Hello all,
Was in San Pedro earlier this month and met lots of nice folks, some of whom we promised to mail copies of some pictures we took. When asked for addresses most simply put their name and San Pedro, Ambergris Caye Belize C.A. No street addresses, P.O. boxes, etc.

Just wondering how the postal system works in San Pedro, is mail delivered to people's houses, or do they go pick up their mail at the post office? If the latter is the case are the people notified when they receive mail, or do they just check at the post office regularly to see if they have any mail?

Any information on this topic would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

No mail delivery... no street addresses. Some people have P.O. Boxes but many just use "General Delivery, San Pedro Town, Belize" as their address. They must check at the post office for mail.

Thanks very much for the information Jesse.

One more question if I may, does it cost residents anything when they receive mail? Of course we will pay the appropriate postage costs for delivery, just wondering if there are any additional costs when they receive mail? Some of these people don't have much money and we don't want it to cost them anything. Once again your information is greatly appreciated.

The post office acts as an agent for Customs to sort of arbitrarily apply duty to incoming mail. If all you're sending is normal-sized foto prints in a regular envelope, the P.O. would most likely ignore that. Don't get too fancy with your packaging.

Perfect. Thank you!

Do not put the words "general delivery" in the address .......... the local postmaster absolutely hates that.
Also do not make the mistake made by so many when sending gifts - that mistake is to declare some high value to the items (this is about customs, not insurance). Duty on clothes is about 50%. Duty on CD's is minimal, books also cheap.

Diane, can I ask why?

I too would like to send "american things" - books, a Cubs hat, etc. - people that I met in San Pedro. Is there any way I can pay the duty up front so these people don't have to pay the duty? I want to give them a gift, not a debt that they have to pay! If I can't pay it up front, is there a way to know about how much duty will be so I can include a small amount of cash in the gift - at least enough to cover the duty?

I found this old topic and wanted to know if anyone has an answer to the last question posted before what I am writing. Thanks!
KE

CUBS HAT! Now we know how it got there!