Ambergris Caye, Belize Journey Information

Peeking above aquamarine waves that conceal the world’s second-largest barrier reef, Belize’s Ambergris Caye first emerged as a vacation spot for the daring. Drawing collectors of nice experiences, like diving the depths of the Nice Blue Gap or chasing after 100-pound tarpon on deep-sea fishing charters, it was before everything a Caribbean island synonymous with journey.

Greater and buzzier resorts and resorts, and even a Six Senses property set to debut later this 12 months, are popping up alongside its white sands as Ambergris Caye steps into a brand new highlight. “Guests are discovering there’s a lot to do in Ambergris Caye, past simply the fishing and diving that first introduced folks right here,” says Scott McArdle, normal supervisor of Alaia Belize, Autograph Assortment. “Within the span of simply at some point, you may take pleasure in conventional Belizean delicacies on the seaside, go to Maya ruins, and even sail out to pretty little Caye Caulker.”

Regardless of the island’s rising enchantment amongst luxurious vacationers, its adventurous facet nonetheless attracts an eclectic crew able to crack open a coconut and ease into island time. With huge swaths of tangled mangrove forests and untouched stretches of shoreline, Ambergris Caye greets each forms of vacationers with one thing supremely particular.

Greatest Inns and Resorts

Alaia Belize, Autograph Assortment

Severely spacious suites, a full-service spa, and a distinct restaurant and bar to attempt each night make the brand new Alaia Belize the darling of Ambergris Caye. An elevated rooftop infinity pool, reserved for adults, is a favourite spot for sundown cocktails, providing 360-degree views throughout the island and sea. You may in all probability by no means need to go away, however in case you do, the concierge can coordinate all the things from deep-sea fishing charters to treks to long-lost Maya ruins deep within the jungle. You may even get PADI licensed on the resort’s personal onsite dive and snorkel tour store.

Mahogany Bay Resort & Seashore Membership, Curio Assortment by Hilton

With over 200 rooms unfold throughout its assortment of cottages, suites, and villas, Mahogany Bay Resort & Seashore Membership is without doubt one of the bigger resorts in Belize. Regardless of its dimension, its unparalleled dedication to native heritage, craftsmanship, and second-to-none service makes it really feel like a boutique property by way of and thru. A favourite amenity is the resort’s personal seaside membership, accessible by water taxi and full with a full-service seaside bar and grill, in addition to cabanas and hammocks suspended over impossibly clear waters.

Matachica Resort & Spa

The “personal by nature” tagline of Matachica Resort & Spa, a part of the Small Luxurious Inns of the World, feels supremely becoming for this secluded sanctuary by the water. Thatched-roof casitas set immediately on the sand really feel like an instantaneous invitation to unwind. All that tranquility is met by daring Caribbean flavors at Mambo and stay music-powered completely happy hours at Danny’s Treebar, wrapped round one of many property’s old-growth timber.

Victoria Home Resort & Spa

One of many first main resorts to open within the nation over 4 many years in the past, Victoria Home Resort & Spa has had years of expertise perfecting the artwork of the beachfront trip in Belize. Set throughout 10 sprawling acres of sand are simply 42 rooms, casitas, and villas that match fashionable luxuries with informal Caribbean cool, although the unique Admiral Nelson’s palapa-style seaside bar continues to be the place to be.

Greatest Issues to Do

Snorkel or dive in Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

The protected waters of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve sit just some miles south of Ambergris Caye, dwelling to among the richest areas of the nation’s barrier reef, together with the world’s finest snorkeling and dream-worthy dive websites. Shark Ray Alley is a very standard space with guests who dare to snorkel alongside turtles, stingrays, and even nurse sharks that slide peacefully by way of crystalline waters.

Go fishing.

Earlier than stunning new resorts began placing Ambergris Caye on the map with vacationers, fishermen flocked to bare-bones fishing lodges to take pleasure in lengthy days spent in pursuit of the “Grand Slam” catch of bonefish, tarpon, and allow. World-class fishing alongside the island’s reefs, within the shallow flats, and amidst deep blue ocean make half-day and full-day charters the most effective methods to go the time, whether or not you are a newbie or an skilled angler.

Go to Secret Seashore.

“Secret Seashore is Ambergris Caye’s worst-kept secret,” quips Beth Clifford, proprietor of Mahogany Bay Resort & Seashore Membership. She estimates that as much as 80 p.c of the friends at her resort make the 45-minute drive north to see what all of the hype is about. The shallow, clear waters of the island’s west coast lap towards white sand at a beachfront lined with bars and eating places famed for putting umbrella-shaded tables immediately within the water to maintain patrons cool. Anticipate a vibrant ambiance, maybe too boisterous for some, at any time of day.

Take a day journey to the jungle.

“Belize is well-known for the ‘sand and stone’ expertise, the place guests spend a few days on the mainland in a jungle lodge seeking out Maya ruins and studying make chocolate earlier than spending a pair extra out on the islands,” explains McArdle. However from Ambergris Caye, spending the day exploring Maya pyramids and archeological websites is a straightforward day journey. Tour suppliers and resort concierges can manage your complete expertise so that you make it again in time for completely happy hour by the ocean.

