Guide to Ambergris Caye
Guide to Ambergris Caye
Just off the coast of Belize lies Ambergris Caye (pronounced “am-BUR-gris” “key”) – it is one of Belize’s most popular destinations, in particular, its main settlement: San Pedro Town.
The island’s proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — makes it a top spot for sailing, snorkeling, diving, and fishing. It’s also renowned for luxury beach resorts, excellent restaurants, and a nightlife scene that is unmatched elsewhere in Belize.
Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island and most popular destination. It is 25 miles long and about a mile across at its widest points. Its main town, San Pedro, is located in the southern part of the island and contains the airport and the largest concentration of shops, hotels, and restaurants.
Ambergris Caye is 35 miles east of Belize City and 14 miles north of Caye Caulker. Perhaps more importantly, it’s just about 0.75 miles west of Belize’s Barrier Reef, the largest reef system in the Northern Hemisphere, which extends across Belize from Mexico on the north, to near the border with Guatemala on the south.
While Ambergris Caye is the most visited place in Belize, don’t expect it to be over-commercialized or overrun with tourists. The island maintains a low-key, laid-back vibe, earning it a devout following of regular travelers who return every year, and in some cases, they never leave. In fact, Ambergris Caye has Belize’s largest number of ex-pats, predominantly from the U.S.
Things to Do in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
Aside from just lounging on the beach and taking in the beautiful views, there is a lot you can do on the island. Choose from water activities like kayaking, windsurfing, parasailing, or rent a Jet Ski for the afternoon. Of course, scuba diving and snorkeling are two of the biggest reasons people visit Ambergris Caye – in fact, 4 of the top 5 best diving sites in Belize are nearby.
The Belize Barrier Reef is less than a mile offshore so there are countless dive sites and snorkel stops within a 15-minute boat ride. You can spend the morning fishing on the reef and then your guide will cook your catch while you enjoy relaxing on the beach or snorkeling.
Top Things to Do in San Pedro
- Visit during one of San Pedro’s many festivals and events. My favorites are the San Pedro Lobsterfest and the Holiday-lighted boat parade.
- Rent a golf cart (or bike) and explore the island.
- Go barhopping and eat at world-class restaurants.
- Swim at top Belize snorkeling sites such as the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve.
- If you prefer scuba diving, top diving sites near San Pedro are Half Moon Caye Wall, Long Caye Aquarium, and the Great Blue Hole.
Where to Eat in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
If you had a month on Ambergris Caye, you still probably wouldn’t be able to try all the great food spots on the island. Below I have listed my favourite spots but there are always plenty of new restaurants and bars popping up!
Ceviche is probably the most popular dish on the island, showcasing the freshness of the local seafood, but be sure to also try the Mayan buffet at Elvi’s Kitchen and stop in at Estel’s By the Sea for one of the best Belizean breakfasts in town. And don’t leave the island without trying lobster and conch when they are in season!
Top Food Spots in San Pedro
- Elvi’s Kitchen
- Estel’s Dine By The Sea
- El Fogon
- Blue Water Grill
- Waruguma
Where to Stay in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
Despite an uptrend in luxury hotels and beach resorts popping up on the island, Ambergris Caye still offers a variety of lodging options for every budget. From hostel-type accommodations to five-star all-inclusive resorts, you will find something that will suit your needs here.
Top Hotels in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
Best Time to Visit Ambergris Caye
The best time to visit Ambergris Caye is from December to April, during Belize’s dry season which coincides with Belize’s high tourism season since you can expect sunny days and clear blue skies. Due to the popularity of this time, however, the downside is that hotel stays and tours are more expensive.
But in all honesty, things in Belize are relatively not that different during the tourism offseason and a plus is that many discounts are offered. Belize’s offseason is during Central America’s wet season, but unless you’re visiting during a tropical storm, often the rain is overnight or for brief 1 to 2 hour periods, and the rest of the day is fine.
As for a specific day that is optimal to be in Ambergris Caye, this is possibly during San Pedro’s Lobsterfest. Every year during the first week of June, the town throws a large festival at the start of the lobster season. Another great time is during the International Costa Maya Festival or right before Christmas when there is a Holiday-Lighted Boat Parade!
Getting Here & Around
Ambergris Caye doesn’t have an international airport, so you’ll have to fly to the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) near Belize City. From there you’ll need to either take a domestic flight or a watertaxi to the island. Once you’re on Ambergris Caye, transportation options include bikes, golf carts, taxis, and ferries.
Taking a domestic flight to Ambergris Caye is the most direct option since both Belizean airlines: Tropic Air and Maya Island Air are based at the airport. A domestic flight to San Pedro in Ambergris Caye costs approx. US-$80 and you are treated to a 25-30 minute flight with fantastic views of the barrier reef and neighboring islands. Getting to Ambergris Caye from the international airport by watertaxi involves taking a cab to the Belize City where you catch an approx. 1 1/2 hour boat ride. A cab ride from the airport to Belize City is US-$25 and the watertaxi to Ambergris Caye is US-$28.
And if you arrive in Belize via a land border crossing, you should follow this guide. As for when it’s time to leave, just do the opposite.
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