San Pedro, Belize: Where To Live?

San Pedro Town, located on Ambergris Caye in Belize, is known for its serenity and adventure, offering a tranquil paradise with a vibrant culture. With a strong focus on tourism, the local community prioritises the safety and well-being of visitors, creating a welcoming atmosphere. The town has a low crime rate and a strong police presence, making it a safe destination for travellers. San Pedro is also known for its outdoor adventures, including snorkelling, diving, and exploring the nearby Great Blue Hole, with local tour operators prioritising visitor safety. The cost of living in San Pedro is higher than in other parts of Belize, except for the beach villages of Placencia and Hopkins, due to the need to transport goods to the island. However, it still offers a tropical island lifestyle with stunning turquoise seascapes and a range of activities.

San Pedro's Cost of Living

San Pedro Town, located on the Caribbean island of Ambergris Caye, is the only town on the island and acts as a hub for the 20,000 expats and locals. As such, it offers a range of amenities, including reliable utilities, restaurants, bars, a theatre, and a monthly gourmet farmers' market.

The cost of living in San Pedro is influenced by its status as a tourist and expat haven, with an increase in tourism, infrastructure, and amenities leading to higher prices. The average cost of living is $915, ranking it in the top 37% of the least expensive cities globally. The median after-tax salary is $1329.

The cost of rent in San Pedro varies depending on the location and style of the property. A basic, traditional Belizean wooden home without air conditioning is the most economical option, while concrete homes, which are increasingly popular, tend to be more expensive. Beachfront properties are also generally more costly.

For example, a studio apartment or one-bedroom unit in an older development on the beach starts at around $950 a month, while a two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit in a beach development starts at about $1,100 a month. A two-bedroom apartment near the beach with air conditioning, located a few miles from the town centre, can range from $1,200 to $1,500.

Transport costs are minimal as most places are within walking distance. However, gas is expensive, about two to two-and-a-half times the price in the US.

The cost of utilities is mainly driven by electrical usage, as electricity is quite expensive per KWh. Water, cooking gas, phone, and internet services are more reasonably priced.

Healthcare in Belize is generally affordable, with a local "urgent care" visit costing around $25 and advanced lab work costing about $200.

Food costs can be kept low by shopping like a local, relying on local produce, and eating at roadside stands where meals cost around $6 to $8. Eating out at restaurants, especially in touristy areas, can be more expensive, with dinner for two costing about $15 to $25.

Overall, the cost of living in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, varies depending on lifestyle choices and can range from $1,500 to $3,000 per month for a couple.

The Town's History

San Pedro Town, located on the southern part of Ambergris Caye, is the largest town in the Belize Rural South constituency and the second-largest in the Belize District. The town was officially granted township status in 1984, though its history goes back much further.

San Pedro was first inhabited by the Maya as early as 200 B.C. They dug a canal on the north side of the Mexican peninsula, creating the island of Ambergris Caye, which is 25 miles long and the largest of the 200-plus islands of Belize. The Maya also created a narrow channel between Mexico and Belize, providing a trade route from the Bay of Chetumal to the Caribbean.

In the mid-19th century, refugees from the Guerra de Castas fled to northern Belize, which became the principal factor in the settling of the region. The population of the Corozal District grew from less than 200 in 1846 to 8,000 in 1858. The first permanent settlers of San Pedro arrived between 1848 and 1849, consisting of the relatives of fishermen who had previously built fishing camps on the cayes. The settlement soon grew to a village of about 30 houses and over 50 inhabitants.

In the present day, San Pedro Town is a bustling tourist destination, known for its scuba diving and festivals, including the famous El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro. The town has a unique culture, with most inhabitants, known as San Pedranos, originally coming from Mexico and speaking both Spanish and English fluently. The town is also known for its wooden homes, with a mix of Mexican, Caribbean, and English colonial architecture.

