CAYOS DE BELICE - AMBERGRIS CAYE

THE WONDERS OF THIS EARTH FAR OUT WEIGH THE DISAPPOINTMENTS OF LIFE. LIVE THEM AND LEARN FROM THEM. (Brenda A. Ysaguirre)

AMBERGRIS CAYE

25 miles long, Ambergris Caye is the largest and most developed of about 200 small islands off the coastline of Belize, and is connected to Mexico on its northern side. Most of the island's 7,000 inhabitants live in the town of San Pedro, located in the southern part of the caye. San Pedro has the cosy, laid-back atmosphere of a small village with its wooden houses and sand streets.

Transport is by walking, bicycling, and riding by golf cart. The town is small and easy to explore. One place worth visiting in the town is the new Ambergris Caye Museum and Cultural Center, which exhibits the island's history from the ancient Mayans to today's inhabitants. A number of lively restaurants and bars in the town provide entertainment for their customers with bands, solo performers featuring country and rock as well as local "Punta" music, a unique drumbeat from the Garifuna culture.

Ambergris Caye is most famous for its spectacular diving and snorkeling. Just off Belize's Barrier Reef, which is clearly visible from many resorts, numerous diving sites can be found here such as the Hol Chan Reserve and Shark Ray Alley where visitors can see several types of coral and incredible marine life. The caye also has excellent fishing opportunities with several lodges and hotels that offer deep-sea fishing. Sailing tours, which usually last the entire day and tour around Ambergris as well as other near-by cayes, can be arranged with local guides. Kayaks are also available for rent.

If you are interested in wildlife, you can visit Little Iguana and Rosario Caye, two small mangrove island reserves just off of Ambergris. These two cayes are great places to spot blue herons, roseate spoonbills, frigate birds, reddish egrets and other coastal zone birds. Tours can be arranged through local guides. The San Pedro Lagoon is a good place to spot crocodiles, raccoons and countless magnificent bird species. And the small Lalas Bird Sanctuary, located just a few miles south of San Pedro, is a great place to see several native bird species.
Since Ambergris was once greatly populated by the Mayans, there are many small Mayan sites on the island. Unfortunately, many of these sites have been greatly eroded away by the sea and wind, and are located in hard to reach places. If you are interested in visiting any of these sites, such as Marco, Chac, Balam, San Juan, San Carlos and Gonzalez, you should acquire a guide that knows the locations.

Attractions

Apart from the pleasures of taking it easy and enjoying life on Ambergris, the caye has the widest range of watersports and is well-positioned for day trips to many attractions in the area:-

Snorkeling along the beach, or excursions to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and to Shark Ray Alley.

Diving, by boat along the barrier reef, and at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the Blue Hole, Shark Ray Alley, and the offshore atolls.

Fishing on the reefs or offshore for snapper, grouper, bonito, dolphin, wahoo and blue marlin etc.

There are many sportfishing boats up to 57 feet available for half- or full-day trips.
Windsurfing and sailing (both available for rental, and lessons at many resorts). Even bareboat catamaran hire is available.

Biking on the caye

Santa Cruz visit (a Mayan ruin 15 miles north of San Pedro)

Cruises at sunset, for dinner, or sightseeing

Airboat tours through the mangrove forests on the leeward of the island to see wildlife

Manatee watching by boat to scenic cayes

Birding at Bird Caye and the new national park in the north, Bacalar Chico

Mainland trips to Mayan ruins and other attractions

THIS IS MY BELIZE! COME VISIT HER. I KNOW YOU WILL BE IMPRESSED.

Yours in Belize,

Brenda A. Ysaguirre