10 Best Places to Shop in Belize

The body creams here, made with Belizean coconut oil and cocoa butter (a by-product of chocolate-making), may be the best in the world. They're a bargain, too. Owner Lara Goldman (who makes the creams) also sells chic tote bags, soy candles, and other fashionable gifts, all made in Belize. You can even buy lionfish scale earrings. 

The country's first art gallery, established more than 30 years ago by Londoner Lyndsey Hackston, Belizean Arts today has the largest selection of art by Belizeans and Belize residents, including paintings by Walter Castillo, Pen Cayetano, Nelson Young, Leo Vasquez, Rene Guerra, and others. The gallery also carries ceramics, jewelry, and other crafts. Even if you don't intend to buy, it's worth a look.

To stock up on picnic supplies or groceries, head to the expanded, modern Brodies, a mini-department store and pharmacy as well as a supermarket, in a safe area on the Goldson Highway with plenty of free, safe parking. James Brodie & Co. has been in Belize since 1887. There's another location on Regent Street in downtown Belize City and also one in Belmopan City.

The biggest gift shop on the Southern Coast, and one of the country's best, GariMaya has a large selection of Garifuna and Maya crafts, including masks, clothing, jewelry, and wood carvings, although some items appear to be imported from Guatemala and Mexico. (Look carefully.) You'll also find a good selection of souvenir T-shirts, too.

This small gallery in an unassuming white building sells Garifuna drums, masks, wood carvings and other locally made items. In the gallery you'll find rotating exhibits on Garifuna life.

At Graniel's Dreamland, the showroom for Armando Graniel's beautiful carpentry, you can find stunning tropical woodwork at affordable prices, like one-of-a-kind bowls of knotted wood, clam chairs, or cutting boards. The shop will package your items for shipping or for carrying back home.

Enter through the blue picket gate to discover curated goods and crafts all made in Belize. Paintings by local artists can be found here. The owner, Jessie Wigh (who also runs Namaste Café), writes the charming Caye Boy series, children's books about the joys of growing up on Caye Caulker.

This gallery has one of the best selections of Belizean and Guatemalan crafts in Belize. It has an especially good selection of wood items from tropical hardwoods, including bowls, small pieces of furniture, and carvings. There's also a small restaurant and guesthouse here.

On Saturday morning, San Ignacio Market comes alive with farmers selling local fruits and vegetables. Vendors also hawk crafts, clothing, and household goods. Some vendors show up on other days as well, but Saturday has by far the largest market. A smaller vegetable and fruit market is open weekdays near Burns Avenue, closer to town.