More Price Comparison and the People

Today, we bought 5 bananas, a pineapple, 2 mangos, and a papaya for $4.50 USD at the farmers market in San Ignacio.  The bananas alone are 5 cents USD.  The pineapple is so sweet, one does not “core” them here.  The middle is edible.  We also purchased banana bread which was amazingly moist and we all agreed it was the best banana bread we have ever had.  Our new friends Anna and Jose who work one of the many booths found at the farmers market even sliced the mangos, papaya and pineapple for us.  They didn’t know we were secretly watching “how” to skin a papaya.

A 750ml bottle of Travelers “One Barrel” in Las Vegas runs $19.43 with tax, here in Belize, the same bottle costs $9.69 USD.  

Sales tax here 12.5% for pretty much everything bought at a “store” including food.  There are many side road fruit stands, and centrally located farmers market found, where there is no tax on these items.  

We have also noticed many road-side stands “unmanned” with a sign reading “Please leave 50 cents per item (which is 25 cents USD).  I love the “honor system” shopping.  

The cheese is creamy and provided from the Mennonites.   We’ve had the feta and classic “American” cheese.  

Compared to the USA, we haven’t found a limit to food options besides processed or canned foods.  Belize is not just limited to the stereotype of “Rice and Beans”.  Majority of Belizeans are slim but eat hearty and healthy.

You will not find a McDonalds, Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, and such in Belize.  There are no fast food restaurants here.  My son says the chicken fingers are the best he has ever tasted.  It’s real breast strips, breaded and cooked in coconut oil.  Not formed or flattened.

In comparison, their fish prices are higher than their farm meats.  I thought this might just be more in the interior areas but the same is found about the coastal areas. Yet, fish is priced lower than US standards.  The lobster season starts in June and a typical 5-6oz fresh lobster tail will run you about $5 each USD.

If you are a vegetarian, this could be your Mecca. If you are a meat eater, you will love the beef and pork here.  The chicken parts are smaller than found in the U.S.  Of course, these chickens are not fed processed grains nor housed in “poultry farms” where they are packed in tight quarters and never see sunlight.  We typically see the adult chickens roaming the neighborhood with baby chicks following behind.  There are chicken farms, but again, they are not raised in the dark or overloaded as found in the US.  From observation...fruit, veggies, beans and grains and eggs are the main staple of choice, compared to any of the meats.  

I (Mandy tying) spoke with a security guard of our hotel today.  He was born in El Salvador, moved to the US, and he graduated Hollywood High school when he lived in the L.A./Pasadena area.  He feels that the cost of food is “high” here compared to other Central American Countries.  I’ve been told that the typical weekly wage is around $20-25 USD a week.  He said Belize is very cheap for Americans who retire and move here, for the average Belizean family, Belize is viewed expensive.  Many households do have their own fruit trees and bread items can be made from the many bread-nut trees in the area.  

The eye contact and smiles continue when passing on the streets.  I ran into a lady I met 4 days ago.  I waved and said, “Hi Elisa!, she waved back and said “Hi Mandy!  She remembered my name.