21 Travel Tips for San Pedro Belize!

Published: October 3, 2019   |   Updated: September 14, 2023

 If you’re thinking of taking a vacation to Belize, why not venture off to one of the beautiful islands of Belize – Ambergris Caye! Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize, and is home to the beautiful city of San Pedro. San Pedro is a great destination to visit, even during the off season when the island is a bit more quiet. If you love beaches and water activities, San Pedro is a great destination for you to visit. It is home to the second largest “living” barrier reef in the world, and the largest living barrier reef in the western hemisphere! This makes for great snorkeling activities and diving. Interested in taking a trip to San Pedro, but not sure where to start? Continue reading as I share 21 helpful tips for visiting this beautiful island city. 

Preparing for San Pedro Belize:

1) Get cash prior to arrival. 

Belize is pretty affordable depending on which country you’re traveling from (example: $1 USD = $2 BZD) ! Belize accepts US Dollars, but will traditionally give change in their Belize dollar. However, there are not many ATMs on the island, so I recommend bringing enough cash for food, excursions, and bringing multiple currency amounts ($5, $10, $20).

2) Rent a Golf Cart. 

You will need an way easily to navigate the island. I recommend booking a golf cart for your stay prior to arrival. These carts are very gas efficient, and we were told a tank of gas will last for a full week on average. 

3) Getting to San Pedro from Belize City. 

If you’re flying into Belize City, you will need a second means of transportation to get from the main land to Ambergris Caye island, where San Pedro is located. Two ways to do this is by ferry or by a small plane.

Ocean Ferry Belize. We used this service to take a 45 minute scenic boat ride from Belize City to the island of San Pedro. The ferry leaves at various scheduled times. I recommend catching a taxi to the ferry station. You can also purchase ferry tickets in advance online here: http://www.oceanferrybelize.com/ 

Maya Island Air. Upon departure, we wanted to avoid the boat ride to save on time. So we decided to take a small charter plane from San Pedro back to Belize City. The plane held about 12 passengers, and was a short 15 minute plane ride. Our luggage was flown back on a separate plane to Belize City, (I assume for weight and safety reasons) but was at the airport when arrived. We booked our flights online ahead of time here: https://www.mayaislandair.com/

 View from plane:

4) Pack Casual Clothes. 

The island of San Pedro is very laid back. There is no need to bring really nice shoes or elaborately decorated clothes, since the majority of your time will be spent on the beach or traveling around the island by golf cart. A lot of the roads are not fully paved, so your shoes, feet, and clothes may become dusty when traveling to and from town. 

5) Stay at an Airbnb. 

I recommend staying on the beautiful coastline during your stay and booking an Airbnb. We absolutely loved our house, and stayed on a very secluded part of the island. The house manager left a cell phone with us so we could call her at any time with any needs or questions, and the owners were also very responsive during our booking process.

6) You do not need a power converter. 

If you’re traveling from the US, San Pedro also uses type A and type B power receptacles with 120v. Therefore, you will not need to pack an international power converter for your trip!

While You’re in San Pedro Belize:

7) Festival Months.

The months of August and September are festive! During our stay, we learned that September 21st is their Independence Day. All of Belize celebrates their independence from Britain, which was gained in 1981. There are many parades and festivals if you wish to see a glimpse of their true culture. 

8) Tipping. 

They do accept tips in San Pedro. I would recommend between 15% – 20% .

9) No Ubers. 

San Pedro does not offer Uber or Lyft services. There are a few taxi’s by the airport, but golf carts are the main means of transportation on the island.

10) Bring bug spray! 

We traveled to San Pedro towards the end of September, and the mosquitoes were definitely out and about. I would recommend not leaving home without your sunblock or bug repellent during certain times of the year.

11) Hire a Cook. 

If you’re staying in an Airbnb, and you do not follow any other tips on this list, please take this one – HIRE Marfa Sosa! Her cooking was everything! We loved her so much during our stay and her prices were very reasonable. Marfa offered breakfast, lunch, or dinner services. Each day, she would go to the market to pick up fresh ingredients for our meal. If you wish to contact Marfa for your upcoming stay, feel free to reach out to her here on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marfa.sosa

12) Buy wine and liquor upon arrival at the airport. 

During our stay, we noticed the cost of liquor and wine was much more expensive on the island vs the airport. Therefore, if you want to enjoy a nice glass or two, be sure to buy these in the duty free section prior to exiting the airport. 

13) Customs at the Airport. 

Upon departure from the Belize City airport, be sure to look for a customs form. You will need this along with your passport before navigating to your departure gate.

Eating & Things to Do:

14) Secret Beach. 

Secret Beach is not really a secret anymore! It is the recommended beach to go to by the locals in San Pedro. Even though the typical mode of transportation on the island is by golf cart, I would recommend hiring a driver to take you to this beach by car for the day since the ride is a bit bumpy from the town center. Be sure to arrive early so you can snag great seats on the beach.While you are on Secret Beach, there are a lot of great bars, restaurants, and water activities you can enjoy!

15) Visit Mahogany Bay Village. 

One evening, we decided to eat out and enjoyed an amazing dinner outside at the Verandah within Mahogany Bay Village. All of the fish on the menu were caught locally, and vegetables were brought in fresh too!

16) Try Snorkeling & Diving! 

Your trip would not be complete without visiting the second longest barrier reef in the world behind the Great Barrier Reef. The Belize Barrier Reef in Ambergris Caye is about half a mile off the island. Personally, it was the best snorkeling experience I’ve ever had because there were so many fish who would swim right past you and even a few small nurse sharks and stingrays! I would recommend booking a tour with the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. 

17) Try the Snapper. 

Order Snapper during your visit! During our travels, we learned it was the the recommended fish of the locals. 

18) Order lobster during lobster season. 

All of the lobster on the island is caught fresh, but is also seasonal. We learned from the locals that lobster season is from mid June until the end of January. 

19) Visit the Spa at Victoria House.

If you’re looking for an amazing massage experience, be sure to make time for this beautiful hidden gem, tucked away on the beach. My husband and I enjoyed an amazing hot stone massage that literally almost put us to sleep.  

20) Visit the local markets. 

If you’re staying in an Airbnb, I recommend taking a journey to your local market to buy some fresh fruit, meat, and tortillas. A few stores we went to had freshly baked tortillas every morning! These things were to die for and make great breakfast burritos! 

21) Eat at the Blue Water Grill. 

If you’re looking for a great local spot for a beachfront dinner, be sure to visit the Blue Water Grill. This open air restaurant is right on the beach, with live music, friendly staff, great food, and amazing tropical drinks. A must visit for sure!

I hope you enjoyed my guide to San Pedro Belize! This beautiful island has a lot to offer, is very affordable, and you will not need to learn a new language, since they speak english. I would love to take a second trip back to Belize to see the famous Great Blue Hole and some of the Mayan ruins. If you also have some tips you wish to share, please let me know in the comments below. Safe travels!