hayesktrm Posted June 21, 2013 #1 Share Posted June 21, 2013 On our last trip to Cozumel, I bought vanilla, which tasted wonderful! I don't believe it was a bargain, though. This cruise we are going to Cozumel, Belize and Roatan and I would like to pick up some more. We are going on Victor Bodden's private tour and I know they offer to stop at a local grocery store. I am wondering if the vanilla would be good there or if it's priced better. We are going cave tubing in Belize and I don't know if they have a local store at the restaurant we could buy some. In Cozumel, is there a good place to buy vanilla? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWolver672 Posted June 21, 2013 #2 Share Posted June 21, 2013 There are several stores right at the pier that sell it at reasonable prices. Make sure the label has a rooster on it. (That's a guarantee that it's coumadin free.) That's the best kind. The store where we bought ours sold mainly cigarettes and liquor. They even wrapped the vanilla bottles in little expandable sleeves to protect them. Getting back on the ship, the guy watching the x-ray machine spotted the bottles in our bag and told me I had to turn them in at the desk. I told him that it was vanilla and he just said "OK". I thought afterwards, I wonder if you could get away with that if it was alcohol and just tell them it was vanilla. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrsdigi Posted June 21, 2013 #3 Share Posted June 21, 2013 There are several stores right at the pier that sell it at reasonable prices. Make sure the label has a rooster on it. (That's a guarantee that it's coumadin free.) That's the best kind. The store where we bought ours sold mainly cigarettes and liquor. They even wrapped the vanilla bottles in little expandable sleeves to protect them. Getting back on the ship, the guy watching the x-ray machine spotted the bottles in our bag and told me I had to turn them in at the desk. I told him that it was vanilla and he just said "OK". I thought afterwards, I wonder if you could get away with that if it was alcohol and just tell them it was vanilla. There you go...say it's vanilla....rum.... :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzinlisa Posted June 21, 2013 #4 Share Posted June 21, 2013 I always buy mine in Mexico. Prices are decent but not as good as on the mainland. The shop we bought ours at was a big shop that sold pretty much everything. Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Love my butler Posted June 21, 2013 #5 Share Posted June 21, 2013 The best price is in Belize. Haggle a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted June 21, 2013 #6 Share Posted June 21, 2013 I always buy mine in Mexico. Prices are decent but not as good as on the mainland. The shop we bought ours at was a big shop that sold pretty much everything. Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2 Always buy some in Cozumel. Need to haggle a bit on the price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubbakirk43 Posted June 21, 2013 #7 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Los cinco soles in cozumel has the best vanilla. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CruisinCrow Posted June 21, 2013 #8 Share Posted June 21, 2013 I like to get mine at Los Cinco Soles because I know it's good, but it's not the cheapest. A grocery store would probably be cheaper. Just make sure you check the expiration date and look for a good brand, like Azteca. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jimbo5544 Posted June 21, 2013 #9 Share Posted June 21, 2013 I like to get mine at Los Cinco Soles because I know it's good, but it's not the cheapest. A grocery store would probably be cheaper. Just make sure you check the expiration date and look for a good brand, like Azteca. Agreed, it is the real deal there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kangapong Posted June 21, 2013 #10 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Like CruisinCrow, we also get ours at Los Cinco Soles. It's the best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vkg090902 Posted June 21, 2013 #11 Share Posted June 21, 2013 What is a good prices and is there a limit you can bring back to the US? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DebJ14 Posted June 21, 2013 #12 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Los cinco soles in cozumel has the best vanilla. That is where I always buy it. It is good quality and coumadin free. Worth paying a little extra - you get what you pay for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted June 21, 2013 #13 Share Posted June 21, 2013 On our last trip to Cozumel, I bought vanilla, which tasted wonderful! I don't believe it was a bargain, though. This cruise we are going to Cozumel, Belize and Roatan and I would like to pick up some more. We are going on Victor Bodden's private tour and I know they offer to stop at a local grocery store. I am wondering if the vanilla would be good there or if it's priced better. We are going cave tubing in Belize and I don't know if they have a local store at the restaurant we could buy some. In Cozumel, is there a good place to buy vanilla? Check to be sure the vanilla doesn't contain coumarin (it wouldn't be coumadin). You don't want that in your cakes and cookies. After having brought back from Mexico and Dominican Republic and acknowledging a more significant flavor from their vanilla, I now buy vanilla from William Sonoma. IMO, go to the mall and buy it there. It's safe, you know what is in it, it won't leak in your luggage and is excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tattoos Posted June 21, 2013 #14 Share Posted June 21, 2013 We purchased our vanilla last month in Cozumel, $5 for 16.6 fl oz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hayesktrm Posted June 21, 2013 Author #15 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Thanks for all the ideas. I really enjoyed the flavor of the one in Cozumel and glad that I now know what to look for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xplnusa Posted June 21, 2013 #16 Share Posted June 21, 2013 My wife and I purchased some while in Mexico last year. Honestly you can make better vanilla at home on your own, its really not that hard at all. Its just split vanilla beans and vodka. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bitemyfly Posted June 21, 2013 #17 Share Posted June 21, 2013 I know you can get great prices in Mexico But I stopped buying it years ago I rather pay double/ triple the price here In the states We don't use a lot But I trust the food supply chain here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoconutJD Posted June 21, 2013 #18 Share Posted June 21, 2013 You'd probably get the best prices at a place the locals shop at, like the Mega in Cozumel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted June 21, 2013 #19 Share Posted June 21, 2013 There are several stores right at the pier that sell it at reasonable prices. Make sure the label has a rooster on it. (That's a guarantee that it's coumadin free.) That's the best kind. The store where we bought ours sold mainly cigarettes and liquor. They even wrapped the vanilla bottles in little expandable sleeves to protect them.. For sure, you want the rooster on the label! Also, the best is not the least expensive. ;) LuLu ~~~~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memecakes Posted June 21, 2013 #20 Share Posted June 21, 2013 COSTCO!!!! $6 Bucks and no worries about anything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwi121210 Posted June 21, 2013 #21 Share Posted June 21, 2013 We got our Vanilla in Belize after cave tubing. My hubby speaks spanish so that is plus! We always buy at least 5-6 bottles at a time and that helps too. We buy Liter bottles and I think they ran us $4-5 a piece. We are down to one bottle so thank goodness we are going next May. All my vanilla is gonna be gone before then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SadieN Posted June 21, 2013 #22 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Best place to buy food souviners is a local supermarket. Vanilla is easy to make-- Three beans in a litre of vodka makes a wonderful vanilla. (A bean stuck into sugar makes vailla sugar, good for those who cannot consume alcohol.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeatherC430 Posted June 21, 2013 #23 Share Posted June 21, 2013 This seems to be the same place/kind I bought myself last time I was in Cozumel! It's lasted for years and was about $10 for a large bottle. It's 10x better tasting than anything I've bought around home in the grocery store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opentoadventure Posted June 21, 2013 #24 Share Posted June 21, 2013 Stateside, I recommend Penzey's mail order. Family-owned, trustworthy and they have several regional types. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLBCruisin' Posted June 21, 2013 #25 Share Posted June 21, 2013 I always get the big bottle of vanilla at Los cinco soles, and several little bottles as souvenirs. Be sure and check the expiration dates to make sure what you buy has the longest shelf life! R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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