Ambergris Caye Belize
The largest of all of Belize’s hundreds of islands (locally known as “cayes” and pronounced “keys”), Ambergris Caye is famous for its white beaches, world-class scuba diving and snorkeling, and friendly residents.
Measuring 34 miles at its longest point, Ambergris Caye is located in the Caribbean Sea northeast of Belize City. Ambergris Caye was once connected to the Yucatan Peninsula (present day Mexico) but became an island after the Maya dug a channel to separate the two approximately 1,500 years ago.
The capital and largest settlement on the island is San Pedro Town, a colorful and laid-back Caribbean urban center with about 7,000 full-time residents memorialized in the hit 1986 Madonna song “La Isla Bonita.” The rest of the island is still mostly undeveloped, consisting of tropical savannah, mangrove swamps, and lagoons.
What To Do in Ambergris Caye
The famous Belize Barrier Reef, home to an astounding variety of marine flora and fauna, is visible from the shore of Ambergris Caye. Scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, failing, fishing, and kayaking are popular attractions in and around the caye as well as further offshore at the reef itself.
One popular nearby attraction is diving at Shark Ray Alley, a shallow-bottomed natural break in the coral reef where large crowds of docile nurse sharks and stingrays dart in and around divers.
In San Pedro Town, the chief attractions are the many restaurants, lively bars, art galleries, gift shops and the Ambergris Caye Museum and Cultural Center.
How to get to Ambergris Caye
The staff at Cahal Pech can arrange your transportation to Ambergris Caye by air, with domestic service provided by Maya Island Air and Tropic Air from Placencia, Belize City and most other destinations in Belize.
Private water taxi service can also be arranged with departures from the swing bridge in the Belize City harbor to Ambergris Caye, a 75-minute journey.
Cahal Pech Village Resort
The Cahal Pech Village Resort outside of San Ignacio Town has an excellent network of relations with the best hotels and resorts in Ambergris Caye. If you’re interested in visiting Ambergris Caye or excursions to the Belize Barrier Reef, Cahal Pech’s reservation team can help you book a comprehensive Belize reef and rainforest package.
Whether you’re interested in exploring San Ignacio and the west of Belize or Ambergris Caye and the islands in the east, Cahal Pech is your one-stop shop for the best Belize vacation and tour packages.
