From the mangrove-lined waterways of Belize City to the whispering palms of Ambergris Caye, Belize feels like a small country with an outsized palette: salt air, toasted cacao, and bright Garifuna drums echoing from the southern shore. Brightly painted fishing boats, Maya ruins peeking through jungle ferns, and the turquoise sweep of the Barrier Reef make every market and studio a trove of texture and story.

Whether you’re picking up artisanal foods, handcrafted goods, or music that carries a coastline’s history, here’s what to buy in Belize to bring a piece of this sunlit country home with you — especially if you’re hunting for authentic Belizean souvenirs.

1. Travellers Rum (and local rums)

Why pick this up: Rum tells Belize’s colonial and coastal story: sugarcane fields, cane-pressing history and afternoons in Placencia bars. A bottle ages well in luggage and makes a flavorful memento of Caribbean evenings.
What to look for: Small-batch or aged labels from Travellers or other local distillers — look for “reserve” editions or cask-aged expressions, and bottles with provenance (distillery name and year).
Price bracket (2025): BZ$25–120, depending on age and edition.
Where to find it: Duty-free at Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, selected supermarkets and liquor shops in Belize City, and rum-focused stalls in San Pedro and Placencia.

2. Toledo cacao and single-origin chocolate

Why pick this up: Southern Belize’s Toledo District is celebrated for its cacao — deep, earthy beans that taste of rain forest and spice. Chocolate from local cooperatives is a delicious way to support small growers.
What to look for: Bars labeled “Toledo” or “Belize single-origin,” bean-to-bar small-batch producers, and fair-trade/cooperative stamps. Dark bars with minimal added sugar highlight the terroir.
Price bracket (2025): BZ$8–30 per bar or small box.
Where to find it: Toledo markets (Punta Gorda), artisan shops in San Ignacio, the Belize City Farmers Market, and specialty stores on Ambergris Caye.

3. Marie Sharp’s pepper sauce

Why pick this up: This iconic Belizean hot sauce is a staple in kitchens across the country — bright, vinegary, and intensely peppered. It’s portable and makes a practical, flavorful gift.
What to look for: Original or pineapple-habanero varieties; small-batch or limited-edition jars if you want something special.
Price bracket (2025): BZ$8–15 per bottle.
Where to find it: Grocery stores nationwide, souvenir shops, airport kiosks, and roadside stands.

4. Handwoven hammocks

Why pick this up: Lightweight, colorful, and emblematic of Belizean beach culture, a hammock is perfect for recalling slow island afternoons. Craftspeople often use durable cotton blends that travel well.
What to look for: Tight weaving, reinforced loops, and vibrant local dyes — wide family-size hammocks for lounging or smaller ones for easy packing.
Price bracket (2025): BZ$40–200 depending on size and weave.
Where to find it: Artisan markets in San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Placencia craft stalls, and village cooperatives in Hopkins.

5. Garifuna drums and percussion

Why pick this up: Music is central to Garifuna culture along Belize’s southern coast. A hand-built primero or segunda drum is both a beautiful object and a living piece of intangible heritage.
What to look for: Solid hardwood shells, natural hide heads (properly treated for travel), and workmanship from reputable Hopkins or Dangriga makers. Smaller hand percussion is easier to take home.
Price bracket (2025): BZ$60–350 for full drums; BZ$15–60 for smaller percussion.
Where to find it: Dangriga and Hopkins artisan shops, music stores in Belize City, and cultural centers.

6. Mayan textiles and woven goods

Why pick this up: Indigenous Maya communities in Cayo and Toledo maintain weaving traditions — belts, shoulder bags, and embroidered blouses capture patterns passed down generations.
What to look for: Natural dyes, hand-loomed fabrics, and pieces that come with a maker’s note (village, technique). Seek out Mopan or Q’eqchi’ weaving motifs.
Price bracket (2025): BZ$30–150 depending on complexity and size.
Where to find it: San Ignacio markets, Toledo artisan co-ops, and cultural craft shops in Belmopan.

7. Mahogany and hardwood carvings

Why pick this up: Skilled carvers turn Belize’s hardwoods into masks, bowls, and wildlife sculptures that reflect the country’s biodiversity and Creole folklore. They make striking home pieces.
What to look for: Well-finished surfaces, signed or attributed work, and items from sustainable sources or reclaimed wood (ask the seller). Avoid protected species or illegally harvested pieces.
Price bracket (2025): BZ$20–400, wide range depending on size and detail.
Where to find it: Belize City craft markets, galleries in San Ignacio, and artisan stands in tourist towns.

8. Sea glass, shell and coastal jewelry

Why pick this up: Artisans on the cayes and Placencia transform sea glass, conch scutes and small shells into jewelry that carries the colors of the reef and shoreline. They’re lightweight and evocative.
What to look for: Quality mountings (sterling or plated), ethically collected shells (avoid protected species), and pieces that celebrate local motifs like rays or conch.
Price bracket (2025): BZ$10–80.
Where to find it: Craft stalls on Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, Placencia sidewalks, and island boutiques.

9. Belizean coffee

Why pick this up: Grown in the western hills and Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize coffee is a milder, often fruity Central American brew — a nice reminder of jungle mornings.
What to look for: Small-batch roasts, whole-bean for freshness, and beans labeled by region (Cayo, Mopan). Shade-grown and organic options are common.
Price bracket (2025): BZ$10–30 per 200–450 g bag.
Where to find it: Roasters in San Ignacio and Belmopan, specialty shops in Belize City, and farmer’s markets.

10. Coconut oil, cocoa butter and natural soaps

Why pick this up: Local spa goods made from coconut, cocoa and local botanicals are fragrant, practical, and speak to Belize’s tropical bounty — ideal as gifts or travel-sized treats.
What to look for: Cold-pressed oils, minimally processed cocoa butter, and soaps with native additions like naranja (orange) or local honey. Look for small-batch labels.
Price bracket (2025): BZ$6–40 per item.
Where to find it: Hopkins craft co-ops, Toledo artisan markets, and boutiques in Ambergris Caye and Placencia.

A final tip: when shopping for Belizean souvenirs ask about provenance — many sellers will happily tell you which village, reef or farm the product came from, and that story is part of the souvenir’s value. Happy collecting — and bring home a little piece of Belizean souvenirs to remember the turquoise coast. 🌴

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author 

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!