Ultimate Guide to Ambergris Caye, Belize, for First-Timers Visiting the Island

Located off the mainland, Ambergris Caye, Belize, is a gorgeous island escape.

When I decided to head here since it’s so close to Bacalar, Mexico, I had no idea that just offshore is the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world.

This amazing landscape makes for magical snorkeling and scuba diving adventures. I legit felt like Ariel swimming through underwater wonderlands filled with eagle rays and nurse sharks.

As the largest island in Belize, San Pedro, its main city, is a central hub from which many of these excursions depart, which is why I chose it over its smaller, charming sister island, Caye Caulker.

Having spent three full days exploring Ambergris Caye with my cousin—experiencing both town and resort accommodations, testing different transportation methods from puddle jumper flights to water taxis, and snorkeling multiple world-renowned sites, including Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Mexico Rocks—I can provide you with honest insights into this Belizean paradise.

This comprehensive guide is perfect for first-time Belize visitors trying to figure out what to do, snorkeling enthusiasts wanting authentic marine experiences, and travelers torn between budget-friendly town stays versus luxury beachfront resorts.

From learning that “Secret Beach” isn’t actually secret anymore to discovering what Belize packing essentials you’ll actually need, I’m sharing every practical detail and honest surprise so you can experience the best of Ambergris Caye.

Quick Guide to Ambergris Caye

⏳ Short on time? My top tips for Ambergris Caye Belize are:

🏨 Where to Stay:
– Drift Inn San Pedro
– X’tan Ha “The Waterfront” Resort

🗺️ Tours: 
– Hol Chan Marine Reserve
– Mexico Rocks

📍Day Trips:
– Bacalar, Mexico

✈️ Transportation:
– You can get to Ambergris Caye either by water taxi or by plane

📲 Must-Have Apps:
– Maps.me for offline maps
– Google Maps for transport info

🧳 Packing: What to Wear in Belize

How Many Days in Ambergris Caye?

My cousin and I spent 3 full days in Ambergris Caye Belize because we were splitting our Belize trip in half, half on an island and half inland on the more jungle part of the country.

Between the two, while researching to plan this trip, I found more things to do inland that also mostly took full days instead of partial days like many of the activities and excursions in Ambergris.

Because of this, I believe the ideal time to spend in Ambergris Caye is 3-4 days. We had a day on either end for transport, so that’s why I’ve allotted another day.

Also, if you wish to see Caye Caulker, you may want to allot an additional 2-3 days. While we did not spend any time there, many of the people we met did and expressed how much they enjoyed it.

Getting to Ambergris Caye Belize

There are many ways to get to Ambergris Caye Belize. The most popular are to either take a quick puddle jumper flight over to the island or to take a water taxi.

We actually did both, so I’m uniquely qualified to let you know the pros and cons. We both landed from the United States in Belize City, which is what most do. From there, you can take a taxi to the water taxi terminal or stay at the airport and go on one of the puddle jumper flights.

When first arriving, we did the flight because a) I wanted to see the turquoise blue waters from above and b) because it appeared to be more cost-effective. Why appeared? There are several water taxis, and I initially looked at a more pricey one.

On the way back, we took the water taxi, but we weren’t heading for the airport from there. Instead, a bus picked us up from the water taxi terminal to take us to San Ignacio, making it super convenient.

Cost by Air: $90.50 per person

Cost by Sea: $35.41 per person

Traveling by Air

Pros:

• View of the Caribbean Sea from above
• Short flight, approximately 15 minutes
• Takes off on schedule
• If you show up early and they have space, they’ll get you on an earlier flight

Cons:

• More costly than the water taxi
• Not good for people who don’t like small planes
• Some reviews I read said they allowed someone to sit next to the pilot, ours didn’t, so if this is a make or break for you, don’t count on this

Traveling by Sea

Pros:

• Budget-friendly
• Nice ride on a boat

Cons:

• A little bit of a view, but they encourage you to sit while on board so you can’t see much
• Takes about 1.5 hours
• Does not always take off on schedule

Since we were landing in Belize City and going straight to Ambergris Caye, it made little sense for us to pay for a taxi to take us to the water taxi terminal which is about $25 (USD) one day for 1 person, but $10 (USD) for each additional person.

