Ambergris Caye

San Pedro started as a small fishing village. The descendants of Mexican refugees who fled the Caste War in the 1800s make up a big chunk of the population today. Locals call themselves San Pedranos, most speak English, Spanish, and Belizean Kriol in the same conversation without skipping a beat.

The island runs on golf carts. Literally. Cars are rare and the streets are narrow, which gives the whole place a chaotic but charming energy.

Fishing still matters here, even as tourism has taken over as the main economy. You'll see it in the menus (fresh conch, snapper, lobster in season) and in the older parts of town near the water. Madonna reportedly wrote "La Isla Bonita" about Ambergris Caye after visiting in the 1980s.

Locals are aware of this and mildly proud of it.

Golf carts are the primary way to get around. Rent one near the ferry dock or from your hotel. Drive carefully — the mix of narrow streets, blind corners, golf carts, motorbikes, and pedestrians gets chaotic fast..

Cash is king for small purchases, local vendors, and tips. Credit cards are widely accepted at hotels and tourist restaurants, but expect surcharges. Carry Belizean dollars for street food and local shops..

Tip 10-15% at restaurants. It's appreciated but not as mandatory-feeling as in the US. Most staff at local spots are genuinely friendly, not performatively so..

Use reef-safe sunscreen. The Belize Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and locals take that seriously. Regular sunscreen with oxybenzone and octinoxate is harmful to coral and frowned upon..

Sargassum is a real seasonal issue, especially April through October. The eastern (windward) beaches get hit hardest. Secret Beach on the western lagoon side is naturally sheltered and stays cleaner year-round.

Always ask hotels for recent beach photos before booking if this matters to you.. Locals switch between English, Spanish, and Kriol mid-sentence. Don't be surprised.

And don't assume everyone wants to speak English just because you're a tourist.. Hitchhiking on golf carts is common for locals going north or south. If you're driving, letting someone hitch a short ride is considered friendly, not weird..

Many hardware stores and grocery stores on the island are owned by families of Chinese or Lebanese descent. It's part of the island's mixed heritage and completely normal.

Ambergris Caye is one of the safer places in Belize, but that doesn't mean skip your common sense. Petty theft is the main concern. Don't leave bags unattended on the beach, don't flash expensive jewelry or camera gear, and be careful at ATMs.

After dark, stick to lit areas and the main town. The south side of Belize City (on your way through) has a higher crime rate — the US Embassy specifically advises avoiding it. San Pedro itself has a strong police and tourism presence.

Solo female travelers: the island is generally considered welcoming and safe during the day, but standard caution applies at night. Avoid isolated stretches of beach alone after dark. Drug dealers exist and may offer things politely — they're usually not aggressive, but engaging is obviously not recommended.

Golf cart accidents are actually a more common hazard than crime. The streets are narrow, there are blind corners, and the mix of carts, motorbikes, and foot traffic is genuinely chaotic. Drive slow.

One more real issue: sargassum. The 2025 season was the worst on record, with San Pedro removing over 100 tons in a single week at peak. The smell when it decomposes is strong.

Secret Beach on the western side is sheltered and far less affected. Ask your hotel for current beach conditions before booking beachfront. Crocodiles live in the mangrove lagoons.

They typically avoid humans but don't feed them or get close in the mangroves at night.

Getting to the island means getting to Belize City first, then connecting. Two options: fly or take the water taxi. The domestic flight with Tropic Air or Maya Island Air takes 15 minutes and costs $87-150 one-way depending on which Belize City airport you depart from.

Municipal Airport is cheaper ($87-98), Philip Goldson International Airport costs more ($135-150). Flights run roughly hourly from 7am to 5pm. The water taxi is the budget move at $32.

50 one-way (San Pedro Belize Express, departing from 10 North Front Street near the Swing Bridge). The trip takes 90 minutes with a stop at Caye Caulker. Departures run from 8am with multiple sailings through 5:30pm in peak season.

The boat is comfortable and the coastal views are genuinely good. On the island itself, golf carts are the standard. Rent one at the ferry dock on arrival or through your hotel.

Expect $50-75 per day. In the town center, you can walk. Further north or out to Secret Beach, you need a cart.

Bicycles work well in town for shorter trips. There are no real cars to rent and you wouldn't want one anyway given the roads.