Tasty Fruits To Try In Belize

mamey sapote belize
Reading Time: 6 mins

Ok, fruit lovers, I’ve compiled a list of the top fruits to eat in Belize and I’m sure you’ll thank me for it. These juicy and delicious fruits can be found throughout Belize at local farmers’ markets, convenience stores, and fruit and vegetable stalls, including food vendors on bicycles. Most restaurants also serve fruit platters during breakfast so make sure to ask for them in the mornings.

And the best news is that no matter where you get it from, fruit in Belize is always good and fresh!

Here are 20 must-have Belizean fruits:

1. Sapodilla

belize sapodilla fruit
Delicious Sapodilla fruit – Photo by Chef Adam

This plant is native to Belize and the Yucatan Mexico. It is sweet and has a granular texture. I love this fruit but my biggest disappointment was when I planted the tree in my backyard and it took over 8 years before it gave fruit. It takes really long to grow.

  • Available: December to March

2. Mango

belize mangos
Belizean selling mangos on the roadside – Photo by JCCuellar

You’re in for a treat if it’s mango season when you’re in Belize. All across the county you can witness various types of mangos, in different shapes, size and colours. My favourite is slippers mango.

  • Available: June, July & August

3. Soursop

Ripe Soursop
Sweet and tart = delicious

This fruit is native to Central America and the Caribbean. It is creamy and sweet and reminds me of a strawberry and pineapple mix with a hint of tartness. Ice cream of this flavour is very popular in Belize and it’s delicious.

  • Available: December to February; August and September

4. Breadfruit

breadfruit in Belize
I love frying it and eating it by itself

This fruit is very common in Belize but isn’t native to the country. It was brought here by explorers and pirates. It is rich in starch so it is popular for dinner time, it is primarily roasted, baked or fried.

  • Available: May and June

5. Pineapple

Ripe and juicy pineapple
Ripe and juicy pineapple

Nothing describes the tropics better than a juicy pineapple and Belize has some of the most delectable ones. You will find this fruit everywhere in Belize, at breakfast buffets and in many of your drinks.

  • Available: Year-round

6. Papaya

Papaya in Belize
Papayas at the local Farmers’ Market – Photo by Frantz Smith

Another proud export of Belize, Papaya is popularly harvested in Belize and is beyond sweet when eaten at the right moment. You can also spot Papayas in the wild if you go birdwatching – its an absolute delicacy for birds.

  • Available: Year-round

7. Dragon Fruit

Dragon Fruit in Belize
Dragon Fruit can be found at most fruit stalls in Belize – Photo via ambergriscaye.com

Also known as Pitaya, Dragon fruit is a weird-looking fruit. Everyone says it is sweet but most of the times that I have had it it has been either sour or a bit bland. It’s seedy texture also doesn’t make it a favourite for me. Let me know if you thin k otherwise.

  • Available: April and May

8. Guaya

guaya fruit in belize
Guaya is sold in bunches like above for a dollar per bag – Photo via davesgarden.com

This incredible fruit is one of my favourites. It is sweet when eaten at perfect ripeness but can be sour when it’s not. It has various names throughout the world but in Belize you can also ask for it by Ginep.

  • Available: May and June

9. Cacao

cocao fruit belize
The white pulp is tender and sweet

For those of you that didn’t know which fruit produced chocolate – here it is. The beans that are later ground to make Chocolate are covered with a flesh that is amazingly sweet and a treat for anyone desiring an exotic fruit.

  • Available: Year-round

10. Golden Plum

golden plum belize
Eat them a little ripe so that they aren’t too sour

Belize has a lot of plums but my favourite is the Golden Plum aka Ambarella. It is tart and crunchy and is eaten raw with a mix of salt, black pepper and some Marie Sharps hot sauce. With each bite you take, dip the plum into the mixture. Kids love it.

  • Available: May and June; sometimes year-round

11. Sapote/ Mamey

mamey sapote belize
The colour is inviting, right? – Photo by Mizpah Matus

Sapote is similar to Sapodilla but better in so many ways. This one is called Mamey and grows in large trees that attract various wildlife. The skin is sandpaper-like and the inside is pink, soft, creamy and sweet. It is easily one of my favourite fruits in Belize!

  • Available: March, April, May, June & July

12. Apple Banana

apple bananas belize
Find these alternative bananas for a treat – Photo by Gale/ dreamerfarmer

As a major exporter of bananas, you will find that Belize has some of the tastiest bananas in the world. But nothing compares to eating the Apple Bananas.. OMG, they are amazing. As a child I would always ask my parents for these instead of  the regular bananas since they are super sweet and aromatic.

