Orange Gift Shop & Gallery (www.orangegifts.com; tel. 824-3296) is the best-stocked gift shop in this region and can be found about 11km (7 miles) east of San Ignacio at mile 60 on the George Price Highway. However, I find the prices a bit high, and similar goods can be found less expensively at other shops that are within walking distance of accommodations in town. A good alternative in town is Arts & Crafts of Central America, 24 Burns Ave. (tel. 824-2253). Bakabush Books (tel. 608-0324) at the corner of Bullet Tree Rd and Far West St. is a brand new addition to the neighborhood, and is likely the best selection of books in the Belize, which is notorious for not having many books for sale.

I especially love perusing the San Ignacio Market (no phone), where farmers, traders, and vendors gather to sell jewelry, art, traditional medicines, and heaps of fresh fruit and veggies across from the main soccer stadium, on the banks of the Macal River. It’s open daily from 5am to 6pm, but Saturday is the busiest and best time to visit.

Throughout Belize, and especially in Cayo, you will see slate carvings of Mayan hieroglyphs. If you’re in the area, it’s worth a visit to one of the sources, the García Sisters . This family of artisans runs an interesting little museum-cum-craft shop. It’s located outside of San Antonio village on the road to Mountain Pine Ridge.

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