Belizean Talent Shines In San Pedro’s Central Park Expo

Yesterday BELTRAIDE hosted a artisan fair in San Pedro’s Central Park to showcase Belizean small businesses and artisans.

I would be untruthful if I told you that I knew exactly what BELTRAIDE is. But the easiest way for us to learn about it together is to check out their website. And it says this:

• The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) is a statutory body of the Government of Belize.
• BELTRAIDE, a national economic development agency, operates within the portfolio of the Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce (the minister of Economic Development is our PM, Johnny Briceno)
• Our Mission: Enable and facilitate innovative and competitive business development by paving new paths utilizing technology, critical alliances and aggressively promoting investment​. (More on their website)

Oh man…I’ve got some ideas for these guys. Like economic incentives to start the movement towards a second town on Ambergris Caye…but that’s not for today’s post.

BELTRAIDE hosted a three-day course in San Pedro for artisans and small local businesses. A bootcamp of sorts – that ended in a Buy Belize Expo conveniently located right in the middle of San Pedro yesterday. I stopped in…determined to spend NO money. All the cash in my wallet had been alloted to gas to fill the cart and groceries.

I spent $50bzd on two items – and I could have easily spent more. Belizeans making beautiful handmade things at veeery reasonable prices. Crafts that say this is special to Belize – like a beautiful coconut or moringa soap, a bottle of home brewed cashew wine or hand-carved zericote wood. Special items that I KNOW visitors are looking for.

Here’s what I saw! (And purchased)

Reyes Organic Beauty straight out of Trial Village, Orange Walk

She makes beautiful things in very Belizean “flavors”

My friends from San Pedro – Mito Paz and Raul. They are making some great crafts out of coconut and publicizing the Eco-Museum (for a sneak peek – take a look about my blog about the sold-out fundraiser and follow them on Facebook)

They are both a wealth of knowledge about the eco-system of Ambergris Caye…the native plants, the animals and the Maya history. Mito is a one man history book on the history of San Pedro.

This gentleman from the village of Sand Hill (north of Belize City near the Altun Ha Maya Site) making local wines.

You might think wine involves grapes…but in Belize, especially on the mainland, there is a long tradition of sweet wines made with fruits…and even veggies.

Cashew fruit and blackberry (not the type you know in the US or Canada) are the classic flavors and more and more, tart spicy sorrel (the fruit of a certain type of hibiscus)

Very fun to try – and a great souvenir. Belizeans love it.

Brian Halliday and his family with a new business – selling fresh, cold pressed juices.

Tasty, ginger-y green juice and some of the best watermelon juice I’ve ever tasted. You can find the juice at Nature Aid.

Bee products from Camalote Village in the Cayo district. Belize produces varied and delicious honeys. She was selling bee products as well.

My friend Ernel made some simple necklaces from shells collected by fisherman in the outer atolls. (He told me it is illegal to have the meat of this snail (which is popular and wayyyy overfishing in other parts of the Caribbean)

The shell polishes up so beautifully and for $10bzd…I couldn’t say no. I was also looking at a gorgeous zericote permit carving (and the sharks) for $20-25US, I wish I’d had the extra cash on me. I took his number for less-lean times. 🙂 (Let me know if you need it)

I met Emil from Orange Walk – he makes fantastic looking (and feeling) bathing suits HERE IN BELIZE! Great prints – I love the navy ones with a bit of pattern in the stripes.

I was yapping away and then I saw his tote bags – and I HAD to have it. Money be damned 🙂 Perfect size, a red sipper…the great fringe. Lined beautiful. LOVE. (You can find him on TikTok for more information)

Very sweet dolls – each one different. Very reminiscent of my first Cabbage Patch kid in 4th grade. RIP Ashlee Bobette.

You can see more on Annie Doodle Dolls here.

Liagabi Sustainable clothing and bags and jewelry presenting these great bags.

I love it. I wish it had been a bit better advertised! (I did have it on my August Events calendar)

But I was happy to see folks there…and I have no morning-after regrets about my purchases. If you see anything you like – check out the additional information on BELTRAIDE’s facebook page. They have some very good photos.