San Pedro – Why are we here again?

When you’re eternally chasing the sun, you occasionally end up places that don’t quite meet expectations. For our 8 or so days together, Bridget and I wanted to max out on sun, sand and island life. And that’s how we ended up in San Pedro, part of Ambergris Caye.

From all internet accounts, it seemed like a less popular Caye Caulker, still drawing a sun-loving crowd. In reality, it reminded me of the retirement communities of Florida.

Onward fair steed

Popular with the American over 60s for its temperate weather, flat roads, US Dollar and already established communities, San Pedro is the retirees dream.

In hindsight, if we’d had our time again we definitely would have only stayed a night or two here, or maybe not at all, but decided to make the most of our time there with a range of different activities.

We stayed at Pedro’s Inn, which is set a little back from the main beach, but were gifted with a private room with air con and a pool. Pedro’s also has a sister hotel right on the beach, which also has a pool and banana lounges that you can use if you stay at either hotel.

Given we’d already explored the crystal waters of the barrier reef, we spent our days sun baking to a ridiculous shade of tan, and eating all the overpriced food on the island (see footer for recommendations). It also rained for a fair portion of our time here, which gave us the opportunity to thoroughly explore the tacky souvenir shops, drink hot chocolates at the Belize Chocolate Company and catch up on some old tv shows.

Our highlight, however, was the sunset catamaran sail we embarked on, one balmy evening.

Captain Bridget

In keeping with the island theme, we were joined by a group of 50-somethings for two hours of bottomless rum and pineapples (I think there was some food chucked in there somewhere) and sleazy deckhands, to watch the sun make its way below the horizon.

Given our white liquor consumption, the stumble to dinner afterwards made for quite a few laughs, befitting of our time on the island.

Following a recommendation, we spent our final evening at Tiki Maya bar, which sits over the water south of the main part of town. We caught a taxi here (negotiate the price pre-journey) but there is also a water taxi that takes you back to the main port in town.

Reminiscent of an outback bar on stilts, Tiki Maya satisfied our final blended cocktail needs, in the company of retirees, as the rain fell over the water. Not the best, but definitely not the worst way to finish off our time in Belize.

Final cocktails

Do/See: Sunbake
Take a trip down the waterslide at EL DIABLO (in front of Pedro’s sister hotel)
Catamaran sunset sail with Seaduced
Hire bikes to cycle the island

Eat/Drink:  Elvi’s for dinner
Celi’s for burritos
Mesa for breakfast
Truckstop for beers
Tiki Maya for over the water cocktails
The Bakery – breakfast treats
Belize Chocolate Company
Nook

Stay: Pedro’s Inn