Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island and its most popular beach destination, a long, low strip of sand, mangroves and lagoons off the northern coast, with the barrier reef running just offshore. Its only town, San Pedro, grew from a fishing village into a lively, friendly resort town where golf carts outnumber cars, the streets are lined with colorful wooden houses, beach bars and dive shops, and everyone speaks English and Spanish. The island’s great attraction is underwater: a short boat ride south of town, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Belize’s first marine protected area, and Shark Ray Alley let snorkelers swim among coral, turtles, nurse sharks and stingrays. From San Pedro, divers head out to the reef walls, the atolls and the Great Blue Hole, and anglers to the flats for bonefish and permit. Resorts stretch north and south of town, from simple guesthouses to luxury villas. It is about 1 hour 30 minutes from Belize City by water taxi, or 15 minutes by air.
Right now in Ambergris Caye (San Pedro)
- Tue 27–29°C 80–85°F 1 mm Partly cloudy
- Wed 27–29°C 81–85°F 3 mm Partly cloudy
- Thu 26–29°C 80–84°F 1 mm Cloudy
- Mon 12 Oct Pan America Day · optional
Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch · Holidays: Nager.Date
Top tours in Ambergris Caye
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Ambergris Caye at a glance
- Best for: snorkeling and diving, beach resorts, boat trips, fishing, island food and a relaxed nightlife.
- How long: three nights for Hol Chan, a day on the water and the town; five to seven to add the Blue Hole, fishing or a trip to the mainland.
- Best time: February to May for dry weather, calm seas and clear water; June to November is wetter and is hurricane season.
- Getting there: 1 hour 30 minutes by water taxi from Belize City, according to the operator, or a short flight to San Pedro airport (SPR).
- Before you go: entry rules, the exit fee and money are in our Belize travel guide.
The island: where things are
Ambergris Caye is about 40 km (25 miles) long and almost touches Mexico at its northern tip, where the Bacalar Chico channel separates it from the Yucatán.
San Pedro Town
The island’s only town, near the southern end, with three main streets parallel to the beach (Barrier Reef Drive, Pescador Drive and Angel Coral Street), the water taxi docks, the airstrip, shops, restaurants, banks and dive shops. Its beachfront path is the island’s promenade.
South of town
A strip of resorts, vacation rentals and restaurants along the beach and the main road south toward the lagoon side and the island’s southern tip, a short golf-cart ride from town.
North of the river
Across a bridge over the channel just north of town, a road (paved for part of the way) leads to quieter, more upscale resorts, many reached by their own boats, and to the Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve at the far north end.
Top things to see on Ambergris Caye
Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Hol Chan was established in July 1987 as the first marine protected area in Belize, about four miles south of San Pedro, according to the Fisheries Department, which manages it. Centered on the Hol Chan Channel (“little channel” in Maya), a natural break in the barrier reef 23 m (75 ft) wide and about 10 m (33 ft) deep, it now covers 102,400 acres (41,440 ha) of coral reef, seagrass meadows and mangroves, divided into eight zones. Snorkelers see dense coral, schools of snapper and grunts, turtles, eagle rays and moray eels; currents in the channel can be strong, so stay with your guide. Visits are by licensed boat tour, and operators collect the reserve fee, about BZ$30 (US$15) per person at the time of writing; ask whether it is included in the price.
Shark Ray Alley
A sandy area in the seagrass south of the reserve where nurse sharks and southern stingrays gather around the boats. It was added to Hol Chan in 1999 to protect the animals, according to the Fisheries Department, and together with the reserve forms one of the most popular day trips in Belize. Most Hol Chan tours stop at both.
The Great Blue Hole
Belize’s famous circular sinkhole, about 300 m (1,000 ft) across and more than 120 m (400 ft) deep, lies in Lighthouse Reef atoll, a long boat ride from San Pedro. Day trips, mostly for certified divers, combine a dive in the hole with dives or snorkeling at Half Moon Caye, home to a red-footed booby colony, and the Long Caye wall. Both sites are natural monuments co-managed by the Belize Audubon Society, which says they open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; operators collect the visitor fee, about US$40 per person at the time of writing. Scenic flights over the Blue Hole also leave from San Pedro.
Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve
At the northern tip of the island, a protected area of reef, lagoons, mangroves and small Maya sites, with a ranger station and a visitor center. Full-day boat trips combine snorkeling, wildlife watching and a stop on the Mexican border.
