Probably the biggest decision you'll make about Ambergris Caye is where to stay. I'm not talking about a specific hotel but about the general area. The area you choose will determine to a great degree the experience you have on the island. You have four basic options:
1) in the town of San Pedro
2) just to the south of San Pedro near the airstrip, within walking distance of town
3) several miles south of town out of easy walking distance
4) on the north end of the island above the channel.
There is no one "best" place to stay. Each of these four areas has advantages and disadvantages. Which area you choose depends on what you want from your vacation. If you're looking for privacy and the feeling of being away from it all, consider south of town or the north end of the island. If you prefer easy access to restaurants, nightlife, shops and other activities, you'll likely be happier in San Pedro town or just to the south. There's little or no advantage to any one area in terms of beaches; indeed, some of the best beaches on the island (and all things are relative) are right in town and just to the south of town.
HEART OF TOWN: Hotels in the town of San Pedro, with a few exceptions, are older spots, among them the original tourist hotels on the island. They are, again with a few exceptions, less expensive digs. If you're looking to save a buck or two, this may be the place for you. You also will be right in the heart of things, no more than a few sandy blocks from some of the best restaurants, bars, shops and dive operations on the island. Party animals will want to stay here or just the south of town. Accommodations here include Rubie's, Holiday Hotel, Spindrift, San Pedrano, Barrier Reef, Mayan Princess, Paradise Hotel and Paradise Villas.
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Mayan Princess is one of the hotels in the heart of town |
AIRSTRIP SOUTH: If you want a larger variety of upscale lodging but still be within walking distance of the attractions of San Pedro Town, think about staying at the south end of town and the area just to the south. The San Pedro airstrip is here, but you should have few or no problems with airport noise, since the planes are small one- and two-engine prop jobs, and there are no flights after dark. This is one of my favorite areas, a good compromise between the activity of town and the remoteness of the north end and far south end. Among the hotels here are SunBreeze, The Palms, Ramon's Village, Playador, Belize Yacht Club, Changes in Latitude, Hide-A-Way, Coconuts and Caribbean Villas.
SOUTH END: Although most of this area is beyond a quick walk to town, this a major growth area for tourism on the island. Some of the nicer upmarket hotels are located here, and more are on the way. An increasing number of restaurants and amenities also are located here. Until 1996, the town dump was in this area, but happily it's now been moved farther south. At the far end, you're two to three miles from San Pedro, so for visits to town you'll need to rent a golf cart (US$60 or $65 for 24 hours), ride a bike (some hotels offer them free to guests), take a taxi or take a hotel shuttle, if available. Among the choices here are Villas at Banyan Bay, Tropica, Mata Rocks, Banana Beach, Royal Palms, Victoria House, Caribe Island Resort and Sunset Beach.
NORTH END: By all accounts, the area north of "the Cut" - a narrow channel of water separating the south and north ends of the island - is where much of Ambergris Caye's growth will occur over the next decade or two. Houses, hotels, and even a restaurant or two are going up here. At present, though, access is limited by the fact that there are only two ways to get to the north end: One is via a tiny, rickety, hand-pulled ferry over the channel (pedestrians, 50 US cents, and golf carts), and then via a hike or ride on a narrow path to the various resorts and villas. Bring plenty of bug spray. Eventually, when the local political, ecological and financial situations are sorted out, we'll see a bridge put in here. The other current option is via boat or water taxi (about US$5 one way by water taxi, although some hotels provide free shuttles, at least during daylight hours). To get to San Pedro for dinner or a bit of action, you'll need to take a boat, and that can be something of a pain, particularly after you do it three or four times. Accommodations on the north end include Green Parrot, Capricorn, El Pescador, Captain Morgan's, Essene Way, Journey's End, Caye Resort, Avalon (formerly Casa Caribe) and Mata Chica. There are also a number of condo developments at various stages of development including Reef Village, Belizean Shores and others. There's also at least one timeshare, Basil Jones, which seems to be taking a long time to get it all together.
