Hotels in San Pedro

San Pedro: Gateway to the Belize Barrier Reef

San Pedro sits on Ambergris Caye, Belize's largest island, roughly 58 km northeast of Belize City. The town borders the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-longest barrier reef system in the world at approximately 1,000 km. That proximity defines everything: divers and snorkelers arrive to reach sites like Hol Chan Marine Reserve, established in 1987, and Shark Ray Alley, both within 10 minutes by boat from the northern docks.

San Pedro draws a mix of sport fishers, reef divers, and travelers seeking a car-free Caribbean town. Golf carts are the primary transport on the sandy streets. The town center along Barrier Reef Drive holds local restaurants serving rice-and-beans plates and grilled lobster during the June–February season. Boca del Rio marks the northern boundary of town, where water taxis connect to Caye Caulker (30 minutes south) and Belize City (75 minutes).

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Water taxis depart San Pedro Pier multiple times daily; flights from Philip Goldson International Airport take about 20 minutes on Tropic Air or Maya Island Air.
• Currency: Belize Dollar (BZD) is pegged at 2:1 to USD; most hotels and restaurants accept USD directly.
• Reef entry fees: Hol Chan Marine Reserve charges a BZD 20 per-person entry fee, payable at the dock.
• Season: Dry season runs February through May, with calmer seas and better reef visibility.