Lyla Lindsey
El Secreto is a boutique hotel located on the northern shores of Belize's Ambergris Key. It is situated 11 miles north of San Pedro, the caye's capital, and is only accessible by boat taxi. The resort offers a secluded and intimate experience with just 13 villas that blend high-tech design and natural decor. To get to El Secreto, visitors can take a ferry or water taxi from San Pedro, which is a half-hour ride. Alternatively, there is a dirt road along the shoreline that leads to the resort, but it is a bumpy and lengthy drive of about an hour and a half.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 11 miles north of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize |
| Travel time from San Pedro | 30 minutes by boat, 1.5 hours by ferry |
| Accessibility | Only reachable by boat via the hotel's pier |
| Resort type | Secluded, tropical, luxury, romantic |
| Resort size | 12 regular villas and 1 spa villa |
| Villa features | Air-conditioning, outdoor showers, private whirlpools, LED lighting, iPod docks, coffee makers, king-size beds |
| Resort facilities | Infinity pool, restaurant, bar, spa, water sports equipment |
What You'll Learn
El Secreto is accessible only by boat via the hotel's pier
El Secreto is located on the northern shores of Belize's Ambergris Key. It is a secluded, romantic, and luxurious boutique hotel. The resort is situated 11 miles north of San Pedro, the caye's capital, and is only accessible by boat via the hotel's pier. This exclusive mode of arrival adds to the feeling of being in a true tropical escape.
The journey to El Secreto begins with a three-minute taxi or walk from the airport in San Pedro Town to the jetty. From there, a thirty-minute water shuttle will take you to the resort. Alternatively, visitors can opt for the hour-and-a-half ferry ride from Belize City to San Pedro, followed by a half-hour shuttle to the hotel. El Secreto is located along a deserted beach and the mangrove-lined northern coastline of Ambergris Caye, making it one of the island's most remote resorts.
The resort's secluded location ensures privacy and tranquility for its guests. It is set apart from the hustle and bustle of San Pedro Town, which is a half-hour ferry ride or a wallet-busting water taxi away. A dirt road also traces the shoreline, offering an hour-and-a-half drive to town. However, a paved road was under construction during a 2016 visit, which was expected to reduce travel time significantly.
El Secreto's location provides easy access to nearby attractions, such as a barrier reef that is great for snorkeling and diving, just a ten-minute boat ride from the hotel. The nearest dining option is a twenty-minute beach walk away, offering drinks, ceviche, and tacos in a tiki bar setting.
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It's 11 miles north of San Pedro
El Secreto is located 11 miles north of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. It is a secluded tropical getaway, only accessible by boat taxi. The resort is located along a deserted beach and the mangrove-lined northern coastline of Ambergris Caye, making it one of the island's most remote resorts. It is approximately a half-hour ferry ride or an hour-and-a-half drive from San Pedro Town, depending on the mode of transportation chosen.
The resort is situated in a tropical Zen garden-like setting, with raked sand, manicured hedges, and a blend of desert plants and rustling palm trees. The thatch-roofed villas are scattered throughout the grounds, offering a mix of ocean, lake, or garden views. Each villa features a tech-forward smart-control system, managing various amenities through an iPad or an iPod provided at check-in.
El Secreto is an intimate resort with only 13 villas, offering a blend of high-tech design and natural decor. The villas are thatched, naturally-styled structures that blend seamlessly into the Caribbean context while boasting state-of-the-art amenities. The resort is committed to providing a feeling of true escape and exclusivity to its guests.
To reach El Secreto, one can opt for a ferry ride or a water taxi from San Pedro Town, which serves as the island's commercial and transit hub. Alternatively, one can take a bumpy dirt road along the shoreline, which takes about an hour and a half by car. During early 2016, a paved road was under construction, which was expected to reduce the travel time significantly.
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It's a 30-minute drive or a bumpy 1.5-hour car journey from San Pedro
El Secreto is located 11 miles north of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. It is a secluded tropical getaway, accessible only by boat via the hotel's pier. The resort is located along a deserted beach and mangrove-lined northern coastline, making it one of the island's most remote resorts.
