Looking for the perfect gift to bring back home?  Here are 14 unique gift ideas.

1.  Belizean Souvenir Cookbooks
Looking for some authentic recipes to take back home?  Belizean souvenir cookbooks can be purchased at Belize Budget Suites, located on Ambergris Caye in Belize.  
1. Trent's Belizean BBQ - Is full of authentic local Belizean BBQ recipes.
2. Belizean Jungle Sunrise - Is everything you want for breakfast, and then some.
3. The Belizean Cupcake Queen - Takes you from being a "mom" to a "kids party" baker.
These make excellent gifts, they travel very well if you pack them between the clothing in your suitcase. 

2. Belizean Chocolate
Who doesn't love chocolate.  This is a unique gift, because the chocolate is made right here in Belize.  It is available in many flavors, at almost any local gift shop. In some cases, you can even see the production process, before you buy a few delectable bars of chocolate.

3. Mayan Baskets
Basket weaving is a longtime tradition of the Mayans, who have lived in the area for over 3,000 years. A handwoven basket is a great way to support local artisans and take home a piece of authentic Belize. Give your home a special touch with one of the many unique basket patterns you can find in local markets.

4. Mayan Textiles
The Mayan people, make some of the most beautiful crafts that you will find in Belize.  Anything from handwoven table runners, dolls, purses, back-packs, jewerly, headbands, blankets and belts.  Everything is handmade, right here in Belize.

5. Belizean Rums
Rum is very popular & plentiful commodity in Belize.  Why not sample of few flavors, to see which one you like?  If you’re not a big rum drinker (no problem), take home a delicious rum cake.

6. Hot Sauce
If you're like most people, food isn't food until you spice it up.  Belize makes some of the best hot sauces in the world.  Take home a bottle for yourself as well as a few for your spice-loving friends. Hot sauce made from habanero is the most well-known variety, but you’ll find other types as well.

7. Locally Grown Coffee
Whether you enjoy a cup every day or just now and then, you're in for a treat.  Belize has it's very own coffee, which is grown, processed and roasted right here in Belize.  If you have someone back home who loves coffee, this might be the perfect gift for them.

8. Conch Jewelry
Conch shell jewelry is not only unique, but it's beautiful.  This is a favorite gift for the ladies and a variety of items are available at most gift shops and street side vendors.

9. Wooden Kitchenware
In Belize you’ll find lots of bowls, spoons, cutting boards and other kitchen accessories are carved from ziricote wood.  This is a rare but hardy (tree species), growing in a small portion of Central America. This is the wood of choice by many wood carvers, as it has marbled patches of light and dark grains that you can't find in other woods.  Thus, it’s a truly special souvenir to bring home from a trip to Belize.

10. Wood Carvings
Ziricote is the wood that many local carvers use.  They produce anything from marine life, birds, mammals, ceremonial masks, or other symbols of nature. These make a great keepsake (for any bookshelf) back home, as a unique gift from Belize.  

11. Local Music
The music of Belize is a rich mixture of Creole, Mestizo, Mayan and African influences. Whether your preference is traditional or modern, there is plenty of music right here at your fingertips, from Garifuna to Mayan, to Punta & Reggae. By purchasing a CD from local artists, you are helping to support the local economy. 

12. Hand-Crafted Hammocks
Hammocks are a great way to relax on a breezy day, and they come in a variety of colors.  Enjoy a tropical rum cocktail swinging in your hammock back home, it may even bring back some fond memories of Belize.

13. Beer & Beer Souvenirs
Belikin Beer is popular with many of the tourists.  If you've got that special drinking buddy back home, maybe a beer souvenir is just the ticket.  Anything from branded T-shirts, drinking glasses, koozie or tote bags. A branded souvenir becomes a portable and useful memory of your awesome journey — not to mention a great conversation starter.

14.  Belizean T-Shirt (You Better Belize It!)
Who doesn't love T-Shirts.  T-Shirts express who we are and where we've been.  They make great gifts for just about any age.  Belizean T-shirts can be found in most gift shops, with a variety of Belizean sayings.  Find the one that expresses who you are and pop it into your suitcase.

