Pharmacy, drs, post office

    I'm thinking of moving to Sarteneja.  I will need each of these, pharmacy, drs and a post office.  Are there any around?  Medical checkups bcause of asthma, women issues, routine physicals, etc.  I take prescriptions, so will need them filled.  I'll need a post office occasionally too.  So I'm basically wondering about these typical things, if they're in this village, or where?
Thanks,
Jani
   

    -@jani1622

All three are available throughout Belize.

I can’t give you specific info on Sarteneja, but there are a few very helpful Facebook pages specifically for Corozal and Sarteneja, with lots of good and current information.

@Brigitte B

Thanks.  I've seen nothing about healthcare at all in Sarteneja.  I do know about Belize city, but that's 2 hrs away, which is too far for checkups & prescriptions. So am wondering about the village where we're thinking of moving.  i've heard Chunox, but no idea what services they offer, nor how to find out.  Corozal, but with the bridge still out, takes super long too.  No drs, but a walk in clinic there that was very crowded when I went in to inquire a few wks ago.  It seems, for an occasional thing, I guess spending a few hours or all day once in awhile is as good as it gets. 

@jani1622

I still say going on to one or a few of the Corozal/Sarteneja Facebook groups is your best bet, besides being there. Lots of very helpful expats and locals that could help answer your questions.

Good luck!

@jani1622

Brigitte is 100% correct, IF the information you seek is available online, it is most likely to be on Facebook. Websites are not used by most businesses and if they exist at all, are often out of date.

The low population density away from all but a few areas in Belize means many local services including medical are nothing like North America.

Spending a couple of weeks exploring in both dry and wet seasons is always highly advised before making a big life change to Belize. Belize is NOT for everyone.😀

@jani1622 Sarteneja is growing, but is a rural village. In our experience, in most rural areas of Belize you have to travel into a larger town for these needs. Occasionally there will be a health clinic that is open certain days of the week/month (often for doctors in training). Chunox is also a small, rural village and unlikely to have what you're looking for.

We live in rural Corozal District and keep a PO box at the post office in Corozal. You learn to just check it when you go to town. Most things can be done paperless/online these days. Basic medical and dental care, including prescriptions, can be had in Corozal or Orange Walk. If you have complicated needs or a specialist, you may end up in Mexico. 

It's looking like the bridge over the New River will be done around the end of the year, which will make the trip to Corozal easier. The ferry has long delays, but it's better than nothing. When we first moved down 22 years ago it only ran during the day- we weren't sure we'd ever see a bridge there.