Ambergris Caye

Traveling to Ambergris Caye Belize has never been easier. Due to the growing popularity, more airlines are flying to Belize City than ever before. There are not international flights that go to the island of Ambergris Caye. To travel to Ambergris Caye you must take a either a direct flight or water taxi ride.

Currently, United Airlines, Delta, American Airlines, US Airways, Southwest Airlines and more, fly directly into Belize City. You can fly directly to Belize from Chicago, Miami, Newark, Houston, Charlotte, Atlanta and Dallas. Connecting flights to Ambergris Caye can be booked through the two local airlines, Tropic Air or Maya Island Air. The flight to the island is a short 15 minutes. The local airline flights from Phillip S Goldson International Airport (BZE) fly several times a day. Once through customs and immigration, check in with your connecting airline directly from the terminal.

Other Options

You may prefer to get to Ambergris Caye via water taxi. From Phillip S Goldson International Airport you will need to take a taxi to the water taxi terminal.  The Belize International Airport is less than 10 miles from downtown Belize City in a town called Ladyville.    Water taxies to the islands leave several times a day. Here are some handy links to help you organize your trip:

Tropic Air: https://www.tropicair.com
Maya Island Air: http://www.mayaislandair.com
San Pedro Belize Express ( Water Taxi ): http://www.belizewatertaxi.com

GETTING AROUND THE ISLAND

Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island. The island is less than 40 miles in length from top to bottom, and about four miles wide at its widest point. The most popular method to get around on Ambergris Caye is by golf cart.  However some may prefer to use an inexpensive local taxi service, bicycles or to just walk. Taxi fares are quite inexpensive. Usually it won’t cost you any more than $10-$15 USD to get wherever you need to go depending on where you are staying.

For those that want to be adventurous here are a list of some companies that rent golf carts and bicycles. If you are staying at a resort, you may choose to ask the concierge as they will likely make a recommendation.  Most rental companies are quite small and do not have websites for online bookings.  Reservations can also be made though the local tourist center or your hotel.

WHERE TO STAY

Whatever your style, Ambergris Caye has the perfect place for you to hang your hat. From beachside hostels to five star luxury, spa resorts, residential villas and condos, you’ll find beauty and value pretty much everywhere you look.

Here are a handful of the top-rated accommodations on the island to give you some ideas, but plenty more can be found on this site.

Hotels – Value to Mid Range

Caye Casa: A beachfront boutique hotel located in San Pedro

Palapa House: Boutique hotel in a great location, close to all the action! Very Comfortable bedding!

Twisted Palms: Small family owned and operated boutique hotel in the Tres Cocos area. Easy to get around from this location

Mangata Villas: Located 5 miles from town center this small hotel is very luxurious and quiet. The owners will treat you as royalty!

PUR: Adults only small resort. This spot is luxury all the way. stay in the villa with a private pool.. Super Romantic!

Resorts and Villas:

Xanadu Island Resort: Located about a mile south of San Pedro, this beautiful property is a perfect destination for romance.

El Pescador: A family owned and operated resort with all-inclusive packages, villas and plenty of on-site activities.

La Perla Del Caribe: Several beachfront properties with luxury concierge service and more.

Belizean Cove Estates: a luxury collection of oceanfront villas and vacation rentals.

Coco Beach Resort: Great resort with all of the amenities. Great place for kids as there are two pools and a waterslide!

Phoenix Resort: Location Location Location. Right in the heart of San Pedro Town

Vacation Rentals:

With a variety of Ambergris Caye vacation rentals, our agents can recommend locations that cater to travelers of various budgets.     

PLACES TO EAT

My favorite subject by far! Belizean cuisine features plenty of fresh seafood, as one might imagine. To eat like the locals you’ll have to try the local dish known as stewed chicken with rice and beans. So many of the local dishes are influenced by Spanish and Mexican flavors as well as Jamaican! You’ll find plenty of spots with tacos, burritos, tamales and tamalitos. Freshly caught fish, lobster, shrimp and squid are plentiful in the area. Not into so much meat? Not to worry, a wide variety of fresh fruits are available. These include bananas, pineapple, papaya, mango, coconut, cantaloupe, watermelon and more. Several ethnic cuisines are represented on the island as well. So there is no doubt your palate will be tempted by the variety of local flavors.

The best thing to do is head down to the beach and just walk around. There are tons of places to choose from. Don’t be deterred by the word ‘bar’ as most places are kid friendly and have plenty of options to choose from that don’t necessarily include alcohol!

Here’s a few that are popular, all in or around San Pedro:

Wild Mango’s: Great spot with a lovely view of the water, open and breezy. Vegan and vegetarian options.

Hidden Treasure: A high-end restaurant in a unique location. They offer a shuttle service from some of the resorts as well, just ask.

PUR Taco Bar: Best Tacos on the island by far! But go hungry as the burrito is huge. note that this establishment is adults only.

Rain Restaurant and Rooftop Terrace: Treat yourself to a romantic evening: located within the Grand Caribe resort, it features an eclectic chef-inspired menu and stunning views of the Caribbean. Live music on Sunday nights.

Elvi’s Kitchen: Fabulous family owned and operated resto, specialties include fish tacos (highly recommended), Mayan Feast Friday and they feature live music on many nights.

THINGS TO DO IN BELIZE!

Ambergris Caye is a mecca for water enthusiasts. Fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, lying or walking on the beach, relaxing, eating, drinking and exploring are the things to do. .

Diving and snorkeling enthusiasts will want to check out the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley – the top diving destinations on the reef. You will see some of the most spectacular and colorful marine life. After all, where else can you get up close and personal with massive sharks and rays? Even if you’ve never done any scuba diving, there are several pro dive shops that offer certifications, like Chuck and Robbie’s Dive center.

If you are a fishing enthusiast, you have not lived until you’ve experienced deep sea fishing in Belize. There are many knowledgeable fishing guides on the island that will be happy to walk you through the necessary permits and take you to the best fishing spots. 

Other Adventures

Of course another great adventure would be to take a catamaran cruise.  Charter companies like Lady Leslie and Felicity Sailing, will custom tailor an itinerary based on your interests. You can spend all day snorkeling, kayaking, island hopping or just laying out in the sun on the most pristine white sand beaches in Belize.

You can rent a paddle board, dive equipment or take a day trip to go cave tubing or zip lining through Chuck & Robbie’s; run by a couple of locals, they know all the insider spots to visit.

Mayan Ruins, bird and nature watching are all fascinating day trips, and can be arranged directly through tour operators or through your hotel. There are many tours available that are perfect for hard-core adventurers and families alike.

Hopefully this helps! If you need additional suggestions or information feel free to reach out to our team at RE/MAX Island Real Estate!