The northern cayes and atolls - The Rough Guide to Belize - page 97

snorkelling, sailing and inland trips to Altun Ha,
Xunantunich and cave tubing.
Tanisha Tours Boca del Rio, near town centre T 226
2314, W tanishatours.com. Guide Daniel Nuñez is a
superb naturalist, and the extensive array of trips include
snorkelling, manatee-watching, Maya sites, cave tubing
and zip-lining.

courses start at US$50/hr, and boat rental is US$22-50/hr.
Windsurfs are available for rent at US$22-30/hr.
Sailsports Belize On the beach in front of Caribbean
Villas T 226 4488, W sailsportsbelize.com. Come here
for top-notch windsurfing and sailing instruction and
rental. Kitesurfing instruction (starting at US$165) is
also available, as is rental (US$75/half-day). Note that
rental rates for all equipment decrease as rental hours
increase.
San Pedro Watersports Tackle Box Pier T 226 2888
E [e-mail]. Take to the waters
on a jet ski with this amiable company, which rents out jet
skis for US$110/hr (US$195/2hr).

WINDSURFING, SAILING & JET SKIING
A variety of companies offer numerous other ways to enjoy
the Caribbean, such as lovely sunset sails and sail
instruction, as well as windsurfing and jet skiing. An
evening sail is around US$50, while beginner sailing

ACCOMMODATION
Ambergris Caye has the highest concentration of hotels in the country. Many of these, including nearly all the
inexpensive options, are in San Pedro itself, just a short walk or taxi ride from the airport or from where the water
taxis dock. Resorts, which range from rustic-chic to five-star luxury, stretch for many miles along the beaches north and
south of town. If you decide to stay in the north, you'll need some form of transport to access this part of the caye -
either boat, taxi (if they're willing to go the distance), golf cart or bike, though note that roads can wash out in the rainy
season. In general, accommodation prices are higher than in the rest of Belize, but discounts, packages and deals are
readily available, especially in the low season, so it's well worth asking. During Christmas, New Year and Easter you
should definitely book ahead . All hotels listed here have air conditioning and private bath on offer, unless otherwise
stated. Ambergris Caye also has more apartments , condominiums and timeshares than anywhere else in country,
and you can often get good long-term deals if you book ahead; check with Caye Management ( T 226 3077,
W cayemanagement.com).

3

and full kitchen - ideal l for a family or group. Rooms
US$125 , casitas US$195 , villas US$295
Conch Shell Inn 11 Foreshore St, on the beach T 226
2062 W ambergriscaye.com/conchshell; map p.95. You
can't miss it: emblazoned in bright pink and white, this inn
sits right on the beach in the centre of town. Ten
comfortable, renovated rooms, with simple but well-
maintained furnishi ngs, in vite you to “conch out” after a
day of watersports. US$75
Holiday Hotel Barrier Reef Drive, just south of the
centre T 226 2014, W sanpedroholiday.com; map
p.95. Originally opened in 1965, this is proudly one of
San Pedro's very first hotels. It may have been around for
decades, but it's kept up with the times very well: the
comfortable rooms, most of which face the sea, have all
mod cons, including fridge, TV and a/c. Also on the
premises are the top-notch Caprice restaurant (see p.104)
and th e casual Celi's Deli , with tasty sandwiches and
snacks. US$120
★

SAN PEDRO
Aqua Vista Beachfront Suites Boca del Rio, on the
beach just north of the centre T 601 4836,
W aquavistabelize.com; map p.95. You'd be hard-pressed
to find a better beachfront location: as the name implies,
the suites are right on the beach, but just north of the busy
centre of town, so you can enjoy the warm sand and
Caribbean breezes amid fewer crowds. The roomy suites are
well appointed, with flatscreen TV and full kitchen. Another
bonus is the neighbouring bar, Wa yos (see p.106), run by
the same gregarious owner. US$75
Blue Tang Inn Sandpiper St T 226 2326,
W bluetanginn.com; map p.95. A colourfully tiled
entryway leads to this charming inn, with a variety of
rooms and suites, many with private balcony and ocean
views. It also offers good diving packages (from Bz$1200),
which include a five-night hotel stay, three days of diving
and complimentary b reakfast and air transfer from Belize
International Airport. US$140
Caye Casa Boca del Rio, just north of town T 226 2880,
W cayecasa.com; map p.95. Welcoming boutique
thatched casitas on the beach - the epitome of “barefoot
elegance”. The breezy casitas have wooden furnishings and
sparkling kitchenettes with limestone counters, while the
rooms are equally inviting, with a four-poster bed and a
shared porch. Or splash out on a villa; these have two
bedrooms and two bathrooms, a living room, dining room

Mayan Princess Resort Barrier Reef Drive
T 226 2778, W mayanprincesshotel.com; map p.95.
Staying here is like having your own apartment on the
sea. The spacious beachfront suites boast kitchenettes and
large balconies, where you can gently swing from a
hammock in the Caribbean breezes. Daily maid service
mean s coming home to spick-and-span quarters every
night. US$125