That means we would have paid $35 (USD) from the airport just to get to the terminal, totaling over $100 (USD). That’s still less than the puddle jumper, but the plane saved us a lot of time as we would have had to get a taxi, ride over, and wait for the water taxi.

How Flying to Ambergris Works

Instead, we landed, my cousin before me, and we immediately went to the gate desk. I had booked a later flight as had either of us had delays, I didn’t want to have any issues.

Instead of the 4:40 pm flight, she put us on a 3:00 pm flight. I looked at my watch; it was 2:59 pm! I asked, “Are we going to make that?” She nonchalantly said we would and she wasn’t wrong. We hustled through the small terminal as they called out our names, and we got on the flight with no problem.

The whole Belize City airport is SO relaxed. Honestly, I’ve never seen anything like it!

How the Water Taxi to Ambergris Works

On the way back, we took the water taxi to the water taxi terminal. As we were heading to San Ignacio after our time in Ambergris, this made the most sense since that’s where the shuttle bus was picking us up.

It is the cheaper option, especially if you take the San Pedro Belize Express, which is what X’tan Ha Resort recommended. That was not the water taxi I originally found. Whatever I had looked at had been more expensive.

It was a bit of a hassle as we had to check our bags, and it isn’t super clear when you show up that you need to do that. Just the check-in as people was a bit of a slog, so I’m glad we got there a bit early.

It also doesn’t depart on time. It wasn’t terribly late, but as I’m a bit of an anxious traveler, I started to worry the shuttle to San Ignacio might leave without us because of the delay.

I’d say we arrived maybe 15-20 minutes late, and then you have to wait for them to unload the bags, which took another 15 or so minutes.

Final Thoughts on Getting to the Cayes

Depending on what your itinerary looks like and your budget will dictate your best option.

I really enjoyed the flight over, even though it was short. It also does not go over the Blue Hole. I’ve seen some reports of that, which wasn’t true, at least for us.

If you’re budget-conscious, then yes, the water taxi may make more sense. But if you want a gorgeous experience, I highly recommend the flight.

How to Get Around Ambergris Caye

The best way to get around Ambergris Caye is either by walking or renting a golf cart.

However, depending on where you are staying, you may not need a golf cart.

We stayed in central San Pedro for the first two nights, so everything was very walkable. We didn’t take a single mode of transportation those few couple days.

However, once we moved up to X’tan Ha Resort, which is about 7.5 miles North of that area, we rented a golf cart from the resort to get around, particularly to visit Secret Beach.

Renting a golf cart is super easy, as there are rental options everywhere. We rented it directly from our resort, but there were several options we also saw in town.

Many people we met rented them for several days. However, as I had arranged our schedule to be convenient to where we were staying, we only wound up renting a golf cart for 4 hours.

Where to Stay in Ambergris Caye

There are a lot of options for accommodations in Ambergris Caye Belize.

Drift Inn San Pedro

We stayed in a hostel that also functions as a hotel for the first two nights, Drift Inn San Pedro.

As much as I love a good hostel stay, I have to say that I was a bit worried as I knew I’d be working at night after a day of excursions. However, Drift Inn San Pedro was so relaxed and chill! I didn’t hear a peep at night and was able to easily get work done.

The front desk people were lovely and helpful anytime we asked, and it was conveniently located in town, which meant we were able to walk to many of the things on our itinerary. It was also located near a bunch of restaurants and coffee shops, making eating simple.

It’s really a wonderful place looking for the convenience of being in town and also budget-friendly.

Click here for the latest prices and reviews.

X’tan Ha “The Waterfront” Resort

After our stay in town, we moved to the luxurious beachfront resort, X’tan Ha.

This secluded paradise, affectionately known as the “The Waterfront,” offers visitors an authentic Caribbean experience away from the crowds of San Pedro.

It also boasts an incredible beachfront experience that felt as if we had a beach of our own, as the resort was super relaxed and not crowded at all. With complimentary kayaks and paddle boards readily available, we cruised around the clear water without a slurry of people. We both strongly preferred it over the touristy Secret Beach.

I also really enjoyed their breakfast, the many activities on-site, and the epic view from our room!

