About Belize

Belize is a small nation on the eastern coast of Central America , on the Caribbean Sea bordered by Mexico to the northwest and Guatemala to the west and south. The country is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy which recognizes Queen Elizabeth II as Sovereign. The nation of Honduras lies 75 km away (47 mi ) across the Gulf of Honduras to the east. The name is derived from the Belize River , after which Belize City , the former capital and largest city, is also named.

The only English-speaking country in Central America , Belize was a British colony for more than a century and was known as British Honduras until 1973 . It became an independent nation in 1981. Belize is a member of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Sistema de Integracion Centro Americana (SICA) and considers itself to be culturally both Caribbean , and Central American.

About Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye is the nation of Belize 's largest island . It is located in the northeast of Belize, in the Caribbean Sea.

The Caye (pronounced "key", meaning an island, derived from the Spanish language "cayo") is about 25 miles long from north to south, and about one mile wide. It was named after large lumps of ambergris which washed ashore here.

The island, where it has not been modified by man, is mostly a ring of white sand beach around mangrove swamp in the centre.

A Maya community lived on the island in Pre-Columbian times, and made distinctive polished red ceramics , most notably small well molded figurines of animals.

Ambergris Caye is administered as part of the Belize District , although the mainland area closest to Ambergris is the Corozal District.

San Pedro Town is the largest settlement and only town on Ambergris. There are also a number of small villages and resorts. Captain Morgan's resort played host to the first season of Fox's Temptation Island in 2000, aired in 2001. More recently, the availability of skydiving during the winter has become a draw for tourists so inclined.

Tourism development of Ambergris Caye began in the early 1970s and grew considerably in the later years of the 20th century . The main attractions are Belize's barrier reef and beaches . That barrier reef is the second largest in the world, after the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. The caye has a small airstrip, and can be reached by plane from Belize City as well as by numerous fast sea ferries.

San Pedro Day is celebrated annually on June 27th. The name Ambergris is pronounced with the second syllable accented.

About San Pedro

San Pedro Town is a town in the Belize District of the nation of Belize, Central America.

San Pedro Town is on the island of Ambergris Caye. The population is about 4,000 people as of 2000. Inhabitants are known as "Sanpedranos". San Pedro was granted the status of a town in 1848.

One of the primary industries in the town is tourism, most notably Scuba Diving. So many visitors are divers that there is even a hyperbaric decompression chamber on the island, despite its small population.

San Pedro is allegedly referenced in the song La Isla Bonita by the pop singer Madonna.

How to Get Here

Direct daily flights on American Airlines, Taca International, U.S. Airways, Delta or Continental Airlines from Miami, New Orleans, Charlotte, Houston and also non stop flights from Atlanta on Saturdays, make for a relaxing 2 hour flight to Belize International Airport in this jewel in the heart of the Caribbean Basin.

Once you land at Belize International Airport, Tropic Air or Maya Island Airways have hourly flights (US $103.50 + Tax) from there to San Pedro, the major community on Ambergris Caye; this flight takes approximately 20 minutes.

Beaches of San Pedro

The beaches along the shores of Ambergris Caye are comprised of white sand and coral. Though not wide and long like the beaches of Cancun, Mexico they still offer a remarkable beach experience. With public access to all the beaches (loungers are private) one can stretch a towel out anywhere and soak in the Caribbean sun or swim in the crystal clear waters. Some hotels and residences have sea walls that help retain their beachfront from the lapping erosion of the sea. While others have manicured beaches that run out into the sea.

Due to the marine environment created by the reef, many of the beaches have large beds of sea grass just off their shores and often prevent people from wadding in past their ankles. This sea grass is a vital part of the reef ecosystem as it provides safety and food for many small aquatic animals. Though this sea grass appears unpleasant it is harmless and safe to walk on and through. Some resorts, such as the Belize Yacht Club, have larger areas with no sea grass that are more appealing for swimming.

The Belize Yacht Club recently added a walk in beach outside of it's sea wall and is one of few places that offers deeper water swimming directly from the shore; gradually going out to a depth of 7 feet.

So even though Belize, and more specifically Ambergris Caye, are not known for fabulous beaches, there are indeed some great places like the Belize Yacht Club that offer incredible walk in and swimming options.