La Popular is no more, now it's Casa Pan Dulce. Same owners different name..I must admit I still call it La Popular though.

One more plug for Marinas, we visited I think all of the bigger grocery stores and although they might have had a bigger selection of American foods, the prices at Marinas won out, and they had everything we needed. Example: one of the big supermarkets on the north side, $18 BZ for a box of Tony the Tiger Frosted Flakes; at Marinas, $6 BZ for "Zucaritas" with the same Tony The Tiger...!

Where is the beer distributer located and what are its hours? Can you buy bottled water at the beer distributer?

I use Marinas Market for beer, rum, food, water. Prices seem reasonable to me.

beer distr located south of airstrip

Yes, you can buy water at the distributor. You can also buy coke lite, sodas and beer. They are located about 1/4 mile south of the airport, open Monday thru Sat.,they close for lunch between 12:00&1:00. Just have your taxi driver stop on the way to your hotel. Please give Roberto(works at the distributor) a message for me, that I'm working on his DVD list,and will be back first week of April.
Thank you Kathy

How late are the stores open, it seems to me that I read things are going to close early now?

Anyone drink gin and tonic as i heard that the tonic is not like ours in North America

oh man dont tell me that because I was looking forward to many gin and tonics as well as many margaritas

The tonic is a Coke brand, Fanta. It's just fine, but has a very pronounced pinkish color. Usually, but not always, to make it even more interesting. A bit unnerving back in the 90's when we first encountered it. Be sure to wipe off the bottle top once the cap is removed. The bottle caps in BZ tend to rust significantly and quickly, i.e. salt air.

If it is gin and tonic yer after, DO NOT be tempted to save a few bucks and buy the locally produced gin. It is, without a doubt, the very worst distilled spirit known to humankind. As some might attest, I'm not known to be choosy when it comes to clear distilled spirits, but trust me---the gin is beyond description.

The locally produced vodka, on the other hand, can do if one is REALLY desperate. However a pass through a coffee filter is highly recommended since that will remove the rather interesting particulates that float in the bottle, and therefore eliminating an unwanted visual effect.

Bombs away.