Top Things to do in Ambergris Caye
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The 6 Best Things to Do in Ambergris Caye, Belize
Ambergris Caye hovers in a vacation sweet spot: just enough amenities to make it exciting, but not so overdeveloped that you’re tripping over flip-flopped tourists. A mangrove swamp is the eye of this white beach island, the largest in Belize, and golf carts are the main form of transportation along the sandy roads. Reef divers drool over the Belize Barrier Reef and the Blue Hole, a 400-feet deep circle of limestone that teems with angelfish, elkhorn coral, cleaner shrimp and stalactites.
Restaurants in Ambergris Caye
1. Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
This beautiful nature reserve is in an area world famous for its excellent diving.
Reviewed By ScrappyTraveler2016 - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Okay so yes there are other people there and yes they are all excited too...but don’t let that bother you! It is Spring Break season after all. We had amazing guides (Creative Tours) who were careful with us and the fragile reef/animals, and took excellent care of us. Once you’re face down in the water the other groups feel distant and not an issue (to me anyway). The fish and corals are lovely, and we had fun watching the divers below in addition to wildlife. Also saw a hawksbill turtle here. Definitely worth a stop; bring that underwater camera!
2. Shark Ray Alley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 924 reviews
Reviewed By golfhorse - Green Lane, Pennsylvania
We traveled here by golf cart one day on our vacation. It was an 1:15 drive from south San Pedro. The road was great for about 1/2 the trip. Lots of uneven roads, potholes and mud. It was definitely worth the trip! Best beach in San Pedro. No waves or seaweed. You have to pick a bar to camp at. We went to the middle one. Nice padded chairs. Spent most of the day there. Good food and drinks.
3. Mexico Rocks
Overall Ratings
5 based on 68 reviews
Reviewed By Jim R - Calgary, Canada
We went snorkelling on two consecutive days at Mexico Rocks which was just a 3 minute boat ride from Costa Blu Resort where we were staying on Ambergris. The first day was by far the better of the two days. We visited two different spots each day. On the first day our first stop was at the section of Mexico Rocks known as "the Patches" where the highlight was the fan coral and it was not crowded at all. Our second stop on the same day took us to a spot where guides from other tours were feeding the fish and so we got to see a large number of them. The place was crowded with other snorkelers but it did not affect our enjoyment of the nurse sharks, rays and other fish. The highlights of this location were the green sea turtle who kept swimming close to us making for some great photographs and the long neon green moray eel who kept swimming out from the rocks to show itself off to us.
The following day we returned but this time there were 16 people on our boat rather than the 6 we had the day before.That many people in the water together is not good for photographs since they create too many bubbles as they tread water or swim. We got to see a green sea turtle again but not the eel or as many fish and there were less sharks and rays, perhaps because we did not return to the same spot where we were the day before.
4. The Gallery of San Pedro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 183 reviews
We have the largest selection of Belizean Art in the country, with over 1500 Belize-made paintings,over 700 Belize-made Masks & Carvings. We also have the largest selection of the finest hammocks and blankets.
Reviewed By Lorrie F
This gallery has a large selection of art, wooden gifts etc. they can resize pictures and ship to almost anywhere, I could browse at this shop for hours, I highly recommend it for the variety and ease of shipping BUT the owner Jerry is really rude, have I returned to shop there? Yes, sometimes I swear I won't but after a bit of time I've usually gone back, maybe one day I will have had enough and shop elsewhere, I don't think he would care as they're are many tourists coming through "for the first time" Great shop, not so great owner
5. Belizean Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 194 reviews
Belizean Arts Gallery was founded over 25 years ago by an artist. The store which is located deep in Fido's Courtyard features a diverse collection of original paintings by leading artists together with artesano jewelry in gold and silver, wood and slate carvings, ceramics, Garifuna drums, Mayan masks, fabrics and much more. Open daily until late. Also visit our workshop one mile north of the bridge open most days. Paintings can be rolled for traveling or shipped.
Reviewed By ellrat - nyc
This attractive shop sells paintings, jewelry, carvings, and other crafts at a wide range of price points. There are items made locally and also by artisans elsewhere in the region. The friendly staff are knowledgeable and forthright about the details of everything they sell. There's a good selection of original art, and even the lower-priced knickknacks are higher quality than many we saw.
6. The Great Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 474 reviews
The most famous dive site in Belize was discovered by Jacques Cousteau.
Reviewed By Jon W - Ottawa, Canada
Ok ... this has been on our bucket list for about 15 years.
We finally got the chance to dive the Great Blue Hole and we were a little underwhelmed with the dive into the Great Blue.
The trip itself was excellent, we did 3 dives total (Great Blue Hole, Half Moon Wall, and the Aquarium). The 2nd two dives were both excellent with healthy corals, healthy marine life and reasonable bottom time.
The Blue Hole itself was a very quick dive ... less than 8 minutes at 132 feet, with a total dive time just under 22 minutes. The water was cool (74F) with a full wet suit. The conditions were ideal the day we went. Having dove extensively we expected a bigger thrill and our expectations were too high. A light is a definite must for this dive but don't expect to see a lot in the Blue Hole.
We were visited by a Caribbean reef shark but it kept it's distance.
The day itself was very well organized, with breakfast and lunch provided. On shore we visited the Booby Bird nesting grounds ... definitely an added attraction.
We were extremely lucky on the boat trip back to Ambergris Cay as we were surrounded by between 30 and 50 dolphins (porpoises) who played around with us for about 20 minutes.
It's a pricey trip but I'm glad we did it, I don't plan to repeat anytime soon but we'll definitely be doing more diving!
