Belize Is Fun Blog

A Guide to San Pedro – Things to Know When Booking a Resort on Ambergris Caye

Posted by Kelly on Jun 13, 2012 8:57:05 AM

If you've decided to book a stay at a hotel or resort on Ambergris Caye, you'll be spending at least some of your time in San Pedro. Wherever the location of your accommodations happens to be, and whatever your plans are for your vacation, San Pedro is the major town of the island: the Caye's one airstrip is located here, as well as docking for sea vessels, and San Pedro is the place to go to shop and eat.

Because San Pedro is such an important part of Ambergris Caye, it's important to know the lay of the land.

Getting Around

San Pedro is a small town - around a mile long, and only ten streets total - and, as such, is highly walkable. The roads are sandy and unpaved, however, and the tropical weather can get quite hot, so be sure to dress accordingly: warm-weather clothing and sturdy walking shoes.

You need not walk all the time. Golf carts, scooters, and bicycles are common here, and there are businesses that will rent any of them to you. Cars and vans are available too, but due to the roads, they often aren't practical for getting one place to another quickly. Cars and vans will be most useful to the traveler who wants to go on their own to other parts of the island.

Culture

The culture of San Pedro is extremely laid-back. Comfortable clothing and a leisurely pace are the norm here. “You won't be a stranger here for long” is the claim, and most locals are very friendly and relaxed.

Belizeans are usually English speakers. They speak Spanish and Creole in the home, but because San Pedro gets so much tourism, there are plenty of opportunities to practice and they are typically quite fluent.

Attractions

Everything Ambergris Caye has to offer – beaches, diving, fishing, ruins , jungle tours, bird watching – is accessible at San Pedro, but the city itself has some attractions of its own. The Ambergris Museum and Cultural Center will teach you about the history of the island, as well as the culture, past and present, of Belize. Special sailing excursions – for example, to see the sunset- are popular. And San Pedro has a lively selection of restaurants and bars for you to eat, relax and unwind in.

Kelly

Written by Kelly

Topics: Belize, Things to Do, Activities at Gran Pacifica