Other things to do on Ambergris Caye
- Diving: dozens of dive sites on the reef wall just offshore, plus trips to Turneffe atoll and the Blue Hole. See our diving guide.
- Snorkeling trips: besides Hol Chan, trips to Mexico Rocks, Tres Cocos and the reef near the northern resorts. See our snorkeling guide.
- Fishing: flats fishing for bonefish, permit and tarpon, and deep-sea fishing beyond the reef.
- Sailing and sunset cruises: catamaran day trips to Caye Caulker, and sunset sails. See our boat trips guide.
- Kayaking and paddleboarding: in the calm water inside the reef and in the mangroves on the lagoon side.
- The town: San Pedro’s beach bars, seafood restaurants, the Saturday and Sunday food markets, and the annual Lobsterfest in June.
Getting there and getting around
By water taxi
The San Pedro Belize Express (Belize Water Taxi) runs several departures a day from the Belize Marine Terminal in Belize City, with a stop at Caye Caulker. According to the company, the trip takes about 1 hour 30 minutes from Belize City and 30 minutes from Caye Caulker; children aged 4 to 10 pay a reduced fare and under-1s travel free. A shared shuttle from the international airport to the terminal takes about 25 minutes and costs US$25 for the first person and US$10 for each additional person, according to the company. Water taxis also run between San Pedro and Chetumal, Mexico (about 1 hour 40 minutes), with immigration at both ends; leaving Belize this way you pay the BZ$40 (US$20) departure fee in cash, which is not included in the ticket.
By air
Tropic Air flies hourly between Belize City (both the international airport and the municipal airstrip) and San Pedro (SPR), a flight of about 15 minutes; Maya Island Air flies the same route. The airstrip is in town, a short walk or cart ride from most hotels in the center. Luggage limits on small planes are strict, so check your fare.
Getting around the island
San Pedro is walkable. Golf carts are the main transport: rent one by the day or week from many agencies, drive on the right, and don’t drink and drive. Bicycles are a cheaper option, and taxis (registered taxis have green plates) and golf-cart taxis work around town and south. Resorts north of the river are reached by golf cart along the road or by water taxi from town.
Food and drink on Ambergris Caye
San Pedro has the best choice of restaurants in Belize. The everyday local meal is rice and beans, cooked together in coconut milk, with stew chicken, fried fish or pork and potato salad or fried plantain; breakfasts bring fry jacks, puffy fried dough served with eggs, beans and honey, and johnny cakes. Seafood is the star: grilled snapper and grouper, ceviche of shrimp, conch or fish, and conch fritters. Lobster and conch have closed seasons in Belize; the lobster season reopens in mid-June, which San Pedro celebrates with its Lobsterfest, and restaurants should not serve either when it is closed.
Cheap eats come from taco and salbute stands (small fried tortillas topped with chicken, cabbage and tomato), BBQ grills set up on the street on weekend evenings, and small Belizean and Mexican restaurants a block or two from the beach. Beachfront bars and restaurants on piers serve cocktails at sunset, often with live music, and the resorts south and north of town add upscale dining. Try the local Belikin beer, rum punches made with Belizean rum, and fresh fruit juices such as watermelon and lime. Check bills for the 12.5% GST and any service charge before tipping.
Day trips from Ambergris Caye
- Caye Caulker: 30 minutes by water taxi or on a sailing and snorkeling trip; see our Caye Caulker travel guide.
- Lamanai: a large Maya site in the forest of northern Belize, reached on full-day tours by boat and road, with a river trip on the New River lagoon past crocodiles and birds and temples rising from the trees.
- The Belize Zoo and cave tubing: day tours by plane or water taxi and road to the mainland combine the zoo’s native animals with floating through river caves in the Cayo District.
- Turneffe Atoll: the largest atoll in Belize, a boat ride east, with walls and reefs for diving and flats for fishing.
- Placencia: for a longer trip south, see our Placencia travel guide.
