San Pedro Belize: Best Beer Buying Spots

If you're looking to buy beer in San Pedro, Belize, you're in luck! The local Belize lager, Belikin, is widely available and fairly cheap. You can find it at most bars and restaurants, grocery stores, and the Belikin distributor. The price of a bottle typically ranges from BZ$2 to BZ$2.50, but it can be cheaper if you buy directly from the distributor. The distributor is located south of town, and you can return your empty bottles and crates there to get your deposit back.

In addition to Belikin, there are a few other options for beer in San Pedro. Island Time Brewing, the first and only small craft brewery in Belize, offers beers such as Barefoot Blonde Ale, which can be found at pubs and restaurants like Lola's Pub & Grub and Ambergris Brewing Company. You may also come across imported beers such as Heineken, Red Stripe, and Landshark Lager, though these are less common.

So, whether you're looking for a cold Belikin, a craft beer, or an imported option, you'll be able to find a beer to suit your taste in San Pedro, Belize!

Buying beer at the airport

If you're travelling to San Pedro, Belize, and want to buy some beer at the airport, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's important to note that Belize is primarily a local rum and local beer destination, with the local Belize lager being Belikin Beer. If you're looking for imported liquor, wine, or other types of alcohol, it's best to purchase them at the duty-free store at the airport, as these can be quite expensive outside the airport.

When arriving at the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), you'll find two duty-free stores located right outside the baggage claim area, after you go through immigration. It's recommended to visit both stores as they offer different items and the second store is less crowded and often has lower prices. The prices at the duty-free stores can be up to 50% lower than prices outside the airport. For example, a 1-litre bottle of Absolut Vodka can be found for $18 USD at the airport, compared to $60 BZD in town.

When purchasing alcohol at the airport, remember that there are limits to how much you can buy duty-free. You are allowed to buy up to 4 one-litre bottles of hard liquor or 6 bottles of wine, or a combination of both. If you're bringing alcohol from outside Belize, the limit is 1 litre of wine or spirits, but no beer. If you exceed this limit, customs will charge you duty on the additional bottles.

In addition to alcohol, the duty-free stores at the Belize airport also offer other items such as sunglasses, makeup, candy, and American brand cigarette cartons. It's worth mentioning that if you plan to fly with Tropic Air or Maya Island Air to your next destination within Belize, you will need to move your alcohol purchases to your checked luggage. The baggage handlers can assist you with this and will pack your bottles separately with a "fragile" sticker.

Buying beer at a distributor

Where to Buy Beer in San Pedro, Belize

If you're looking to buy beer in San Pedro, Belize, there are a few options. Firstly, you can purchase beer from local bars and restaurants, which typically offer Belikin, the local Belize lager, for around $4 to $6 BZD. You can also find beer at most grocery and liquor stores in town.

If you're looking to buy beer in larger quantities, you can go directly to a distributor. There are two separate Bowen & Bowen (B&B) distributor buildings in San Pedro. The original distributor is located across from Island Academy, and the Crystal Water & Ice Distributor is located south of town. At the Crystal Water & Ice Distributor, you can purchase a case of 24 bottles of Belikin for $54 BZD, plus a $11 deposit for the crate and bottles, bringing the total to $65 BZD. They are open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 12 pm.

Duty-Free Options

If you're travelling to Belize and want to bring alcohol with you, you can take advantage of the duty-free arrival shopping at the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport. The prices at the airport are significantly lower than those outside, sometimes up to 50% cheaper. You are allowed to bring up to 4.5 litres of alcohol into the country, which typically equates to 4 one-litre bottles of hard liquor or 6 bottles of wine.

Buying Beer in Bulk

If you're looking to purchase beer in bulk, it may be more convenient to arrange for delivery from a local grocery or liquor store. Some stores offer basic provisioning and will pre-order cases of beer to have ready for your arrival. Alternatively, you can contact the distributor directly to discuss your needs and arrange for a special order.

Legal Requirements for Beer Distributors

It's important to note that beer distributors in the United States are required to have both federal and state licenses, even if they only carry one brand of beer. To become a licensed distributor, you must first obtain an Employee Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS and complete the necessary permits with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). You will also need to register any facility holding food or beer with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Buying beer at a supermarket

If you're looking to buy beer in San Pedro, Belize, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, while there are supermarkets and grocery stores on the island, they tend to be smaller and more localized, so you may need to visit a few different shops to find what you're looking for. That being said, here are some tips for buying beer at a supermarket in San Pedro:

Location, Location, Location

San Pedro has a variety of supermarkets and grocery stores located throughout the town and its outskirts. In the town itself, you can find large, air-conditioned stores such as Super Buy, Caye Mart, and Walk-Mart, which are going to have the largest selection of beer and other alcoholic beverages. These stores will also carry a range of imported beers, but keep in mind that imported goods are subject to additional taxes and duties, making them significantly more expensive.

