We are coming to San Pedro in 2004. I've read on this board about folks bring in steaks from their layovers in Houston,TX. Can you really bring in food thru customs and what about our own brands of alcohol ???

Mike, I have brought steaks/beef frozen in my suitcase from southern california and it was just fine. Beef in general is terrible in belize, just my spoiled opinion. Hamburger is fine, but I bought steaks on my first visit & ended up "sucking" them and spitting out the rest. I stick to the great fish when I am there & miss it when I get home. As for liquor, most brands are available, just very expensive as they have to bring everything over from the mainland. I try to keep stuff I bring to a minimum.

Mike, you didn't say how long you would be here, and will you be doing much cooking? It is sometimes dicey getting meat in. You are supposed to have a permit technically and depending on who you encounter in customs -might give you a hassle. Most of the better resturants in San Pedro serve USDA steaks now. If you want to buy them there are several places in Belize City that will send over on the airlines, same day. So much more is available now that it just isn't worth the hassle to truck it all down.

Thanks to Lovey & Thurston and Badco for their reply. Mike

sounds like you should move to belize and vacation in america

Hi, My girlfriend and I will be there from 12/5 12/13. It will be our first time there, she is completing her OW cert.
We are staying at a Casa Maya resort, recently renovated, got it on ebay for cheap, then we will move to another for the last 3 days, anyone can make a suggestion? Not more than $100 per nite thanks
we like to party, so fill me in
how often do the water taxis run, we are staying 6 miles n of san pedro

We always bring in lunch meat and cheese with us. Along with fruit and snack stuff. Never tried bringing in steak, might have to! Although the local food is to die for so I don't miss the steaks.

As for the alcohol. If you don't like GOOD cheap rum and GOOD cheap local beer than you might try bringing some stuff in...but they usually have it covered when it comes to the "drinking" department!

(while you are there try there Ole Master and One Barrel rums! they are great!)

If you take meat, cheese etc. into Belize it's always a good idea not to repackage anything to save space. They look for USDA labels if they open the cooler.. If you leave with seafood it's always a good idea to have a bill of sale or something equivalent to show customs in the US.
Years ago when the Co-op was a viable concern, a receipt from them was good as gold...
I couldn't imaging leaving without some snapper filets or some conch...

Also, if you're a beer drinker, the beer in Belize is wonderful.. Have the cab from the airport make a stop at the Belikin distributor and pick up a case or two of the short bottles.
Last price I remember was about $22.00 US a case which is a real savings down the road..