FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Can anyone offer value-oriented Belize tips?
Old Feb 5, 2009 | 7:02 am
  #141  
iahphx
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Originally Posted by MKEbound
Nice trip report on CC!

I had one last thought; the aiport has a small duty free liquore store, post security that had the best prices on Belize booze
Yeah, I noticed the good rum prices there, too. The crew also bought booze there, which is a good sign of low prices (btw, the best liquor prices I've ever run into were at the Aquadilla PR airport -- a bit disturbing when both the pilot and co-pilot are buying by the case!).

There are also other small airport shops, some with lower-than-you'd-expect prices. I almost never shop at airports, but since there were almost no shops on Caulker, I browsed. I picked up a couple Belikin beer glasses (you'll see them everywhere in Belize) for US$1.50 each. I got my daughter a locally-printed shirt for US$6.00.

I should also mention that the Departure Tax window does NOT take Belizian money! So don't have any "left over" (you can spend the Belizian money at the shops). I was thinking of using the airport ATM to pay the departure tax with Belizian money and asked the clerk beforehand -- glad I did! Indeed, since everybody takes US dollars in Belize (but usually gives you your change in Belizian dollars), try to minimize your Belizian money, especially toward the end of your trip. If you're a non-US citizen, this would be a little annoying since you wouldn't want to go home with extra US dollars. The Atlantic bank at the airport does seem to offer exchange (not sure the rate), but they keep odd hours (in the afternoon, I think it was 1:30 to 3:30).

I forgot to mention the large number of folks connecting to the Belize flights from EWR. We all joked about it -- everyone had "the deal"! (BTW, news of the deal reached Caulker, and lots of "locals" flew in their family and friends on the rate). It was the first time I ever saw the impact of a "Flyertalk fare" at the airport!
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