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Voykit pocket guide · Belize
Ambergris Caye
Spend 3–4 days on Ambergris Caye for reef snorkeling, diving and relaxed beach time; longer only for a deep‑sea fishing charter.
Ambergris Caye is Belize's largest cay, known for its barrier‑reef access, laid‑back town of San Pedro and golf‑cart transport. A 3‑day stay covers the main marine reserves, town sights and a couple of day trips; add a night for a fishing charter or extra diving.
- Country
- Belize
- Best months
- Feb–May
- Avoid
- Jun–Oct (rainy season, occasional storms)
- Stay
- 3–4 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BZD
- Money
- Currency is the Belize dollar (BZD, $), fixed at 2 to 1 US dollar; US dollars are accepted almost everywhere. Check which dollar a price is in.
- Daily spend
- Budget BZ$50–80 excl. bed · Mid BZ$80–130 excl. bed · High BZ$130+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Digi (Belize Telemedia) and Smart sell SIMs at the airport and in towns; bring your passport.
- Emergency
- Police 911 · Medical 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B, G · 110 V (some 220 V) · 60 Hz · US plugs usually fit.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10–15% if no service charge.; Tour guides and boat crew: BZ$20–40 per person per day.; Taxi drivers: Not expected; round up.
- Water
- Treated water in Belize City and San Pedro; most visitors drink bottled or filtered.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; bring paper for bus stops.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (café) | BZ$3–5 |
| Fish taco | BZ$8–12 |
| Water taxi (San Pedro ↔ Belize City) | US$15 one‑way / BZ$30 |
| Golf‑cart rental (4 h) | US$15 (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SPR · John Greif II Airport
- Small airfield near San Pedro town, 20‑min flight from Belize City.
Typical fares
- Water taxi San Pedro ↔ Belize City
- US$15 one‑way, about 20 min flight to Belize City then 20‑min boat
- Golf‑cart day rental
- US$25 per day (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Golf carts dominate; rent US$15 for 4 h or US$25 per day (prices check). Bikes are also available. Walking works in town. A BZ$5 bridge toll north of San Pedro applies.
See and do
Known for
- Barrier Reef snorkeling and diving
- San Pedro town
- Golf‑cart transport
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hol Chan Marine Reserve | Water taxi from San Pedro dock, about 15 min | ≈30 min round trip |
| Turneffe Atoll | Full‑day dive charter from San Pedro, 1‑h boat ride | ≈8 h total |
| Caye Caulker (Lobsterfest) | Water taxi, 30 min | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- San Pedro town centre
- Walkable to restaurants, bars and dive shops; many hotels and guesthouses.
- North‑side beachfront resorts
- Quiet, closer to the bridge and dive operators.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? |
| Where is the water taxi? | ¿Dónde está el taxi acuático? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say 'good morning' or 'good evening' when entering shops and buses; avoid: Skipping greetings
- Pace: Relax; service is slow; avoid: Showing impatience
- Photography: Ask first; avoid: Photographing Mennonites and Maya villagers without consent
- Dress: Cover up away from the beach; avoid: Swimwear in town
Scams and watch-outs
- Cart rates can be inflated for tourists; haggle politely.
- Bridge toll is unattended late at night.
- Rain can make unpaved roads pothole‑filled; drive slowly.
Ambergris Caye is generally safe; keep an eye on belongings on beaches and use licensed golf‑cart rentals.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Ambergris Caye yet. Suggested stay: 3–4 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Barrier Reef snorkeling and diving
- San Pedro town
- Golf‑cart transport
- Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- John Greif II Airport data: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Greif_II_Airport
- San Pedro Belize Express water taxi: belizewatertaxi.com/
- Wikivoyage: Ambergris Caye, revision 5243861 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5243861
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/ambergris-caye). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.