The San Ignacio market is a must for everyone who lives in Belize and for those who visit us. Its situated literally in down town San Ignacio, left of center of town and right next to the Macal river which was a cornerstone of the transportation and communication industries of western Belize.
This market is incredible. Its small and there are stalls that are open every day serving fresh fruit and vegetables. Then something incredible happens starting Friday afternoon. More and more tents start going up, meaning more and more opportunities to get you something that perhaps would not be there between Sunday and Friday morning. Certainly, to know what ‘that’ is you must go to market. We suggest Saturday morning.
The San Ignacio market is a place of culture; a place where one can see the interesting multi ethnicity of the country of Belize. One can see the differences in the faces of the people or, in the multitude of different food that are being prepared and the languages and accents attached to the different languages.
At the end of the day, the market is a place to get your produce fresh. Belizeans support their market. This is a great place to come closest to the western culture and at the same time pick up your fruits and vegetables for the next few days. One very popular thing for visitors to San Ignacio, who travel to the islands, is to stop at the market and pick up the fresh produce they may not be able to get fresh (enough) on an island or next destination.
The San Ignacio market on Saturdays specifically, turns into a fresh fruit and produce center and flea market! Anything and everything can be found there on a Saturday. From used clothes and new clothes; shoes, old tools, puppies, chickens, plastics and handcraft.
Its an interesting place to buy gifts and that ‘one thing’ you never thought you would need. Its amazing that now you can also get your heat “cured” plantain leaves where your delicious tamales will be wrapped for cooking.
Don’t forget to go to the San Ignacio market when you are in western Belize. If nothing else, it’s a great pace to begin your immersion into the multi ethnic world of Belize and the place where you can first test your palate. We think you will get both and perhaps even go back for more!