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Shopping Centers and Malls | Specialty Shops

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.

Shopping Centers and Malls

Fodor’s Choice | Brodies.
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. James Brodie & Co. has been in Belize since 1887. Plenty of free, safe parking is available. There’s another location on Regent Street in downtown Belize City. | Mile 2½, Goldson Hwy., formerly Northern Hwy., Northern Suburbs | 223/5587 | www.brodiesbelize.com.

Fort Street Tourism Village.
Fort Street Tourism Village (also called Fort Point Tourism Village & Mall) is packed with day-trippers when cruise ships are in port but is closed at other times. Tenders from the cruise ships come in here. The Village has around 30 gift shops including MOHO chocolate shop offering free samples of organic, Belize-made chocolates. 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. On cruise ship days, vendors also set up booths on streets near the Tourism Village. | Fort George cruise-ship docks,8 Fort St., east of Swing Bridge, Fort George | 223/7789 | www.tourismvillage.com.

Mirab’s.
Mirab’s is a department store, worth a visit if you need to pick up something you forgot, like a flashlight or batteries. There also is a Mirab’s furniture store at Mile 1½ of the George Price Highway. | 2 Fort St. at N. Front St. | 223/2933.

Save-U Supermarket.
Save-U Supermarket is a good place for groceries, liquor, and sundries. | San Cas Plaza, Goldson Hwy. at Central American Blvd. | 223/1291 | www.santiagocastillo.com.

Specialty Shops

Belizean Handicraft Market Place.
Belizean Handicraft Market Place (formerly National Handicraft Center) has Belizean souvenir items, including hand-carved figurines, handmade furniture, pottery, and woven baskets. The prices are about as good as you’ll find anywhere in Belize, and the sales clerks are friendly. It faces the small Memorial Park, which commemorates the Battle of St. George’s Caye and is just a short stroll from the harbor front, the Tourism Village, and many of the hotels in the Fort George area, including the Radisson, Chateau Caribbean, and The Great House. | 2 S. Park St., in Fort George area across from Memorial Park | 223/3627.

Image Factory.
The cutting edge of Belize City’s art and hipster scene is at the Image Factory. The Image Factory holds art and photography shows and publishes books. Its gallery and shop on North Front Street sells books, artwork, and CDs. There is free parking in a lot across North Front Street. | 91 N. Front St. | 223/4093 | www.imagefactorybelize.com | Weekdays 9–5.

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