Local Attractions

San Pedro is the only town on Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize. The town is known for its golf cart culture, with most residents getting around via this mode of transport.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a beautiful nature reserve in an area world-famous for its excellent diving. It is a popular snorkelling and diving destination, with vibrant coral-lined walls and a diverse range of marine life, including sea turtles, southern rays, and several species of fish. The reserve is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System and can be reached by boat from San Pedro.

Black & White Cultural Entertainment Centre

The Black & White Cultural Entertainment Centre invites families, guests, visitors, and tourists to experience local Belizean culture. They offer a full presentation of the country's diverse culture, including live drumming displays, food, dances, videos, information, and clothing. The centre is owned by a local Belizean Garifuna family and serves traditional and local Belizean food.

Belizean Melody Art Gallery

Founded in 2008 by Melody Sanchez Wolfe, a native of Ambergris Caye, the Belizean Melody Art Gallery showcases original artwork by various local artists and locally made crafts. Melody also hosts paint parties for adults and children, and you can custom order Christmas ornaments, paintings, mugs, pillowcases, and more.

Secret Beach Waterpark Bar and Grill

Secret Beach is an incredible 2-story bar and waterpark with award-winning food, drinks, and a wonderful atmosphere. It has an upstairs viewing deck for magnificent sunsets and is located about seven miles north of San Pedro.

Belize Chocolate Company

The Belize Chocolate Company offers chocolate-making classes and showcases the process of making chocolate from bean to bar. They have a boutique with a variety of products, including vegan and gluten-free options, chocolate coffee, tea, shakes, cookies, brownies, and cheesecake.

The Truck Stop

The Truck Stop is an entertainment hub in San Pedro, offering delicious food, live entertainment, and a shipping container park. They have New Haven-style pizza, Asian and Latin food, and ice cream, all made from local ingredients. There is also a swimming pool, a large stage for bands, outdoor games, and themed events, such as movie nights, trivia, and cornhole tournaments.

These are just a few of the many local attractions in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. Whether you're looking for cultural experiences, outdoor activities, or delicious food and drinks, San Pedro has something to offer everyone.

Transport Options

Golf carts are the primary mode of transportation in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. They are perfect for getting around the island and can be rented from companies such as Advanced Golf Cart Rental, which has locations near the San Pedro Airport and the Water Taxi. The cost of renting a golf cart ranges from $30 for a 2-seater for 24 hours to $125 for a 6-seater for 48 hours.

Another option for getting to San Pedro is to fly. Both Tropic Air and Maya Island Air offer direct flights to San Pedro Airport from Belize International Airport (BZE) and Belize City's Municipal Airport (TZA). The flight time is approximately 15-20 minutes, and prices range from $60 to $105 USD for a non-stop flight.

For those looking for a more economical option, the water taxi is a great alternative. The San Pedro Belize Express water taxi service offers ferry rides from Belize City to San Pedro for $12.50-$15.00 USD. The journey takes about 90 minutes, and the terminals are located on North-Front Street at the Haulover Creek month in Belize City.

When travelling from Belize City to San Pedro by boat, it takes about an hour and 15 minutes, with a stop at Caye Caulker before arriving in San Pedro Town.

Travellers coming from the International Airport can take a taxi or shuttle service to the water taxi terminals in Belize City. It is recommended to ask the driver to take you to the terminal with the soonest departure to San Pedro.

The Weather

San Pedro has a tropical climate, with temperatures ranging from 75°F to 88°F. The weather is typically warm to hot, with a mix of clouds and sun. Thunderstorms and rain showers are common, especially during the evening and overnight.

During my search, I found forecasts predicting scattered thunderstorms, occasional showers, and cloudy skies. The winds tend to be strong, ranging from 10 to 30 mph, and the air quality is generally acceptable.

Locals in Belize often refer to bad weather as "weather is coming," and this usually means rain or storms. However, it's worth noting that San Pedro still enjoys plenty of sunny days, with some sources estimating around 350 days of sun per year.

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