You have a recurring dream. It's a dream of a place with clear blue skies and glass-clear water. It's a place where folks are friendly and sincere, with some nightlife but more peace and quiet. This place is on an island, off a tropical shore. It's only a few hours from home, and the people speak English. There are no chains in your dream: no chain stores, no chain restaurants, no chain hotels.
Wake up! You're not dreaming. You're thinking about an actual place, San Pedro in Belize. This tropical mini-metropolis of some 13,000 people is the largest town on the island of Ambergris Caye, home to the local airport and knee-deep in opportunities to eat, drink, go on exotic tours, and engage in retail therapy.
Eating
Let's talk about dining first. Many visitors are surprised to find a thriving international dining scene on Ambergris Caye. From Mexican to Chinese, Italian to barbecue, all your favorite cuisines are here, at prices that will bring a smile to anyone who's vacationed at Grand Cayman or other pricey resort areas. If you're new to delicious, if somewhat spicy, Caribbean cuisine, this is the place to sample it.
Looking & Shopping
Whether you are simply looking to snorkel or are planning a week-long jungle trek, San Pedro Town boasts competent and honest guides. Ask at your hotel or consult a guidebook for recommendations. As for shopping, local tailors in San Pedro will make clothing customized to you, at prices that crush those Stateside. Sales of hand-made jewelry support local artisans, and the Rum Shoppe features marvelous tastes and trinkets for imbibers.
Whatever you seek to do in Belize, billboard-free San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye is definitely the place to be.
