Sep
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Belize Postal Service, a Dirty little Secret and Current Internet Pricing
Belize Postal Service is an area of question that often comes up for future expats, they want to know what options are available for mail delivery and in some cases need to have a change of address set up in advance.
Our mail system is general delivery and we have no zip/postal codes, something that always mystifies people trying to send you mail. If you opt for this route your new mailing address would be your name followed by; Pescador Dr. Post Office General Delivery, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. If I am on a website needing my address and it will not accept all zeros for a zip code, I use the ever popular 90210 🙂
If you don’t want to stand in line waiting for the post guy to check all the mail in the box that is designated for the first letter of your last name, you do have the option to go private. It used to be that there was a waiting list for private mailboxes, now that the post office moved to Pescador Dr. (Middle St.) they have increased the number of boxes available for rent. There are 2 options; small and large both have a $25 deposit. Small ones are $65 for the first year then $40 thereafter. The big ones (none currently available) are $105 for year one and $80 annually after that. Pricing in Belize currency.
You can also get private mailboxes with Quicksilver Messenger service. This is the option I used because owner Dianne calls me and tells me politely to get my hiney to my mailbox asap and pick up my package slip(s). If you let them sit too long you run the risk of the post office sending back your package(s). Click through to Quicksilver Messenger site to see annual pricing on private mailboxes. She has a few locations around town.
Quicksilver Messenger also offers lots of other useful services such as:
- Bill Paying
- Pay property taxes
- Property Management
- Cell phone rentals
- Western Union money transfers
- Check deposits at local banks
- Purchase your monthly bridge pass
- Pay your property or vehicle insurance
- Passport pickups at and Canadian Consulate or US Embassy
- Payments to the Magistrate’s office at the courthouse
My Dirty Little Secret
This idea has excited many people I have told, but a few of you might not like it though. While I have tried to curb the habit as best I can, sometimes I just cannot resist. I have long discovered that many places in China, Hong Kong, and South Korea (among a few other places) offer free shipping to Belize on eBay. That means not only am I getting something at a reasonably good price that I cannot find here because I do not have to pay for shipping, I do not mind paying duty charges.
Aside from the time it takes for your purchases to arrive, there are sometimes minor drawbacks to shopping this way. Once a guy in Hong Kong tried very hard to convince me that my crank flashlights should be sent to Honduras and I had to convince him right back if he did that I would never see them. Also sometimes you get what you pay for. I recently took a chance on 4 extra 9 foot chargers noodle flat micro USB phone charger cables at $1.66 each and sadly China let me down this time. The quality was just not there, and they were too slow in charging which was a bummer as long charger cords rock.
As for customs and duty, the post office has their official “blue book” of pricing. I have still found no real rhyme or reason for the customs prices on my stuff. The first picture is a good example of that. I got charged $7.65 BZD for my plastic owl bento box from Hong Kong (cost $5.62 BZD) and only $4.20 BZD for my Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 battery charger (cost $7.98 BZD). Reason for buying a new charger from China: King, our pool guy helped me work out that it was not a faulty wiring that made my old charger start acting up, it was because the inside had rusted.
Current Internet Pricing
If you are interested in our postal system, then there is a good chance you are interested in Belize internet too.
For home internet, I opted for a standard 2MB plan at $130 BZD and I pay $39.99 BZD for 2 gigs worth on my Nexus phone. That gives me a combined monthly bill of $179.99. I get bill notifications by text and email and I pay online using Atlantic Bank.
If you are considering internet for your smartphone and you want to know how much data you should buy, click through to use the handy Digicell data calculator. By estimating how many monthly emails, social media posts, minutes streaming videos watched and songs downloaded you can get an idea of how many gigs you should get.
Click through if you have further questions on BTL Internet.
Click through for more Digicell plans and pricing.
If you need internet while on vacation and are good with your phone most businesses will share their password, you can also get 1 hour per day free at Central Park in town. There are also a few internet cafes that charge by the hour, should you need a sit-down computer option.
If you have the contact for Casa Rana I would start there to make sure the caretaker is still the one you want and ask to what address they get their mail and can you send it addressed to him in care of them.
I would like to send a small package to the caretaker at Casa Rana. (Fishing tackle) how do I make this happen
Anthony, congrats on your move. For transport, join this Hopkins Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/155603672170/ and see if there are more groups. People living there will be able to help you with the best way of shipping goods from Belize City to Hopkins. I tried to check the government site for post offices closes to Hopkins but it was down, as far as I know, Dangriga is the closest one. Here is the fb page https://www.facebook.com/belizepostalservice/ and number for the Belize City Post Office in case you want to inquire now – +1 501 227-5844
Tacogirl,
I bought a piece of property in the Village of Hopkins.
In 3 1/2 years my son graduates high school and i then plan to move to Hopkins, Belize. I have been trying to plan about building my own home on poles as i so have the ability to do so as i am in the construction field. I even have put aside all of the electrical and plumbing materials i think i need. My goal is to be tranquil, ride my motorcycle and Scuba dive as thats my 2 passions. I paid my property tax in advance for the next 5 years. I plan to purchase a shipping container and with all my items in there, vehicles and ship it to Belize. How do i go about once its in Belize to have it transported to my property in Hopkins. I read your article on mail. Is there anything i can do in advance to make my transition easier when the time comes? Like Visa, banking, mail(i am happy to purchase a box now or put myself on the waiting list for one) i am open to any suggestions/ ideas you may have.
Better to work out meetings and such in email Ande sent you one. As for shopping Belize Freight is a popular option.
Hi Taco Girl, I am moving to Belize from Texas. I am there on a scouting trip next week and planning to be living there the first of December. I am in the process of buying Casa Picasso Restaurant. I have two questions for you. Is it possible for you to visit with me in person next week between November 15th – 19? And can you tell me a good way to send a few boxes of my personal items to the Island?
Let me know if you can, Thanks, Ande Woods