Ambergris: No, you won't find any whale vomit on the island. The waxy secretion of sperm whales, once prized for use in perfumes, is sometimes found floating in tropical seas, but there is no convincing evidence that its presence on Ambergris Caye was the source of the name.
Banks: There are two banks on the island, Belize Bank and Atlantic Bank. Hours vary, but the banks generally are open from 8 a.m. to 1 or 2 p.m., with Belize Bank also having afternoon hours and Atlantic Bank being open Saturday morning. At present, while Scotia Bank and Barclays Bank on the mainland have ATMs which honor foreign ATM cards, you can NOT use your U.S., Canadian or European ATM card on Ambergris Caye, although cash advances with bank cards are possible.
Business Hours: Most businesses open around 8 a.m. and close around 5 p.m. Some close for lunch, usually from 1 to 2 p.m.
Car Rentals: Although there are some privately owned cars and trucks on the island, rental cars are not available on Ambergris Caye. Golf carts rent for around US$60 for a 24-hour day and about US$40 for an 8-hour rental. Island (formerly Ramon's) Rentals near the SunBreeze Hotel, and Polo's, near the Paradise Hotel, are among the larger renters. Valid driver licenses are required to rent carts.
Cell Phones: Belize Telecommunications Ltd. rents cell phones for around US$4.50 per day, plus charges for calls and a security deposit. For details, call BTL at 501-2-77960 or e-mail sales@btl.net. BTL's current mobile cell coverage includes most of the Northern, Southern and Western Highways, plus all of Ambergris Caye. You'll need a credit card and passport to set up the temporary cell phone account.
Church: The majority of Belizeans are Catholic, and there are two Catholic churches on the island. Several other religious denominations also are represented. Check with your hotel for times and places of services.
Climate: Ambergris Caye, like most of Belize, has a sub-tropical climate. Frosts and freezes are unknown. Weather in San Pedro is similar to that in South Florida, with temps ranging from the mid 50s F on a cool winter day to above 90 on a hot summer day. From November through March, expect lows in the low to mid 60s and highs in the low to mid 80s. The rest of the year, expect lows in the low 70s and highs in the high 80s. Prevailing winds off the water keep beach and shore areas pleasant most of the time. Winds sometimes go calm in summer, especially in August and September. Occasionally during the winter "Northers" blow in, chilling the air and kicking up winds. Ambergris Caye gets about 55 to 60 inches of rain a year. July through November normally is the rainiest time on the island, but even during this "rainy season" it is unusual to have long rainy periods, and sunny weather returns after a day or two. Humidity is fairly high, being highest in the summer at above 80%. June through November technically is hurricane season, but the August through October period is the most likely time for tropical storms and hurricanes. In the last 50 years, only four hurricanes have struck Belize, with the worst being Hattie in 1961. The impact of Mitch on Belize in 1998 was relatively slight.
Credit Cards: Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept credit cards - typically MasterCard and VISA and often American Express. Surcharges of up to 5% on credit card use are becoming less common but are still applied by some businesses - ask before using your card.
Crime: Most visitors to Ambergris Caye feel entirely safe. However, crime does exist on the island, as "rich tourists" are a magnet for bad elements from other parts of Belize or from other parts of Central America. Also, crack cocaine and other drugs have come to the island. Use common sense, avoid walking in unlighted or isolated areas at night, and keep an eye on cameras and other personal possessions.
Drugs: Despite its reputation as a source of marijuana and, more recently, as a transshipment point for cocaine and other drugs from South America, Belize has strict laws on the use of illegal drugs, with prison terms and fines for offenders. Most visitors to San Pedro won't be approached by anyone selling drugs, but if you are remember that Hattieville Prison is not where you would want to spend a vacation.
Electricity: 110 volts AC/60 cycles, same as in the U.S. Electricity on the island, mostly provided from Mexico by Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), is at least twice as expensive as in the U.S., so air conditioning is a luxury, and some hotels may charge extra for A/C rooms. Most parts of the island, except the far north and southern tip, are now on the power grid. Service is generally dependable, and BEL is working to expand service to the entire island.