Our rating system tries to answer this question: "How much do we want to stay at this hotel on our next visit to Ambergris Caye?" We rate each property based on our - admittedly subjective - evaluation of its comfort, friendliness, service, cleanliness, management ability, character and ambiance, type of amenities, and value for the money. This rating does NOT focus simply on luxury, as a luxurious hotel with poor management might get a lower star rating than a comfortable hotel with super-friendly staff. The best possible is five stars (* * * * *) based on our evaluation that it is extremely comfortable, very friendly, spotlessly clean, offering top-notch service, in a setting of style and character, with a high level of amenities (usually a pool is a must). It must also offer good value for the money. An otherwise excellent spot that charges an exorbitantly high rate, simply because that is what the traffic at the luxury end will bear, will not earn our top rating. We also consider input from readers; a hotel that consistently gets good marks from many different readers will get a higher star rating. At present, we do not consider any hotel on Ambergris Caye in the five-star category, although several are close.
* * * * * Remarkable spot with great service and all amenities - we want to retire here
* * * * Excellent accommodations with special virtues in service, design, location or atmosphere
* * * Very good choice, typically in a comfortable, mid-range spot
* * Clean and pleasant, offering above-average value
* Acceptable, especially in the budget category
A + following the star rating indicates that the hotel is above the standard in that rating category but does not quite qualify for the next-highest rating.
Note that hotel prices in Belize are not regulated by the government and are subject to change at any time. Prices shown include hotel tax of 7% plus any service charge (such charges vary from zero to 10% or more). They are for rooms occupied by two people; additional persons in the room may be charged extra (typically about US$10 per person per night.) Some hotels include breakfast with the rates; others don't. Properties may have some rooms or suites that are above, or below, the typical room price. Additional discounts, especially during the slow August to October period, may be available. Prices during the Christmas, New Years and Easter, peak periods usually are higher than rates shown, with the premium being about 10 to 20% over high-season rates.
Price Ranges In-Season (typically around Thanksgiving through Easter, but exact dates vary from hotel to hotel) for a typical room for two people, including tax and any service charge:
A Over US$200 a night
B US$140-$199 a night
C US$90-$139 a night
D US$50-$89 a night
E Under US$50 a night
Price Ranges Off-Season (typically the week after Easter to Thanksgiving), including tax and any service charge:
a Over US$200 a night
b US$140-$199 a night
c US$90-$139 a night
d US$50-$89 a night
e Under US$50 a night
Thus a hotel listed in the price range B/c means that in-season your rate for a double room including tax and service charge, if any, would be between US$140 and $199, and that off-season you would pay between US$90 and $139. Where possible we've also included specific rates, but these are subject to change. These rates are before 7% hotel tax and service. Hotels accept credit cards; a few add surcharges. This listing does not include all hotels on the island.
Ambergris Caye hotel rates are not cheap, averaging US$89 double plus hotel tax and service, pushing what you will actually pay to over US$100, according to a 1998 Belize Tourist Board study. However, the rates compare favorably with those in most resort areas of Mexico and Costa Rica and generally are far less than on Caribbean islands such as St. Maarten/St. Martin, Anguilla or St. Thomas.
The island has more than 60 hotels, with additional ones under construction. Occupancy rates on the island average only about 45%, so there are normally rooms available even in high season. Easter and Christmas are usually fully booked.
With most hotels having excess capacity, particularly in June, September and October and also in the other off-season months, discounts of several types are available. In the off-season, many hotels have "walk-in" rates. These rates, typically one-fourth to one-third off the already discounted summer rates, can be real values. You can sometimes get the walk-in rate on advance bookings, or at least get a discount off the published rate. Many hotels also offer sizable discounts for stays of a week or longer, or have a "stay seven nights/pay for five" package. Some have deals for on-line bookings or other direct bookings which lets them avoid paying travel agent or wholesaler commissions.
When booking, always ask, "Do you have a lower rate?" or "That's a little more than I was hoping to pay - is there a way I can get a better rate?" Keep probing to find out if you're getting the best price.
Most hotels require, or attempt to require, a deposit to hold reservations, usually non-refundable or only partially refundable. Some still surcharge credit cards by 5% or so, but this practice happily is declining.
