Running a Flurry of Errands in Belize City on a Crazy Hot September Day

When I first moved to Belize just over 17 years ago, many living in San Pedro (or really anywhere in the country) traveled to Belize City at least a few times a year. If you ran a business, it might be more often. We went to run errands—to go food, houseware, or furniture shopping—to get the many things that weren’t available on the cayes or were just priced way less in the city.

Over the years, as the population has grown on Ambergris Caye, so has availability and selection. Water taxi prices have also doubled in that time! But there are still some things you can only do in Belize City. So yesterday, I drove to San Pedro town to board the 830am water taxi to Belize City to get my errands done.

There is no way I am coming to town at 8am (early for me!) with picking up a delicious Celi’s Johnny Cake (one of my favorite foods in the world). Toasted with ham and cheese.

A positive start to the day. But then…then…I got THE BEST surprise at the San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi.

I paid for my round trip ticket to Belize City – $69bzd – and then…the attendant returned the money to me. It was my 12th trip and the 12th trip is free! WOOOHOOOO! $69 extra dollars to spend in Belize City – in September (the “mawga” or slow slow season here in Belize) – is a very welcome surprise.

Monday morning, the boat was quite full, and we arrived in Belize City a bit after 10am. There are many taxi drivers at the terminal. $10bzd and about 7 minutes and I was dropped off at 86 Cleghorn Street. At The Framing Shop.

I buzzed and entered. I love visiting this shop (though I haven’t been since Spring 2021). Not only is the manager, Ralph, a lovely guy with a great talent for framing, but it feels like SUCH an accomplishment to get the prints and art I’ve been collecting framed. His prices are great, and he’s so good at helping me pick matting colors.

Some with matting, some without. Some with glass, some without. We made all the choices for 14 pieces both big and small…and they will be shipped to San Pedro in 2 weeks (at the latest). Feels SOOO good. So adult. SO taking-care-of-business. Most will be hanging at Rocky Point Permit Camp – soft opening is next month!

I decided to walk the mile-ish back to the main drag. I had a few stops to make, and I am familiar with this route. I felt totally safe.

My first stop is the long-standing and somewhat mysterious Food and Beverage. It’s a sort of restaurant supply store. I know Jeff ordered from there 20+ years ago for his restaurant at Rojo Lounge.

I call it mysterious because you only hear about it when taking to restaurant people. It’s not advertised, and they don’t have an active FB page or up-to-date website. They DO have products for up to half the prices as San Pedro. And if you use Asian ingredients – from Panko to Hoisin to dried mushrooms – they have TONS of it.

You kinda have to visit once…get a real sense of what they have and then order to be put on the water taxi? Additionally, the orders must be over $500bzd.

What I’m trying to say is…they don’t make it easy!

Coffees from Starbucks and Kirkland. Huge cans of tomato products – sauces, whole tomatoes, puree…Granola bars and 6 packs of Ghirardelli brownie mix ($52bzd) Good prices! I bought just a few packs of tea – Stash Earl Grey and English Breakfast for $7.60bzd each.

Taking some photos of the Chinese fry chicken shops on my walk. Starting to get busy as the schools were getting out for lunch.

I continued on…to Simon Quan (opened in 1965…59 years ago!) The biggest, jam-packed, they might sell a cheap version of everything on the planet shop I know of. It’s a series of cramped rooms – big and small- that are only cooled by fans. As you get deeper into the store, you find more and more and more. School supplies, home goods, decorations, electronics, clothes, plastic containers of every size known to man…everything.

I needed a venting kitchen fan. It was in a small room in the back…way back…up near the ceiling. The lovely sales lady called for a packaged one – and we tested it (like Christmas String lights!) I paid for it. And asked if it could be dropped off at the water taxi. The lady called for a young man, who hoisted it on his shoulder and walked it the 3 or 4 blocks for shipping.

I took some photos of door mats to send to Jeff. Looking for basic, no-wording ones…and not finding them in Belize!

I walked down to the Swing Bridge…just 2 short blocks. And took my standard photos of the fishing fleet. It’s just beautiful.

Albert Street – the main downtown street – was all decked out for the holidays.

I went into Brodie’s to check out the food selection….and bought 2 bags of Bob’s Red Mill Rye Flour ($10.50bzd each) for making chocolate chip cookies. And four of the plainest door mats I could find.

They weighed a TON!

And GOOD GRIEF IT WAS HOT. The temperature reading by Belize Bank said 32C. 89F? NO WAY. The Ice Cream Shoppe stand (just in front of me in the picture above) was like an oasis in the hot, sweaty desert. Was I imagining it?

No!

I thought I’d make it to the water taxi but instead, I plopped down on the steps of the Belize City town council. $7bzd has never been so well spent. A scoop of Cheesecake and a scoop of Chocolate Fudge brownie. Soooo…good.

It’s time to head back to San Pedro with my purchases – on the 130pm ferry. An excellent trip. A nice chance to get off the island and get shit done!

I really needed a cold shower.