It's About the Location
Belize is a small country located in Central America (just below the Mexico Yucatan), on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Mexico.  Geographically, it borders (to the northwest) Mexico, (to the east) the Caribbean Sea, and (to the south & west) Guatemala.  
Its mainland is about 180 miles long and 68 miles wide and is roughly the size of the USA state of Rhode Island.  In other words, the mainland isn’t huge.
To the east you have the Caribbean Sea and the Meso-American Belize Barrier Reef, the second-longest barrier reef in the world. 
Off the mainland coast of Belize, are located three of the five Atolls located in the Western Hemisphere.  With the Blue Hole being located in one of the three atolls (Lighthouse Reef Atoll). 
To the north (of the country), you have flat and forested areas.  To the south (of the country), you have the Maya Mountain range. Let's not forget, that the entire country is located along the second largest barrier reef in the world, with one of the largest cave systems (running through it), in all of Central America. 
So what does this mean for your vacation?  It means Belize has the best to offer for most vacationers (with the official language being English, and United States dollars being widely accepted).  There is a wide variety of activities to choose from, anything from diving, to snorkeling, sailing, fishing, hiking, zip lining, cave tubing, horseback riding, blue holes, beaches, cenotes, caves-taverns, waterfalls, mountainous terrain, ancient ruins, marine reserves, national parks, and a local zoo, all just waiting for you.  It's an ecological "theme park", right here at your fingertips.

It's About the People
Belize is home to at least 5 distinct ethnic groups – all of whom are very proud of their heritage.  The official language is English, but many Belizeans who feel tied to their heritage, also speak a language typical for that heritage.  Thus, many Belizeans are fluent in at least two or more languages.
Ethnic groups include: 3 Mayan groups (Yucatec, Mopan, and Q’egchi), Creoles (descendants of English/Sottish settlers), Garifuna (descendants of Island Carib & West/Central African's), Mestizos (mixer of Spanish & Mexican descent), Mennonites, Chinese, Eastern Indians, American, Canadian and Western European's. 
Belize is often called a “melting pot” of cultures (for this reason).  Belize culture is often described as an elegant latticework of different people weaving around and in between each other. Each ethnic group stands out separately and distinct, sharing their culture with one another. 

It's About the Food
Food is one of the more fun aspects of travel. To understand Belize’s food scene, it helps to first understand the people.  Knowing that much of Belize is occupied by distinct ethnic groups, explains the diverse ranges in cuisines found in Belize.
Local street vendors will often carry Belizean BBQ chicken, cole slaw, rice & beans, and tortillas.  Women with plastic tubs, often roam the streets selling meat pies and coconut tarts.  Mayan buffets include dishes which specialized in spiced pork, corn, and chocolate.  Then you have the master chefs (who grace many of the upper class restaurants), filling their menus with Caribbean-Mexican entrees, to tantalize anyone's pallet. You can find an assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables, at local markets which dot the road sides. 

It's About the Adventure
A vacation isn't a vacation until you add the adventure.  Belize is literally an ecological "theme park" for guests to enjoy.   If you're coming to Belize to dive the Blue Hole, descend the shelf walls at the Turneffe Atoll, snorkel the Barrier Reef, swim with sharks, go deep sea fishing and catch fish the size of your small son, sail around an island, explore Mayan ruins, rappel into a cave, kayak along the river through caves, zip line through jungle tree tops, hike through a cave to see an ancient human skeleton, listen to Howler Monkey's, hold a boa constrictor, feed a jaguar, horseback ride through the jungle, canoe through a cave, rappel down a waterfall, enjoy cocktails & dinner on a catamaran to a sunset, climb 130' feet to the top of a Mayan ruin, rip up the jungle trails on an ATV, float through a series of caves on an inner tube, push your toes in the sand and sip on a rum punch....then this is the place for you.   Belize offers you some of the adventures you no doubt have written down on your "Bucket List". 

It's About Where to Stay
You have a variety of choices.  Anything from a beach front (5 star) luxury resort, to the small bunk-bed hostel.  Many people are opting for something in between, that's where we come in. 
Belize Budget Suites caters to the budget traveler, by offering great prices, rooms & amenities.  Each suite offers a private bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, and a separate living area.  It's like having your own mini apartment, to stay in while on vacation.  Air conditioning helps you to sleep comfortably at night, daily housekeeping keeps your room nice and tidy, fresh towels & linens, cable television, internet, and an endless supply of fresh ground coffee in each room.  Belize Budget Suites is conveniently located 1.5 miles from downtown San Pedro, the island airstrip and the water taxi terminals.  You can access the beach, by taking a 1-2 minute walk.  You can contact us by going to the website: belizebudgetsuites.com

Let us help plan your next vacation. 
Website:  belizebudgetsuites.com
Facebook:  Belize Budget Suites
Reservations:  [email protected]

