GPS Coordinates:  17o 55’ 17”N  –  87o 57’ 40”W

san_pedro_ambergris_cayeSan Pedro is located up north on the island of Ambergris Caye, which is near the Mexican border.  San Pedro has a population of 13,000 and is Belize’s number one tourist destination.–

 {mprestriction ids=”*”}

Our maximum recommended draft is 6½ feet anchored inside the reef and 6 feet alongside Belize Yacht Club’s Marina.  Please note though that the Belize Yacht Club Marina is in a very poor condition.  

There are some good instructions for navigating through the reef in the cruising guide book for Belize.  Still not sure, then the next recommendation would be to call either San Pedro Yacht Club or Amigos del Mar on Channel 16 for directions.   For the boats with a bit more draft you won’t be able to turn north once you enter the channel, instead you will need to turn just south a bit to keep the channel clear.  In San Pedro the larger yachts anchoring must also take into account the limited area there is for the yacht to turn/swing around.

  • Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island being 25 miles long by 1 mile wide.
  • Ambergris Caye is the most commercially developed of the islands.
  • San Pedro is the main town on Ambergris Caye located on the southeastern part of the island.
  • San Pedro is Belize’s number one tourist destination.
  • 36 miles NE of Belize City.
  • Population of 13,000.
  • Belize has four main ports of entry of which San Pedro is one.
  • 6½ feet maximum recommended draft.
  • A bit more water can be found by turning south instead.  Would mean a couple of minutes longer tender ride to San Pedro
  • Home of Belize Yacht Club Marina – maximum recommended draft 6’.  Marina is in very poor condition.
  • Location of the only decompression chamber in the country.
  • It has quite a few luxurious hotels and an avid night life.
  • Has an excellent array of nice resorts, bars and restaurants.
  • The colour of the sea is beyond description.  Many people just stare at it for hours.
  • The water is really warm, averaging about 82° year round.  It also has a limited beach on the north-eastern side.
  • Has the largest concentration of visitor facilities in Belize with accommodations and restaurants available to fit most any budget..
  • Has the most and varied restaurants and bars, the most gift shops, and the most nightlife.
  • The main barrier reef runs parallel with San Pedro and it is literally a stone throw from the barrier reef.
  • It has cool tropical breezes.
  • Small but excellent supermarket shopping available, though can be quite expensive.
  • There are only 10 streets and NO pavement.
  • The main means of transportation are golf carts, however bicycles, scooters, and some cars and vans are also available.
  • The streets are sandy and unpaved so be sure to leave your fancy clothes and high heel shoes at home. There are no traffic lights, no freeways or highways, and no highrise buildings.
  • The atmosphere on San Pedro is very casual. The dress of the day is usually shorts and sandals (if you can’t handle being barefoot).
  • Spanish is mostly spoken although everyone does speak English.
  • Every dive and snorkel operator has their own list of secret spots where they’ll take you.
  • The island of Ambergris is a limestone coral island.
  • Fishing can be arranged.
  • Jet Skies can be used.
  • Hol Chan Marine Reserve – an underwater marine park with an abundance of aquatic life.
  • Shark Ray Alley – this area gives you the perfect opportunity to get up front and personal with stingrays and nurse sharks. Diving and snorkeling with the sharks and rays must be arranged with a guide.
  • North of the bridge is being quickly developed and this is the area where most of the high end hotels and resorts are located.  Golf cart or other means of transportation is a must.

Belize’s Ambergris Caye is famous for fly fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and a variety of water sports, but the attractions of this Caribbean jewel don’t stop at the water’s edge – there are plenty of activities and venues to excite even the most jaded sun seeker.

Some 25 miles long by one mile wide, Ambergris Caye is the largest of the nearly 200 islands arranged along Belize’s tropical coastline and spectacular reef system, the second largest in the world.  Proximity to the reef, which lies less than half mile offshore, makes it easy to explore this pristine paradise by snorkel, scuba or hire and charter boats.  Attractions such as Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley are all close by and easy to get to.

Ambergris Caye accommodations are varied enough to suit almost any style and budget, ranging from the luxurious beachside resorts to numerous small budget holiday lodgings.  There are also island holiday rental houses, villas and apartments for longer stays and family beach holidays.

San Pedro town has grown over the years, but still retains its seaside charm and slow tropical ambience.  The popular Creole dish of rice and beans with fish or stewed chicken remains popular, but visitors now also have European, Cajun, Indian, Chinese, Jamaican and even Thai dishes to choose from.  Seafood is fresh and abundant, with daily catches of fresh tropical fish and lobster, conch, squid, muscles and scallops making their way to the tables.

The island’s restaurants, bars, clubs and hotels are varied and all within sandy walking distance and while cars are not permitted on this Caribbean paradise, golf carts, the main form of island transportation, are available for hire.  But the soft coral sand underfoot just begs one to amble along while sightseeing.

As one can imagine, the sea life is spectacular, with an amazing array of colourful tropical fish, as well as rays, dolphins, turtles, manatees and other sea creatures all in abundance.  The snorkeling is breathtaking.  Experienced divers will find everything they need from equipment to knowledgeable guides, and there are certified scuba lessons in NAUI, PADI and SSI for the novice or those needing a refresher course.

There really is something for everyone on this tropical jewel.

San Pedro boasts the best nightlife in the country.   Wednesdays and Saturdays are the biggest nights out, and water taxis actually change their schedules to accommodate revelers. In general, the hotspots don’t get going until 11 p.m. or midnight, with lots of warming up in the various bars before the bumping and grinding begins.

The island has Customs, Immigration, Health and Belize Port Authority officials on duty.  Customs and immigration are located just opposite theairstrip in adjacent buildings and Health official can be found at the clinic.  Process time needed to clear in/out can be quick and other times long, all dependent on the workload.  To clear either inbound or outbound would involve going ashore with your yacht documentation, passports, arrival documentation or departure documentation.  From there, finding your way to the various offices, starting first with either Customs or Immigration.

Normal working hours is Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00.

501 226 3340 or 501 226 3341 – Customs
501 226 2555 – Health – Lisa Tillett
501 206 2086 – Immigration

Map of San Pedro http://Ambergriscaye.com/maps/San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
Map of San Pedro http://Ambergriscaye.com/maps/

Reference for San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

  1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Pedro_Town
  2. http://centralamerica.com/belize/moon/bmoambergris.htm
  3. http://AmbergrisCaye.com/
  4. http://ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/town.html
  5. http://www.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=san+pedro+belize&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=bLzvTKX-IoP78AaBtoXVDA&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=2&ved=0CCYQsAQwAQ&biw=1436&bih=699
  6. http://www.belizeit.com/sp.htm


END OF ARTICLE
{/mprestriction}