If you're looking for local craft beers, your best bet is to visit the smaller grocery shops and neighborhood stores located in residential areas. These stores cater to local tastes and carry a selection of cool local beers and sodas, often in glass bottles.

Know Your Beer

When it comes to beer in Belize, the local lager, Belikin, is king. It's served ice-cold at nearly every bar and restaurant, and you can also find it at most supermarkets and grocery stores. Other popular local beers include Lighthouse and Premium. If you're looking for something stronger, Guinness is also widely available. For craft beer enthusiasts, keep an eye out for seasonal brews such as the Winter Sorrel Stout and the Spring Chocolate Stout, which are released throughout the year.

Buying in Bulk

If you're hosting a party or simply want to stock up, buying beer in bulk can be more cost-effective. The Bowen & Bowen (B&B) distributor in San Pedro offers cases of 24 bottles or cans of various beers, including Belikin, Stout, Lighthouse, Guinness, Heineken, and more. The Crystal Water & Ice Distributor, located south of town, is another option for buying beer in bulk. Remember to bring your empties back to the distributor to take advantage of the refundable deposit on crates and bottles.

Duty-Free Options

If you're flying into Belize, take advantage of the duty-free liquor stores at the airport. You can purchase up to 4 one-liter bottles of hard liquor or 6 bottles of wine, which should be more than enough to last you through your trip. And if you're looking to save even more money, remember that local rum is going to be significantly cheaper than imported liquor.

Buying beer at a bar or restaurant

San Pedro in Belize is one of the most expensive places in Central America, and drinking in Belize can be costly. A beer at a local bar starts at $5 BZD (Belize dollar) or $2.50 USD, and imported liquors are even pricier. However, Belikin, the local Belize lager, is fairly cheap in most places. In bars, the price for a Belikin ranges from $4.00 to $6.00, and most places now charge $6.00.

Belize is one of the few places in the world that offers duty-free arrival shopping, with prices 50% lower or more than outside the airport. You can buy up to four one-litre bottles of hard liquor or six bottles of wine.

Belize Brewing Company (Belikin) brews five pale lagers and four stouts. Belikin's pale lagers include Belikin Lager, Belikin Premium, Lighthouse Lager, and Verano (a seasonal beer). The stouts they produce are Belikin Stout, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, Chocolate Stout, and Sorrel Stout.

Belikin beers are typically served in the bottle, with a napkin artfully wrapped around the neck to wipe away any rust from the bottle cap. The bottles are thick and heavy, and the beer is only 9.6 ounces, a fifth less than a typical 12-ounce bottle. The stouts have a blue cap, and the pale lagers use a green cap.

Belikin beers can be purchased at various bars and restaurants in San Pedro, including:

• Ambergris Brewing Company (ABC)
• Lola's Pub & Grub
• Sandy Toe's Beach Bar & Grille
• Case Picasso
• Ernie's Runway Bar
• Black Orchard Restaurant & Lounge
• Roadlkill Bar
• Palapa Bar

Buying beer online

If you're looking to buy beer online in San Pedro, Belize, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, Belize's domestic beer market is dominated by Belikin, a local lager, although craft beer is starting to emerge with some seasonal offerings from Belikin and microbreweries popping up.

You can find Belikin beer at most grocery stores or warehouses in San Pedro. It's usually sold by the case, and you'll need to pay a deposit for the crate and bottles, which is refundable when you return them. The price for a case of 24 bottles of Belikin ranges from BZD $54.00 ($27.00 USD) to BZD $65.00 ($32.50 USD), depending on the type of beer and whether you choose bottles or cans.

Some online sources suggest that you can get Belikin shipped abroad by visiting the Caribbean Spice website and using the code "BelizePLease" for a 5% discount. However, another source indicates that Belikin does not ship abroad. It's always worth checking the most up-to-date information, as this may have changed.

When purchasing beer online in Belize, be mindful of the deposit system. Most beer is sold in cases, and you will need to pay a deposit for the crate and bottles, which is typically refundable if you return the empty bottles and crate to the sales counter.

In addition to Belikin, there are a few other beer options available in Belize, although import selections are limited due to Belikin's dominance in the market. One import that seems to have a small presence in Belize is Kuhbuli, a pale lager from the Dominican Republic.

When it comes to craft beer, Island Time Brewing's Barefoot Blonde Ale is worth mentioning. It can be found at various pubs and restaurants in San Pedro, including Lola's Pub & Grub, Ambergris Brewing Company, Sandy Toe's Beach Bar & Grille, and others.

If you're looking to save money on beer, buying from a distributor or grocery store is generally cheaper than purchasing drinks at bars and restaurants. Additionally, duty-free arrival shopping at the airport can offer significant savings on alcohol, with prices up to 50% lower than those outside the airport.

Frequently asked questions