However, the only downside of this seclusion is that the resort isn’t walkable to much. You’ll have to rent a golf cart or get other means of transportation if you want to do activities in town.

While this was not a downside for us, as I had arranged our itinerary so that we did all our ‘in town’ activities while at Drift Inn, I can see it being a bit difficult if a visitor is unaware.

This is not to say there is nothing walkable from X’tan Ha. Just that most main attractions or activities depart from central San Pedro town.

Click here for the latest prices and reviews.

Transparency: This was a complimentary stay at X’tan Ha Resort, but all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Building Your Ambergris Caye Itinerary

Aside from the world-class scuba diving and snorkeling, Ambergris Caye Belize has several wonderful things to do on land as well!

Water Activities

Snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one of the top experiences you’ll hear about in Ambergris Caye Belize. And honestly, it is totally worth the hype!

My cousin had requested we go on a sailboat rather than a speed boat, and I really did not know there would be such a difference between the two experiences.

I had been on a smaller sailboat with her before that I was ‘eh’ about. I guess it makes a large difference when it’s quite more sizable and you have someone else doing the piloting haha!

It departed from a dock just across the street from Drift Inn, making it super convenient. We then headed off to see some of Ambergris Caye’s wondrous wildlife and coral reefs at Hol Chan Marine Reserve before venturing off to Shark Ray Alley.

The best I can describe it is that you feel like you’re Ariel in The Little Mermaid or, for younger Disney fans, like Nemo.

On this tour, you get to swim right over bright coral formations as your guide points out different types of fish. I can’t recall any of their names, but it felt at the time like I was learning about the marine life at Hol Chan. I do recall seeing a majestic eagle ray (yes, it reminded me of Nemo‘s teacher)!

We then headed to Shark Ray Alley to swim with stingrays and nurse sharks. Honestly, I was a bit nervous doing this. The Jaws theme song kept playing in my head until my cousin reminded me how Steve Irwin passed away.

However, don’t let either of these things get to you. I felt perfectly safe, especially as our guide kept holding my hand. My cousin wasn’t too keen on the hand-holding, but for me, it made me feel like if he was okay this close, then I should be okay this close.

The tour also provides you with fins, snorkel, and a mask, so there’s no reason to bring your own unless you really want to.

The only thing I’ll warn you about this tour is that it has a minimum number of people. Only the day before did they confirm as another person signed up; otherwise, they would have advised another day or moved us to a motorboat if that person had not elected to join.

🎟️ Tickets: We booked this exact tour with Blue Tang Inn on Viator—it’s the ONLY sailboat tour of Hol Chan.

Snorkeling at Mexico Rocks

Those looking to snorkel and see some truly amazing marine life will love Mexico Rocks!

As a relatively new area, it was incorporated into the Hol Chan Marine Reserve at the end of 2015 to protect its rich marine life and precious corals, it’s definitely a less popular place to snorkel as we saw a fraction of the amount of boats and people than at Hol Chan.

This made it an even more enchanting experience, in my opinion, as it felt like I was swimming in my own personal fish tank. We were also the only people on our tour of Mexico Rocks, so that may have helped!

Depths vary from (4 to 12 feet), so you can see everything up close, which also makes it an excellent snorkeling site for beginners. When we went they were experiencing some weather so I actually felt I was fighting the current a bit more here, but I genuinely believe that was simply because of the weather conditions.

Here, you will find the most beautiful corals, colorful species of large and small fish, and many other small sea creatures.

From the names I can recall, we saw a sea turtle munching on some vegetation, a lionfish, a lobster, these gorgeous shiny ones that I don’t know the name of, and much, much more.

We then went and swam with some sting rays and sharks. However, this time they felt much closer than on the Hol Chan tour. I’m not sure if it’s cause we seemed to be the only people out there at this point or the fact it was much shallower here than Shark Ray Alley, but it was definitely an experience.

This tour also provides you with fins, a snorkel, and a mask, so there’s no reason to bring your own unless you really want to.

🎟️ Tickets: It was kind of difficult to find a tour operator that went to Mexico Rocks, so I highly recommend booking this tour we took in advance!

Secret Beach

Secret Beach is not so secret. We were told by a local that, at one point, it was, but it certainly is no more. It’s very much populated by touristy bars and restaurants looking to get you to take a seat and order some drinks and food.