     Belize is a crown jewel carefully carved out by the British over three centuries, located on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America at 17°15′ north of the equator and 88°45′ west of the Prime Meridian on the Yucatán Peninsula. Central America is the isthmus that connects North America with South America. The country shares a land and sea border on the north with the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, a land border on the west with the Guatemalan department of El Petén, and a sea border on the south with the Guatemalan department of Izabal. It is about two hours by air from Miami, or Dallas-Fort Worth. It is a two-day non-stop drive through Mexico from the Texas border. The land border with Mexico is at Chetumal City. 
     From Central Aerica, Belize is a one day drive from Guatemala City, or a half hour boat ride from the Izabal Department in Guatemala that features the beautiful tourist city of Puerto Barrios.  Belize is also located next door to Honduras. A two hour boat ride from Punta Gorda in the Toledo district will land you at Puerto Cortez, Honduras. Commuter flights connect Belize to Chetumal City, Cancun and Merida in Mexico, Flores City (near Tikal) in Guatemala, and San Pedro Sula in Honduras.
      To the east of Belize is the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic ocean; the second-longest barrier reef in the world flanks much of the 386 kilometers (240 mi) of predominantly marshy coastline. Belize Map below is by Google Maps.
      An adventure's paradise, Belize is a peaceful, English-speaking country just two hours away from 4 major U.S. Gateways.  With a diversity of adventure opportunities unmatched by any other country, the Belizean people have protected over 40% of the country as parks and natural reserves.
     Belize is on the Western side of the Caribbean coast, nestled between Mexico and Guatemala and offers an intriguing mix of tropical forest rich with wildlife, majestic mountains, mysterious Mayan temples, diving and fishing experiences beyond comparison.  In a single day, one can go from tropical forest, to the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.
     Here you'll find plenty to do.  If you're coming to Belize to dive the Blue Hole, and the shelf walls at the Turneffe Atoll, snorkel the Barrier Reef, explore Mayan caves and ruins, rappel into a black hole, zip line through jungle tree tops, kayak through (8) caves, explore caves and see the remains of an ancient human skeleton, see actual Mayan pottery, swim with sharks, listen to Howler Monkey's, hold a boa constrictor, fed a jaguar, horseback ride through the jungle, rappel down a waterfall, climb 130' feet to the top of a Mayan ruin, rip up the jungle trails on an ATV, float through a series of caves, and sip on a rum punch.......then this is the place for you.  We offer you clean, affordable, attractive, accommodations, at prices that allow you to do all the things just mentioned.  We're not the "Luxury Ocean Side Resort" & we're not the "Backpacker Inn", we're right smack dab in the middle.  We're the place you're going to be staying at, on your next "BUCKET-LIST" adventure to Belize.

Chances are you'll be asked this question more than once before you get here.  There are many answers, of course, and the one you select will depend on your interests and temperament.  If you're a scuba diver, the offishore barrier reef is an obvious attraction.  If you want to experience the unspoiled jungle, a trip to the interior of Belize makes perfect sense.

Perhaps the most obvious reason to visit Belize is to be able to experience the natural beauty and quiet ambiance of a relatively uncrowded native forests of Latin America have disappeared during the last two centuries, in Belize the opposite is true:  nearly 5 percent of the original forest remains, and in a largely undisturbed form.  Here you'll find hundreds of species of animals and plants that have largely disappeared from most off their original homes, yet are thriving in Belize.  Offshore, meanwhile, one of the world's largest barrier reef harbors exotic marine life in an underwater paradise unparalleled in the Western Hemisphere.

This silver of Caribbean coastline remains the most sparsely populated nation in Central America, with less than 30 inhabitants per square mile.  It is not the smallest country.  With its 8,867 square miles, Belize is slightly larger than El Salvador.  But whereas the latter is bursting with more than 8.5 million people, Belize had an estimated 1999 population of 255,000, about one-third of whom were crowded into a single town:  Belize City.  Stability is another obvious difference.  Belize is a parliamentary democracy that has never suffered under the civil wars and dictatorships that have typified most other Central American countries.  Belize enjoys a high literacy rate (93 percent of adults) and long life expectancy (73 years for women, 67 for men). 

Belize is divided into six political jurisdictions that roughly correspond with states or provinces.  They are, from north to south, the Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek, and Toledo Districts.  Most visitors will spend the bulk of their time in the Belize District, which encompasses the international airport, Belize City, and such northern islands as Ambergris Caye, and Caye Caulker; and the Cayo District, where the town of San Ignacio and most jungle lodges are located.  Of growing interest to visitors are the southerly Stann Creek and Toledo Districts, noted for their nature reserves, Mayan ruins, and pristine offshore waters.  The northerly districts of Corozal and Orange Walk are the most agricultural areas of Belize and thus receive the fewest number of visitors.