Essentials to live in Belize

Hi,

As an expat living in Belize, what would you advise the ones about to pack to bring along?

What are the items you can easily find in Belize? On the other hand, what is less common or quite expensive?

Share with us what you would recommend to bring in one's suitcase or container when moving to Belize.

Thank you in advance,

Christine

You can generally get what you need, not necessarily what you want. I'd recommend bringing bed sheets, cooking pots and pans, kitchen appliances, electronic goods, a sewing machine if you sew, your favourite personal cosmetics (you don't need make up, but face cream or any special lotions), underwear, swimwear and as many lightweight washable clothes as you think you need (tops, shorts). Some of these can be bought here, but there are very limited choices. There is more variety coming in all the time, but it may not be to your taste! In such a small country there will never be the range of goods available in other countries.

Yes definetely  your sewing machine if you use one, don't bother with vacuum cleaner bed linnens and probably good towels, funnily enough tea towels are expensive here. pack as much of your stuff if in a container or If on your own truck in the big plastic storage boxes from the Home depot type store as those boxes they don't count the cost in customs but to replace here cost 4 or 5 times as much.  Most small electric appliances are available and unless you HAVE to have the US branded items the locally available ones are not hugely expensive. Remember when you insist brand A is more expensive therefore will last longer  the climate in Belize does not know this and rust will appear  anyway. Personal items and lightwieght clothing, And don't forget your sense of adventure  life in Belize is 'Different'

The most fundamental yet hardest to get is a good mattress.

money

a good attitude and a sense of humor are helpful