(Listed from the north end of town southward; note that Barrier Reef Drive was formerly known as Front Street, and Pescador Drive was formerly called Middle Street, names still in colloquial use today.)
* * * B/c Tradewinds Paradise Villas, Barrier Reef Drive, San Pedro, tel. in the U.S. 800-451-7776, fax 414-258-5336, in Belize tel. 501-2-62822, fax 2-63746, e-mail bze@msn.com. Paradise Villas is an attractive low-rise condo colony near the north end of town. Tradewinds, a travel wholesaler specializing in Belize, manages 12 Paradise units. Small beach and pool, cable TV, fully equipped kitchens. Units vary in decor, and some have A/C only in the bedrooms. Rates for one-bedroom units: US$90 to $115 off-season, US$125 to $140 in-season; two-bedroom units, US$115 to $150 off-season, US$140 to $175 off-season. Additional charge for more than two people. Bottom line: Comfortable condos. (Note: Some individual Paradise Villas owners not associated with Tradewinds rent their units direct, including Susan Garcia, who has a one and a two-bedroom unit. Write 36420 Bendel Terrace, Fremont, CA 94536, tel. in the U.S., 510-792-2639, fax 510-739-6201, e-mail susan@belize.com.)
* E/e San Pedrano, Barrier Reef Drive, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-62054, fax 2-62093. Six-room budget spot near the water. Bottom line: For the budget-minded.
* * * + C/c Mayan Princess, Barrier Reef Drive, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-62778, fax 2-62784, e-mail mayanprin@btl.net. Three-story, seafront condotel has 23 large and attractive one-bedroom suites (king or queen beds) with kitchenettes, phones and cable TV. Rates about US$90 double off-season, US$125 in-season, plus hotel tax and 10% service. Bottom line: Convenient, spacious seafront suites.
* E/e Martha's, Corner of Pescador Drive and Ambergris Street, P.O. Box 27, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-62053, fax 2-62589. In the middle of town, not on the water, but a good budget choice with clean rooms. Bottom line: Another value spot.
* * D/d Spindrift, Barrier Reef Drive, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-6-2174, fax 2-62251, e-mail spinhotel@btl.net. Doubles around US$50 to $90. Concrete building on the water in the center of town, with 22 rooms and 2 apartments of various sizes and prices. The recommended Little Italy restaurant is in the building, and the hotel hosts the "famous chicken drop" at which drinkers bet on where a chicken might poop. Bottom-line: In-town convenience and a good place if you're stuck in a hurricane.
* * + C/d Holiday Hotel, Barrier Reef Drive, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-62014, fax 2-62295, e-mail holiday@btl.net. This was one of the first hotels on the island. It opened June 15, 1965. Built and owned by Celi McCorkle, an island native and near-legend, the three-story Holiday Hotel has been well-maintained and remains a pleasant hotel convenient to most everything. All rooms have A/C and some have refrigerators. Doubles US$79 to $97 off-season, US$93 to $103 in-season. Bottom line: Handy if you're hungry.
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Rubie's is popular with budget travelers for its attractive rates and seaside location in town |
Other choices in or just north of town: * * * The Tides C/c * * C/c Paradise Hotel, * * * C/d Seven Seas * * * Emerald Reef Suites, B/c * * * C/d Blue Tang (formerly Rock's Inn)
(Listed from north to south, with those nearest town listed first)
* * * * C/c SunBreeze Beach Hotel, P.O. Box 14, Coconut Drive, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-62191, fax 2-62346, e-mail sunbreeze@btl.net. Rates for doubles, in-season, US$100-$135; off-season, US$90-$120, plus tax and 5% service. Children under 12 free. The SunBreeze always had a great location, just steps from the San Pedro air strip (but you shouldn't be bothered by airport noise) and within walking distance of most of what there is to do in town. Under manager Julia Edwards, SunBreeze has been upgraded and considerably improved. The most-welcome addition is a freshwater pool, which my family of pool experts considers one of the best in Belize. Coco palms around the pool were saved, so there's plenty of shade. The pool is just steps from an Italian restaurant and bar. You can charge your bar and restaurant tab to your room. SunBreeze has 39 large rooms, configured in a two-story motel-style U-shape. Five of them are billed as "deluxe" with amenities such as jacuzzi tubs. All have strong air conditioners, telephones (fairly rare in Belize), color cable TV and tile floors. The best rooms are the deluxe rooms on the first floor near the water on the dive shop side. Management promises some further upgrading, including better furnishings and fridges in some rooms. SunBreeze is directly on the water, with a dock and an independent dive shop, but there's no swimming beach. The beach at Ramon's is nearby. The SunBreeze has handicap-accessible rooms, uncommon in Belize. Bottom line: Not true luxury, but comfortable, spacious, convenient, casual and very pleasant - good place for families and one of my favorites.
