3 Best Places to Shop in Fort George, Belize City

Handicraft vendors line the block of North Park Street between Fort and Cork Streets. (More show up on days when a cruise ship is in port.) There's nothing terribly formal here, but you'll find Belizean souvenir items, including hand-carved figurines, pottery, and woven baskets. The prices are about as good as you'll find anywhere in Belize, and the salespeople are friendly.

Even though this shopping complex is open only when cruise ships are in port, it's a good place to stop, as it has around 50 gift shops, including the MOHO chocolate shop offering free samples of organic, Belize-made chocolates, plus the usual duty-free and jewelry stores you'll find all over the Caribbean. You'll also find clean restrooms, a cybercafé, tour kiosks, restaurants, and other services. Security is tight in the Tourism Village, and you'll feel safe. If you are not here on a cruise excursion, you must show your passport to enter. On cruise-ship days, vendors also set up booths on streets near the Tourism Village.

The Image Factory holds art and photography shows and publishes books. Its small gallery and shop sell books, artwork, and CDs.