Ambergris Cay Travel Guide

  Baby racoon
by Gypsystravels
 
  • Baby racoon
      Baby racoon
    by Gypsystravels
  •   Ambergris Cay
    by Paul2001
  • Miriam & Me enjoying our dessert
      Miriam & Me enjoying our dessert
    by Gypsystravels
  • Little frog
      Little frog
    by Gypsystravels
  • San Pedro Town
      San Pedro Town
    by kyoub
 

Pro

Gypsystravels profile photo

 Still quite beautiful and not too touristy 


Con

Bwana_Brown profile photo

 It seemed quite 'busy' after quiet Caye Caulker 


In a nutshell

CoAir13 profile photo

 Subtropical beauty...and the reef!!! 

 

Explore Ambergris Cay

Things to Do  

Mayan Ruins at Lamanai

Mayan Ruins at Lamanai, Ambergris Cay

 CayeCrazed Says:  You are picked up at 7:00 a.m. in a fast boat for a one hour ride to the mainland and up the river stopping here and there to view crocs,iguanas,and many species of birds and flowers. Then a one hour bus ride to another river ride gets you to the Lamanai site where you have... 

Restaurants  

Cocina Caramba

Cocina Caramba, Ambergris Cay

 8 Reviews  We went to Caramba as we read some positive reviews about the place... They had a sign out front advertising a seafood platter special... and in we went. The seafood platter was nothing more than a regular-sized plate, with an even smaller dish holding some shrimp and scallops. It was a huge... 

San Pedro Holiday Hotel

San Pedro Holiday Hotel, Ambergris Cay

 1 Review  On Wednesday night when Celi's was closed, we went to the Wednesday night barbecue right on the beach in front of the Holiday Hotel. Live music and spicy barbecue which was one of the cheapest meals we had. 

Jambel Jerk Resturant

Jambel Jerk Resturant, Ambergris Cay

 4 Reviews  I checked out the Jambel Jerk Restaurant after my morning out snorkelling. I was quite hungry and did not want to wander far for a good place to eat. The Jambel did the trick. I am fond of Jamacian food in general and this place was just a short walk from my hotel. To my pleasure the food was good... 

Fido's Courtyard & Pier

Fido's Courtyard & Pier, Ambergris Cay

 2 Reviews  Tourist stop directly on the beach in the center of town. Live music everyday of the week and sports telecast on large screens. Good place to drink and listen to music. The food is not very good and overpriced. Much better places if you're looking for good food. 

Papi's Diner

Papi's Diner, Ambergris Cay

 2 Reviews  Ruth, our hotel host, had given us a lot of advice the previous afternoon on good restaurants, including Papi's Diner as a good bet for breakfast. Maybe she was just supporting the local businesses, but my 'Moon Handbook' on Belize agreed: "Papi's Diner offers cheap breakfasts and lunches, and is... 

Celi's Restaurant

Celi's Restaurant, Ambergris Cay

 3 Reviews   This is a very basic restaurant, kind of like eating under the big top. The metal tables and sand floors didn't do much for our appetite. Some had burgers and they were expensive for what they got. 

Elvi's Kitchen

Elvi's Kitchen, Ambergris Cay

 4 Reviews  This is Rapheal. We met him at Fido's one afternoon and ran into him a couple of times on the Island . Very nice guy-He knows his local music too.I promised him I'd put his picture on the internet All the guide books will have a listing for this restaurant -it's One of the oldest restaurants on the... 

Rubie's (or Ruby's) Cafe

Rubie's (or Ruby's) Cafe, Ambergris Cay

 1 Review  There was a small bakery/breakfast place run by the family that ran the hotel. There were a few tables inside or you could take the food out. We had breakfast here, but most of the stuff is too sweet for my taste. The rum cake is very good, but not for me for breakfast -- US$3.25 for two. They will... 

Jade Garden

Jade Garden, Ambergris Cay

 2 Reviews   First off let me say if you have small children or someone in the party that can't climb stairs you may want to think twice before stopping here. We had to go up the flight of stairs outside before reaching the front door. Then they took us up two more flights of stairs to a private dining... 

Caliente

Caliente, Ambergris Cay

 1 Review  At LITTLE ITALY, we had the lunch buffet. They gave us water at the table which none of the other restaurants did. Nice selection at the buffet. US$15 for two without drinks. This restaurant has been taken over by Jenny Staines, Elvi Staines' daughter Reviews say : opened in 2001 in the old Little... 

Estel's-by-the-Sea

Estel's-by-the-Sea, Ambergris Cay

 1 Review  We had breakfast here one morning - fresh squeezed fruit juice and some johnny cakes. Note: This is NOT a picture of my husband. It's Bruce Head whose wife wrote the review below. They have all the usual egg-and-bacon basics including fried potatoes, but you'll also enjoy the burritos and huevos... 

Nightlife  

Fido's Restaurant and Bar: A Good Bar but Mediocre Restaurant

Fido's Restaurant and Bar: A Good Bar but Mediocre Restaurant, Ambergris Cay

 Paul2001 Says:  I visited Fido's twice. Once on my first night in San Pedro to eat and later for a couple of beers and to check out the band. The restaurant is upstairs and really was only average. I had lasagna and it was passable. When I took in the band four nights later, I was most... 

Transportation  

M.V. ferry

M.V. ferry, Ambergris Cay

 kyoub Says:  On the north part of San Pedro, next to Sweet Basil Restaurant there is a body of water, no road, no bridge. no walkway. Some clever native rigged up a ferry pulled along by 4-5 boys.It was just big enough to hold our golf cart but it worked.They charged us $1 each for the... 

Shopping  

Toucan Too Gift Shop: Souvenir shopping

Toucan Too Gift Shop: Souvenir shopping, Ambergris Cay

 kyoub Says:  Toucan Too Gift Shop is located on the main street downtown San Pedro.It is not a big shop but it is crammed with nicer quality souvenirs.We all enjoyed shopping here and stayed much longer than we planned. San Pedro's main street has many little shops with local crafts and... 

Local Customs  

The only English Speaking South American Country

The only English Speaking South American Country, Ambergris Cay

 Gypsystravels Says:  Belize is the only country in Central America who's official language is English. Although English is the official language, you will also find people speaking Spanish and Creole as well. The people of Belize are a melting pot of different cultures from the neighboring... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Just be careful!

Just be careful!, Ambergris Cay

 Denissetag Says:  I got mugged in Ambergris! The mugger snatched my brand new digital Canon camera and few Belizean dollars that were inside the camera case. Luckily I didn't get hurt and luckily I had just taken out the hotel keys and golf cart keys from the camera case -just minutes before... 

What to Pack  

Bring along a poncho

Bring along a poncho, Ambergris Cay

 kyoub Says:   The island is very casual and if you go in the rainy season you will get wet.Shorts and cotton tops/t-shirts are fine in the daytime. Capri's at night.Shoes that you don't mind getting wet. Bring along a lightweight rain poncho. Don't forget the sunscreen and the mosquito... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Bird Island

Bird Island, Ambergris Cay

 kyoub Says:  The girls decided they should take mom on a tour to see some birds. They found a nice guy that would take us to a local bird island. It was a four hour tour starting at 7am.After a short boat ride, he anchored off shore, and we walked around the island.We saw herons,... 

Sports & Outdoors  

SCUBA

SCUBA, Ambergris Cay

 7 Reviews   There are several dive shops on the island, take your pick. They will take you out for diving or snorkeling. One place that we went was Mexico Rocks. It is a shallower area, 8-15 feet, and the water is quite clear teeming with beautiful fish. 

Comments

Map of Ambergris Cay