Discover the Best of San Pedro
After the Christmas holiday, we spent 5 days on the island of Ambergris Caye, which is the largest island in Belize. San Pedro is the core of the island, with it’s laid-back, easy-going vibe. Many tourists return year after year to San Pedro. The friendly island atmosphere along with great beaches make San Pedro a tropical paradise.
In addition, the second-largest coral reef in the world is located near San Pedro; therefore, it’s a prime destination for divers and snorkelers. Hol Chan Marine Reserve and The Great Blue Hole are among the most popular experiences.
So how do you get to San Pedro?
We flew into Belize City and took a smaller plane via Tropic Air to Ambergris Caye. Our flight was a little over 10 minutes, and we were seated right behind pilot and co-pilot. Talk about incredible sunset views!
There is also a water taxi option, but it takes about 1.5 hours, and the latest water taxi is 5:30pm.
The airport in San Pedro is near the center of town, and there are taxis and golf carts available for transportation. Our resort already had a taxi arranged to pick us up.
Note: In San Pedro, the primary mode of transportation is by golf cart. However, there are some work vehicles and mini vans (which operate as taxis) on the island. There are also bicycles around town.
Where to stay in San Pedro?
We chose Xanadu Island Resort, which was perfect! It was nice to have a serene, tropical, quiet atmosphere to relax and unwind after adventuring about.
We spent a day lounging poolside, and two days lounging under the beach cabana. When we wanted to venture out into town, we were a short golf cart ride to get where we needed to go.
When booking at Xanadu, I inquired about golf cart rental, and they were amazing at handling every detail. Our golf cart was waiting at the resort when we arrived!
The resort always had someone available in the office to answer questions and assist guests as needed. Although we didn’t utilize any of the bicycles or water sports equipment, it was readily available at the resort.
We spent many mornings and evenings on our oceanfront balcony, watching the sunrise and sunset with the dock in the distance. The beach bungalow was secluded from other buildings, surrounded by our own little tropical haven. It was picture-book perfect!
Sun, Sand, and Sea
What to do?
Each morning, we would travel into town for breakfast. Most places were only a short 10 minute golf cart ride. We also spent some time in the heart of San Pedro, where we explored around and visited local shops. There was even a tasting room for us to sample Tiburon Rum.
We ventured out to Secret Beach one day, which was about a 45-minute golf cart ride from our resort. Although Secret Beach isn’t a secret, it is a great place to spend the day!
While there, we spent time lounging oceanfront. There are several restaurants and bars along Secret Beach, with a variety of food and drinks. These establishments also have swings, loungers, and tables set in the sea for guests to enjoy!
On our way back from the beach, we stopped at a little family-owned roadside stand for a fresh coconut.
Another popular hangout spot is the Truck Stop. It’s actually on the way to/from Secret Beach if you’re coming from the town of San Pedro. We stopped in the Truck Stop one afternoon and sipped on a cold beverage in the beer garden.
The Truck Stop also has an outdoor game area, a pool, and several shipping container food trucks! And, there’s some merchandise for sale at the main bar. My husband purchased an official “Truck Stop” hat.
Where to eat/dine in San Pedro?
San Pedro has many local restaurants on their main roads in town, as well as waterfront dining options and beach bars. We experienced a range of culinary options for breakfast and dinner!
Breakfast:
Estel’s Dine by the Sea was my favorite breakfast spot! We sat right on the beach, soaking up the morning sun as we sipped on fresh juice. Since Fry Jacks are the local thing on the island, we had to try some! My husband had the stuffed Fry Jacks for breakfast, and I had plain Fry Jacks with my regular breakfast plate. (Tip: Just add a little honey or jam to them…you’ll thank me later!)
Marbuck’s is the local coffee place, and it’s on the way to Secret Beach. In addition to the coffee house, they have little cabanas around a large patio/dining area, which are part of their Bed & Breakfast. We sipped on our lattes on the patio and enjoyed a laid-back breakfast, with an ocean view in the distance.
The Poolclub is a bougie eatery located in the in the Mahogany Bay Village. It’s hidden behind lush greenery, with an arched entrance and includes a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, and lounging areas.
The Victoria House is another resort that was just down the road. We took the golf cart there one morning and had breakfast on the veranda of their Palmilla Restaurant.
On our last morning in San Pedro, we journeyed just a short distance outside the Xanadu Resort to The Baker. Upon entering, we noticed the pleasant aroma of coffee and pastries. Also, there is a big bright mural along the walls inside as well as cozy little tables. The Baker was often busy every time we passed by. The chocolate croissant and coconut muffin were scrumptious! It was the perfect, casual place for a quick bite!
Dinner:
The first evening on the island, we dined at Hidden Treasure. It’s a popular choice on the island, and it’s tucked away in a quaint neighborhood area. The service and food were exceptional!
Elvi’s Kitchen is the oldest local restaurant in San Pedro. All of our entrees in San Pedro were amazing, but this was probably my favorite. I had the butter poached grouper, which came in a roasted corn sauce…Mmmmm.
Blue Water Grill has oceanfront dining, and large menu along with a few sushi nights throughout the week. We enjoyed dining al fresco for sushi on Tuesday evening.
On New Years Eve we dined inside Frenchy’s Restaurant and Lounge. We were seated at a table for two by the window. We appreciated a different upscale take from the traditional Belize restaurants. The food was excellent, and other guests told us the back patio here is outstanding.
Rain Rooftop Restaurant was our final dinner in San Pedro. When we arrived at the 4th floor/rooftop, there was live music playing. We both appreciated the open-air setting and low noise level as we savored our pasta entrees.
Since we were visiting during high tourist season, our resort recommended to make dinner reservations in advance, in which we did.
Other:
One afternoon, we took a golf cart drive to Pur Taco Bar for happy hour. The conch ceviche and chicken quesadillas were delish!
For other snacks and drinks, we stopped at a few grocery stores to find what we needed. It was nice to have things on hand while lounging at our resort.
Overall, San Pedro is a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s safe, laid-back, and best of all – it’s island life! Not to mention, the island of Caye Caulker is just a short boat ride away!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means we may receive a small commission if you make a purchase (at no additional cost to you).