We took the golf cart we had rented at X’tan Ha over there, which took about 45 minutes to drive as a golf cart goes slower than a car, and also, the roads have quite a few potholes, so you can’t go that fast anyhow for risk of hurting something.

The minute you get there, people will try to Shepard you into their establishment.

We were told that Blue Bayou had the ‘local’s prices,’ so we headed there, which is kind of hidden at the end of the Secret Beach area.

We had a drink here and lunch, but honestly, we weren’t overly impressed, so we headed back to the crystal-clear waters on the other side of the island at X’tan Ha.

Kayaking and Paddle boarding

You can kayak or paddle board at a number of places in Ambergris Caye Belize, but since they were complimentary at our beachfront resort, X’tan Ha, we took advantage of them there.

However, even if you don’t have access to a wonderful resort, I highly recommend you find a place near the reefs to go as it’ll be far clearer and generally more enjoyable.

We unfortunately got a bit of weather when we headed out, so it wasn’t a long kayak ride we went on, but it was still an experience I can recommend. Hopefully, you get better weather than us.

Diving at the Great Blue Hole

The Great Blue Hole is a dive site for more experienced divers, which is why we didn’t visit it, as neither of us are divers.

You can fly over the Blue Hole; however, when I was researching, it was over $200, so I didn’t think it would be worth the expense.

Land-Based Activities

Ambergris Caye Belize isn’t just for the fish! It’s also got plenty of things to do on land!

Go on a Food Tour

I really love going on food tours! I hadn’t even considered them until my travel buddy convinced me to.

They are a great way to experience local culture and culinary delights you may not have even thought of!

We went on a dinner tour with Belize Food Tours, though they also offer a lunch option. Our lovely guide, Melva, took the time to explain the uniqueness of Belizean dishes we were trying at several places in central San Pedro.

If I recall correctly, all of them were locally owned, which is always awesome to support!

I really enjoyed getting to try fry jacks, salbutes, tamales (made very different from the ones I’ve had in California), chimole, and more.

Golf Cart Exploration of the Island

As I previously mentioned, we only rented a golf cart for 4 hours of the 3 whole days we were visiting Ambergris Caye Belize. However, I’d be remiss not to mention it as it is a great way to explore the island.

I know many other travelers we met headed up even further north than our resort was and boasted of the beauty of the beach and coral there, so this would be a great way to access some of those areas.

Also, if your accommodations are quite a distance from your pickup points, this is a the main mode of transportation on the island.

San Pedro Town Shopping

My cousin and I didn’t do too much shopping, except for some snacks and a couple of items she had forgotten at home, but since we found so many shops while perusing, I know there are many you can find within San Pedro town.

Beach Bars and Nightlife

Aside from our food tour ending at a beach bar and the one at our resort, X’tan Ha, we didn’t really hang out and do much of the nightlife in Ambergris.

That was mainly because both of us were working while traveling, but what we did experience, both of us enjoyed.

If I hadn’t of been working, I’d have liked to check out some of the places we saw during the day such as the Palapa Bar and Grill, which I had a wonderful catch of the day sandwich at!

Places to Eat in Ambergris Caye

There are many wonderful restaurants to eat in Ambergris Caye Belize, but this is a short list of my favorites that are located in San Pedro town.

• Lavish Habit – We got coffee and breakfast here a few times. Can be busy if you don’t come early.
• Sweet-Tutz & Delights Restaurant – We tried the Belizean version of tamales here. One is plenty to fill you!
• Elvi's Kitchen – Fancy place to eat lunch or dinner. I really liked the food and drink I got here.
• Briana’s Tropical Taste – Where we got to try fry jacks and salbutes for the first time, local Belizean cuisine
• Saul's Cigars and Coffee – Great place to grab some coffee or some liquor made with the coffee
• El Fogon – Lovely drinks! They cook by firewood in the open as their forefathers did here, making it very authentic
• Pupuseria Salvadoreno – Terrific place to grab some tasty pupusas
• Belize Chocolate Company – Any chocolate lover should definitely stop by!
• Palapa Bar and Grill – Wonderful spot to sit over the water, enjoy a drink, and eat some fresh seafood
• Gill-E's Pour House – A popular beach bar where you can also get some food
• Green Espresso Cafe Bar – Lovely spot for some breakfast that also has good wi-fi

Day Trips and Excursions

We did not do any day trips from Ambergris Caye Belize. However, many do head over to Caye Caulker for the day or even stay overnight.

