A secluded beach found in Ambergris Caye.
Ambergris Caye (pronounced like “key”) is Belize’s largest island and most popular destination for tourists. Located about 15 miles from the mainland, this tropical island offers hundreds of white sandy beaches with crystal-clear turquoise water. There are numerous attractions and accommodation options that allow for maximum comfort for varying budget sizes. As an added bonus, despite being the top destination for travelers in Belize, Ambergris Caye is not overrun with tourists. The main town, San Pedro, still has an authentic feel and rich culture.
About the Island
Belize is an interesting country because it has the history of a Caribbean country and the culture of a Central American country. It is the only English-speaking country in Central America. If you cannot speak Spanish, it will not hinder you at all in Ambergris Caye (I did notice that some of the locals speak Spanish among themselves). There is also a sizable population of retired expats living in Ambergris Caye. Most of them are from the United States and Europe, and they know the island inside and out.
Golf carts are the primary mode of transportation in Ambergris Caye. I highly recommend you rent one for when you are there. Some of the best beaches are a few miles from the town, so a golf cart makes it much more convenient. They also are readily available and do not need to be booked in advance. Some companies rent them for as low as $30 USD/day.
Things to Do
One of the best things about Ambergris Caye are the beaches. There are tons of beaches there, but many of these are private beaches that belong to different hotels and resorts. There are several good beaches just north of San Pedro, the most famous being Secret Beach. Don’t let the name fool you: there are plenty of bars, restaurants, and people at Secret Beach. There are also more secluded beaches if you are willing to look.
There are different activities you can do off the coast of Ambergris Caye as well. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve has over 4,000 acres of coral reefs and mangrove forests, providing a home to hundreds of species of fish. This is a popular place for diving and snorkeling. Shark Ray Alley offers a great location to snorkel among nurse sharks. If you feel like just spending all day on a boat, there are also sailboats and catamarans that are available to rent. If deep-sea fishing is your thing, that is also an option.
Check out a list of tours available in Ambergris Caye!
Accommodations
Ambergris Caye has a variety of accommodation options for all budget types. Many tourists choose to stay in all-inclusive resorts. These are mostly located north of San Pedro and have their own private beaches. Most of these resorts range from $130-290 USD/night.
If that is out of your price range, don’t give up on your trip to Ambergris Caye yet! There are hotels that are not considered resorts for about $50-70 USD/night. If you are on a tighter budget, there are also hostels with shared dorms starting at $12 USD/night. These hostels are usually not located right on the beach, but they are never more than a quick golf cart drive away. If you want something more unique, I saw huts that were also available for rent.
How to Get There
There are a couple different ways to get to Ambergris Caye. The quickest and most convenient way is to take a 20-minute flight from Belize City to the small airstrip on Ambergris Caye. You can also take a flight from other airports in Belize. I was visiting Xunantunich near the Belizean border with Guatemala, so I flew to San Pedro from the Maya Flats Airport.
You can also take a Water Taxi to Ambergris Caye from Belize City. The trip takes about 1.5 hours and is only about $20 USD. I highly recommend flying at least once and taking the Water Taxi at least once. Flying allows you to get an amazing view of different lagoons and cayes, while taking the Water Taxi allows you to experience how locals travel to and from the mainland.
Best Time to Go
The dry season in Belize is from December until May. This time of the year offers the best weather. Naturally, tourism peaks during this time, so hotels and flights become more expensive.
From June to November, the number of tourists decrease. This is the best time to visit if you are traveling on a budget. From my experience of being in Central America during the rainy season, it usually rains for 30 minutes or an hour everyday. After that, the rain usually clears up. You can still enjoy everything Ambergris Caye has to offer during the rainy season.