Embassies: The U.S. Embassy is in Belize City. Carolyn Curiel, a former Clinton speech writer, is the ambassador; from San Pedro call her at 02-77161 (from the U.S. dial 011-501-2-77161.) Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Taiwan and about a dozen other countries have ambassadors or other representatives either in Belize City or Belmopan.
Entry: All visitors to Belize, including children, must have a valid passport, good for at least six months beyond your departure date. Most visitors, including those from the U.S. and Canada, do not need visas. Entry for international visitors arriving Belize by air is at Philip Goldson International Airport in Ladyville, just north of Belize City. Immigration officials grant stays of up to 30 days, depending on how long you say you expect to stay. To get the longest period, say you plan to stay "about a month." Tourist stays may be extended for up to six months, by paying a small fee, but you will need to visit Belize City and apply for the extension. You will go through customs at the international airport, usually a quick and fairly painless process. If you are flying to San Pedro from the international airport (a 20-minute flight on Maya Island Air or Tropic Air), proceed to the domestic terminals. If you are going into Belize City, either to catch a ferry or to depart from the Municipal Airport, get a taxi at the front of the airport (US$15).
Groceries: There are a number of small groceries on the island. The largest are San Pedro Supermarket at the north end of town, Rock's on Pescador (Middle) Street in town, and a newer Rock's south of town. These and other shops have approximately the inventory of a large convenience store in the U.S., plus items such as frozen meats and liquor. Prices for most food items, especially imported items, are considerably higher than in the U.S., often twice as high.
Health: The standards of health and hygiene on Ambergris Caye are high, similar to that of popular resort islands in the Caribbean. Not many visitors become ill from traveler's diseases or from drinking the water. While malaria, dengue fever and other tropical diseases are present in Belize, they are rare in San Pedro, and as a practical matter many visitors to Ambergris Caye don't get any special shots before they come. No shots are required for entry into Belize. However, it's always a good idea to keep tetanus, polio, Hep A and B and other vaccinations up to date, and malaria prophylaxsis may be advised for mainland travel; it is highly advised if you are going to remote areas or into Guatemala. Better be safe than sorry. Check with the U.S. Centers for Disease Controls, tel. 404-332-4559 for the latest information. The biggest vacation-spoiler on Ambergris is probably sunburn. You're only 18 degrees of latitude north of the Equator, and the sub-tropical sun is much stronger than back home.
Internet: Belize Telecommunications, Ltd., the Belize phone company, has a legal monopoly in Belize on Internet access. While access is generally good, prices are several times times higher than for similar service in the U.S., and much higher for dedicated business access. San Pedro now has a cybercafe. Tropic Access Ltd. is on the first floor of the Island Galleria Building on Barrier Reef Drive next to Travel & Tour Belize. Rates for use of the computers with Internet access are US$2.50 for the first 10 minutes and 25 US cents thereafter, or US$15 per hour. For those staying longer periods, temporary Internet service is available through BTL - call 501-2-77960. Most hotels have e-mail and may allow guests to send or receive e-mail for a nominal charge. Neither America On-Line nor CompuServe has nodes in Belize; to reach those services you'll need to dial into a U.S. or other node.
Language: English is the official language of Belize, and it is spoken by nearly everyone, on Ambergris Caye, as a first, second or third language. Many native San Pedranos speak Spanish at home.
Laundry: Most hotels do laundry for their guests, at rates lower than in the U.S. San Pedro has several laundromats including J's and Belize Laundromat, both on Pescador drive.
Mail: The post office is located at Barrier Reef Drive and Buccaneer Street. Hours are Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-Noon, and 1-4:30 p.m., Friday until 5. Mail service between Ambergris Caye and the U.S. is usually reliable but may take 10 days or longer.
Medical: A Lions Club Clinic provides emergency and some routine care. There are several physicians, nurses and a volunteer dentist resident on the island, and St. Matthews University south of town is an offshore medical school. Dentists and private medical clinics are available in Belize City. More-serious problems can be treated at Karl Heusner Hospital in Belize City, a modern hospital albeit one reportedly plagued by equipment problems and supply shortages. Those with even more serious or life-threatening problems may wish to get care in Mexico, Guatemala or the U.S.