  • Available: Year-round

13. Craboo

craboo fruit in Belize
Yellow is the most common Craboo

Also known as Nance, this fruit is primarily yellow but can also be found in various colours. It is sweet and is used to make a variety of things, the most popular being stew Craboo, followed by Craboo ice cream.

  • Available: June, July & August

14. Coconut

yellow coconuts in belize
Fresh coconut water is easily available

I just thought I’d remind you that you need to have some fresh coconut water when you’re in Belize and make sure you try the tender pulp.

  • Available: Year-round

15. Tamarind

Tamarind sweet
Tamarind candy is delicious

Tamarind is native to Africa and has become popular in all of the tropics. It tastes sour and is a big part of cuisine in various countries. I love eating it as a candy, it is crushed with brown sugar and sold at convenience stores. The juice is spectacular also.

  • Available: March and April

16. Cashew Fruit

cashew fruit belize
The orange colour Cashew fruit is the tastiest

Everyone knows of the nut, but not many know of the delicious fruit. It is sweet and juicy when eaten fresh but leaves your mouth with a dry aftertaste. It is also used for making wine, which is very popular.

  • Available: May and June

17. Starfruit

starfruit Belize
The starfruit is a unique and interesting things to try

Originally from Southeast Asia, this fruit it now commonly grown in Belize. It gets its name because when you cut it horizontally, it looks like a star. It has high nutritional value and it mostly tastes sweet but sometimes can be a bit sour.

  • Available: April and May

18. Malay Apple

Malay apple
This fruit is also known as Wax Apple

Malay apple is a native of Malaysia and was brought to the Americas by colonizers. Due to the climate, typical apples can’t grow in Belize and this is an excellent substitute. The trees grow huge and bear a lot of fruit.

  • Available: June and July

19. Sea Grape

sea grape belize
Birds love the Seagrape – Photo by Wilma via Southenglishtown.blogspot.com

Since I’m not from the Cayes, I wasn’t introduced to sea grape until I visited Caye Caulker – wow, I was missing out. It is sweet and can be found in coastal beach areas.

  • Available: June and July

20. Custard Apple

Custard Apple Belize
This fruit is also popularly known as Annona

The custard apple is a popular fruit in tropical countries and very abundant in Belize. It has a granular texture and is very sweet. Belizeans love eating it with sweetened condensed milk.

  • Available: February and March

Which one do you consider to be the best fruit? I LOVE Soursop, Mamey and Mango!

Comments

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathie says

    Hi Lorenzo,

    I love your post of fruits. Since your post of the fruits available and which seasons is not available to copy and print, how can I get a copy to give to my visitors? Do you have a booklet or some other way? I could pay for a download?

    Thanks,
    Kathie

  2. Glenda Olive says

    I fell in love with the dragon fruit and the fresh coconut, just picked from the trees. Was so dissapointed to get back to the USA and couldn’t find dragon fruit anywhere.

  3. Dee Fuller says

    This was a great post as an FYI but what would be even more wonderful would be if someone would take the time to list how you eat or prepare each fruit. Possibly list some favorite recipes as well? 🙂

  4. Dee Fuller says

    This was a great post as an FYI but what would be even more wonderful would be if someone would take the time to list how you eat or prepare each fruit. Possibly list some favorite recipes as well? 🙂

  5. Janice Bood Hertular says

    I love all the fruits of Belize I miss them dearly it takes me back to my childhood. We never knew we were poor when it's fruit season. There is always something good to eat. Sweet Belize.

  6. Wilma Lingle says

    Belize Adventure just north of Monkey River Village. We have seagrape, banana, breadfruit, tamarind, craboo, guava, plantain, mango growing here.

  7. Belize Adventure says

    Mameys are the best! I love it eating it just like that or in milkshakes – yum! Are you located in Caye Caulker? I ask because I've never seen a sea grape tree in San Pedro.

  8. Wilma Lingle says

    Mangoes are my favs with mamey next. I still haven't tried golden plum or guaya – I'll put them on my list. I didn't care for craboo, it must be an acquired taste! Thanks for the photo credit for the seagrapes. We have a fine crop right now that the birds (and humans) are feasting on. Wilma at http://southenglishtown.blogspot.com/

  9. Wilma Lingle says

    I still haven't tried golden plum or guaya – I'll put them on my list. I didn't care for craboo, it must be an acquired taste! Thanks for the photo credit for the seagrapes. We have a fine crop right now that the birds (and humans) are feasting on. Wilma at http://southenglishtown.blogspot.com/

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