offers dark rum, white rum, gold rum, extra-strong rum, and Caribbean coconut rum. All their product labels are rich with Belizean imagery.

Belize also has its own domestic beer: Belikin. The company name comes from the Maya name for the Belize River, which translates as "road to the east". Even their logo, a profile of Altun Ha, is distinctly Belizean. Established in 1966, Belikin is the largest beer company in the nation, bottling 450 bottles a minute. Belikin offers a classic lager, stout, Lighthouse Lager, Belikin Premium, and chocolate and sorrel stouts. Belikin is also officially licensed to brew Guinness.

Other popular beer options include "Hobbs", "Red Stripe", "Heineken", "Carib", and "Dragon Stout".

Imported wine is costly and not very popular in Belize. However, domestic wine, made from blackberries, cashews, or rice, is widely consumed. Crooked Tree is well-known for its cashew wine, which has a distinct flavour that is both fruity and nutty, often compared to a light sherry.

One of the most popular cocktails in Belize is the Panty Rippa (or Panti Rippa), a mixture of Kuknat coconut rum and pineapple juice. Another classic is the Rum Punch, made with rum, fruit juice, and a splash of grenadine.

Alcohol prices: a single drink typically costs $2-4, while imported liquors are more expensive

Belize is known for its appreciation of spirits, with rum being an incredibly popular drink due to the country's long history of sugar cane production. When drinking out in Belize, a single drink typically costs $2-4 USD. For example, a beer at a local bar or restaurant in Belize usually costs around $2.50 USD, and local rum is generally priced the same. However, imported liquors are significantly more expensive. Vodka or tequila-based drinks typically start at $12 BZD (Belize Dollar), and a glass of wine can start at $15 BZD.

If you're looking to save money on alcohol, it's best to consume local beverages. Domestic wine, made from blackberries, cashews, or rice, is widely consumed and less expensive than imported wine. Crooked Tree, for instance, is well-known for its cashew wine. When it comes to beer, "Belikin" is the major domestic brand. Established in 1969, Belikin offers a range of beers, including a classic lager, stout, "Lighthouse Lager", Belikin Premium, and chocolate and sorrel stouts. They are also licensed to brew "Guinness". Other domestic beer options include "Hobbs", "Red Stripe", "Heineken", "Carib", and "Dragon Stout".

For the best deals on alcohol, consider purchasing from duty-free shops at the international airport. Alcohol prices at the airport can be 50% lower than those outside, and you can take advantage of the duty-free allowance, which permits you to bring in a generous amount of alcohol.

Frequently asked questions