San Pedro Belize Guide Getting Around – To Dos – Eats – Stay
Looking for a fun tropical getaway with delicious food, and friendly people? Look no further, San
Pedro Town is just what you want. Picture yourself experiencing a downtown atmosphere on a
unique island, with bright blue Caribbean waters, and tropical sea breezes. Enjoying cool cocktails, sunset suppers, meeting new people and top rated resort in San Pedro.
You will find the busy small town of San Pedro on the southern end of Ambergris Caye, which is Belize’s largest habited island at 25 miles long and 5 miles at its widest point. Less than 40miles from Belize City, the island can be reached by air with a 15 min plane ride, or by the sea with a 90 min water taxi from Belize City. Rio golf cart rental can pick you up whenever and wherever you land in town.
San Pedro Town is a mile or less wide, and is partly surrounded by water with the Caribbean Sea to the east and a lagoon to the west. It has 3 main streets: Barrier Reef Dr, Pescador Dr, and Almond St. Most locals and repeat travelers refer to Front Street, Middle Street, and Back Street.
Getting Around On The Island
You will not find a standard-size car rental option on Ambergris Caye, our narrow and often bustling streets were not designed for that. The best way to explore San Pedro is by golf cart rental and google maps https://goo.gl/maps/m5eAdCcR1UWfqjGx8.You will find a great view and no shortage of restaurants and beach bars along the scenic, seafront Boca del Rio Drive. At the south end, you can start at the famous Palapa Bar, one of the many over-water bars on the island. Go float in a tube and have a bucket of beer lowered by rope, or enjoy a local favorite rum punch for about $10BZ.
If you are coming to the beach road from the north be sure and Make Wayo’s Beachside Beernet your first stop. Or you could enjoy time at Boca del Rio Park first at the public palapa-covered picnic tables alongside the water. There’s nothing like people watching at the park, and enjoying boats going by. There are often people selling local snacks or you could bring your own picnic. Some fresh watermelon from Mrs. Gotay’s fruit stand or lunch from Aba Isieni Arzu Kitchen are both close by.
Where To Stay In San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
As for accommodations, San Pedro town and the surrounding area provide a variety of options to stay ranging from hostels, smaller boutique style and mid-size hotels, condos, and a large resort. Prices range from $30 up to $800. Many have small kitchens to cook up your fresh caught fish and veggies from the local vegetable and fruit stalls. Vendors are always happy to tell you what is in season and will offer advice on how best to prepare your purchases. You can also stay further north or south if you are looking for condos, vacation rentals, and resorts.
Looking for something specific? Check our Contact us page , we feature some great San Pedro and Ambergris Caye vacation accommodations options. Many of these include tropical gardens, a relaxing swimming pool, and onsite dining, and are a great jumping-off point to enjoy both island tours and mainland Belize adventures.
Eating and drinking in San Pedro
For breakfast and lunch, you will find many small, low-cost local run eateries and food carts around town offering johnny cakes, stuffed fried jacks, garnachas, rice and beans, cole slaw, and stew chicken for around $10BZ or less depending on what you are having. Weekends are popular for a street barbecue with chicken or ribs being the main options. Any Day of the week, in the afternoon or evening, you can visit Central Park and enjoy street food, a Belizean hamburger, tacos, and burritos.
From savory to sweet, you will find so many different food options to try around town. If you want a nice dinner it can cost you around $50 – $65 BZ per person without drinks, depending on your choice. You can also head south for dinner and enjoy some Belizean culture with flavor and sound within a seven min drive of downtown San Pedro. Visit the Black and White Garifuna Bar for some Garifuna cooking, culture, and music.
And don’t forget to make a few pit stops around town, the Artisan’s Market, or one of our local art galleries or souvenir shops.
With all your driving, don’t forget to check your gas. Ambergris Caye has two gas stations. The downtown San Pedro one is located on Caribeña St. A short drive south will get you to the gas station on the corner of Sea Grape Drive and Blake St. If you make it that far, stop by the Beach Bar & Grill, at Caribbean Villas Hotel for a cocktail with a view.
Is San Pedro, Belize Safe ?
Yes, San Pedro is safe, however, it’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings no matter where you are. Avoid getting too inebriated and making yourself an easy target.
Do not bring out more than you need at night, stick to a set amount of cash and one credit card if needed. Unless it’s a special occasion eave your expensive items in your hotel safe or designated secret place.
San Pedro Golf Cart Rental
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feel we are friendly, helpful, and timely.
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Once you fall in love with our low-priced golf cart rental rates, you can contact our reservation team to help you book your golf cart. By email, phone, WhatsApp, or Facebook messenger.
Rental Policies
- A valid Driver’s License is required to rent one of our golf carts.
- In addition, you must always carry your driver’s license when you’re driving.
- No payment is required at the time of booking; you only pay when you pick up your cart rental.
- All carts are provided with gas and should be returned with the same amount of gas.
We guarantee It’s absolutely worth upgrading your San Pedro vacation with an RIO Golf Cart Rental and that you will love golf carting around the island.
It’s no surprise San Pedro attracts so many travelers with world class diving and snorkeling, daytime and sunset Catamaran options. Staying in or closer to town also makes for easy Belize tours too. The Great Blue Hole, nearby Caye Caulker Island, Mayan Ruins, cave tubing, Hobie cat or parasailing, and more. Or maybe you just want to relax on a hammock with a view. Whichever you choose, you will find no shortage of things to do.
This tour is a 10-minute boat ride (4 miles) south of town to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, perfect for snorkeling and diving with marine life at 6–9 meter depths. Shark Ray Alley, south of Hol Chan, offers safe swimming with nurse sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles.
For a longer trip, take the San Pedro Belize Express water taxi from Ambergris Caye to Caye Caulker. Enjoy self-guided fun at the Split, seahorse sanctuary, or feeding tarpon. The island’s “go slow” vibe adds to its charm. You can also take a Catamaran day trip with snorkeling and lunch, sailing back under the afternoon skies.
Other fun things to do In Ambergris Caye
Now self guided, you can head about 5 miles south and do a 1⁄4 mile walk in to visit the Marco Gonzales Maya site, bring bug spray in case. This is a 2000-year-old Mayan Archaeological Reserve. Is a mini jungle experience while touring this almost “virgin” site. No tall temples here. But the clearing of the house foundations will give you a sense of the Maya Traders’ lives. Enjoy the shards of pottery covering the ground and leave things where you find them when visiting this site.
Not looking to go that far, the Eco Iguana Corner, near the town gas station is another great stop. Beautiful multi-colored iguanas lounging in the trees and around the property or enjoying their meal of fruit and veggies. Definitely, a must-stop for a great wildlife experience right here on the island.
North Ambergris Caye
So many things to do while visiting. An off the beaten path 45 minute (approx) drive to Secret beach, in the north west part of the island is a must see while here. It is a very popular destination. Secret Beach is no longer a secret, you will see many carts loaded down with floaties heading out to enjoy the calm, clear, sargasso and seagrass free water. You can also opt to continue past the secret beach turnoff and take a scenic cart ride north to Tranquillity Bay Resort and enjoy lunch and a cocktail at their onsite restaurant. The beauty of going that far north of ambergris caye is that the reef is very close to the shore and you might spot a roseate spoonbill or a great blue heron. On the beach closer to town, watch for fishermen cleaning their catch to see stingrays, frigate birds and pelicans.
