From riding golf carts around town and visiting Mayan ruins to snorkeling the world’s second-largest barrier reef, San Pedro offers plenty of activities that are sure to please every traveler. Belize offers something exciting or relaxing – whatever your preference!
Dine food truck-style at The Truck Stop (made of shipping containers), or go shopping in the evening.
Snorkeling
One of the most popular activities in San Pedro is snorkeling. Belizean waters are filled with vibrant marine life and coral reefs teeming with vibrant color; making this activity accessible for snorkelers of all levels. You’ll discover vibrant coral reefs as well as clear waters filled with Southern Rays, Parrotfish, Garifuna Fish, Moray Eels and Moray Eels; two fantastic places for this activity are Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley – two must-dos!
The Great Blue Hole in San Pedro is an essential stop for scuba divers and swimmers visiting San Pedro. A natural sinkhole that sinks over 1,000 feet underground, encased by bright turquoise water. If you don’t dive or swim yourself, many tours provide access to this magical destination from San Pedro.
If you prefer exploring San Pedro at your own pace, hop aboard a golf cart. It is the best way to see all that San Pedro has to offer and one of the most enjoyable activities available here. Your hotel front desk can assist in renting one and planning a tour of town; otherwise a cab service may also be more suitable.
Diving
Belize is an underwater enthusiast’s dream destination, boasting kilometers of barrier reef and more pristine marine areas close to shore and farther afield. San Pedro Town sits on Ambergris Caye and provides a relaxing beach destination offering seafood restaurants, beach bars and piers that extend into the water. From here you can access an array of dive sites like Hol Chan Marine Reserve (home to parrotfish and moray eels) as well as Nurse Shark Alley where nurse sharks and stingrays await!
Mexico Rocks, situated just 20 minutes north of San Pedro on a 20-minute skiff ride, offers shallow waters protected from ocean swells that provide ideal snorkeling conditions and are great for novice divers wanting to refresh their skills before venturing deeper sites on the barrier reef. Also visit Gladden Spit for whale shark viewing but be mindful that this tour requires significant time commitment!
Numerous dive shops provide discovery dives for novice snorkelers and divers to introduce them to the underwater world. These short, shallow experiences will introduce them to all the splendors of aquatic life while often counting towards your Open Water certification if that becomes your goal.
Mayan Ruins
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Explore Mayan ruins to gain more of an understanding of Belize’s past. Located south of San Pedro, Altun Ha Temple was one of the major ceremonial centers during Belize’s Classic period and can be visited today to witness beautiful stonework that remains. Walk around its two plazas to gain more insight.
Visit another great Mayan site by traveling to Xunantich. Unlike many of its counterparts, this was a large city that continued to be inhabited after the decline of Mayan culture and is famous for its well-preserved frescoes – take a guided tour or venture out alone and experience this extraordinary piece of history!
Cayo offers both adventure and relaxation: swimming with stingrays, snorkeling the second largest reef in the world or just lounging around on a beach chair or hammock are just some of the ways you can spend your time. Don’t forget about exploring Barton Creek Cave and Rio Frio Cave as well. And for something a bit more active there is river kayaking and zip lining too.
Golf Cart Tours
Golf carts have quickly become one of the most beloved modes of transportation in San Pedro for good reason; they are an ideal way to discover this island! From visiting remote beaches, snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve or Shark Ray Alley or discovering beautiful ruins like Bacalar Chico’s Baccalar Chico Ruins; all can be accomplished quickly and stress-free using one. Plus it makes getting around easier than with a car!
Secret Beach, once only known to locals, has become an attraction of choice among travelers. Offering wide beaches to stroll on and jump into the water from, as well as piers where visitors can jump off. Plus, visit its surrounding coral reef which hosts all manner of colorful fish!
Other popular destinations in San Pedro Island include Boca del Rio Beach on the northeastern corner, which boasts two sandy beaches that make an ideal place for walking and relaxing. If shopping is your bag, San Pedro boasts numerous gift shops selling everything from jewelry and handmade clothing to Mayan herbal remedies.
Shopping
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San Pedro Island offers many fun ways to travel by golf cart – it makes the experience much more exciting while providing faster access to more places on the island than walking alone! But there’s plenty to see and do on foot too; don’t be intimidated into taking a stroll!
There is an abundance of wonderful shops and street side vendors here specializing in gifts, souvenirs and local artwork – such as 501 Gallery on Front Street for handmade wares from Belizean artists or 12 Belize on Front Street for unique handmade pieces from this region.
Mambo Chill is another fantastic spot to pick up gifts for yourself or friends and family back home – they carry some truly awesome clothing, jewelry and other products handcrafted in Puerto Rico. Or if you need an addition to your pantry while here in town, visit one of the two Super Buy supermarkets downtown or on the southern tip for snacks and groceries galore!
Dining
San Pedro offers amazing local food! Fresh seafood abounds, as do Mexican, Asian and Caribbean cuisines such as tacos from Rasa or conch fritters from Estel’s Dine by the Sea. Try your luck here for yourself and indulge!
El Fogon offers Belizean dishes at reasonable prices, such as their famous jerk chicken barbecue and delicious rice and beans dishes. Don’t forget to grab a Belikin beer; these refreshing refreshments only cost $2 USD each and go down easily!
San Pedro Town lies on Ambergris Caye’s southern tip and boasts sandy streets lined with seafood restaurants and beach bars, along with Hol Chan Marine Reserve; this channel protects coral and marine life. Additionally, you can visit Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve (a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring Chac Balam Mayan ruins) which also reside here.
Nightlife
At any time of day, Belize’s second-largest barrier reef can be seen by snorkeling or diving, but for an authentic Belizean experience take an organized half or full day trip with Cari’Bean tours. They have plenty of different tours including BBQ lunches on remote islands as well as fishing expeditions with your own guide (where you’ll cook what you catch!).
San Pedro offers plenty to keep night owls entertained past midnight. There are numerous bars offering live music and an impressive variety of cocktails; additionally there is an assortment of restaurants including fun “food truck style” places like The Truck Stop on northern Ambergris Caye.
Local artisans also sell their handcrafted creations at Front Street markets. Instead of purchasing disposable shot glasses and T-shirts that end up sitting idly in your closet or garbage can, consider investing in beautiful artwork at either 501 Gallery or Belizean Arts, both conveniently located nearby on Front Street.
