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Belize City has the most varied shopping in the country. Rather than catering to leisure shoppers, most stores in Belize City cater to the local market and those from other parts of the country who need to stock up on supplies at lumberyards, home-building stores, appliance outlets, and supermarkets. Gift shops and handicraft shops are concentrated in the downtown area in and near the Tourism Village.
About a dozen cruise ships per week call on Belize City, and each time the Tourism Village shops open their doors. Wednesday is usually the biggest day of the week for cruise ships in Belize City, often with three to five in port, and Saturday is another popular day. Rarely is there a ship in port on Sunday.
Most stores in the downtown area are open Monday through Saturday from around 8 am to 6 pm. On Sunday, nearly all stores downtown are dark, although some stores in the suburbs are open Sunday afternoon.
The Queen's Square Market, with fruit, vegetable, and other food vendors, just south of the Novelo's bus terminal on West Collet Canal Street, has been renovated and also goes by the name of Michael Finnegan’s Market, after a local politician.
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.
Handicraft vendors line the block of North Park Street between Fort and Cork Streets. (More show up on days when a cruise ship is in port.) There's nothing terribly formal here, but you'll find Belizean souvenir items, including hand-carved figurines, pottery, and woven baskets. The prices are about as good as you'll find anywhere in Belize, and the salespeople are friendly.
Even though this shopping complex is open only when cruise ships are in port, it's a good place to stop, as it has around 50 gift shops, including the MOHO chocolate shop offering free samples of organic, Belize-made chocolates, plus the usual duty-free and jewelry stores you'll find all over the Caribbean. You'll also find clean restrooms, a cybercafé, tour kiosks, restaurants, and other services. Security is tight in the Tourism Village, and you'll feel safe. If you are not here on a cruise excursion, you must show your passport to enter. On cruise-ship days, vendors also set up booths on streets near the Tourism Village.
The Image Factory holds art and photography shows and publishes books. Its small gallery and shop sell books, artwork, and CDs.
Sparkling, huge department store Mirab is Belize's largest such institution and worth a look if you're homesick for some stateside-style shopping.
Save-U Supermarket is a good place for groceries, liquor, and sundries.
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