Vacation In San Pedro Belize
If you’re looking for a vacation that offers white sand beaches, excellent scuba diving, and cultural experience all in one spot, San Pedro Belize could just be the place. Located in the northwestern region of Ambergris Caye and near an island called Caye Caulker, San Pedro Belize is a diverse destination where you can swim in the Caribbean Sea or take part in any number of intriguing water sports like snorkeling or sailing.
From hidden beaches, waterfalls and river rafting to historic ruins of the Maya, there are plenty of San Pedro Belize vacation activities to choose from. One of the main draws for tourists is of course its white sand beaches. This is a large contributing factor in their popularity and reason why many come to visit San Pedro Belize.
San Pedro Belize is the largest and fastest developing island resort in the Caribbean. Start planning your vacation today!
Enjoy the low key bohemian ambience of San Pedro Belize — a.k.a. “The Friendly City” — with this guide to the most popular activities and discounts on getting around, lodging, dining and more
Vacation In San Pedro Belize
The island of Ambergris Caye is located in the Caribbean sea and adjoins the Belize Barrier Reef. The weather is marked by a tropical monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 26 degrees Celsius. In the summer, when the ‘north-east’ wind blows, it gets a little hotter, while if it’s raining it can get cold so you may need to pack some warmer clothes.
The town of San Pedro, gracing the southern end of the largest island in Belize – the 25-mile-long Ambergris Caye – buzzes with action, with many adventurous and cultural things to do. The minute you step off that small plane from mainland cities, you will be whisked to your resort on a golf cart. The narrow streets of the only town on the island pulsate with locals in golf carts (the city’s main mode of transportation) running errands and meeting friends. Travelers in rental carts join the parade in search of seafood restaurants and Caribbean beach pursuits.
There’s a good reason San Pedro attracts so many travelers. From diving tours to the Great Blue Hole and snorkeling with nurse sharks at Hol Chan Marine Reserve to sunset sailings and day trips to islands like Caye Caulker and Half Moon Caye, San Pedro has many attractions that make it a great launching pad for an incredible eco-friendly adventure. You can spend your day relaxing on a hammock or choose from a number of water activities, from parasailing to kayaking.
During the high season, from November to April, the weather is pleasant, with mild-temperatures and cool breezes. The town boasts top-notch beachside lodgings. Hotels and resorts offer guests wonderful accommodations and access to activities like diving, snorkeling, fishing, and sailing. Ambergris Caye is located less than 40 miles from Belize City and can be reached by air and sea. The flight from Belize City takes just 15 minutes. A water taxi from Belize City takes about 90 minutes.
Plan your trip to Ambergris Caye with our list of the top things to do in San Pedro, Belize.
Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
1. Snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Hol Chan Marine Reserve, located four miles from San Pedro, gets its name from a coral-filled little gap in the protective reef near Ambergris Caye, and makes it a popular snorkeling and dive destination. The reserve, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, can be reached only by boat. Thanks to the efforts made by the Belize government to protect the reef system, it was taken off the UNESCO endangered site list in 2018.
You can embark on a day tour to Hol Chan Marine Reserve right from your resort in San Pedro. Marvel at the vibrant coral-lined walls of the channel and the cornucopia of marine life that inhabit these clear waters at depths of no more than six to nine meters. See sea turtles, southern rays, several species of fish, and even a few sharks. Even if you have never snorkeled before, you can still experience the underwater world with help from a knowledgeable guide.
2. Swim with Sharks at Shark Ray Alley
Shark Ray Alley in Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one of Belize’s top attractions, and rightfully so. It provides a unique opportunity to swim with nurse sharks and stingrays that swarm the area upon hearing approaching boats.
Nurse sharks are fairly harmless to humans and use their small mouths to suck in small fish, shrimp, and squid. These medium-sized, bottom-feeding sharks approach the boats for food, as guides generally throw fish for them to consume. Often, you’ll find stingrays joining the frenzy, hence the name of the destination. When you are in the water, it’s best to observe these amazing creatures from a safe distance.
3. Dive the Great Blue Hole
Jacques Cousteau once called the Great Blue Hole one of the best diving sites in the world, and it remains true still. Part of the Lighthouse Reef Atoll, accessible by boat, this giant submarine sinkhole provides experienced divers unparalleled views of a collapsed cave’s massive stalagmites and stalactites and the creatures that inhabit it. Expect to find at least a few species of sharks here, from hammerheads to bull sharks.
The sinkhole is roughly 125 meters deep and 300 meters across. From above, you can see the dark blue water encircled by turquoise shallow waters. You can arrange for a dive tour from your resort or a dive shop right in San Pedro. Some dive shops even offer night dives.
Visit towards the end of the dry season, between April and May, for favorable weather conditions. Combine a trip to the Great Blue Hole with a tour of Half Moon Caye. Located in the southwest corner of Lighthouse Reef Atoll, this World Heritage Site offers up close sightings of colonies of frigate birds and red-footed booby birds from an elevated observation platform.
4. Sail to Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker, located a ferry ride away from San Pedro, is a much more laid-back alternative, full of seaside eateries, boutique stores, gorgeous beaches, and plenty of fun at the Split.
If you’ve got a big group, consider chartering a catamaran boat from an operator like SEAduced by Belize for a day full of underwater activities at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and a stopover for lunch in Caye Caulker. Equipped with comfortable bean bags, overwater nets, restrooms, and plenty of food and drink, the boat will take you on a journey to the area’s main attractions.
The Split, which came to be when Hurricane Hattie divided the island into two in 1961, is now a happening place to visit with music, lounging tourists, and water-lovers taking advantage of the calm waters.
If you are staying overnight, Caye Caulker has several budget-friendly accommodations and also offers snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and other water activities. The Caye Caulker Marine Reserve, running parallel to the island, is rich with sea life (including manatees) and colorful coral reefs worth exploring on a snorkeling tour.