San Pedro, Belize: A Tropical Paradise Located

where is san pedro belize on a map

San Pedro is located on Ambergris Caye, an island off the coast of Belize in Central America. It is the country's largest inhabited island and is known for its vibrant town, alluring beaches, and close proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a population of approximately 14,000, San Pedro Town is predominantly a Mestizo community, with Spanish being the most commonly spoken language. The town offers a range of restaurants, bars, and activities such as snorkelling, scuba diving, and fishing, making it a popular tourist destination.

Characteristics Values
Country Belize
Island Ambergris Caye
Population 14,000
Main mode of transportation Golf cart
Population ethnicity Mestizo (77%), Maya, Creole, Garifuna, Expats
Languages Spanish, English
Nearest airport San Pedro (SPR)
Distance from airport 15 minutes by plane
Distance from Belize City 1 hour and 20 minutes by ferry
Nearby attractions World's second-largest barrier reef, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Great Blue Hole, Shark Ray Alley, Caye Caulker
Activities Snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing, sailing, sky diving, swimming with sharks, food tours, chocolate-making tours
Resorts and hotels Belizean Reef Suites, San Pedro Holiday Hotel, Coral Beach Hotel, Sands Hotel, Martha's Hotel, Tomas Hotel, Hotel San Pedrano, Tranquility Beach Club, Caribe Island Resort, Royal Caribbean Resort

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San Pedro is on Ambergris Caye island

San Pedro is located on Ambergris Caye, an island off the coast of Belize in Central America. Ambergris Caye is the largest inhabited island of Belize's 200+ islands, which are locally referred to as 'cayes'. The island is situated in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, just off the tip of Quintana Roo in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. With a size of 25 miles (46 kilometres) long and up to 2 miles wide, Ambergris Caye is a long and narrow island. Despite its relatively small size, the island boasts a vibrant town and a population of approximately 14,000 people, most of whom live in San Pedro Town.

San Pedro Town is predominantly a Mestizo community, with this ethnic group comprising 77% of the population. The Mestizo community includes Maya, Creole, and Garifuna people. The town also has a small expat population. While Spanish is spoken slightly more than English, many residents of Ambergris Caye are bilingual, speaking both languages fluently.

Ambergris Caye has become a popular tourist destination, known for its tropical beauty and proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island offers a range of activities, including swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, and fishing. It is also a great location for exploring ancient Mayan sites and enjoying the vibrant nightlife of San Pedro.

The island is easily accessible, with a short flight from Belize International Airport or a water taxi ride from Belize City, making it a convenient and appealing destination for travellers seeking a tropical island getaway.

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It's in the Caribbean Sea

San Pedro, Belize is located in the Caribbean Sea. It is one of the 200+ islands off the coast of Belize, locally called 'cayes' (keys). The island is situated in the clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean, just off the tip of Quintana Roo in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. With a population of approximately 14,000 people, San Pedro Town is the largest inhabited island in Belize. The town is predominantly Mestizo, comprising 77% of the population, including Maya, Creole, and Garifuna communities.

San Pedro is part of Ambergris Caye, a popular tourist destination known for its vibrant town and proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef. The Barrier Reef system is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the world's second-largest barrier reef, offering world-class dive sites and alluring swimming, snorkelling, and scuba diving opportunities. The island can be reached by a 15-minute flight from Belize's International Airport or by a 1-hour and 20-minute water taxi ride from Belize City.

The main mode of transportation on the island is the golf cart, which can be rented to explore the town's bars, art galleries, fitness centres, and local food scene. San Pedro and Belize are happy to accept US Dollars, with an exchange rate of $1 USD to $2 Belize Dollars. The town boasts a range of resorts, condos, and villas along the waterside, making it a popular destination for weddings, honeymoons, and special occasions.

San Pedro is also known for its vibrant nightlife, with live music and hidden secrets to discover. The La Costa Maya Festival, an international celebration, is held in San Pedro annually, and the Lobster Fest is another popular event in June. With its beautiful beaches, cultural sites, and array of activities, San Pedro, located in the Caribbean Sea, is a tropical paradise for visitors seeking an amazing vacation.

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The local transport is the golf cart

San Pedro, located on Ambergris Caye, is a popular tourist destination in Belize. The local transport on the island is the golf cart, which can be rented from several companies. Golf carts are considered the best way to get around the island, with many hotels, resorts, and condos located outside the town centre.

There are several golf cart rental companies on the island, offering a range of features and prices. Aviz Golf Cart Rental, located near the bridge in San Pedro, offers both 4-seater and 6-seater golf carts with features such as fold-down back seats, built-in ice chests, and extended roof canopies. Their rates start at $25 USD for 4 hours, $35 USD for 8 hours, and $45 USD for 24 hours.

