San Ignacio Market
San Ignacio Market
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience San Ignacio Market and nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
81 within 3 miles
Attractions
13 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
304 reviews
Excellent
135
Very good
110
Average
51
Poor
5
Terrible
3
Jamie I
Portsmouth, UK39 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Unfortunately we only had the chance to visit the market in the morning on our last day.
It was a lovely market full of colour and all the local people doing their daily shop.
We had been recommended to try Pupusas and we found a stall offering these. They were made freshly in-front of us and tasted great. The costs were less than £1 each so we were very impressed and would definitely recommend eating in the market even if you’re not on a right budget.
We believe the market is open from around 6am but can’t confirm exactly. Give it a try for cheap and local cuisine!
It was a lovely market full of colour and all the local people doing their daily shop.
We had been recommended to try Pupusas and we found a stall offering these. They were made freshly in-front of us and tasted great. The costs were less than £1 each so we were very impressed and would definitely recommend eating in the market even if you’re not on a right budget.
We believe the market is open from around 6am but can’t confirm exactly. Give it a try for cheap and local cuisine!
Written January 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lesley B
8 contributions
Jul 2021
We visited the San Ignacio Market everyday that we were there to purchase fresh fruit. Prices are super cheap. We were able to buy 10 bananas, 5 oranges, pineapple, papaya and a mango all for less than $5 USD. They let you pick your own fruit, and helped us figure out which ones were ripe for eating. The fruit in San Ignacio is so fresh, and sweet. If there's one day to go, it's definitely Saturday morning. We got there at 7am, and it was already busy. We had the best breakfast where we ordered almost everything off the menu at one of the food booths. We were a group of 5, and had a large breakfast with drinks for less than $15 USD. Also on Saturday, there are multiple people selling souvenirs. If you're paying in USD, do the conversion in your head or use a calculator to count your change. We found that some places did not give us correct change in Belizean dollars back. We weren't sure if it was on purpose, or they just couldn't break it. Try not to bring anything larger than a $5 bill if what you're purchasing is only $1 BZD-$2 BZD. You're better off using $1 bills.
Written July 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leah
7 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
My daughters and I visited the market on a Saturday during our two week vacation to Belize. It was definitely interesting to see all the different fruits available! The energy was good and we felt totally safe but I had hoped to buy a bunch of souvenirs and gifts… the prices at all the artisan stalls were astronomical!! And no one seemed at all willing to negotiate. Luckily, prior to visiting the market, we had walked to the end of the pedestrian area of Burns street, very close to the market, and has found Zyan’s gift shop. Everything there was much cheaper! I went back after the market and stocked up on t-shirts, a blanket, a hand crafted wooden horse and some beaded items. Much better prices than the market!! However, if you are at the market, do try the pupusas. We had several from the Pupuseria and they were about $1/$2 each (can’t recall) and were delicious!
Written July 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew A
Hartford, NY350 contributions
Feb 2022
We had some time to waste before heading out of town so we stopped at the market to do some shopping and to eat breakfast. Our hot local breakfast was great and super cheap $4 American dollars for two people to each with drinks too. We left a healthy tip and you should too. If you need some gifts, fresh fruit and veggies, or a small meal this is a great place. We really enjoyed it.
Written February 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brenda C
Phoenix, AZ60 contributions
Jan 2020
Its open every day, but the best day to visit is on Tuesdays and Saturdays. That’s when everyone is there, and there are tons of vendors. It starts dying down in the afternoon, so it’s best to go in the morning. The food smelled delicious everywhere, so we ate at several locations. Portions are good and the price is cheap. You have to try their chicken tacos, I’m not saying they're amazing, but they're not bad. You get three small rolled (not fried) chicken filled tacos for 1 Belize dollar. We also had popusas, those were amazing, a burrito and a gordita. Everything we had was good, but hands down the popusas were the best. This is also a great spot to buy local crafts and souvenirs. If you're staying at an Airbnb come load up on food to take back to your place.
Overall it was a great experience. Gives you insight on the day to day lives of the locals.
Overall it was a great experience. Gives you insight on the day to day lives of the locals.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarcCarac
Tacoma, WA5 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This is for the pupusa stand right by the San Ignacio sign as you enter the market. The market itself was wonderful and presented an exceptional selection of fruits and vegetables native to the area. Most everyone there was kind and honest. However! The guy at the stand I mentioned didn’t give us our proper change back despite all the prices being listed on the wall. He did the same thing to a group of tourists that followed us. My wife mentioned that she heard some derogatory language thrown our way, which I missed but then heard after the other group of of travelers paid for their meal. That guy was a jerk and I’d give them a 1 star rating if I could - their only saving grace being that the pupusas we’re phenomenal. This is part of travel, and of course not everyone is honest or respectful. It was just a reminder to pay with confidence and pay attention to what you’re owed.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chinesetigress
Seattle, WA178 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
We got to the market around 3:30-4pm on a Saturday and everything was closing up. Finding parking was a bit of a challenge and the streets are kind of crazy with a lot of impatient locals when you slow down a bit. We didn’t but anything but would have if the food vendors were still selling. My suggestion go earlier than we did :) if you can walk from your hotel might be better.
