If you’re dreaming of a tropical getaway that’s equal parts relaxing and adventure-filled, look no further than San Pedro, Belize. This charming island town on Ambergris Caye offers stunning beaches, vibrant marine life, incredible local cuisine, and a laid-back vibe that makes it the perfect destination for couples, families, or solo travelers. In this post, I’ll share the highlights from our recent 5-day trip to San Pedro, including where we stayed, what we ate, and the unforgettable experiences that made this trip so special. Whether you’re planning your first Belize vacation or just looking for hidden gems on the island, this travel guide will help you make the most of your San Pedro adventure.
San Pedro Travel Logistics
We flew with Alaska Airlines from Anchorage to Seattle, then on to Denver and Dallas before finally arriving in Belize City. Since we had to make a pit stop in Denver, our travel time was a bit longer than expected, so plan accordingly if you’re coming from further north.
From Belize City, we caught a flight to San Pedro on Maya Air. The experience was smooth, and the views flying over the barrier reef were stunning. However, we gave ourselves a bit too much layover time. If you’re planning this leg of the trip, Tropic Air offers more frequent flights, and customs at Belize City was surprisingly efficient—only about 45 minutes total to clear.
Where We Stayed in the Heart of San Pedro
Paradise Villas – 10/10 recommend! These villas are located right on the water and were the perfect home base for our stay. Our property manager, Emmanuel, was incredibly helpful, and the condo had just the right amount of space. We especially loved being able to walk straight out to the beach and enjoy ocean views from our front door.
We also rented a golf cart from a local, which cost around $30 a day and was totally worth it for exploring the island at our own pace.
Favorite Restaurants in San Pedro
El Fogón
This spot offers a cozy, authentic Belizean atmosphere. We loved the salbutes, stuffed grouper, and kebabs, and their drink specials made with fresh fruit and ginger were so refreshing.
Carambas
So good we went twice! Make a reservation beforehand so you don’t miss out. The experience here is unique—you get to choose your seafood from an outdoor display, and then they cook it any way you like. Highlights included:
- Shrimp and conch ceviche
- Blackened red grouper
- Octopus with onions
- Scallops in butter
- Fried squid, stone crab, and mussels
Lively vibes, great service, and an unforgettable experience.
Neri’s Tacos
A must-visit for a local, affordable meal. Fry jacks, breakfast burritos, and tacos were all delicious, and it was fun watching the tortillas being made fresh in front of us. You can’t beat 25-cent tacos!
El Buen Tacos
Another beloved local joint—great for tostadas, salbutes, and tacos. Very casual and delicious.
Caye Custard
We fell in love with their peanut butter ice cream shake and cookies and cream ice cream. Perfect afternoon treat! Pro Tip: Get a punchcard, it’s easy to fill fast 🙂
Farmhouse Market and Cafe
Came here multiple mornings. Their homemade juices, coffee, and breakfast sandwiches (especially the croissant) were all fantastic. They also have a little market attached if you need some snacks on your way to secret beach.
Caye Coffee Roasters
Nice for a cup of local brew, though we missed having espresso options. Worth a stop if you’re curious about Belizean coffee. Great gift to bring back and share with friends.
Green Espresso Cafe
This is where I found my favorite drink of the trip—the Belizean cappuccino. It was the perfect amount of chocolate and coffee. Also had great smoothies and breakfast plates. Great menu and service, definitely recommend.
Belize Chocolate Company
Adorable little shop with amazing chocolate. The coconut truffle and classic hot chocolate were my favorite. Definitely try their samples and sign up for the chocolate-making class if you have time.
Palapa Bar & Grill
Located just behind our condo, this place had a killer happy hour with local rum drinks and delicious fajitas. Loved the floating inner tubes you can relax in while sipping a cocktail.
Wayo’s Beach Bar
Go here for the shrimp ceviche and watermelon cocktail, stay for the great music and relaxing beach views. It’s a vibe.
The French Croissant
Great ham and cream cheese croissant and don’t sleep on the butter cookies. A charming European-style bakery with island flair. Stopped in during our walk home from CrossFit.
San Pedro Day Trips & Adventures
Caye Caulker
A quick boat ride from San Pedro, Caye Caulker is a quieter alternative with just as much charm. We had a delicious traditional Belizean lunch (chicken, rice and beans, and plantains) right after arriving. There’s a cute little downtown to explore and we even found some beautiful shells on the beach.
Secret Beach
The highlight of the trip for me. Crystal-clear water, beach bars, and the ability to sit right in the ocean while enjoying drinks and snacks—what more could you want? We also had a blast jet skiing here. The vibe is energetic and fun but still relaxed. We liked the Maruba Beach Klub and Pirates Not So Secreat Beach Bar.
Ridge and Reef Adventure Tour
This all day tour was packed with incredible experiences:
- Snorkeling – Truly unforgettable! We saw a turtle, stingrays, lobster, and a ton of colorful fish. The ocean was warm and water was clear even on a windy day.
- Shark Alley – A thrilling experience, even if I only lasted 2 minutes in the water. Being surrounded by nurse sharks is wild!
- Tarpon Feeding – Another favorite moment. Holding a small fish and having a giant tarpon leap out of the water to grab it was insane!
CrossFit Wolf
If you’re into CrossFit, this box is worth a visit. I went three times during the trip. Coach Johan and the community were so welcoming. One member even loaned me her jump rope, and we ended up meeting new friends we still keep in touch with.
Whether you’re planning a laid-back beach vacation or want a mix of fitness, food, and fun, San Pedro has it all. With friendly locals, amazing food, and once-in-a-lifetime marine adventures, this trip will stay with us forever. Have questions about planning your own Belize getaway? Drop them in the comments!
Check out some of our other tropical travel recommendations including Tahiti!
Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen (the sun is HOT), sunglassess and your own yeti to bring to the bars. Drinks melt fast! We overpaid for all of these things.
