Guide to Travel San Pedro, Belize
San Pedro, Belize
About Ambergris Caye, Belize
San Pedro Town is the largest city on the gorgeous Caribbean island of Ambergris Caye. The island belongs to the small Central American country known as Belize and lies 35 km from the coastline. it is roughly 40 km long from north to south and around 1.6 km wide. As with most keys in the Caribbean, Ambergris Caye has nothing in terms of mountains or even hills and is essentially completely flat. That being said this spectacular island has so much to offer, such as; pearly white-sand beaches with turquoise blue waters, super-friendly locals with a uniquely blended culture, delicious food with a Mexican-Caribbean twist, and interesting wildlife like large iguanas and crocodiles.
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About San Pedro Town
San Pedro is a must-visit vacation destination and is perhaps most well-known because of Madonna’s classic hit song “La Isla Bonita”. The city currently has a population of around 10,000 and is continuously growing due to mainlanders and foreigners who want to make this tropical island paradise their full-time home. The town has the classic Caribbean vibes and is surrounded by crystal clear turquoise sea and no matter where you go, you will always hear the smooth sounds of reggae bumping in the background. Anywhere you are in the city you will not be far from a picturesque white sand beach and a cocktail to go with it. The town is abundant in low-rise hotels, beachfront resorts, vacation rentals, and condos with prices that match any budget. There are also plenty of places to get a bite to eat, from the more fancy resort-style restaurants that cost a pretty penny, to the bars, and even street vendors that are very budget-friendly. Though tourism is the number one economy on the island, no hotel or building is allowed to be taller than the height of a coconut tree or three stories total.
San Pedro, Belize
How to Get to San Pedro
To get to San Pedro Town you will have the option to either fly or take a boat from Belize City. if you choose to fly it takes about 20-minutes and costs about $90. If you choose to take a water taxi to San Pedro you will first have to take a taxi to the ferry terminal, which takes about 20 minutes and costs $25, the water taxi then takes around 75 mins and cost another $38 for a roundtrip ticket.
Map of San Pedro
Getting Around
The main modes of transportation on the island are typically by either golf cart or bicycle, but unlike its neighbor Caye Caulker which has no cars at all, there are some cars and taxis on Ambergris Caye. Many resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals provide access to free bicycles so you can easily get around town. But if you want to explore more of the island or head over to the highly recommended Secret Beach, then I would suggest renting a golf cart, which usually costs $25-40 USD per day. That being said, it doesn’t hurt to try to barter with them and get a better deal, like weekly discounts.
San Pedro, Belize
History
Natives to the island are known as "San Pedranos", but the original Pre-Columbian inhabitants were the Maya. It was During the historical War of the Castes when more Mayans and Meztisos were forced to move to the island from Mexico. This is why a large portion of the islanders speak Spanish as their native tongue and to this day maintain their Mexican traditions. San Pedro boasts a brilliant blend of Latin and Afro-Caribbean styles and this is perhaps most evident in the cuisine and in the language you will hear Spanish and Kriol being spoken all over the island.
San Pedro, Belize
San Pedro, Belize
Where to Eat
As we mentioned earlier there are many good places to eat in San Pedro. But the places you choose to eat may depend on where your hotel is located and what kind of transportation you are using. You may also be renting a place that has a full kitchen and in that instance, you may want to cook your own meals and shop at a grocery store or at a local vendor who will provide access to fresh fruits and veggies.
Here are the top restaurants you may like to visit while you're in San Pedro Town.
The French Touch - Healthy French Cuisine
Mesa - American, International
Caroline’s Cookin - Caribbean, Central American
Ammore’Pasta - Italian, Pizza
Coconut Cafe - American, Caribbean
The Coffee Bar - Dessert, Cafe
Robin’s Kitchen - Caribbean, BBQ
Delices de France - European, French
Hungry Grouper - Caribbean, Seafood
Neri’s Tacos - Central American, Mexican
Stella’s Sunset - American, Bar
Though not in the top ten in terms of rating, our Honorable mention would be Crazy Canucks Beach Bar. If you’re visiting from either Canada or the USA and for some strange reason you find that you’re missing home, then check out the Crazy Canucks. They have all your greasy pub food, live rock and roll, and country music needs directly on the beach.
San Pedro, Belize
San Pedro, Belize
What to do in San Pedro Town
San Pedro is packed full of fun activities that the whole family can enjoy. One activity we highly recommend is renting a golf cart and heading across the island to Secret Beach, which is one of the best spots on the island. The drive over there is a neat adventure in itself as you pass through unique jungle and swamp areas where you can spot Belizean wildlife, such as crocodiles. Secret Beach has several beachfront hotels and restaurants, but best of all is the gorgeous Caribbean water that provides wonderful snorkeling and swimming opportunities. If you choose to stay the night at Secret Beach then check out the amazing beachfront resort called Secret Beach Cabanas.
San Pedro, Belize
Where to Stay in San Pedro
There are plenty of excellent places to stay in San Pedro. For an affordable stay and a great location, we highly recommend the Caribbean Villas Hotel.
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