{"id":6075,"date":"2023-04-11T18:54:38","date_gmt":"2023-04-11T17:54:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nanoo.travel\/?p=5951"},"modified":"2025-11-02T16:36:31","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T15:36:31","slug":"ambergris-caye-the-ultimate-belize-island-escape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nanoo.travel\/en\/ambergris-caye-the-ultimate-belize-island-escape\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel to Belize | Discover Ambergris Caye, an island paradise"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It has to be said that this little paradise has it all: waterside bungalows, refreshing sea breezes, resto-bars on coconut tree-lined beaches and a seabed that promises shark dives and manatee sightings. Welcome to Ambergris Caye…<\/p>\n\n

\"Ambergris<\/a><\/figure>\n\n
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Ambergris Caye at a glance<\/h2>\n\n

At 40 kilometers long and 1.6 kilometers wide, Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island<\/strong>. It was first occupied by the Mayans, who, according to some historians, were responsible for digging the canal that separates the island from the Yucat\u00e1n Peninsula<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n

In the 18th century, whalers named it Ambergris Caye, in reference to the ambergris found in abundance on the island’s beaches or floating in the surrounding area. In 1867, during the Yucat\u00e1n Caste War, many Mexican refugees settled on Ambergris Caye, which explains whyEnglish and Spanish are spoken here<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

A popular destination since the 1970s, Ambergris Caye was named “the most beautiful island in the world” by Traveler’s Choice Island in 2014<\/strong>. To the east of the island are long white sandy beaches, while the west coast is overgrown with mangroves.<\/p>\n\n

The island’s main and only town, San Pedro is the gateway to Ambergris Caye<\/strong>. Here you’ll find hotels, restaurants, small shops and a host of tourist activities (scuba diving, kayaking, fishing, etc.). Many tourists stop off here to enjoy the island’s main attraction: the coral reef and the Blue Hole<\/strong>. Ambergris Caye is split in two to the north of San Pedro by “The River”, a separation caused by erosion.<\/p>\n\n

\"San<\/a>
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye?<\/h2>\n\n

Both easily accessible from Belize City, Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye are only a few kilometers apart (30 minutes by ferry boat). Why choose one over the other when you don’t have enough time to stay at both?<\/p>\n\n

While Ambergris Caye is Belize’s largest island, Caye Caulker<\/strong> is a small piece of land, no more than eight kilometers long and one kilometer wide. The atmosphere is very cool, very “backpacker”. Much more than a local motto, “Go slow” is a way of life here<\/strong>… <\/p>\n\n

\"Arrival<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

As with Ambergris Caye, you can explore the island by bike or golf cart (no cars on Caye Caulker!), and enjoy a wide range of water sports including kayaking, kite-surfing, fishing and scuba diving.<\/p>\n\n

As the island is mainly frequented by young North American tourists, the food and lodging here is very affordable, often in youth hostels or equivalent accommodation.<\/p>\n\n

\u279c When you’re traveling alone or as a couple and don’t want to spend too much, Caye Caulker is the ideal solution! With a wider range of accommodation and activities on offer, Ambergris Caye is an excellent choice when traveling with the family or looking for a higher quality of comfort.<\/p>\n\n

How do I get to Ambergris Caye?<\/h2>\n\n

Two companies offer several daily departures by water cab to San Pedro from Belize City<\/strong>: Caribbean Sprinter Water Taxi<\/a> and San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n

\"Water<\/a>
Water Taxi in Belize City, direction Ambergris Caye<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
\"Caye<\/a>
View of Caye Caulker from the water cab<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Good to Know<\/strong><\/p>\n\n