We planned a family vacation to Belize as a Christmas gift for Grant’s parents. (We took mine to Jackson Hole the same year). We were coming to Belize straight from a destination wedding in Todos Santos, Mexico so we were already in vacay mode!
Grant and I had actually just visited San Pedro a few months prior for another friend’s destination wedding (congrats Dakota and Ash!). We liked the low key vibe and immediately thought Grant’s parents would too.
When we visited Ambergris Caye this time it was with them, his brother, toddler Marin (nearly two years old), and our baby to be, Hobie. (I was 5 months pregnant so no cervezas and scuba diving for me on this trip!). It was also Easter weekend when we visited so we got to see some festivities.
Getting to Ambergris Caye
First you fly into Belize City. From there you can arrive by ferry boat or small plane. We took the ferry one way on our original trip and after taking the plane home decided it was definitely the way to go! We took the plane roundtrip this time and while it is more expensive it’s totally worth it. Not only is it faster, but the experience is an adventure all on its on. The plane is super tiny so it is a little thrilling! And the flight is absolutely gorgeous and seeing the cyan blue water from the air is amazing.
Getting around Ambergris Caye
Everyone on the island drives golf carts and it is a fun way to get around! Your rental house or hotel will likely help you arrange one ahead of time.
Where to stay in San Pedro Belize
We stayed at this awesome Airbnb. The location was good and the rooftop hot tub was great! It was super spacious and perfect for our crew.
What to do in San Pedro Belize
Go snorkeling in Shark Ray Alley
Swimming with sharks and stingrays? Sign me up! They chum the water a bit to get the sharks interested, but you are soon surrounded! They are relatively harmless but it’s still a thrill. Poor baby Marin started crying when he saw me jump in. Even a one year old can sense that swimming with sharks is a little crazy!
Rent a Boat
Renting a private boat is affordable and the way to go! You can have your boat captain take you to Shark Ray Alley, Secret Beach, and Caye Caulker. Our guide knew tips like where to find seahorses and we got to feed giant tarpon.
Visit Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker has a much more chill vibe than San Pedro. Potentially too laid back and chill depending on what kind of vacation you are looking for, but it was absolutely gorgeous and felt more untouched than San Pedro.
There was a cool yoga studio there. We ate lunch at Namaste Café below and it had a nice vibe. If you visit Caye Caulker don’t miss The Split (the area where the islands used to connect). There is a bar right on the water called Lazy Lizard. It’s a great spot to swim and hang out.
Check out “Secret Beach”
The secret’s out! This beach is pretty popular, but so much fun. It is lined with beach bars and restaurants with tables in the water so you can eat and drink while swimming in the gorgeous blue water! There was a fun inflatable obstacle course that Marin loved too!
There are two ways to get to Secret Beach, by car or boat. On our first visit we arrived by boat and this time we drove our golf cart. The boat was more fun but both ways work fine!
Go swim up bar hopping
Secret Beach isn’t the only place with tables in the water. This is a trend on Ambergris Caye. Out favorite is Palapa Bar. The beers come with coozies and bottle openers and you can sip away while floating in an inner tube!
Go Scuba Diving
You may be thinking of Belize’s famed Blue Hole, and while that is an option there is amazing diving right off of Ambergris Caye at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. I went on our first trip and it was awesome. Since I was pregnant this time, Grant and his brother went and also had a great dive.
Have a cigar with Saul
Grant and I went here on both of our trips. Saul is the owner of Saul’s Cigar & Coffee House and he is really fun to chat with. Grant bought some cigars and I admired the woodworking detail of his shop. It’s a super cool spot.
Watch the infamous Chicken Drop
This is hilarious! Every Thursday there is a lottery where you can pick a number and then they drop a chicken onto a bingo board and wherever it poops determines who wins! We didn’t win any money but it was still a fun time.
Where to eat in San Pedro Belize
The Truck Stop – This food truck park is fun and family friendly. There aren’t a ton of food trucks but they had a decent variety and Grant’s vegan parents were able to find something yummy too. The Truck Stop even has live music, games, and an outdoor cinema!
The Farmhouse Cafe – This is a great breakfast spot. It was right across from our Airbnb so we went here a few times. Fresh options and delicious smoothies!
The Juice Dive – Another fresh and healthy breakfast spot. We had yummy acai bowls.
Elvi’s Kitchen – An amazing dinner spot, we had delicious Caribbean seafood and key lime pie. A must do!
The Fry Jack House – Fry Jacks are a local treat of fried dough with different savory fillings and this is the spot to get them. Don’t forget to buy a bottle of Marie Sharp’s hot sauce from a nearby gift shop. So delicious on fry jacks and everything else!
Caramba Restaurant & Bar – This seafood spot is great! It’s in the heart of town and you can pick out your own fish from the fresh catch on display.
Is San Pedro, Belize good for toddlers?
Yes! Tropical vacations are always good with babes. Marin loved the boat and golf cart rides, feeding the fish, and swimming. He also thought the tiny plane ride in was cool! Ambergris Caye is family friendly and there is a playground in the main plaza that Marin enjoyed.
You better Belize it,
-Ray