| The Palms "condotel" is one of the four-star lodgings on Ambergris Caye |  |
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Belizean Reef Suites just south of town |
* * * * A/b Ramon's Village, Coconut Drive, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-62071, fax 501-2-62214, e-mail ramons@c-gate.net. Rates, which vary depending on package and date, US$140-$300+ plus service and hotel tax. Anyone who has heard of San Pedro has probably heard of Ramon's Village, the creation of Ambergris native and pioneering hotel operator Ramon Nuñez. Now American-owned, over the years it has grown from a small, moderately priced collection of thatched cabañas on the beach into a much larger group of multi-unit buildings and individual cabañas, with 60 rooms and suites, the latest renovations and additions being made in 1998. Rates also have gone way up, now being near the top price point on the island, but Ramon's retains its sand-and-thatch ambiance. The resort has, arguably, one of the best beaches on the island, part of its 500-foot water frontage, though those who have seen beaches in the BVI, on Anguilla or in the Yucatán won't be impressed. A larger fresh-water pool was already scheduled to replace the old one, when the old one was damaged by Mitch. The new pool is gorgeous. Ramon's has a popular bar, a (fairly pricey) restaurant, and a well-regarded dive operation. Rooms vary from okay to gorgeous. They are divided into three basic categories: beach front, seaside and garden view. There also are one- and two-bedroom suites with kitchenettes, including the deluxe 600 square-foot Presidential suite, and several "honeymoon cabañas." Most are now air conditioned. The location, just south of the airstrip, and a five-minute stroll from town, can't be beat. Ramon's does a first-rate job of marketing, especially to travel agents, and it enjoys one of the highest occupancy rates on the island. The crowd here is usually a little younger and more active than the average at island hotels. Bottom line: Popular, well-located, well-run hotel which manages to retain its island ambiance despite growth and expansion - we only wish rates were lower.
* * + D/d Changes in Latitude B&B, Coconut Drive, San Pedro, tel./fax 501-2-62986, e-mail latitudes@btl.net. This is more a small hotel, with six small but pleasant rooms on the first level, than a true bed and breakfast, but the helpful Canadian owner, Lori Reed, does live upstairs and a continental breakfast is served in the breakfast/common room. Not directly on the water but close. Best rooms are on the north side, as there's a wall close to the windows on the south-side rooms. Bottom line: Intimate little inn within a short walk of town.
* * * + B/b Belize Yacht Club Hotel & Marina, Coconut Drive, P.O. Box 62, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-62777, fax 2-62768, e-mail bychotel@btl.net. This property about one-half mile south of town has gone through several incarnations since it opened in the early 1990s, as condo colony, timeshare, condotel. Now it appears to be focused on being a regular hotel, with a new meeting facility and restaurant. The BYC has 43 apartment-style units built in a Mexican style. On the water, with a very nice pool, but no real beach. Rates off-season US$125-$300, in-season, US$150-$350, with the garden and pool view one-bedroom units (26 of the units) being at the bottom of that range. Bottom line: Attractive condo-style development on the "outskirts" of San Pedro.
* * D/e Hideaway Sports Lodge, Coconut Drive, P.O Box 43, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-62141, fax 2-62269, e-mail hideaway@btl.net. Located about one-half mile south of town in the same area as the Belize Yacht Club and Changes in Latitude, but across the road from the beach, this Texan-owned 17-room hotel is a real find for travelers looking for value and needing just a simple room. Some units have A/C. Inexpensive restaurant on-site. A bonus is the very nice pool. Rates (in this case they include tax) off-season US$35 to $60, in-season US$45-90. Group rates of US$210 per week per person (US$285 single) include breakfast, dinner and taxes. Bottom line: Simple rooms with extras like a pool with excellent value.
