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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

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Treasure Hunting in Belize and a Trip to the Office

by tacogirl 17/04/2015
written by tacogirl 17/04/2015
belize

If you live here or plan to move here then consider this: Unless you leave often or have a herd of mules coming in, you will need to buy clothing at some point. While we do have a few new clothing stores in San Pedro, I know several people who will agree that the second hand shop win hands down for name brand choices. You do, however, have to be in the mood for a treasure hunting adventure when shopping.

I used to go to yard sales and “seconds” shop with my dad as a kid so I grew up with an eye for finding quality gently used things at remarkable prices. I was introduced to the art of the used clothing industry on a deeper level several years back when I lived in downtown Toronto. My old neighborhood has a great vintage clothing district, and since I was friends with a few shop owners, I even got to visit the factory or “Pick” as they called it. Believe it or not there is an art to finding the right stuff, beyond just knowing quality brands. When looking at jeans it was scanning for Levis with a big “E” that would be similar to hitting triple cherries on the slots. At the time (15 years back) they could net as high as $500 and were a real treasure to find. The pieces in those shops had all been handpicked and often there was a reflection of the owner in the store. At my friend Darcy’s shop, it was plaid shirts and Carhart coats. The boys I hung out with at the time had great collections of both. Mine was vintage dresses and aprons – Lucille Ball style.

In Belize, they get bales of clothing shipped in on the mainland. My friend Dennis has friends who imports the bales and then has a sorting station to sell by the pound. As the week goes on their pricing goes down.  On Ambergris Caye, smaller bales get delivered to the shops on Saturday’s and often the stores are busy with shoppers wanting to get first pick as soon as the goods are put out.

In true treasure hunting spirit, you never know what you’ll find, but there are definitely opportunities to score well-known labels such as Old Navy, LL. Bean, Anne Taylor, Tommy Bahamas, sometimes original Hawaiian shirts, and if you are really lucky, Lulu Lemon.

Over the years I have scored many great deals here, and my outfits led me to becoming an occasional personal shopper for a few girls on Ambergris Caye, one in Corozal, and soon to be two in Placencia. Sue, who was one of the first that I have shopped for, asked me if I was willing to take a bunch of girls out on a shopping excursion. I was “all in” because after all, treasure hunting is always more fun when you have someone to share your score with, and with 7 of us there was a bunch to share.

Gap, Ralph Lauren and Armani Exchange were among the labels we scored on our travels which were chock-full of irresistible deals. We had a priceless moment at store number 3 when Sue walked up to a rack out front of the store and picked out a dress with the same print that Linda was wearing – what are the odds?

Shopping works up a thirst, and not only that, the shoppers were also hungry. So we decided on food at The Office since we were in the area.

Our spending range was $4 – $17 BZD, but those who spent more kept pulling piece after piece out of their reusable shopping bags when we did our show and tell at lunch. We all oohed over each others finds and our conversation was all over the map, ranging from shopping and Kardashian craziness to personal opinions on men’s facial hair.

If you have not been to The Office it’s a great place over the water on the lagoon-side of San Pedro. The view is nice, their staff is friendly, prices are good and best of all, there’s no sargasso smell.

Here are pictures from our super fun morning.

living in belizebelize cost of livingliving in belizeliving in belizeliving in belizebelizebelizebelizebelizebelizebelize cost of livingbelizebelize cost of livingbelize cost of livingbelize cost of living

Another upside to the second hand shops is they make great for Halloween Costume shopping. I scored my Study 54 disco ball outfit there last October.

living in belize

Studio 54 disco ball dress picture taken by Matt Hoy

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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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1 comment

Otter 17/04/2015 - 1:46 pm

Hubba Hubba! Who’s the looker?

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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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THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

ABOUT ME

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.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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