Best Place to Stay in Ambergris Caye—Luxury Resort vs Hostel

You’re planning your Ambergris Caye getaway but are torn between staying in the lively center of San Pedro for convenience and indulging in a secluded beachfront resort.

No matter where you stay in Ambergris Caye, you’re sure to have a lovely time surrounded by turquoise waters.

It’s a tropical paradise boasting accommodations for everyone, from luxury resorts to budget hostels, but the following guide will help you find the best place to stay in Ambergris Caye for you.

Having stayed at both a budget-friendly accommodation in San Pedro town and a luxury beachfront resort in North Ambergris Caye during my trip, strategically planning my itinerary around each location’s advantages and experiencing the transportation challenges and benefits, I can give you honest insights into which accommodation style suits different travel priorities and budgets.

This comprehensive comparison is perfect for first-time Ambergris Caye visitors weighing their options, budget-conscious travelers wondering if luxury is worth the splurge, and anyone trying to decide between convenience and seclusion for their Caribbean paradise experience.

The trick isn’t finding the “best” place to stay—it’s finding the accommodation that matches your travel style, whether you’re a social butterfly who wants to stumble home from beach bars or someone seeking serene seclusion where the biggest decision is choosing between kayaking and hammock lounging on 600 feet of pristine beach.

Top Areas to Stay in Ambergris Caye

Choosing the right accommodation can significantly affect your trip, but the first thing you should be aware of is the areas of Ambergris Caye when making your decision.

San Pedro Town

San Pedro town is the central area of the island, it’s where you’ll find the airport, the water taxis, shops, a majority of the restaurants in Ambergris Caye, and much more.

It’s the central hub of the island, making staying here a true bonus as you won’t have to go far to get to a lot of the things to do in Ambergris Caye.

It’s best for those seeking a vibrant atmosphere as there are bars and a fair amount of nightlife here.

North Ambergris Caye

North of San Pedro is where you’ll find a much more quiet and serene environment. It’s where many of the luxury resorts are located for this very reason.

Boasting less crowded beaches and fewer restaurants and amenities, it is ideal for honeymooners, luxury travelers, or those just wanting to escape the hustle and bustle.

South Ambergris Caye

South of San Pedro is generally less developed than the rest of the island. Much of the area features beaches and mangrove forests. The guide we had on our Hol Chan snorkel tour told us the forests are where they tie up the boats in a storm.

There is some residential and resort development here, though less so than in the north. However, that means this area is ideal for those looking for a more local experience and possibly more budget-friendly options.

Top Recommended Accommodations

exterior drift inn hostel san pedro ambergris caye belize

Aside from area, some factors to consider when deciding what’s the best place to stay in Ambergris Caye for you are…

Budget
Location/Proximity to attractions
Amenities
Ideal for

I will discuss each of these in detail below in reference to my recommendations, but even if one of my suggestions don’t fit for you, please keep these in mind for whichever accommodation you decide to choose.

Budget-Friendly Accommodations

Most of the budget-friendly accommodations on Ambergris Caye are located in San Pedro. They range from hostels to guesthouses and are an affordable option for backpackers and budget-travelers.

Because they are located in the main hub of the island, they also provide easy access to a lot of what the island has to offer as far as departure points for tours, transportation options, restaurants, shops, grocery stores, banks, and much more.

Also, due to the fact that Ambergris Caye is rather narrow, you are never too far from the beach. While they may not boast ocean front views, a short walk away will have your toes sandy.

Drift Inn San Pedro

drift inn hostel san pedro belize outdoor courtyard — Outdoor Area

drift inn hostel san pedro belize outdoor plunge pool — Outdoor Area

When we first arrived on Ambergris Caye, we stayed at the budget-friendly mixed use hostel and hotel, Drift Inn San Pedro.

(I forgot to take photos as we entered the room, so these are all as we left.)

While I enjoy a good hostel stay, I must admit I was somewhat anxious knowing I’d have to work at night after a day full of excursions. Fortunately, Drift Inn San Pedro was incredibly relaxed and quiet! I didn’t hear a sound during the night, allowing me to work without distractions.

The front desk staff were friendly and always willing to help whenever we needed assistance. The hostel/hotel also housed a communal kitchen and a pool, though the latter was under construction while we were there. The room was clean, had a spacious desk that I did my makeup at, a mini-fridge, and the bed was comfy.

Location and Convenience

Upon arrival via a hopper flight from Belize City, we were able to easily walk from the airport to Drift Inn.

Its convenient location also allowed us to easily walk to many of our planned activities. Because of this, I scheduled our Ambergris Caye itinerary in a specific way so that all tours departing from San Pedro I front loaded. This way we wouldn’t have to find transport back into town when we eventually moved to a resort in North Ambergris Caye.

As Drift Inn was situated near various restaurants and coffee shops, it made dining effortless and allowed us to try many Ambergris Caye restaurants on our trip.

Amenities

Included:

Restaurant
Bar
Parking
Pet friendly
Free Wifi
Family rooms
Non-smoking rooms
2 swimming pools
Tour desk
Street parking
Shared kitchen
Board games/Puzzles
Pet bowls
Designated smoking area
Air conditioning
Beach chairs/Loungers

For a Fee:

Bicycle rental
Happy hour
Snorkeling (Off-site)
Diving (Off-site)
Fishing (Off-site)

Overview

Price range: $
Location: San Pedro — one short block from the beach
Ideal for: Backpackers and budget-travelers
Star rating: 4.7/5

Click here for the latest prices and reviews.

Luxury Resorts

Morning View of the pool and ocean view at X'tan Ha Resort in Ambergris Caye Belize

What’s genuinely nice about luxury resorts in Ambergris Caye is their remoteness. You almost feel as if you have the island to yourself, which can make them the best place to stay in Ambergris Caye if you’re looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of San Pedro as most of them are located north of town.

They also boast high-end amenities and beachfront locations, so you don’t have to compete with the general public for a spot to lay out.

X’tan Ha “The Waterfront” Resort

Coffee mug with pool in the background at the X'tan Ha Resort in Ambergris Caye Belize — Poolside

Life-size chess set at the X'tan Ha Resort in Ambergris Caye Belize — Poolside

After our stay in San Pedro at Drift Inn, we moved to the luxurious beachfront resort, X’tan Ha.

This hidden gem, lovingly referred to as “The Waterfront,” provides guests with a genuine Caribbean experience, far removed from the crowds of San Pedro.

The resort offers a fantastic beachfront experience that made us feel like we had our own private beach, as it has 600 feet of private white sandy beach that was quiet, laid-back, and uncrowded. With free kayaks and paddle boards at our disposal, we enjoyed paddling through the crystal clear waters just a short walk away from the door of our Pool View Villa.

I felt so welcomed the second we arrived as I was handed a welcome drink and personally escorted to our room where I found the bed decorated with flower petals.

Of the high-end amenities on offer, I loved that we had a full kitchen complete with a water jug and coffee maker (as well as a bag of coffee beans), a hammock on the porch, beach towels, several pools, a water spigot outside each apartment to wash off the sand, spa services, and much more.

I genuinely enjoyed their breakfast, the bar over the water, the epic view from our room, and the many activities on-site such as a life-size chess board, ping-pong table, cornhole, board games, books, and more.