Ambergris Caye

Introducing Ambergris Caye

Long before Madonna immortalised it in La Isla Bonita, Ambergris Caye was capturing hearts with its paradise island good looks. Also known as San Pedro, this sublime slice of Belize is all icing sugar sands and buzzy beach culture. Where sitting on the dock of the Caye will see you watching fishing boats and luxury catamarans roll in. Days here are best spent exploring the tropical island by bicycle (or golf cart), scuba diving the beautiful reef or stretching out on a sun lounger – with cool cocktails for company.

Things To Do

WATER
The great Belizean reef is a must-explore on Ambergris Caye. One of the longest barrier reefs on the planet is ideal for snorkelling as well as deeper sea scuba diving. Float past the rainbow reef walls of popular Hol Chan Marine Reserve, where rays, moray eels, turtles and dazzling schools of fish dart in and out of the coral canyons. This is also where you’ll find Shark Ray Alley, where you can snorkel with the nursing sharks sniffing out fishing boats. Or stick to the shallows to see a one-of-a-kind underwater world at Mexico Rocks, home to enigmatically named sea whips, star shapes and leaf lettuce corals.

ACTIVITIES
Reef or rainforest? That’s the question when on Ambergris Caye. Kayaks and paddleboards skim the surface of the seas, while ziplines give you a parrot’s eye view of the jungle on the mainland. Mayan temples are within day trip distance of the island too, including sites such as Lamanai.

FOOD
Restaurant hopping is practically a pastime on Ambergris Caye. High-end boutique hotel restaurants stand should to shoulder with beach-side joints serving everything from jerk fish with Belizean beans to just-caught lobster – typically served from mid-June, around the time of the Lobster Festival. Bringing a touch of contemporary cool to the island is Truck Stop, where shipping containers have been transformed into hip eateries and entertainment venues.

Top Tip from SLH

Some cultures mark the start of Lent with pancakes, but in Belize, flour is for flinging. Come for Carnaval in February to take part in a friendly battering, when locals start a colourful ‘flour fight’.