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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

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Crazy Fun Chetumal Mexico Shopping

by tacogirl 19/09/2016
written by tacogirl 19/09/2016
Chetumal Mexico

As many of you know, a group of us took advantage of the big Tropic Air seat sale and took a mini vacation to Chetumal last month. Our road trip crew consisted of Aimee, her daughter Tori and boyfriend Ryan, her mom Cheryl, Sandie, her son Logan and I. Everyone would agree it was mission accomplished for Mexico shopping and eating. That was the heart of why we, and most people living in Belize cross the border to Chetumal – lack of shopping here.

Food First

It was cool to find out that Ryan had been going to Sergio’s Restaurant with his family long time. Since he is Tori’s BF, she and Aimee had been there too. The food was just as good this time around as the last time I had been there when I took a short Mexico trip with my friends Michael and Mary. I enjoyed arrachera (skirt steak) and Cesar salad on both occasions. Because we were in Chetumal for a mere 24 hours, we only went there once.

The food court at the mall however was a repeat experience. After all I could not fit in all the cravings of sushi, Chinese food and McDonald’s all in one sitting 😉

While I was craving my old favorites, it is always fun to try new things. This time it was bubble tea thanks to the kid’s sharing. I was very surprised at liking it, I always thought it would be a texture thing why I wouldn’t. What made their choice so good is that it was a green tea base and the tapioca pearl bubbles had a different flavor inside. So when you bit into them there was a delightful tangy fruity explosion in your mouth.

Chetumal Mexico Restaurant

Popular Sergio’s Restaurant.

Plaza Los Americas Mexico Shopping Mall

Food court at the mall.

Two More New Food Items I Tried

  •  Zak’s chocolate covered Mazapán cookies. The day we were leaving, I was the first one to get to their hotel and Sandie gave me a couple of individual packages to take home. I could have easily bought a few boxes had I known how yummy they were – something on my shopping list for next time.
  • Lime ranch flavored kettle chips with Avocado oil. Miraculously I did not end up cracking these open till I was back in Belize. Had I done so sooner I can guarantee that there would have been 3 bags instead of 1 in my luggage.
Chetumal Mexico Shopping

I have always loved Mexico junk food choices.

Shopping Spree

Shop till you drop was a huge success for all of us and everyone ended up with a lot more than we planned on due to the wide variety of choice. So much so for me that I had to by a very large duffel bag at Coppel and reusable shopping bag at Chedraui, both big Mexican department stores at Plaza Las Americas. There was no way it was all going to fit in my knapsack especially a big cake I could not resist. Thankfully I managed to get home without squishing it.

Mexico Shopping

Some of my crazy Mexico purchases.

Of course our “shopping triathlon” included Walmart and Sam’s Club too. Walmart is always great for personal care items. The Marc Anthony Macadamia Nut shampoo I use is not available in Belize, so I have been getting it in Mexico for years. As for Sam’s Club, I never buy a lot there but it is guaranteed that I will walk out with a big bag of Brookside chocolates if they have them in stock. This time I also scored an Amope Pedi perfect machine thanks to Sandie’s recommendation. She had already bought one on the trip and told me it was well worth getting to smooth out our “tropical feet.” 🙂 I was also very happy to score a big container of blueberries. Since fruit is not allowed across the border, I enjoyed them while watching the Simpsons on the one English channels I managed to find on TV in my hotel room.

Mexico Shopping

Sandie, Aimee and I all fell in love with this blue scooter outside Sams. I wish I had that stack now.

Last Stop Before Heading Home

Our last stop was MacDonald’s for burgers and fries to bring back to Belize. The group, more so the kids were all too happy to accommodate me on this one. When had I asked my friend Kendall if he wanted anything from Chetumal, that was his request. I normally do not do it but I figured it was worth the trade of carrying “smelly food” in exchange for airport pick up to schlep my bags home.

Surprisingly, the cooler I took to stick the burgers and fries in into really did work to mask the smell on the flight from Corozal to San Pedro. I know some of you are wondering how fast food would taste after travel time – it’s not quite as good as hot out of the oil but it passed the test.

Last stop in Chetumal and saved a few pesos for next time

Heading to last stop at Plaza Las Americas before crossing the border and left over pesos for next trip.

A Few Funny Moments

  • Sandie dancing around their hotel room excited about her new Amope.
  • Me explaining to Sandie about mall head and that becoming a running joke.
  • Playing punch buggy no backs because of all the Volkswagen bugs.
  • A feisty Cheryl jumping out of the taxi telling us to follow her while she sprinted off around the corner to find the service entrance of our hotel. Our driver had wanted to drop us off at the corner with all our shopping due to construction blocking the front entrance.
  • All of us laughing at the border about the other people we saw carrying giant packages of toilet roll. We have now dubbed Cottonelle ribbed “rich peoples toilet paper” 😀
Chetumal Mexico

I would have counted that punch bug as a double but no one was near me when I took the shot ha ha.

Toilet paper is common Mexico Shopping for Belize people

Sandie Aimee and I with our precious TP and the flight home

Next Time

Based on our experience between language barriers and not getting forewarned that the front entrance was unusable, I would stay at a different hotel. Likely Fiesta Inn, I have been there before and I would go there again, it is such a great place. You can see some of the pics I took of my last stay on 2 hotel options in Chetumal Mexico.

I also took pictures of things I liked to keep on file so I could remember next time and recommend to friends going over when applicable. The last 2 pictures below are from both hotels. Sandie and Logan opted to switch choices and move around the corner to Fiesta after seeing the construction at ours and witness our minor difficulties while checking in.

Chetumal Mexico Hotel

Rooftop pool and view at Fiesta Inn

 Chetumal Belize Trip

Ground floor pool and second-floor seating area at Grand Marlon

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice... to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local... information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do what... everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

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