Written January 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OmanRob
Canmore, Canada1,304 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
First place saw us with a private guide and we paid over the odds for some bananas, next place was 1Bz for 8 excellent bananas which is amazing value.
Oranges were great too watermelon really lacks flavour.
Friendly stall owners who don’t hassle you so enjoyable 5 mins
Rob
Oranges were great too watermelon really lacks flavour.
Friendly stall owners who don’t hassle you so enjoyable 5 mins
Rob
Written January 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeff K
Pittsburgh, PA1,694 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
We stopped here on a weekday as it was very close to where we had eaten lunch. Most vendors were selling produce which looked very good although the vendors were largely selling the same products. There were also some vendors in a different area selling souvenirs and household goods.
Not a bad place to visit but pretty ordinary on a weekday. Note that Saturdays are much busier and might be more interesting.
Not a bad place to visit but pretty ordinary on a weekday. Note that Saturdays are much busier and might be more interesting.
Written January 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MathiasKimmy
Boom, Belgium23 contributions
Oct 2021
The saturday market is definitely a must when visiting San Ignacio! It's vibrant and offers you so much to see. There are of course a lot of stands which sell different kinds of fruit and vegetables, but there are also a loot of good food stands and some stands where you could buy arts and crafts. They are very strict now with the covid-19 situation and you will have to sanitize your hands before entering the market.
Written October 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelfam7700
Portland, OR1,296 contributions
Is it close to anything else fun to do in walking distance?
JetSetterJane
Edmonton, Alberta155 contributions
You have to define what you consider to be fun. Belize is a Third World country and there really is not much there. We did enjoy taking day trips out to caves and ruins. But in town itself, it’s pretty low scale.
God_of_Small_Things7
United States1,490 contributions
What are the hours when this market is open?
nextportofcall
Ottawa, Canada228 contributions
I think it is open from early each morning, certainly before 7, until late afternoon. Saturday’s is the prime time when so much is going on. Great foods cooked and prepared on site as well.
Erin M
Toms River, NJ31 contributions
We had hoped to be able to visit the market on a weekend but we will be in San Ignacio during the week? Will we still get to enjoy most of what the market has to offer? Specifically the fruits and veggies and most importantly the FOOD!
Erin M
Toms River, NJ31 contributions
We had hoped to be able to visit the market on a weekend but we will be in San Ignacio during the week? Will we still get to enjoy most of what the market has to offer? Specifically the fruits and veggies and most importantly the FOOD!
seahunters2000
Los Angeles, CA278 contributions
Yes, the fruit & veggies are there everyday during the week. On saturdays it's more of a swap meet with clothes & household items. All the booths have pretty much the same stuff. We buy at Balognas they have organic. It's one of the first booths off the Main Street in town.
kelly_hanuska
Hartman, Arkansas2 contributions
We will be porting in Belize and really would like to know if this market is close to the port or even in the general vicinity.
heyjudithz
Knoxville, TN1,498 contributions
No, it is at least an hour away. And, frankly, it is not worth the hour drive. The San Ignacio market is really more of a shopping spot for locals, with lots of fresh produce. The clothing I saw was made in China and there were very few craft items. You will dock at Belize City, where I do not recommend you wander around alone. You may check on things to do closer to the city where you will be with other people. Sorry to disappoint you, but it is not worth over an hour's drive to this market. Have a safe trip.
kelly_hanuska
Hartman, Arkansas2 contributions
We are on a cruise that will be stopping in Belize. Would this market be close enough to this port?
pinkspottedzebras
DFW, Texas161 contributions
Not unless you're taking an excursion to the Cayo District. It's a 30 min flight or couple hour drive. Sorry. :(
133travels
San Francisco, CA1,933 contributions
Is there a place near the SI Market where I could store my luggage?
Does anyone know if they hold market on Sunday's?
good-living-montreal
Montreal, Canada204 contributions
Yes, there is a market, but main days with fresh produce are Tuesday, Friday and Saturdays.
lomei
San Mateo, CA13 contributions
What are the hours of this market? Thanks!
alvinbz501
San Ignacio, Belize55 contributions
The San Ignacio Market is regular time is 6am to 6pm Monday to Friday, Saturday is the best time to visit, as it is going from 5am, when some farmers arrive with fresh produce for sell. Later in the day more vendors arrive with all sort of goodies from all over western Belize and the coast.
San Ignacio Market - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about San Ignacio Market
- We recommend booking San Ignacio Market tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 San Ignacio Market tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near San Ignacio Market:
- (0.09 mi) Don Santiago Guesthouse Downtown
- (0.10 mi) Kawoq Hostel
- (0.09 mi) Martha's Guesthouse
- (0.05 mi) Maya Bella Downtown Hotel
- (0.09 mi) Casa Blanca Guest House
- Restaurants near San Ignacio Market:
- (0.02 mi) Western Dairies San Ignacio
- (0.02 mi) Casa Pan Dulce Bakery
- (0.02 mi) Bambu Tee Belize
- (0.02 mi) D'Stock Burger
- (0.02 mi) Mom's Backyard Restaurant & Bar
San Ignacio Market Information
Excellent Reviews | 135 |
|---|---|
Very Good Reviews | 110 |
San Ignacio Market Photos | 265 |