* * * C/d Coconuts Caribbean, Coconut Drive, P.O. Box 94, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-63500, fax 2-63501, e-mail coconuts@btl.net. A mid-priced 12-unit beachfront motel that gets good marks from BELIZE FIRST readers. They like the price, the location (a 15- or 20-minute walk from town), the friendly staff and the attractive large rooms. Pleasant beach bar. Free use of hotel bikes. Included continental breakfast. Off-season specials bring the price down to as low as US$60 plus tax, but you'll usually pay nearly twice that. Bottom line: Friendly, low-key beach motel.
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Wil and Susan Lala's Caribbean Villas |
Other choices in this area: * * C/c Hotel Playador/Exotic Caye * * * C/c Woody's (Corona Del Mar)
(Listed from north to south, with those nearest town listed first)
* * * * A/a Villas at Banyan Bay, San Pedro tel., fax, e-mail Expansive condo project about a mile and half south of town, developed by local interests. Accommodations here are among the most luxurious on the island if not in all of Belize. Each two-bedroom, two-bath unit is about 1,000 square feet, with kitchen, jacuzzi tub in the master bath, veranda with ocean views and tile floors. Pool with a swim-up bar. Nicely tropical beach area. Also now a timeshare (unfortunately!) Rates off-season US$175 to $200 double, in-season US$190 to $215, plus tax. Additional adults over two US$25. Bottom line: Upscale two-bedroom condo living on the water.
* * * + B/c Tropica, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-62701, fax 2-62699, e-mail tropica@btl.net. This newish entry into the South End mix offers appealing A/C rooms in four-plexes on Mar del Tumbo beach just south of Banyan Bay Villas. On-site restaurant is getting good comments. Tropica has a new swimming pool and has added new units. Rates US$125 double in-season, US$75 (or less) off-season, plus tax and 10% service. Bottom line: Small beach hotel with a lot going for it.
* * * * B/c Banana Beach (managed by same group as Coconuts - Coconut Drive, P.O. Box 94, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-63500, fax 2-63501, e-mail coconuts@btl.net. ) This newish condotel about 1 3/4 miles south of town consists of a single large building, designed in a style similar to Mexican hotels in Mérida, around a courtyard and swimming pool in the center of the complex. It has 14 ocean-front units (go for one of these, especially the second and third floor units on corners), 12 ocean-view units and nine pool-view units, all one-bedroom. Six deluxe units have king-size beds. Very friendly and competent management, and a great value, especially if you book direct. Rates around US$125, less off-season. Bottom line: Terrific choice in condotel units.
* * * B/c Mata Rocks, P.O. Box 47, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-62336, fax 2-62349, e-mail matarocks@btl.net. Small, 10-room beachfront hotel. With its stucco and wood exterior, Mata Rocks has a comfortable, relaxed look. Good beach bar. Most units have kitchenettes and A/C. Free use of bikes. In-season doubles US$95 for standard rooms to US$135 for deluxe suites. Summer rates about US$60 to $90. Bottom line: Relax in comfortable surroundings on the beach.
* * * + B/b Royal Palm Villas, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-62148, fax 2-62329, e-mail royalpalm@btl.net. A fast-growing timeshare, eventually scheduled to have 85 units, that appeals to people who like timeshares. New construction is adding more buildings and new pools. Rates around US$160 double in-season, US$130 off-season, plus tax and 10% service. Bottom line: A choice for the timeshare crowd.
