Thatched Palapa on San Pedro's Beach

San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, also known as "La Isla Bonita" is the largest and most visited island in Belize.  Located 36 miles northeast of Belize City, the island is easily accessible by either water taxi or airplane.  Visitors arrive in the sandy and picturesque island community of San Pedro Town, with a population of approximately 8,000 people.  Once a sleepy fishing village, this town has grown dramatically over the years with the fast progression of the tourism industry. 

Main Street

With its earliest tourists arriving in the 1920's and first real hotel being established in 1965, Ambergris Caye is one of Belize's most popular island destinations.   The island is very flat, and is a 25-mile long slice of limestone with mangrove on the west and narrow beaches on the east.   The white sandy streets in San Pedro Town accommodate barefooted pedestrians as well as bicycles and golf carts. There are only three main streets in the town, so it is virtually impossible to get lost.   Some of Belize's most luxurious hotels and resorts line San Pedro's beaches.

San Pedro Town

With the Barrier Reef only 1.5 miles away, Ambergris Caye offers a wide array of water activities.   Kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing, fishing and swimming can all be enjoyed in the shallow waters in front of the island, while scuba diving trips can be taken to the nearby barrier reef and famous dive sites of the northern atolls. Also popular are the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark/Ray Alley off the island's southern tip. After a full day of exciting water activities, there are numerous nighttime adventures all over the island, including beach barbecues, nightclubs, restaurants and bars.  

Cultural Diversity

One of the most popular times to visit the island is during the annual Costa Maya Festival in August.   The five Mundo Maya countries of the region, which include Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, all come together for one week to celebrate their rich Mayan culture and heritage through cultural and musical presentations.   Always highly anticipated is the Costa Maya Pageant where a beautiful representative from each country vies for the crown.