Top Things to do in San Pedro, Belize: Your Guide to Paradise
If you’re dreaming of a tropical getaway filled with adventure, relaxation, and breathtaking scenery, look no further than San Pedro, Belize. Nestled on the vibrant island of Ambergris Caye, this Caribbean gem offers a variety of activities that cater to every type of traveler. From exploring the stunning barrier reef to indulging in local cuisine, San Pedro promises an unforgettable experience. In this travel guide, I’ll highlight the top things to do in San Pedro, Belize, so you can make the most of your visit and create memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you’re seeking thrilling water sports, serene beachside relaxation, or a taste of authentic Belizean culture, this list has got you covered when you visit on of Belize’s most popular islands. Let’s dive into the ultimate San Pedro adventure!
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See the Great Blue Hole
The Great Blue Hole needs to be on everyone’s bucket list if you’re taking a trip to Belize. The Great Blue Hole is a giant sinkhole in the Caribbean located near the Lighthouse Reef and is one of the top tourist attractions in Belize. From San Pedro, the blue hole is a 2.5 hour boat ride or 30 minute flight.
The blue hole is very popular among divers, but if you want the best view, I recommend taking a blue hole tour flight! From San Pedro, you can book a tour flight on Maya Island Air which leave at 9 am every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and costs $230 USD.
The Truck Stop
The Truck Stop is a food truck yard in San Pedro and is a must visit one night on your trip to Ambergris Caye! There are several different food truck options, a bar, and live music. In the back you’ll find games such as corn hole, a pool where they play a move, and a dock with chairs perfect for catching a Belizean sunset! I personally loved the pizza food truck here!
Tip: Depending on where you’re staying in San Pedro, you may need to rent a golf cart to get to and from the Truck stop!
Snorkeling
Belize is home to the Belize Barrier Reef which is the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world! Because of this, Belize has some of the best snorkeling experiences I’ve ever seen. If you’re planning a trip to San Pedro, you absolutely need to set aside a day for a snorkeling trip!
When you go on a snorkel trip in the Belize Cayes, you typically have several stops. The 2 most popular stops are the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark and Ray Alley.
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a protected area of the Belize Barrier Reef that was created to protect the reef from destructive fishing and diving. On our snorkel trip, we saw tons of marine life here such as tropical fish, stingrays, nurse sharks, and even some spotted eagle rays!
Shark and Ray Alley one of the most exciting parts of the trip where you’ll get to swim with nurse sharks and stingrays. It is important to book an eco friendly tour that respects the space of the animals and does not allow their guests to touch them! I booked with Nauti Time Tours in Caye Caulker and loved the experience!
Tip: In order to protect the reef, make sure to pack some reef safe sunscreen to wear on your snorkel trip!
Secret Beach
With white sand and crystal-clear blue water, Secret Beach is one of the top things to do in San Pedro and probably the best beach on the island of Ambergris Caye! Secret Beach is about a 30 minute drive from San Pedro, so you will need to rent a golf cart to get there. If you want to make the most of your trip to San Pedro, it is best to book a golf cart for your whole stay.
Once you get to Secret Beach, you’ll want to spend the whole day. You’ll find many beach bars and restaurants such as Pirate’s and Blue Bayou here. Blue Bayou is located a little further down than the main area of restaurants but is worth the walk to enjoy their picnic tables in the water, the water table service, and activities such as floating beer pong! There’s also an inflatable waterpark in the water at secret beach – the activities are endless!
Explore San Pedro Golf Cart Rentals HERE!
Day Trip to Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker is San Pedro’s much smaller and more laidback neighbor. These islands are very different, so I also recommend trying to stay on both on your trip to Belize. If you only have time to stay in San Pedro, Caye Caulker is close enough for a day trip and a highly recommended thing to do in San Pedro.
From San Pedro, you’ll take a 30 minute water taxi over to Caye Caulker. The San Pedro Express Water Taxi cost around $20 USD each way. There are many things to do in Caye Caulker but you should have time to hit some of the highlights in a day trip from San Pedro.
Also Read: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Caye Caulker, Belize
Eco-Iguana Corner Foundation
One of my favorite things to do in San Pedro was visit the Eco-Iguana Corner Foundation which is the Iguana Sanctuary in San Pedro. The sanctuary is free to enter but donations are highly appreciated to help keep the sanctuary running. They also sell authentic Belizean food as a way to support the sanctuary.
The Iguana Sanctuary is a conservation project to protect the iguanas in Belize. Inside the sanctuary, you can walk the path through the mangroves, interact with the iguanas, and feed them bananas! The sanctuary opens at 8 am and I recommend going early to beat the heat and the crowds!
Palapa Bar
If you’re looking for a beach bar to relax at without going all the way to Secret Beach, head over to Palapa Bar! This bar is located in San Pedro town in front of Sandbar Hostel which is also a great place to stay if you are traveling to San Pedro on a budget!
Palapa Bar is the perfect place to hang out for the afternoon. The bar is over the water and even has a tanning deck, steps down to a swimming area, and tubes where you can float and have a drink! If you stay until around sunset, you may even see some stingrays. The stingrays know this is when the fisherman come back near shore and you can find them swimming around the docks hoping to grab a snack from the fish cleanings!