Greatest Eating places

Elvi’s Kitchen

When Doña Elvia began serving meals from a tiny takeout window at her home in San Pedro nearly 4 many years in the past, she might have by no means guessed that at some point her delicacies could be thought of among the finest in Ambergris Caye. Elvi’s Kitchen is now a favourite with locals and vacationers alike for dishes like contemporary fish ready in Maya adobo sauce and even distinctive vegan and vegetarian dishes like coconut ceviche and curry.

Caramba Restaurant

The meals at Caramba Restaurant is so contemporary “they’re going to allow you to pick the precise fish you need to eat for dinner,” says Richard Evanich, managing director at Mahogany Bay Resort & Seashore Membership. A seafood-heavy menu with all the things from octopus and snapper to lobster tails options Caribbean and Mexican-inspired dishes at what’s one among San Pedro’s hottest eating places.

El Fogón

Big pots full of soups, stews, and curries simmer over open flames at El Fogón, an area staple in downtown San Pedro identified for utilizing age-old cooking strategies to craft flavorful Belizean dishes like beef stew and fish soup paired with coconut rice. Open from Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, this tiny restaurant will get busy, so reservations are really useful.

Blue Bayou

The primary overwater restaurant and bar at Secret Seashore, Blue Bayou impressed the now ubiquitous in-water eating at Ambergris Caye’s not-to-secret seaside spot. Chilly beers and frozen cocktails are a should, however a surprisingly various menu of dishes starting from ceviche and grilled fish to fried conch fritter awaits beachgoers as properly.

Neri’s Tacos

Ask any native the place to seize a budget-friendly chunk in San Pedro, and so they’re certain to advocate Neri’s Tacos, the place genuine Mexican road meals reminds you the border is only a stone’s throw away. Simply two blocks from the airport, it is a standard first cease for guests as quickly as they arrive on the island.

Areas to Go to

San Pedro

Simply three predominant streets run north to south by way of San Pedro, the one city on Ambergris Caye. Regardless of its tiny dimension, San Pedro is dwelling to a mixture of excursion-peddling tour corporations, reasonably priced lodging, and eating places and bars catering to everybody from salty fishermen and price range backpackers to vacationers headed for resorts. It sits just under a divide within the island crossed by a bridge, marking distinct north and south sides of the island.

The North Finish

Cross the bridge from San Pedro and really feel the tranquility set in as you head north by way of principally undeveloped stretches of mangrove forest that kiss stunning seashores alongside the coast. Lots of the island’s bigger, extra upscale resorts are discovered on this a part of the island, however go too far, and you will hit bumpy roads that remind you it is typically simpler to journey by sea in Ambergris Caye.

The South Finish

The southern a part of Ambergris Caye is dwelling to San Pedro, however head additional south for a quieter space dotted with personal residences, villas, and a handful of resorts that profit from the island’s stunning beachfront. With nicer roads, it is simpler to entry this a part of the island.

Greatest Time to Go to

One of the best time to go to Ambergris Caye is between December and April when nice, sunny days remodel the island into the beachy haven that winter-weary guests crave. Could and June are typically a pleasant shoulder season when decrease costs and good climate converge, however remember that the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November and brings an opportunity of tropical storms.

Fishermen flock to Ambergris Caye year-round, although native guides say it tends to be notably straightforward to catch probably the most sought-after species between June and early September. Devoted snorkelers and divers will do higher to e book a visit for the drier months between December and April, when unbeatable underwater visibility offers Ambergris Caye a few of the clearest waters on this planet.

The convergence of Belize’s Independence Day and the festive St. George’s Caye Day within the first weeks of September convey native festivals, parades, carnivals, and loads of conventional Belizean bites to the island. “It is a good time to expertise a bit extra of the native tradition, and is conveniently probably the most reasonably priced time to go to the island,” says McArdle.

The best way to Get There

For many, the journey to Ambergris Caye begins by arriving at Belize Metropolis’s Philip S. W. Goldson Worldwide Airport (BZE). United Airways presents probably the most flights to Belize Metropolis of any provider, with nonstop service from Houston, Newark, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Denver. Nonetheless, a number of main carriers additionally supply flights into the town from throughout the U.S., some with seasonally dependent frequency.

From Belize Metropolis, a brief, 15-minute flight on small plane from native carriers Tropic Air or Maya Island Air join vacationers to San Pedro Airport (SPR). Flights depart from Belize Metropolis’s worldwide and municipal airports and boast breathtaking views over the electric-blue waters of the Caribbean that make the journey only one extra a part of the expertise. Alternatively, water taxis and ferries join the island to the town, making a number of day by day journeys.

The best way to Get Round

Downtown San Pedro is compact and walkable, so most guests staying near the town heart will not want to fret about transportation as soon as they’re settled in. These staying a bit farther from city, or just on the lookout for a bit extra journey, will love that golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation on the island. They’re rentable from native outlets like Carts Belize or from among the island’s bigger resorts and resorts.

“There is a sure enchantment to taking off in a golf cart and exploring the island, particularly its extra distant seashores, with freedom,” says McArdle, “however the easiest way to get across the island is actually by boat.” Keep away from the uneven, unpaved roads on extra untouched stretches of the island by skirting across the shores, particularly to locations like Secret Seashore.