Nearby destinations
- Caye Caulker32 km
- Bacalar88 km
- Placencia173 km
- Tikal National Park199 km
- Roatán242 km
- Tulum249 km
- Cozumel Island288 km
When to go and how long to stay
Ambergris Caye is warm all year, with daytime temperatures of about 27–31 °C (81–88 °F) and a sea of about 26–29 °C (79–84 °F). The dry season from February to May brings the most sun, calm seas and the best visibility, and is the busiest time. The wet season from June to November brings showers and the risk of tropical storms; the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, according to NOAA’s National Hurricane Center. From about November to January, cold fronts can bring a few days of wind, rain and choppy seas. Trade winds blow most of the year, which keeps the heat bearable and is good for kitesurfing.
Ambergris Caye month by month
| Month | Weather | Crowds and prices | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Cooler; occasional cold fronts and choppy seas | Busy early in the month | Fishing, holidays |
| February | Drier and sunnier | High season; Carnival in San Pedro before Lent | Snorkeling, diving |
| March | Dry, calm and clear | High season | The Blue Hole, Hol Chan |
| April | Dry and sunny | Busy at Easter | Snorkeling, diving, kitesurfing |
| May | Hot and dry; the calmest sea | Moderate | Excellent visibility |
| June | Hot, first showers; hurricane season begins | Busy for Lobsterfest | Lobster season reopens |
| July | Hot, with showers | Moderate | Fishing, lower prices |
| August | Hot, with showers | Moderate | Fishing, diving |
| September | Wettest; peak hurricane risk | Quiet; September 10 and 21 national celebrations | Deals, Independence Day |
| October | Wet; hurricane risk | Very quiet; some businesses close | Quiet stays, deals |
| November | Showers easing; first cold fronts | Quiet | Fishing |
| December | Cooler; cold fronts | Busy at Christmas and New Year | Holidays |
| Season | What it’s like | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| February–May | Driest and sunniest; calm, clear water; busy at Easter | Snorkeling, diving, the Blue Hole |
| June–August | Hot, with showers; Lobsterfest in June | Lower prices, fishing, festivals |
| September–October | Wettest; peak hurricane risk | Quiet stays, deals |
| November–January | Cooler; occasional cold fronts and rough seas | Holidays, fishing |
3 days on Ambergris Caye
Day one, explore San Pedro on foot and by golf cart and watch the sunset from the lagoon side. Day two, a morning Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley snorkeling trip and an afternoon on the beach. Day three, a sailing trip to Caye Caulker or a fishing trip.
A week on Ambergris Caye
Add a Blue Hole and Lighthouse Reef day for divers, a day in Bacalar Chico, kayaking in the mangroves, and a mainland trip to Lamanai or the Belize Zoo.
Where to stay on Ambergris Caye and the hotel taxes
- San Pedro Town: guesthouses and mid-range hotels close to restaurants, docks and the airstrip; lively and walkable.
- South of town: beachfront resorts and rentals, quieter but a short ride from town.
- North of the river: secluded and upscale resorts, many with their own docks; you’ll need a golf cart or boat to get around.
Hotels charge Belize’s 9% accommodation tax, collected for the Belize Tourism Board, and restaurants and services add 12.5% GST; many resorts also add a service charge, and prices are often quoted in US dollars before tax, so compare totals.
What a day on Ambergris Caye costs
Ambergris Caye is one of the more expensive places in Central America; many prices are close to those in the United States. The Belize dollar is fixed at BZ$2 to US$1, and US dollars are accepted everywhere. These are our estimates for 2026, not official prices; hotel stays add 9% accommodation tax, and restaurants and tours 12.5% GST.
| Item | Belize dollars (BZ$) | About (US$) |
|---|---|---|
| Rice and beans with stew chicken at a local restaurant | BZ$15–25 | US$7.50–12.50 |
| Salbutes or tacos at a stand (three) | BZ$5–10 | US$2.50–5 |
| Dinner with drinks at a beachfront restaurant | BZ$60–120 | US$30–60 |
| Belikin beer at a bar | BZ$6–10 | US$3–5 |
| Golf cart rental, per day | BZ$110–170 | US$55–85 |
| Half-day Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley snorkel (plus reserve fee) | BZ$100–170 | US$50–85 |
| Two-tank reef dive | BZ$200–280 | US$100–140 |
| Water taxi to Caye Caulker (one way) | BZ$40–60 | US$20–30 |
| Guesthouse double room in town | BZ$140–260 | US$70–130 |
| Beachfront resort double room | BZ$400–900 | US$200–450 |
A careful budget traveler can manage on about US$70 to US$100 (BZ$140–200) a day; a mid-range trip with a beach hotel, a golf cart, a snorkel tour and restaurant dinners is closer to US$250 to US$400 (BZ$500–800) per person.