* * * * A/b Victoria House, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-62067, fax 2-62429, e-mail victoria@btl.net. Victoria House, a little over 2 miles south of town, has most of the "musts" for a barefoot but upscale resort vacation. It's a quiet hideaway on 19 acres, with a variety of accommodations ranging from comfortable motel-like rooms at the back of the resort to deluxe villas on the beach. Lots of remodeling and upgrading over the past year or so. The owners' villas can be rented as entire units or as separate one-bedrooms - beautiful but pricey! There's a good restaurant, and a free-standing lounge cabaña just perfect for sipping rum drinks or Belikins. Nice new pool and a sandy beach area for relaxing, and there's a swimming area off the pier. Restaurant, gift shop and dive operation. Rates off-season US$110 to $240 for doubles, US$120-US$265; whole-house villas US$385 to $660, plus tax and service. Bottom line: Upscale, barefoot hideaway.
* * * + A/b Caribe Island Resort, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-63233, fax 2-63399, e-mail ccaribe@btl.net. Formerly called Chateau Caribe, this full-service beachfront resort almost 3 miles south of town has efficiencies and large one- and two-bedroom suites with A/C, ceiling fans, cable TV, phones, kitchens and private verandahs. The Royal Suite is huge, at 1,800 square-foot with three bedrooms. Swimming pool, restaurant, bar, coin-operated laundry, and guests enjoy free use of bikes, kayaks and small sail boats. There's a hotel shuttle to town, and free airport pick-ups. Rates for doubles US$95 to $275 off-season, US$115 to US$335 in-season, plus tax. Bottom line: Small full-service resort for active couples or families.
Other choices in this area: * * * C/c Sunset Beach
(Listed south to north, with those nearest town listed first)
* * * B/c Capricorn, P.O. Box 65, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-62809, fax 2-12091, e-mail capricorn@btl.net. Owners Annabel and Clarence put their heart and souls in this little resort about 3 1/2 miles north of town, and the results show - in the three attractive, hand-built wooden cabins and in the restaurant, certainly one of the best on the island. Rates off-season US$90 to $115, in-season US$110 to $135, plus tax and 10% service. Bottom-line: Small spot with exellent restaurant.
* * * A/c Captain Morgan's, San Pedro, tel. in U.S. 800-447-2931, fax 218-847-0334, e-mail information@captainmorgans.com. In many ways, this is exactly the kind of place many visitors to Belize want and expect in a beach resort. (It was featured in the Temptation Island show.) Captain Morgan's is a collection of 21 thatch-roof cabañas on the beach. Owned by a wholesaler specializing in Belize, Magnum Belize, the resort has a nice fresh-water pool, and the food when I've been here has been very good. Once up for sale as a resort, Captain Morgan's is now offering condo units for individual sale. Rates around US$200 double in-season, US$120 off-season, with packages available.
* * * B/b Essene Way, San Pedro, tel. in U.S. 407-297-7544, fax 407-290-2788; in Belize tel. 501-2-63257, fax 2-63259. The Essene Way describes itself as a "breathtaking Caribbean Christian resort ... Natural Retreat for Physical & Spiritual Renewal ... modern and elegant facilities with a decor centered around non-denominational Biblical themes." Located just north of Captain Morgan's, the Essene Way formerly was The Belizean resort, which went bust and was then purchased by Thomas Ciola, an Orlando health food/supplement magnate with an interest in the Essenes, an early Christian group who established a religious community on the shores of the Red Sea. Ciola put a small fortune into the resort, doing extensive renovations, adding a multi-million dollar solar power system and putting up new buildings including a chapel. The landscaped grounds and gardens of the Essene Way have Biblical and other statues, done in a style vaguely reminiscent of a small-scale Disneyland. The Essene Way has attractive cottages, a pool and a long stretch of beach. The idea, as explained to me by Ciola, originally was to use this resort as a kind of "make-a-wish" place for terminally ill adults, but today it accepts paying guests. The times I have been there, in the off-season, the place seemed virtually deserted, however. Single-night rates are US$180 double (plus tax and 10% service) in-season, and US$140 off-season, but 4- and 7-night packages bring those rates down significantly. Bottom line: Bills itself as a Christian retreat.
