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Destination: Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye is the most famous island you have never heard of. Ambergris Caye epitomizes the beauty and laid back feel of the Caribbean, that draws so many to Belize. More then 50% of all foreign visitors to Belize make their way to Ambergris Caye. The island is renowned for its charming culture, white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and proximity to the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world. Its beauty has prompted many to return after their first visit and some to never leave! Madonna was so taken after she visited Ambergris Caye, that she wrote the famous “Isla Bonita” song to describe her impressions. Fame and notoriety have flirted with Ambergris Caye before. The controversial TV program “Temptation Island” was filmed on the northern beaches of the island. After the show aired, many people were enamored by the gorgeous tropical setting and traveled to Central America to find this bit of paradise.
While Ambergris Caye is still slow and friendly, tourism has developed as an important component of the local economy. On Ambergris Caye, San Pedro is the heart of the island and the center of tourists’ attention. The town of San Pedro is filled with delicious restaurants, funky bars, quaint boutiques and many hotels & options for accommodations. In fact, when Jimmy Buffet is on Ambergris Caye he is often seen at Fido’s, which is one of San Pedro’s famous beachfront restaurants and bars. While San Pedro and the island of Ambergris Caye have benefited from greater exposure some things are unchanged. The streets are still dirt and the town still won’t let anyone build a building taller then a coconut tree. In keeping with the small island feel, cars are rarity and golf carts are the preferred method of transportation for locals, tourists and commerce. Most importantly, locals and ex pats alike are the nicest people you will find anywhere in the world. Ambergris Caye has been able to retain its small island feel while growing to accommodate its increasing popularity.
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More On Ambergris Caye
For Ambergris Caye visitors who want to get away, but not miss any of the action, they will find San Pedro the perfect combination of the two. For those who want to completely unplug, they should consider a stay on the Northern or Southern part of island Ambergris Caye. Ambergris Caye is essentially cut in two pieces by a small canal that runs east and west just on the northern of San Pedro. This canal is affectionately called “the Cut”. A small toll bridge that only accommodates golf carts, pedestrians and bicycles is open during the day to connect to the two sides of the island. “North of the Cut” is filled with dense jungle, secluded beaches, and a collection of small hotel resorts. The scenery is spectacular, but travel is sometimes made difficult because the golf cart paths are small, bumpy and unmaintained. South of San Pedro, the jungle is less dense, but the beaches are still beautiful. Visitors seeking seclusion and beauty should also consider the quiet areas to the south of town. Tranquility beach and Pelican Reef areas offer the remote beach feel while still being an easy golf cart ride to town.
Ambergris Caye and San Pedro will always be a haven for beach goers and those wishing to soak up the Caribbean sun on its sandy beaches. While Ambergris Caye beaches are nice, many visit for the world class diving. Belize is blessed with the remarkable barrier reef to the East of its Easterly shore. Diving and snorkeling enthusiasts enjoy fantastic diving less then one mile off the idyllic shores of Ambergris Caye. Famous dive spots such as Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley impress the most seasoned diving enthusiasts. In a matter of minutes visitors are transported into an underwater wonderland filled with a wide variety sharks, jack fish, rays, groupers, sea horses and so much more.
Visitors seeking 5 star accommodations and frenetic nightlife should not expect to find this in Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. They will be better served in places like Cancun, Hawaii or Miami. However, for those seeking a comfortable, casual laid back quintessential Caribbean experience, Ambergris Caye will not disappoint. Belize hotels, Ambergris Caye Hotels, Belize vacation rentals, Belize diving can all be booked by visiting www.BelizeRenter.com.
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Belize
Beaches
Diving
Fishing
Getting Around
Lodging
Mayan Tours
Weather
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Destination: BELIZE
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Additional Info: Ambergris Caye
Many coming to Ambergris Caye are in search of the renowned snorkeling and diving. Among the popular dive sites around Ambergris Caye are Shark Ray Alley, Tres Cocos, Hol Chan Cut, Tackle Box Canyon, Punta Arena Canyons, and Basil Jones Canyons. For such a wonderful diving destination, the cost is relatively inexpensive and accessible to just about anyone. For approximately, $55- $65, visitors can go on a two tank dive. While one-tank dives are about US $40 on average; three-tank dives usually cost about US $80
more. Rates usually include tanks, weights and belts. A full set of equipment is usually available for about $20 USD more. To fully experience diving in Belize, one should consider diving on of Belize's atolls. Although there are only 4 true atolls in the Western Hemisphere, 3 of them are in Belize. These atolls are coral islands surrounding
a fairly shallow lagoon. The diving at the atolls is truly amazing.
The cost to dive an atoll from San Pedro is usually about $125 to $185 USD for a day trip. Typically atoll dives take place at nearby Lighthouse or Turneffe. A typical dive excursion to Lighthouse costs about $150 USD per person. It is approximately one and a half hours each way from San Pedro and includes three dives, lunch and snacks. About 20 miles east of Belize City is Turneffe Islands. This is the largest atoll and is the closest to the mainland. This atoll is unique in that is densely covered in mangroves, especially on the west side. The most popular dive sites here are Myrtle’s Turtle, Black Beauty, and Mauger Caye (with a lighthouse on northern end of the atoll). Mauger Caye is well known for its collection of sharks. About 60 miles east of Belize City is Lighthouse reef. Located at Lighthouse reef is Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, comprising about 15 square miles of the atoll plus another 15 square miles of surrounding waters. In 1981 the area was protected as a marine reserve. This sanctuary is alive with native species, both above and below water. Lighthouse abounds with birds, including a nesting colony of rare red-footed boobies. Dolphins, sharks, groupers, sea horses, rays and wealth of sea life are found below the water’s surface. And of course, the famous Blue Hole is found at Lighthouse. This unique reef formation is a large circular reef formation measuring several hundred feet across and more then 400 feet deep. It is striking from the air as outside the coral ring the water is a light turquoise color contrasted by the deep dark blue in the center of the ring.
Many of these dive trips require a minimum number of divers and are subject to cancellation or a higher cost per diver if the minimums are not met.
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