Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye, Belize is an easy island vacation with slow vibes and few worries. This small island has golf carts buzzing up and down the streets with plenty of speed bumps to ensure no one is going faster than the pace of life here. This location is easy for travel for a few key reasons:

• Belize was formerly a British Colony, so most locals speaks English and Spanish
• The US dollar is accepted everywhere. Change will be given back to you in Belizean dollars.
• The exchange rate is 2:1 (easy math!) $2BZD=$1USD
• You can choose to eat from the tiny tacos stands (3 tacos for $2BZD) or hit up one of the many established restaurants more suitable for cautious tourists.
• All of the main attractions are basically off one main road. It’s impossible to get lost, especially with locals walking along the road to provide directions whenever needed.

A local fruit stand on Third Street

Top things to do on Ambergris Caye

Snorkel trip to Shark Ray Alley and Hol Chan. It doesn’t matter which tour group you use, just don’t miss out on this excursion. Swim with the manatees, nurse sharks, turtles, huge schools of fish, eels, the possibilities seem endless. The local tour guides have such an appreciation and understanding of this unique under water world. They will be happy to share the knowledge with you. Plus, the color of the water is not something you get to see everywhere!

Swimming with nurse sharks 

A loggerhead sea turtle swims by me 

Secret Beach. Take your rental golf cart about 30 minutes north and follow the signs to Secret Beach. This unique corner of the island is home to a handful of restaurants and bars and the most amazing calm, blue water. During the weekends, this place fills up with locals and tourists, but mid-week is a much slower pace. You have your choice of food options here. My favorite was Blue Bayou (more on that below!). Secret Beach will give you all the island vibes you’ve been looking for on vacation. It is worth the trip!

Secret Beach

The view from my chair at Secret Beach

Bar crawl on the north island. When traveling north from San Pedro (the main town) you’ll cross a tiny bridge with a toll. For $5BZD you get round trip access to the north island. This is a much quieter part of the island, but has more unique establishments. The high end hotels are on this part of the island too. Take your golf cart up and down the road and pop into all the cool places (Pacos, truck stop, crocs) and try a local drink or 3…

Yoga. I say this for every location. Taking a yoga class while traveling is a great way to slow down, meet great people, and spend time taking in a unique location. Typically the classes are held in cool spots, like here, I took a class in this palapa at the end of a pier.

Ak'Bol yoga retreat 

Ak'bol  yoga retreat

Locals events-The chicken drop, the hermit crab races, it doesn’t matter what you attend, they are all fun and unique. The chicken drop is held on Thursdays at Wayo Bar and the hermit crabs can be found at Crazy Cunucks on Tuesdays.

Rent a golf cart- Once you have your golf cart, you can go anywhere on the island. If you plan on sticking around the main area of San Pedro, you won't need a cart. If you want to go to Secret Beach or even just back and forth between the south and north island you'll want a cart. Plus, it's such a fun way to get around a beach town!

Golf cart parking at yoga class

Golf carts line the street

 Restaurants and bars to try on Ambergris Caye

A quick word on the food options in San Pedro. The food is incredible, but it is also about the same price you’d pay in the states. Unless you plan to eat from the corner taco stand, then you'll get a deal! And remember, Belize is still up and coming. The food quality is very high and there are some beautiful restaurants, but you still need to drive on dark, bumpy roads, bathrooms can be weird, and floors are sometimes just the natural ground. My favorite experience was when I went to Blue Bayou and the server handed us menus and walked off. When he returned to take our order, he proceeded to tell us that he didn’t have anything we had ordered. Finally he said, the only thing we have on the menu is BBQ chicken or you can get a lobster. This is the kind of wacky thing you can expect!

 Restauarants in San Pedro

Waruguma- Listed first because it was my absolute favorite. It’s an open air, casual spot on the third street. I admit that we drove by it a few times and didn’t choose to go in. It wasn’t until a local turned us onto it. Here is what you can expect at this spot- fantastic food! The only food you really get a deal on in San Pedro is lobster, so plan on eating that all week! I had the lobster kebobs and was beyond satisfied. The meal was about $15USD.

Best restaurant in town

Shrimp skewer dinner at Waruguma 

Blue Bayuo- This is a beachfront spot at Secret Beach. To get here you’ll need to go down the road away from the main hangout area. You’ll see picnic tables in the water, and that’s your sign that you are in the right spot. This place took waterfront dining to a whole new level. Your waiter wades through the water to get to you, can't beat that! 

Lunch is served at Blue Bayou

BBQ Chicken and rice 

Elvi’s Kitchen-A local musician strums the guitar, a thatched roof is above you and cool lighting and decorations surround you. This is an easy restaurant to find, so it’s a great spot for your first night in San Pedro. Try the ceviche!

Hidden Treasure- Off the beaten path, but worth the ride. This spot is a beautiful setting with a romantic atmosphere. It’s Belize’s attempt at a fancy restaurant, but I will admit, they miss the mark a little on the high end aspects. The food and wine were good!

Caramaba- You can’t miss this restaurant because it has the biggest sign of all the restaurants in San Pedro. Pick your seafood from the outdoor display you pass as you walk into this place.

Look for the sign to find Caramba

Decisions...decisions

DandE’s frozen custard- Next to Caramaba is the best ice cream in town. Pay extra for the mint chocolate chip- it’s worth it. And if the woman of the house is serving, grab a stool and listen to her story. She’s an expat from the states with quite an interesting story about moving to Belize and the work she has done on the island

A few other spots to consider-

Mahogany Bay- This luxury hotel’s grounds look straight out of a movie. Come for a cocktail and then go somewhere else for dinner!

Palapa Bar- Hang in the water on a tube and have your beer ziplined down to you!

Crazy Cunucks- A waterfront bar that is home of the famous hermit crab races. Don’t miss your chance to buy a crab for the race ($5) and listen to the hilarious MC.

Third street taco stands- Don’t be shy. Hop on a stool and pop your head into the window and ask for tacos. The tacos are all served the same here, one order is 3 small soft tacos. The pork is delightful. And if you’re lucky, you’ll have a great chat with the people working.

Chatting with the taco stand owner and our new friend, Graciano

A little taco stand is the perfect spot for an afternoon snack

North Island

Crocs- The travel book said that people come here at sunset to watch the sun go down and the crocodiles go by. Well, the sun always went down, but the crocs never went by. But this is THE spot for sunset drinks. This large building has two large outdoor spaces with plenty of seating overlooking the water. Feel free to pop in straight from Secret Beach in your bikini, coverup and sea-salt hair. Bring cards to play games at the table while you enjoy the breeze, the sunset, and a nice cold (local beer)

Marbucks- I admit, I came to this place because I figured with a name like that, they’d have to serve my favorite matcha latte. They didn’t. However, we did find a beautiful little spot with quaint cabanas and delicious, healthy breakfast. The breakfast sandwich was the perfect recovery meal after yoga class (just down the street). Try one of the smoothies too!

Marbucks coffee on the North Island