Belizean Treasures: Authentic Souvenirs To Bring Home From Belize

Belize is a wonderful country full of exciting things to explore and see. At the end of your vacation, you'll likely be looking for some interesting souvenirs to remind you of all the fun you had and to share with your friends and family. Here are some must-have souvenirs from Belize:

- Belizean Chocolate: Belize is known for its delicious chocolate, with cacao being very special to Mayan culture.

- Mayan Baskets: Handwoven baskets by the Mayans, who have lived in the area for over 3,000 years, are a great way to support local artisans and take home a unique piece of Belize.

- Rum: Locally made rum comes in various styles and flavours, and you can bring back a few bottles duty-free.

- Hot Sauce: Marie Sharp's hot sauce is a must-try, and you can find it in grocery stores across Belize.

- Locally Grown Coffee: Impress your taste buds with rich, locally grown coffee from Belize, enjoyed around the world.

- Conch Jewellery: Pick up some handmade jewellery fashioned from the pink inner shell of the conch, unique to Belize.

- Wooden Kitchenware: Carved from rare and hardy ziricote wood, these bowls, spoons, and cutting boards are a special souvenir.

- Wood or Slate Carvings: Artistic carvings depicting sea life, ancient sites, and nature symbols make beautiful decorations and gifts.

- Beer and Beer Souvenirs: Beer brewing is an institution in Belize, and Belikin beer souvenirs like mugs, tankards, and cozies are a fun way to remember your trip.

- T-shirts: Express your love for Belize with a You Better Belize It! or Un-Belize-able t-shirt, a fun way to showcase your travels.

Local carvings and jewellery

Conch jewellery is perhaps the most popular type of jewellery in Belize, made from the pink inner shell of the conch. However, you can also find handmade jewellery made from slate, wood, natural stone, and even coral. Common jewellery items include necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.

If you're looking for local carvings, a great place to start is the outdoor craft markets. Here, you can find a variety of carvings made by local artists, including masks, ceramics, and bamboo carvings inspired by Caribbean scenery. You can also find local carvings in gift shops and street stalls throughout Belize.

For jewellery, your best bet is to visit the gift shops and street vendors in Belize. Conch jewellery, in particular, is readily available at most gift shops and streetside vendors. When purchasing jewellery, be sure to support local artisans and avoid buying anything that encourages the destruction of the local environment, such as jewellery made from coral or other endangered materials.

Mayan textiles

Today, Mayan weavers use commercial and handspun yarns dyed with mollusk, which produces brighter colours that do not fade with wear, washing, and exposure to the sun. The most prevalent and influential aspect of women's clothing in ancient times is the huipil, a loose rectangular garment with a hole in the middle for the head, usually made from lightweight sheer cotton. The huipil is typically worn with a corte, a woven wraparound skirt that reaches the ankles.

Belizean chocolate

The ancient Maya regularly consumed large amounts of chocolate. Mayan chocolate was thick and frothy and often combined with chilli peppers, honey or water. The Belize Chocolate Company, located in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, is a bean-to-bar chocolate maker offering everything chocolate. From bars to truffles, cookies to chocolate tea, chocolate soaps to cocoa powder—it's all made by them. They also offer chocolate-making classes, where you can learn about the process of making chocolate, from the growing and processing of the cacao beans to the chocolate bars. You can even try grinding up the chocolate yourself and do a tasting of the finished product and the steps along the way.

IXCACAO Maya Belizean Chocolate is another chocolate maker in Belize. They are the only Maya-owned and operated chocolate company in Belize and the world. They use a stone tool that has been passed down through five generations to make their chocolate, maintaining their cultural heritage.

Marie Sharp's hot sauce

The hot sauce is produced by Marie Sharp's company, which is based in Belize. The company offers a variety of hot sauces, including the original hot sauce, the garlic habanero sauce, the fiery hot sauce, and the smoked habanero sauce. The original hot sauce has a fruity essence, delicately balancing the sweetness of carrots with the heat of habanero peppers. The smoked habanero sauce is made with peppers smoked using four types of fruit wood, giving it an intense and exotic aroma.

If you're looking for a unique and delicious souvenir from Belize, Marie Sharp's hot sauce is an excellent choice. It will add a spicy kick and a rich, smoky flavour to your meals.

Belizean beer souvenirs

Belikin is Belize's national beer and the perfect souvenir for beer lovers. The brand offers a range of lagers, stouts, and seasonal beers, such as Chocolate or Sorrel Stout, which can be purchased at grocery stores across the country and the Belikin Store in the international airport's waiting lounge. To remember your first sip of Belize's signature brew, Belikin also offers branded merchandise like mugs, tankards, and cozies, which are only available locally.

For those who want to showcase their love for Belize and its beer, there are Belikin branded T-shirts with catchy phrases like "You Better Belize It!" These T-shirts are not only a great way to showcase your sense of humour but also a conversation starter with anyone who notices the pun. They can be found in most gift shops across the country.

If you're looking for something more functional, consider a Belikin bottle opener. While it may not be the most glamorous souvenir, it will certainly come in handy when you want to crack open a cold one. You can probably find these openers at gift shops or stores selling Belikin merchandise.

Lastly, for those who enjoy collecting drinkware, consider adding a Belikin beer glass or mug to your collection. These items are not only practical but also make great display pieces, reminding you of your travels to Belize each time you take a sip. You can find these glasses and mugs at the same locations as the previously mentioned souvenirs.

Frequently asked questions