Running Errands in Belize City – Necessary? Easy? Safe?

Last week, I headed from San Pedro to Belize City for a few hours of errands.  To head to some bigger stores, some stores with more selection and some spots with lower prices than we have in San Pedro.

To buy things I need and then to look at things I don’t need…exactly.  Sometimes it’s just nice to head to a proper department store and browse.

So let me first answer the questions hinted at in the title.  And then I’ll get to a few more details.

If you live on Ambergris Caye, is it necessary to go to Belize City?  No.  You can find almost everything that you need on the island.  Almost.

Is it easy to get to Belize City and then get around once you are there?  It can be VERY easy.  I took the water taxi to the city (1.5 hours) and then hopped different taxis to my various spots.  And it was easy.  But you can also fly (15 minutes) and hire one driver to take you around for a few hours.

Is it safe?  For sure.  I’m not suggesting that you go on a one-woman-nighttime-walking-tour of Belize City with no clue where you are going.  Hopping from shop to shop with the knowledgeable taxi drivers is easy and safe.

So let me now tell you about my day and why I like to go to Belize City every couple months or so.

10am boat to Belize City – gets me in at 11:30pm.

A snap of the view as I waited.

1.5 hours later – and 2 episodes of MY OBSESSION – the Dr Death podcast – and I was in Belize City.  Near to where the cruise ships comes in – and in the historic part of the city.

There are taxis waiting.  My first stop – The Framing Shop.  

Ralph and his team beautifully and simply frame anything you need for really good prices.  For example, a 5×7″ photo with a 2″ mat in the color of your choice, framed, is $34bzd.  Can you beat that?

My taxi waited for me – and we made one more quick stop.  And then to Mirab’s Department Store – for their excellent kitchen supplies – and browsing around.  Looking at jewelry and shoes…and LIGHTING!

Here is a current picture of ceiling above our kitchen counter.  Since the house was built about 4 years ago…WE NEED LIGHTS!

I feel certain that functioning lights will change things substantially.  And then, upon entering Mirab’s furniture area, I became sure that BEAUTIFUL lights would improve things significantly.  LIFE CHANGING.

You can read about the opening of this HUGE store here.

The third floor is beautiful…all furniture that I might not be able to afford NOW but lighting I can buy.  And…just pretty things to be inspired by.

I decided to head to their Mirabs Furniture Gallery just a few miles away to look around some more.  But first, to the kitchen area to get some bowls, some pretty glasses, a cutting board and replacement mugs – our dogs have a tendency to push them off bedside tables – a muffin pan and some spatulas.

And then I am always drawn to the amazing toy department.  I became sure that I needed a 84 inch teddy bear.

Would I need to buy it a ticket on the water taxi?

Strongly attracted to this too.  SO soft and sad…It’s probably time to go.

I hopped in a taxi outside – they have an easy taxi stand.  And headed to the Furniture gallery just a few miles away.

It’s ALL furnishings.  More eclectic…from very affordable pillows and accessories to very high-end stuff like this hand-beaded chandelier.

The store also smells beautiful – and I tracked down the candles that smell so gorgeous.

Great selection of outdoor furniture upstairs.  I coveted this teak lounge chair…

And this set too.

The ladies at the front desk called me a taxi and I headed to Brodie’s downtown.

For some grocery shopping…I bought walnuts and chocolate chips for baking – both 30-50% cheaper than in San Pedro – and went to the pharmacy for even bigger savings.

I took the short walk back to the water taxi passing the court house…

And the pretty lobster boats in the river.

In Belize City time:  3.5 hours in total.  $28bzd in taxi fares.  $48bzd for my water taxi RT.   I was ready to nap on the boat home.

With visions of good pendant lighting dancing in my head.

For MORE information on my trips to Belize City, see below.  And let me know how you do it.  Or if you do it at all!