The journey from San Pedro to El Secreto can vary depending on the mode of transportation and the conditions of the roads and shoreline. If you choose to drive, the trip can take around 30 minutes to cover the 11-mile distance. However, it is important to note that the road conditions can be bumpy and rocky, especially after Mile 9. While the first 3.5 miles from San Pedro are paved, the road becomes harder-packed and rockier further north. It is advisable to drive slowly and cautiously on this stretch.
Alternatively, you can opt for a ferry or water taxi ride, which will take approximately 30 minutes to reach El Secreto from the San Pedro jetty. This option offers a more scenic route, allowing you to take in the beauty of the coastline and the crystal-clear waters.
In summary, the journey from San Pedro to El Secreto can be made by car or boat. The drive offers a faster option, while the boat ride provides a more picturesque experience. It's important to consider the road conditions and your preference for scenery when making your choice.
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The resort is permanently closed
El Secreto Resort in Belize is permanently closed. The resort was located 11 miles north of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and was only reachable by boat taxi. It was known for its "barefoot luxury" concept, offering a secluded tropical getaway experience.
The resort was opened in late 2012 and quickly gained attention for its unique features, such as rooms controlled by an iPad and luxurious amenities. It boasted rustic-chic villas with lake, ocean, or garden views, an infinity pool, and a spa. The restaurant, El Secreto, served international and Belizean cuisine.
However, in 2018, rumours began circulating that the resort had closed indefinitely. Its website and social media accounts were taken down, and Google marked it as "Permanently Closed". It is unclear why the resort closed, but it may be due to a larger hotel project that the owners were working on in Belize.
Despite its closure, the resort's location and natural beauty remain unchanged. The property, with its over-the-water villas and tranquil atmosphere, still captivates visitors.
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It was a secluded tropical getaway with rustic-chic villas
El Secreto in Belize is a secluded tropical getaway with rustic-chic villas. Located 11 miles north of San Pedro, it is only accessible by boat taxi, giving it an exclusive feel. The resort is nestled along Ambergris Caye's deserted beach and mangrove-lined northern coastline, making it one of the island's most remote resorts.
The villas at El Secreto blend polished and rustic Caribbean accents, featuring locally made hardwood furniture, airy granite bathrooms, and private outdoor whirlpools. Each villa boasts towering thatched ceilings, flat-screen TVs, and indoor and outdoor showers. The colour palette ranges from cayenne to brown to tan, with Mayan-patterned fabrics and Mexican beaded wall art adding a touch of local culture.
The resort offers a mix of high-tech design and natural decor. Each room is equipped with a tech-forward smart-control system, allowing guests to manage audio, LED lighting, air conditioning, and door locks via an application on the room's 42-inch flat-screen TV. Other modern amenities include iPod docks, Melitta coffee makers, and minibars.
El Secreto provides the perfect setting for a tranquil and romantic escape, with its secluded location and intimate atmosphere. It is an ideal destination for couples seeking a tropical getaway with modern amenities and a touch of Caribbean charm.
Unfortunately, reports from 2018 suggest that the resort is permanently closed.
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Frequently asked questions
El Secreto is a secluded resort located 11 miles north of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. It is only accessible by boat taxi to the hotel's pier. From the airport in San Pedro, it is a three-minute taxi ride to the jetty, followed by a thirty-minute water shuttle to the resort. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Belize City to San Pedro, which takes about an hour and a half, and then take a thirty-minute shuttle to the resort.
El Secreto offers 12 regular villas and 1 spa villa. The villas have ocean, lake, or garden views and feature rustic-chic or tropical decor. They are equipped with high-tech amenities such as LED lighting, iPod docks, coffee makers, and king-size beds. The spa villa has a separate two-bed massage room and butler service.
El Secreto offers a range of activities and amenities, including a full spa, a restaurant serving international and Belizean cuisine, a beach, and a variety of water sports such as diving, snorkeling, and fishing at the nearby Barrier Reef. The resort also provides tours to local ruins and complimentary shuttle services to and from San Pedro.