Practical tips for Ambergris Caye
- Money: San Pedro has several ATMs and banks; US dollars are accepted everywhere, and change is often in Belize dollars (BZ$2 = US$1).
- Reef rules: don’t touch coral, stand on the reef or feed fish; use reef-safe sunscreen.
- Sea safety: go with licensed operators that brief you and carry life jackets; currents in the Hol Chan channel are strong.
- Golf carts: carts aren’t allowed on some streets at certain times; drive slowly and watch for pedestrians.
- Safety: petty theft happens; use your hotel safe, keep phones out of sight, and take a taxi late at night, according to the UK government.
- Sandflies and mosquitoes: bring repellent, especially at dusk and on the lagoon side.
- Emergencies: 911 or 90.
What to pack for Ambergris Caye
Bring swimwear, a rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and polarized sunglasses, sandals and water shoes, light clothes and a cover-up for town, a light rain jacket from June to November, insect repellent, a dry bag for boat trips, your own mask if you prefer, and small US dollar notes for tips. Plugs are usually the US type.
Ambergris Caye travel FAQ
How do I get from Belize City to Ambergris Caye?
By water taxi from the Belize Marine Terminal, about 1 hour 30 minutes with a stop at Caye Caulker, or by a 15-minute flight to San Pedro.
How much is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve fee?
Operators collect it with the tour price: about BZ$30 (US$15) per person at the time of writing. Check the current amount, as we couldn’t confirm it on an official page.
Can I visit the Great Blue Hole from Ambergris Caye?
Yes, on full-day boat trips, mainly for certified divers, often with Half Moon Caye, or on a scenic flight. Operators collect the visitor fee, about US$40 at the time of writing.
Do I need a car on Ambergris Caye?
No. Most people walk, cycle or rent a golf cart; resorts north of town are reached by cart or boat.
Can I go from Ambergris Caye to Mexico by boat?
Yes. Water taxis run between San Pedro and Chetumal, about 1 hour 40 minutes, with immigration at both ends; you pay BZ$40 (US$20) to leave Belize.
When is the best time to visit Ambergris Caye?
February to May for sunshine and calm, clear water. June to November is wetter and is hurricane season.
Are there good beaches on Ambergris Caye?
There are sandy beaches along the east shore, but they are narrow and often have seagrass offshore; most swimming is from piers and on boat trips to the reef.
Is Ambergris Caye expensive?
Yes, by Central American standards. By our estimates, budget travelers spend about US$70 to US$100 a day and mid-range travelers US$250 to US$400. Hotels add 9% tax and restaurants and tours 12.5% GST.
What food should I try on Ambergris Caye?
Rice and beans with stew chicken, fry jacks for breakfast, ceviche, conch fritters and grilled fish, and salbutes from street stands. Lobster is served in season, which reopens in mid-June with San Pedro’s Lobsterfest.
Can I visit Maya ruins from Ambergris Caye?
Yes. Full-day tours go to Lamanai on the mainland by boat and road, with a river trip on the New River lagoon. Bacalar Chico, at the island’s north end, also has small Maya sites.
Sources and last review
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Hol Chan’s founding, location, size, channel, zones and the addition of Shark Ray Alley: the Fisheries Department; Blue Hole and Half Moon Caye management and hours: the Belize Audubon Society; water taxi times, child fares, the airport shuttle price and the Chetumal route and departure fee: the Belize Water Taxi company (operator); flights to San Pedro: Tropic Air (operator); the 9% hotel tax: the Belize Tourism Board; GST: BELTRAIDE; the exchange rate: the Central Bank of Belize; hurricane season: NOAA’s National Hurricane Center; theft and taxis: the UK government. The Hol Chan and Blue Hole fee amounts, the island’s size, town layout, the Blue Hole’s dimensions, Bacalar Chico, dive and snorkel sites, flight times, temperatures, seasons and golf-cart rules come from secondary sources or general knowledge and are flagged for checking. Prices change, so check with operators before you go. For entry rules and money, see our Belize travel guide; for the neighboring island, see our Caye Caulker travel guide. The food notes, the closed seasons, the day trips, the month-by-month table and its festival dates, and the daily costs come from general knowledge or our own estimates and are flagged for checking.
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