Apart from the memories, some of the best keepsakes of your vacation are cutesy souvenirs you get to bring back home. It could be a locally-made painting of a jaguar for your living room or stunning Lionfish earrings for a friend, each one a reminder of your travels abroad. Belize, like any other destination, has its fair share of cheeky keychains and postcards, but its unique memorabilia are worth every single penny. Especially when time and talent have gone into crafting the perfect reminder of when you escaped to the tropics. But did you know you could also snag some gifts that cost absolutely nothing? Whether you’re strapped for cash or simply come across these while traipsing through the country, here are the best free Belize souvenirs to keep with you forever.
Sand from San Pedro.
San Pedro Town, Belize. Image by Marlena Gomez Photography
It might sound a bit cliche in theory, but bringing back a fistful of sand from the islands of Belize is a souvenir that costs nothing and can last a long time. Before leaving the shores of San Pedro, make sure to fill a little mason jar of sand you can scoop up straight from the beach. Add shells and string for decoration and you have yourself a nice decor for that coastal grandmother aesthetic. This “souvenir” doesn’t have to be exclusive to Belize’s most popular island, either. If you had a transcendental experience on another beach, say, Placencia, feel free to add to the jar. A good game is to see how many mini “beaches” you can fit into your jar!
Mini Hot Sauces.
Marie Sharp’s praises have been sung enough by people around the world, but a tip most travelers don’t know is that you don’t need to shell out a bunch of cash for the mini versions of the iconic hot sauces. Many hotels in Belize, especially the locally-run boutique stays, offer complimentary Marie Sharp mini sauces upon your arrival. Stepping into your room you’ll more than likely be greeted by a small care package containing about three or four of the portable sauces. Buy the big bottles at any store for yourself and take back the small versions for friends and family.
Seaglass from Placencia or Punta Gorda.
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- Sea glass is very common along the coast of Punta Gorda Town. Image by Carolee Chanona
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- Sea glass is very common along the coast of Punta Gorda Town. Image by Carolee Chanona
In addition to finding shells while exploring the sun-drenched beaches, keep an eye out for sea glass on the shores. One great place that often yields stellar results is the shoreline of Punta Gorda and even Placencia beach. In fact, these are the spots where some jewelry makers in the area come to hunt for sea glass to make earrings and necklaces by hand. Pick a few up and carry them with you so you can polish them later and perhaps turn them into your own fashion statement.
Belize Travel Guide.
The Philip Goldson International Airport (BZE) pre-covid.
One of the easiest and perhaps most valuable Belize souvenirs is the Belize Travel Guide. The decently-sized book offers not only great tips and must-see places in Belize but relays historical facts and stories that encompass the country as a whole. The pocketable book is often distributed by Belize Tourism Board employees at places like the airport, the Tourist Village in Belize City, and other tourism information centers across the country. They are often paired with maps which in itself makes a good souvenir, too.
Belize Swag.
In that same vein, most tourism centers and ports of entry into the country give away exclusive Belize merchandise on special occasions. For instance, if you happen to be arriving on a holiday or celebratory day, expect free bags, t-shirts, books, stationery, and various other swag. This usually happens on days like grand openings, welcoming new airline routes, during September celebrations, or near the Christmas season.
Local currency.
By definition, local currency as a souvenir is technically not free but could still be considered an “extra” keepsake since you’ll probably be converting your money anyway. If you happen to have a few coins or $2 bills left over at the end of your trip, consider framing them or adding them to a scrapbook. Belize’s colorful bills also add a flair of vibrancy to money that isn’t shared with American currency.
Water taxi ticket stub.
Catch a water cab to the islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. Image via Hey Ciara
Are you heading to Caye Caulker or San Pedro via water taxi? Don’t throw away your ticket stub! Each passenger receives tickets to board the 1.5-hour long journey and the stub you stay with could be a cute reminder you can carry in your wallet for years to come or as a memorable addition to a journal detailing your time in Belize.
Header image via Kevin Quischan Photography.
