Ambergris Caye

Belize

Resorts:

Blue Tang Inn
Salamander Hideaway
Banana Beach Resort
Coconuts Caribbean Hotel
Xanadu Island Resort

Ambergris Caye is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize for good reason. Besides its ample amenities and restful ambiance, the island is ideally located for day-time excursions to the many offshore attractions for which this country is famous.

Imagine a small, palm-shaded island, its white sands awash in some of the warmest, clearest water to be found anywhere. Offshore, we're talking world-class snorkeling, diving, sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing in the turquoise Western Caribbean. On land, you're immersed in a friendly, laid back atmosphere that offers hotels, restaurants, and services to suit every whim and pocketbook.Your range of nightlife options includes bars, dance clubs, and a good-humored local oddity called "the chicken drop," in which bets are placed on where your chosen fowl will relieve herself!

Welcome to Belize's Ambergris Caye (pronounced "key"), a 20-mile-long, two-mile-wide tropical spit of sand covered with coconut and mangrove trees, cooled by trade winds, and protected by one of the world's longest barrier reefs. Golf carts, bicycles, and your own two feet are the main modes of transportation on the sand-covered streets of tiny San Pedro, the island's only town. But don't let the slow pace fool you. The local folks, uncorrupted by the mass tourism and chain resorts that have invaded much of the region, are ready to welcome you with plenty of places to eat, drink, and be merry-or leave you alone if you so desire. Many San Pedranos are also experienced guides and recreation outfitters eager to make your daytrips picture perfect. And there's no language problem, since English is the official language of this former British colony, independent since 1981.

For those who really want to get away from it all, there are secluded resorts that specialize in diving, fishing, boating, or simply stretching out in a hammock with a cold drink and a hot bestseller. Parts of Ambergris are even more remote, comprising government-protected reserves where you can see endangered sea turtles swim ashore to lay their eggs, ospreys dive for fish in backwater lagoons, and archaeologists hunt for artifacts among ruins left by the ancient Maya civilization a thousand years ago. Dozens of fishing, diving, and snorkeling sites are less than an hour away, including Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark/Ray Alley.The latter are underwater national parks that teem with tropical fish of every size, color, and description, along with exotic corals, sponges, and sea fans. Nonsnorkelers can view this amazing panorama on a glass-bottom boat ride.

There is something for everybody on Ambergris Caye. Biking, golfing, bird watching, diving, snorkelling, jet skiing, wave running, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, fishing are amongst the many activities on offer. Naturally, there is relaxing!

Windsurfing - Ambergris Caye is an excellent spot for all levels of windsurfer. Winter months can offer 20 plus days of 6.5 winds or better. October through March is generally the windy season, although in 99 may and June turned out to be 5.5 weather almost daily. July to September tend to be the calmer months. Typical winds are cross- on or onshore

The barrier reef is clearly visible from most resorts. It is so close you often hear the muffled roar of the sea crashing over the mountainous coral formation. Walls, grottos and canyons are teeming with exotic marine life. The reef is said to have more sea life per square foot than any place in the world. The coral is thick and full of colour. It is graced with a never ending parade of fish darting in and out. The shallow waters make the reef a popular spot for divers and snorkellers alike.

Ambergris Caye is rich in history and proud in tradition. Maya Indians, Mexicans, buccaneers, whalers, they all inhabited the Caye.