1. Can we drink the water? Tap water in general is suitable for drinking, although many prefer the taste of bottled water. (The water at Sunset Beach Resort is specifically UV filtered for all of the condos.) Note that at times the water pressure can be variable and occasionally there are intermittent interruptions in service on the island. Please ask the on site staff if you have questions on the water service during your stay.
2. What about electricity? The voltage (110) and outlets/plugs are the same as the US & Canada (2 flat parallel prongs; a 3 prong US type plug with an earthing blade will work in most sockets also); if you are not coming from the US/Canada, please check on what you may need for anything electrical that you bring. And, as with the water, occasionally there may be an interruption in power on the island. Please ask the on site staff if you have questions on the electricity service during your stay.
3. Internet access? Wifi is provided, although be aware that internet in Belize is not as strong as in the US or Canada (& at times, although infrequent, it can go down). It’s best not to plan to use the wifi for video streaming, large downloads, etc. There are also several internet cafes around and most restaurants provide free wifi access for diners. If you need to be connected 24/7, as a back up consider a data plan for your phone; see #4 below.
4. Will my cell phone work? It may; check with your provider before you go. You can also purchase prepaid SIM card directly for your unlocked phone; there are two operators in Belize: Digicell BTL (BelizeTelemedia Ltd) & SMART — both have offices in San Pedro or you can purchase a Smart SIM card at the international airport at the TC Cell Phone Top up Zone shop in the airport parking area, by the rental car offices. There is more information on cell phone service in Belize here: prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Belize. (Note: if staying at Sunset Beach, there will be a landline which can be used for local calls; if staying at Miramar, there is a cell phone with BZ$5 credit provided.) An international eSIM for Belize may be an option if your phone accommodates.
5. Where can we shop for groceries?
South of town: Around the corner from Sunset Beach Resort & just up the road from Miramar Villas is Marin’s mini-mart (a mile north of Wilson Point & Casa Redonda; 2 miles north of La Perla Azul); it is fairly well stocked for its small size & prices are fair. There are larger shops closer to and in town. First up as you head north is Caribbean Chicken (more than just chicken!) on a side road to the left as you go to town just before Las Paletas, followed by Ambergris Sausage Factory for meat, also on a side road to the left just before the Alaia Hotel. Between the Alaia & Xanadu resorts, you’ll see Super Buy grocery store; just across the street are The Baker and Marina’s grocery store. Beyond that is the Island City Supermarket near the Belikin distributor (soda & beer); a little farther up on the left is Wine De Vine. Close to the Tropic Air terminal on the right is WalkMart, which has a wide selection of products & will deliver.
In town are Lino’s Meats (on a cross street not far from Central Park), The Greenhouse on Middle Street (Pescador Drive), the larger Super Buy with entrances on both Back (Angel Coral Drive) & Middle Streets, plus Richie’s Supermarket and Caye Mart on the traffic circle.
North of town: closest to the El Estero condos is the Beach Basket at Grand Caribe, a full service grocery, liquor, and convenience store. The larger Village Supermarket is just north of the bridge (on your left as you are heading to town).
There are small fruit and vegetable stands in many places.
Keep in mind this is a small island & everything is brought in from the mainland, so not all things will be available at all times; and that imported (ie, non-Belizean brands) will be pricey. You’ll also want to be sure to check expiration dates & don’t be surprised when you find unrefrigerated eggs! Popular blogger San Pedro Scoop has a February 2024 post on island grocery shopping.
Looking for a special dessert? Annie’s Pastries, Casa Pan Dulce, and Vic & Rick Sweet Indulgence come recommended, as does The Factory Sweets for ice cream cakes.
6. What are our options for getting groceries prior to check-in?
A. Delivery:
1. Visit BelizeGrocery.com or SanPedroProvisioning to order groceries for delivery; they will need a couple of days notice and will need to coordinate delivery with the on site staff.
2. If staying at Casa Redonda, Sunset Beach, Miramar or La Perla Azul, Marfa Sosa can secure provisions for you. You would reimburse the costs & pay for the service in cash.
B. Buy on the way to your accommodations: Ask if your cab driver has time to stop at a large grocery store on your way to your accommodations. The larger shops will take credit cards & are generally open until 9 pm. Additional ~US$5 charge for wait time while you shop.
7. Is it true we can have a home-cooked Belizean meal at our accommodations?
Yes!
*Wilson Point on site housekeeper/cook Elena can prepare dinner on request with a couple of days’ notice; we can offer another recommendation for breakfast or lunch service.