Carts Belize is another popular option, known for its superior service and well-maintained carts. They offer door-to-door delivery and have two convenient locations in San Pedro. Their golf carts come with custom features, and they pride themselves on providing a safe, clean, and comfortable experience.

Advanced Golf Cart Rental is also a well-known choice, with convenient locations at the Tropic Air or Maya Island Air Terminals, as well as the Belize Express Water Taxi and Ocean Ferry Water Taxi. Their rates are very competitive, with 4-seater carts starting at $30 USD for 24 hours and 6-seater carts starting at $60 USD for 24 hours.

Renting a golf cart in San Pedro, Belize, is made easy with these companies, offering convenience, competitive prices, and well-maintained carts to enhance your island exploration experience.

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San Pedro has a vibrant nightlife

San Pedro in Belize is a place of stunning sunsets and vibrant nightlife. The town may be small, but it's bursting with life after dark. Whether you're looking for a relaxed evening or a wild night out, San Pedro has something for everyone.

One of the best things about San Pedro's nightlife is the beach bars. You can sip a cold drink with your toes in the sand, listening to the waves under a starry sky. Most beach bars offer a laid-back atmosphere, but if you're in the mood to dance, many places have live music or DJs playing a mix of local and international hits. Beach bars such as BC's, Tackle Box, Wet Willy's, and Palapa Bar are perfect spots to enjoy a cold drink. Palapa Bar, in particular, is a San Pedro favourite, known for its colourful lighting and thatch roof with a saltwater backdrop.

If you're feeling hungry, you'll find plenty of options along the streets, from local food stalls serving delicious Belizean cuisine to resorts with gourmet food. You can indulge in fresh seafood or savoury tacos, all at affordable prices.

For a unique and quirky experience, don't miss the famous Chicken Drop at Wahoo's Lounge. Every Thursday night, a chicken is placed on a giant bingo board, and everyone waits with bated breath to see where it will drop. It's a fun tradition that you'll only find in San Pedro.

San Pedro also offers a range of nightlife activities to suit different tastes. If you're looking for a more relaxed evening, check out the Truck Stop, an outdoor food truck park with tasty food, ice cream, and an outdoor movie theatre. You can watch a movie under the stars with a gentle sea breeze, making it a perfect laid-back night out.

If you love singing, San Pedro has plenty of bars that host karaoke nights, a great way to mix with the locals and other tourists. Live music is also a staple of San Pedro's nightlife, with a mix of traditional Garifuna drumming, modern reggae, and salsa beats. Cultural shows featuring traditional dances and music are also hosted by some restaurants and bars.

For those seeking a more lively night out, there are options like Average Joe's, which offers live music and a variety of wing flavours. The most popular nightclub in town is Jaguar's Temple, where the action often goes until daybreak.

Whether you're a beach bar hopper or a karaoke enthusiast, San Pedro, Belize, has a vibrant nightlife that will keep you entertained until the early hours. So, get ready to dance the night away, sing your heart out, and create unforgettable memories!

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It's near the world's second-largest barrier reef

San Pedro is a town on Ambergris Caye, an island off the coast of Belize. Belize is a small country in Central America, nestled just below Mexico and to the east of Guatemala. The Belize Barrier Reef is a series of coral reefs that run parallel to the country's entire coastline. It is the second-largest coral reef system in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a 300-kilometre-long (190 mi) section of the 900-kilometre-long (560 mi) Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which stretches from Cancún on the north-eastern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula down to Honduras. The Belize Barrier Reef is located roughly 300 metres (980 ft) offshore in the north and 40 kilometres (25 mi) in the south. It is a significant natural habitat for many threatened species, including marine turtles, manatees, and the American marine crocodile.

The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1996. It is comprised of seven protected areas: Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve, Blue Hole Natural Monument, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, Laughing Bird Caye National Park, and Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve. These seven protected areas constitute 12% of the entire Reef Complex.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a popular tourist destination, attracting almost half of Belize's 260,000 visitors. It offers a range of recreational activities such as diving, snorkelling, sailing, and fishing. The reef is also vital to the country's fishing industry and protects the coastline from the damaging effects of wave action, tropical storms, and hurricanes.

The reef is home to a diverse array of marine life, including sea turtles, rays, eels, nurse sharks, goliath groupers, dolphins, and manatees. It also boasts three distinct Caribbean atolls: Turneffe Atoll, Glover's Reef, and Lighthouse Reef. Lighthouse Reef is the most easterly diving area in Belize and is home to the Great Blue Hole, made famous by Jacques Cousteau in 1970.

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Frequently asked questions

San Pedro is a town on Ambergris Caye, an island in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Belize.

San Pedro is known for its swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving and fishing. There are also restaurants, bars, spas, yoga retreats and tattoo parlours.

You can fly to San Pedro Airport from Belize International Airport, or take a cab to the water taxi in Belize City.

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