Belize is a small country of 8,867 square miles that sits on the northeastern coast of Central America. The friendly neighbor of Mexico and Guatemala, Belize shares an ancient Mayan past and common ethnic backgrounds with Central America.
If that's not enough, Belize is home to numerous remains of ancient Mayan cities, some still undiscovered under the jungle's lush vegetation, majestic Maya Mountains that soar 3000 feet into the clouds, some of the tallest mangrove trees in the region, complex cave systems, the only pine forest (Mountain Pine Ridge) in all of Central America, and a unique and colorful cultural mix.
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, also known as "La Isla Bonita" is the largest and most visited island in Belize. Located 36 miles northeast of Belize City, the island is easily accessible by either water taxi or airplane. Visitors arrive in the sandy and picturesque island community of San Pedro Town, with a population of approximately 8,000 people. Once a sleepy fishing village, this town has grown dramatically over the years with the fast progression of the tourism industry.
With its earliest tourists arriving in the 1920's and first real hotel being established in 1965, Ambergris Caye is one of Belize's most popular island destinations. The island is very flat, and is a 25-mile long slice of limestone with mangrove on the west and narrow beaches on the east. The white sandy streets in San Pedro Town accommodate barefooted pedestrians as well as bicycles and golf carts. There are only three main streets in the town, so it is virtually impossible to get lost. Some of Belize's most luxurious hotels and resorts line San Pedro's beaches.
With the Barrier Reef only 1.5 miles away, Ambergris Caye offers a wide array of water activities. Kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing, fishing and swimming can all be enjoyed in the shallow waters in front of the island, while scuba diving trips can be taken to the nearby barrier reef and famous dive sites of the northern atolls. Also popular are the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark/Ray Alley off the island's southern tip. After a full day of exciting water activities, there are numerous nighttime adventures all over the island, including beach barbecues, nightclubs, restaurants and bars.