The other properties have chef service recommendations towards the bottom of each of their ‘local staff’ pages:
*Casa Redonda
*Miramar Villas
*Sunset Beach
*La Perla Azul
*El Estero
*Casa Coccoloba
8. What about massage or spa treatments?
Relaxation is exactly what this island is about & the spa will come to you with pampering inside, on the dock, or by the pool! Juanita will help you out at Wilson Point; Laura or Marfa at any of the other accommodations. Ask for a team if multiple people in your party would like to be pampered!
9. Tip for duty free alcohol: With the exception of the local rum, all other hard liquor plus wine is expensive in Belize. You are allowed to bring one liter of alcohol in to Belize with you when arriving internationally. In addition, there are a couple of duty free shops at Belize International Airport in the baggage claim area in which you may shop upon arrival to the country (ie, after you get off your international flight). Each adult is allowed 4.5 liters at this duty free area in addition to the one liter you may have brought in to the country. More here.
10. Show me the money–what do I need to know? The Belize dollar is linked to the US dollar: $2 Belize = $1 USD (bank exchange rates may vary slightly). Most accommodation and tour prices are listed in US$ prices, and most restaurants, shops, etc. list prices in BZ$. Nearly every place readily accepts clean & untorn US paper currency (not coins), although larger bills may be more difficult to cash; you will usually receive change in BZ currency. Visa & MasterCard credit & debit cards are accepted in many places although you may be asked to spend a minimum amount; American Express & Discover are not widely accepted. ATMs are also available in cities & towns across the country for cash withdrawals (in BZ$), but it helps to plan ahead for these depending on where you are going. Many smaller vendors (such as the cab driver or the person who may come to your accommodations to do a massage) will work with cash only; plan on bringing or withdrawing cash for these types of services. Popular blogger San Pedro Scoop has a good post on money in Belize here.
11. What about tipping? Very generous of you to consider giving gratuities! Many tip as they would in North America; TacoGirl has a good guide here.
12. What’s it like swimming off the Caribbean beach? Our beaches are sandy white. Most properties on the reef side of the island have small seawalls so you will not be wading in to the sea. There is seagrass off most Ambergris Caye beaches facing the reef, which is vital for the ecosystem and should not be removed, so most guests prefer to enter the water off the pier; many people snorkel right under the docks and see lots of great sea life! NOTE that since about 2015, there has been a Sargasso seaweed situation in the Caribbean and other parts of the world which is difficult to predict, although you can sometimes get a short-term forecast here. The seawalls help keep this off the beaches but it can be floating just off shore; coping tips if the Sargasso is heavy during your stay! Do not swim in the sea between dusk & dawn on the Caribbean side; do not ever swim in areas with mangroves or in the lagoon (ie, the water by El Estero). We share the waters with local wildlife including crocodiles, sharks, & rays.
13. Mosquitoes & other insects? Starting in May & lasting until about December (although nothing is exact), you may notice mosquitoes & sand flies. We advise bringing repellent with you that has DEET (it can be bought on the island but it is pricey); an oily repellent works best against the sand flies/no-see-ums. If sensitive, you may also wish to bring light clothing to cover your arms & legs in the evening especially to ward off mosquitos. They don’t tend to be inside with the AC on! Very rarely you may see a scorpion; a good tip is to always shake out/check your shoes just in case before putting them on. Local blogger San Pedro Scoop has more information on bugs in Belize here.
14. What about those lizards?!? You’ll see harmless iguana, geckos, & more while on the island. You will likely see small geckos climbing the walls in your accommodations &/or hear them ‘chirp’ at night; they eat mosquitos & other insects, so they are definitely your friend (although they may leave occasional droppings)!
15. I heard all beaches & piers are public? What does that mean? In Belize, the beach area 66 feet from shore is considered National (King’s) Land, ie, open to the public, even if adjacent to private property (although hammocks & beach furniture are private property). In addition, all docks are to be accessible for public foot use from 6 am to 6 pm. So you may walk any dock between sunrise & sunset or along the beach, and you may see other people on your accommodations’ dock &/or walking along the beach.
16. What should I pack? Why recreate the wheel; San Pedro Scoop has a suggested packing list here! As you are packing for your trip, think about what you will use on vacation but could donate at the end of your stay–clothing, towels, nearly full bottles of insect repellent, etc. A church, school, or medical center will often readily take those kinds of donations (& this way you can make room in your luggage for any souvenirs you may have brought!). Avid reader? Consider bringing books to swap!