You can also do mainland excursions to Maya archaeological sites and nature reserves or do activities such as cave tubing and ziplining.

Alternatively, which is almost what I did but didn’t for some scheduling issues, is to head up to Mexico from here and explore some other stunning locations such as Bacalar. There is a water taxi that departs from Ambergris Caye to Bacalar, Mexico, that you can easily take.

Travel Tips and Recommendations

Packing Essentials

• Sunglasses – Bring a pair of shades with you as it gets rather sunny!
• Hat – A hat is a good idea, especially if you’ll be outside for quite a while
• Swimwear – An obvious addition, but one you’d be remiss to travel without!
• Biodegradable sunscreen – Because Belize’s coral reef is so important to them, they do a lot to protect it, which I adore. One of the things they ask is that visitors wear biodegradable sunscreen to help protect it as it’s less pollutant to the water
• Reusable water bottle – Belize is pretty good about providing water jugs for people to refill with, so it’s good to carry around a reusable water bottle with you
• Waterproof bag/dry bag – I really liked this dry bag. It came in clutch when I needed to protect my belongings but also when I needed to separate my wet stuff while traveling. It also comes with a waterproof phone case

Communication and Wi-Fi Access

I used my data while I was out and about and could easily connect to the wi-fi at our accommodations as well as restaurants we went into that offered it.

However, for some reason, my work laptop didn’t like the security level of the places we stayed, which meant I couldn’t access certain websites needed for work. This didn’t stop me from working; it just meant I couldn’t upload my work, which was still a pain, but luckily, I have a rather lovely boss.

If you have any security protocols for work, this is just something to be aware of.

Currency and Payment Methods

The Belize dollar is Belize’s official currency. It is usually abbreviated with the dollar sign $ or by BZ$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies.

If you are unsure of which you are being charged in, make sure to ask. Most of the time, vendors will offer up this information.

The Belize dollar is also worth about half of the American dollar so keep that in mind for easy math (e.g. $25 USD is about $50 BZ).

My cousin and I had a bit of trouble accessing an ATM while we were there but were able to find another that worked for us, so if you run into this issue, try a different bank.

They also took American dollars, so to be safe, you may want to bring some cash with you. But do note that you’ll likely receive your change in the local currency. 

Best Times to Visit and Seasonal Considerations

The best time to visit Ambergris Caye Belize is during the dry season, which runs from December to April. It typically boasts warm temperatures, clear skies, minimal rainfall, and ideal conditions for beach activities.

However, you can also expect larger crowds and higher prices during this peak tourist period.

My cousin and I visited in mid-December. Unfortunately, we experienced some weather, such as rain, but it usually didn’t last long. Otherwise, it was pleasantly warm and occasionally cloudy.

We didn’t experience much of a crowd, but I was told the real peak season starts after the 15th, as that’s when the holiday tourists begin to arrive.

Final Thoughts on This Ambergris Caye Belize Guide

Even though we experienced some weather while there, I genuinely enjoyed our trip to Ambergris Caye Belize! It is a magical place that anyone interested in coral reefs, marine life, or just being on the water should take the time to visit.

I found all the Belizians I met to be kind and helpful, which made the trip even more lovely! I would highly recommend a trip here!

Related Ambergris Caye Travel Guides

• Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Belize: My Experience on a Snorkeling Tour
• How to Get to Ambergris Caye: Speedy and Affordable Options
• What’s the Best Place to Stay in Ambergris Caye: Luxury Resort or Budget Hostel?
• Helpful Guide to “Is Secret Beach Ambergris Caye Worth Visiting?”
• The Best Ambergris Caye Restaurants: Affordable Dining Guide
• The Ultimate Guide to Ambergris Caye Belize for First-Timers
• Experience Paradise at X’tan Ha Resort: Ambergris Caye’s Hidden Gem

Photo by Florian Delée on Unsplash

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