We’ve been watching it come together for the last few months. The store front just across from the Tropic Air terminal, in downtown San Pedro, transform into The Belikin Store. Hopefully selling all the Belikin merchandise that until now, wasn’t available to the public. Like the Belikin bandanas…and the Belikin signs. Belize lovers and manKeep reading »
Beer & Cocktails
Buying Liquor On Your Way Into Belize
This was originally posted in 2012 but there have been some important updates at the international airport. Most notably, there are TWO inbound duty free stores and the selection has broadened to include some sunglasses, make-up and candy in addition to American brand cigarette cartons and wine and liquor. AND it can get you lowerKeep reading »
Spring Break For the Non Traditionally Aged on Ambergris Caye: A Golf Cart Bar Crawl
We are in the midst of Spring Break season. And on Ambergris Caye, rather than a Cancun or Daytona Beach situation, that means families and smaller groups of young people. The island is bustling with all sorts of visitors looking to escape a winter that is lasting a bit too long up north. A littleKeep reading »
The Many Colors of Fanta in Belize and A History You Might Not Have Imagined
Fanta is a critical part of my day to day life in Belize – much like these products that I never used in the states. Today it is a product of the Coca-Cola company and those products, Coke, Coke Light, Sprite and Fanta are bottled in Belize by Bowen & Bowen Ltd. The company thatKeep reading »
Fabulous Finn Opens Fabulous Finn & Martini – The Newest Hot Spot in San Pedro
If you live in San Pedro or just follow the SanPedroScoop, you know Finn “Kardashian”. We’ve followed his travels through Central America 2 summers ago and then SE Asia last year. Finn is fabulous, hysterical, endlessly entertaining and…well…just Finn. After 10 years charming at Rojo Beach Bar, he has opened his own spot – FinnKeep reading »
Exciting New Bars & Restaurants on Ambergris Caye: Stella’s Smile
***Please note that this post was written in great anguish and it is a modern miracle that my 2012 HP wasn’t tossed over my balcony. What is it about computer problems that make me insane and murderous?*** New spots are popping up around Ambergris Caye. Not just change of ownership at an existing place butKeep reading »
Moments in San Pedro, Belize Over This Past Week
The weather this week has been pretty gorgeous on Ambergris Caye. The municipal elections are over (phew!), the sargasso algae/seaweed is at an all-time high level and, as usual, there is plenty going on to keep me busy in San Pedro. Here are some pictures from around the island. If you run into me anywhereKeep reading »
Wine In Belize…Why SO Expensive & An Exciting New BELIZEAN Wine to Taste
Almost every drop of wine that we drink in restaurants, at home and bars around Belize is imported. And that’s not terribly surprising since grapes don’t grow well in the tropics, if at all. But what does surprise some people is the price. STICKER SHOCK! Wines that are cheap/reasonable in the States, EuropeKeep reading »
Launch Party for Belize’s Tiburon Rum Has Everyone Dressed in White and A Surprise Guest
Yesterday I dressed all in white. No, I was not going to hang at P. Diddy’s Hamptons Crib. And no, I was not attending a San Pedro High School get-together (poor kids’ uniforms are all white!)…I was invited to the Tiburon Rum Launch Party at the lovely Red Ginger Restaurant at the even lovelier PhoenixKeep reading »
Perhaps Belize’s Biggest Concert Yet – SEAN PAUL HAS BELIZE CITY GOING CRAZY
My last week (month? life?!) has been leading up to this…SEAN PAUL, the HUGE dancehall, reggae, pop star, was coming to Belize. For one show. Probably the biggest name to EVER perform in Belize in concert. To say that I was giddy, still am giddy, is an understatement. Sean Paul – a Jamaican performer withKeep reading »
Impressive Tour of the Belikin Beer Brewery Certifies Me as Both a VIP & A Master
For a few weeks now, I’ve been hearing/seeing a few emails about a new set of courses run by Luis of the Belize Institute of Mixology. Beginner and Advanced Bartendering classes with the catchy motto “You make drinks, we make bartenders”. After managing a bar for almost four years, I can tell you that good bartendingKeep reading »
Day One Of the Belize Chocolate Festival: Arrival in Punta Gorda, The Wine & Chocolate Party and More
After one day and two nights in beautiful Placenca, yesterday morning I hopped on the 9am express bus for the 1.5 hour hop to Punta Gorda. (I don’t why more people don’t do a Placencia/Punta Gorda combination trip…fantastic way to experience Belize is you have just limited time. Beach + fantastic restaurants of PlacenciaKeep reading »
Extravagant Wine Pairing Dinner at the Always Delicious Casa Picasso
Belize is best known for our locally made rums and for the national beer – Belikin. Wine is a relatively new import. When I first moved to Belize, the selection was very limited and very expensive (even a bottle of Pina Colada flavored Boone’s is often priced over $20bzd – clearly VERY distressing to my upscaleKeep reading »
Moonlight, Fine Wines and Champagne Draw A Crowd to the Grand Re-Opening of Aji Tapas Restaurant
About a week ago, I received an invitation to a party from the Karl H. Menzie’s company – a large distributor in Belize of everything from Heinekin to…expensive champagne. They were presenting a line of American wines and another line of uber-high end bubbly at the always lovely Aji Restaurant. Located about 2 miles north bridge,Keep reading »
Sunday at the Gorgeous Rojo Lounge on North Ambergris Caye, Belize
The weather on Ambergris Caye continues to be beautiful. Warm (and getting warmer), windy and lots and lots of sun. Apparently, for the past few weeks, the terribly beach-chic Rojo Lounge has been opening on Sundays for a bit of a Sunday fun day celebration. (Rojo is a favorite on all sorts of international best barKeep reading »
Belikin Stout 2014 Dominoes Championship Is Way More Exciting Than I Imagined
Hmmm…dominoes. Something I played as a kid. Either lining up and knocking down or matching number to number. Never very exciting. But dominoes in Belize is an exciting game. Intense. In the past, I have driven passed people playing in Belize City…I was invited to this match in Punta Gorda last year. And thenKeep reading »
Harley-Davidson Bike Rally On the Beach in Belize Brings Hundreds From All Over Central America
Harley-Davidsons? In Belize? Black leather? On the beach? A friend sent me a message about this rally just yesterday. The first annual Harley-Davidson Bike Rally in Belize. Ummmm…seriously? Bikers, known for leather and boots, riding in the Central American heat to a country where gasoline is over $10bzd a gallon to…park at the beach? THISKeep reading »
Placencia, Belize Has a Serious Food Scene: Great Restaurants You Want to Try
The Placencia Peninsula has a relatively small population. Placencia, the most visited village at the tip of the peninsula, has only about 1000 permanent residents. So it’s shocking to me each and every time that there is such a diverse selection of restaurants and bars. How do they do it? A smarty pants friendKeep reading »
What to Expect When You Take A Cruise to Belize: The Cruise Ship Village
Yesterday was THE most beautiful day to visit Belize City. Bright warm sun, but cool in the shade. I was wearing my long sleeved shirt and North Face windbreaker, visitors, bikini tops and shorts. I took the 830am San Pedro Express Water Taxi from San Pedro to the city. One hour and 15 minutes. ToKeep reading »
New Business in San Pedro: Comfort Food, Country Music Bar, Restaurant & Hotel?
Last night was the soft opening of DC & Szana’s Country Cabana – a country music dedicated, comfort food servin’ spot in town. The only air conditioned restaurant on the beach. They also host guests at the 7 room hotel above them. The former Tio Pil’s and before that the old Lily’s Hotel in downKeep reading »