Money: The Belizean dollar is usually exchanged at the rate of 2 Belize dollars to 1 U.S. dollar. At banks, there is a small exchange fee and you will get slightly less than 2 Belize to 1 U.S. Money changers in border areas (not on Ambergris Caye) usually give a higher rate, up to about 2.07 Belize to 1 U.S. However, there is no need to exchange U.S. dollars as these are accepted virtually everywhere in Belize at 2 to 1. You will probably get change in Belize dollars. Canadian dollars and European currencies are not commonly accepted on the island. The Belize Bank branch at Goldson International Airport offers currency exchange.
Newspapers: The San Pedro Sun is the island's independent weekly, operated by an expat couple, Dan and Eileen Jamison, from the U.S.
Nude Beaches: There are none on the island, although in privately owned or remote areas nude sunbathing has probably happened a time or two!
Pharmacies: There are several drug stores on the island. Ask your hotel for recommendations. It is a good idea to bring with you any prescription medicines you regularly need.
Population: The exact population of Ambergris Caye isn't known, but estimates are that it is now at least 4,000.
Taxes: A 7% hotel tax is added to your hotel (not food or beverage) charges. A 15% Value Added Tax currently applies to many purchases including souvenirs, tours, dive trips and some restaurant charges. Businesses with annual sales under US$50,000 do not collect VAT, and some food, medical and other items are exempt. Visitors departing Belize by international air pay a US$15 exit tax.
Taxis: As you walk around San Pedro, drivers will ask if you need a taxi. Your hotel also can call a taxi for you. Rates to locations on the island are about US$2 to $5. Water taxis are available to take you to or from San Pedro and North Ambergris Caye, typically for US$5. Some hotels offer free water shuttle service for guests.
Telephones: The Belize telephone area code for San Pedro is 026. When dialing from another area of Belize to Ambergris Caye, dial 02-6XXXX. On the island, you need only dial the last four digits. From outside the country, drop the 0 and add the country code and international calling prefix. The country code for Belize is 501. When dialing from the U.S., add 011, so to call a number in San Pedro from the U.S. dial 011-501-2-XXXXX. To call the U.S. from San Pedro, dial 001 + Area Code + 7-digit number. Many hotels on the island, especially in the budget and moderate ranges, do not have in-room phones. Local calls on the island are charged on a unit system (each call is one unit, costing 7.5 US cents, after 50 free units), though hotels usually absorb this cost for guests. Costs for calls to other parts of Belize vary - a 10-minute call to Belize City from San Pedro would be US$1.25. Direct dialed long-distance calls to North and South America and the Caribbean range from US$1 to US$1.63 per minute, depending on the time of day. BTL provides a single telephone directory for Belize, published annually.
Time: Belize operates on Central Standard Time and does not observe daylight savings time.
Tipping: Tips aren't yet the major source of income on Ambergris Caye that they are in many other resort areas, but with tourism being the number one industry on the island, tipping is common. Some hotels add a 5 to 10% service charge to your bill; if yours does not, you should leave something for the housekeepers, around US$1 per day being typical. In better restaurants, a 10% tip is usual, with more for exceptional service. Taxi drivers are not tipped. Tour and snorkel guides usually expect a tip, which varies depending on length and type of trip.
Visitor Information: One of the best sources of current information about this island is on the Internet - AmbergrisCaye.com (http://www.ambergriscaye.com/) and other Belize-oriented Web sites. The Belize Tourist Board's office in New York City (800-624-0686) has some information on Ambergris Caye. Also see For More Information.
Water: The town of San Pedro has a municipal water supply with chlorinated water that is safe is drink. Some hotels and houses get water from shallow wells - the water is usually okay but may taste brackish. Cisterns also provide some water. Check with your hotel to find out if tap water is okay to drink. If not, the hotel will supply potable water, or you can buy bottled water from local groceries and shops. Ice at hotels and restaurants is almost always made from purified water. Most visitors eat and drink as they would at home and do not have stomach problems.
What to Expect | What It Costs | Beaches, Diving, Snorkeling & Fishing
Hotels | Restaurants & Nightlife | Tours, Trips & Activities | Boat Charters
Maps | How to Get to San Pedro | Practical Facts: If You Go
For More Information | Living in Paradise?