* * * B/b Journey's End, San Pedro. US Address: 5847 San Felipe, Suite 2195, Houston, Texas 77057, tel. 800-460-5665 or 713-780-1566, fax 713-780-1726, e-mail jornyend@neosoft.com Located on 50 acres about 6 miles north of San Pedro town, Journey's End is one of the largest resorts in Belize, with about 80 rooms and cabañas. About one-half of the rooms are in motel-like buildings overlooking a lagoon, but there also are seafront cabañas and other options. At one time, this resort was positioned as "lifestyles of the rich and famous" but that idea, and the resort, went bust. It is now has Ghana ownership. We have gotten both positive and negative feedback about Journey's End from readers - some like it, and others don't. It does have resort amenities such as a large pool, tennis courts, dive shop, three-times-a-day water shuttle into San Pedro and the free use of some water sports equipment. Some much-needed renovations and upgrading have taken place recently. Journey's End relies on travel agents for a lot of its bookings, and agents may not have first-person experience with the resort. There are many different rate packages - be sure you get the best deal. Bottom-line: Large full-service resort.
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Casa Caribe on North Ambergris, seen from the air |
* * * * A/a Mata Chica, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-13010, fax 2-13012, e-mail matachica@btl.net. Doubles US$115-$210 off-season, US$120-$255 in-season, plus tax and service. Rates vary depending on the size of the unit and proximity to water and are higher Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Package rates per couple (including rooms, flight from Belize City, transfers to hotel, breakfast and dinner daily, taxes and gratuities) range from US$1,010 to $1,330 for three nights off-season to US$2,520 to $3,365 for seven nights in-season. Opened in late 1997, Mata Chica raises the bar on what constitutes hip, deluxe lodging on Ambergris Caye. Mata Chica's owners, lately from L.A., have designed this resort to the hilt. Each of the 11 air conditioned cabañas has a fruit theme - mango, cranberry, banana, and so on - a theme that begins with the exterior color and is carried through down to the tiles in the baths. It all may be a little too hip for some. No pool. The beach is lovely, although swimming is off the pier. Mambo, the hotel's expensive restaurant, offers an Italian menu. It's definitely a romantic spot for dinner. Bottom line: If you want stylish, and you want remote, and you want expensive, this is it.
* * * * A+/a+ Cayo Espanto, tel. in U.S. 888-666-4282 or 910-323-8355. Private cabañas on a private island. This resort is on the back (lagoon) side of Ambergris Caye. Each unit has its own small "plunge pool." Rates are US$600 double - that's right US$600 - and up, up, up, but discounted rates are available at times. Bottom line: For those for whom money is no object.
Other choices in this area: * * B/c Pescador * * C/c Green Parrot.
With ocean swimming not always convenient, it's a treat to stay at a hotel with a swimming pool.
The hotels and condotels on the island with pools include the following: Avalon, Caye Beach Resort, Caye Villas, Journey's End, Essene Way, Captain Morgan's, El Pescador, Seven Seas Resort, Blue Tang Inn, Paradise Villas, SunBreeze, The Palms, Ramon's Village, Belize Yacht Club, Hide-A-Way Hotel, Hotel Playador/Exotic Caye, Villas at Banyan Bay, Tropica, Banana Beach, Royal Palm Villas, Victoria House, Caribe Island Resort and Sunset Beach Resort. Also, Cayo Espanto.
In addition to condotel units listed above, Ambergris Caye has rental houses available usually for weekly rental in-season, or for shorter periods off-season. They offer privacy, extra space and sometimes deluxe amenities. If you have a large family or are with a large group, you may find they are an affordable alternative to a condo or hotel. As with hotels, rates are generally 20 to 40% lower off-season. For additional listings, contact companies listed here or real estate firms (See Real Estate section below). A number of homes also are rented directly by their owners. Check the Ambergriscaye.com Web site for listings.
Caye Management, P.O. Box 49, San Pedro, tel. 501-2-63077, e-mail cayeman@btl.net. Long-established rental house agency offers a variety of houses around the island, from smaller two bedroom cottages at under US$1,000 a week to a luxury five-bedroom home for US$3,500 a week.
Caye Villas, Mata Grande, San Pedro, contact Diane Campbell, tel. 501-2-65203, e-mail camp@btl.net. Located on the North End, there are five very attractive homes at Caye Villas, each two stories with great room, living area, bath and and open kitchen upstairs two bedroom/bath suites downstairs. Other homes are planned for the nearby Los Encantos development.
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