10 Things You MUST Know Before Going to San Pedro, Belize 🇧🇿
Located in Central America, just south of Mexico, lies the small but beautiful country of Belize. Known for the Great Blue Hole, ancient Mayan ruins, and the second largest barrier reef system in the world, Belize is a dream destination for snorkelers and scuba divers alike.
In this guide, I’m sharing 10 things you absolutely must know before booking a trip to San Pedro, a popular town on Ambergris Caye. I’ll also tell you exactly where we had the coolest snorkeling experience of our lives!
By knowing these things in advance, you’ll be prepared for the best trip possible. So in no particular order, let’s dive in. 🌊
If you’d prefer this information in a video, click on my YouTube video below.
1. Rent a Golf Cart
The number one thing you need to know: golf carts are the main mode of transportation in San Pedro. Both residents and tourists use them everywhere, and renting one is super easy. Shops are all over town, and you can literally walk in and drive off with a cart.
We paid about $45 USD per day and rented ours for four days. If you rent longer, you’ll likely get a better daily rate.
Having a golf cart is a must because:
Ambergris Caye is bigger than you might think, and getting around without one is time-consuming.
It gets very hot, and walking everywhere isn’t realistic. Plus, there aren’t many sidewalks, which makes walking less enjoyable.
2. Take the Plane from Belize City
To get from Belize City to San Pedro, you have two choices: a plane or a ferry.
If you can afford it, I highly recommend taking the plane. It’s only a 15-minute flight compared to a 3-hour ferry ride. Plus, the flight is absolutely stunning, with aerial views of the turquoise Caribbean waters. If you’re the first on board, you might even snag the co-pilot seat. 👩✈️
Flights run almost every hour, and you don’t need to book in advance. We actually bought ours at the Belize City airport counter and paid about $175 USD round trip per person, which was cheaper than buying online.
3. All the Best Snorkeling Requires a Boat
Unlike Hawaii, you can’t just step off the beach in San Pedro and expect to see marine life. All the good snorkeling happens from a boat, so you’ll need to join a tour.
Most tours leave at 9am or 1:30pm, and some shops even offer night snorkeling. Popular spots include:
Hol Chan Marine Reserve ($10 entry fee, cash only)
Shark Ray Alley 🦈 — where you’ll see nurse sharks and sting rays (but also lots of other tour groups).
Our favorite experience? A 3-hour private snorkeling trip with Under Da Sea for $100 per person. We visited Mexico Rocks and two other secluded spots, where our guides got in the water with us and pointed out lobsters, corals, and tons of fish. Best part: we had the water all to ourselves!
4. Snorkeling & Scuba Tours Need 4 People
This was something we weren’t prepared for. Most snorkeling and scuba tours in San Pedro require at least four people to run.
If you’re traveling during low season (like we were), you might struggle to join a group. Our solution? We paid extra for a private tour. Thankfully, it was only about $25 more per person, and worth every penny for the incredible experience.
Pro tip: if you don’t want to pay extra, try making friends with other travelers and booking tours together.
5. English is the Official Language
One of the best things about traveling to Belize is how easy it is to communicate. English is the official language here, and it sounds very similar to American English but with a Caribbean twist.
For American travelers especially, this makes Belize a super convenient destination.
6. USD is Widely Accepted
Another perk: USD is accepted everywhere in Belize. The official currency is the Belizean dollar, but most places take both.
The conversion rate is easy to remember: 1 USD = 2 BZD. Sometimes we’d even pay with both currencies at once — for example, $5 USD and 20 BZD for a $15 charge.
7. Belize is Not That Cheap
If you’re budgeting for Belize, set realistic expectations. It’s not the bargain destination we were hoping for.
Here’s what we paid:
Fish dishes: about $20 USD per meal
Vegetarian meals: around $12 USD
Hotel: about $160 USD per night
Golf cart rental: $45 USD per day
Plane ride: $175 USD round trip
Snorkeling tour: $100 USD per person
It all adds up — so plan accordingly!
8. Visit Secret Beach
Everyone (our plane seatmate, our hotel concierge, restaurant staff) told us to visit Secret Beach — so we did.
It’s on the northwest side of the island, about an hour’s drive from downtown San Pedro, and you’ll definitely need a golf cart. The road is bumpy but scenic, with mangrove trees and wetlands.
At Secret Beach, you’ll find:
Beach bars & restaurants 🍹
Warm, shallow water perfect for swimming
Picnic tables in the water, where servers bring you food & drinks 🥥
That said, the photos online are more idyllic than real life — definitely an Instagram vs. Reality moment. But the drive and swim were still worth it.
9. Expect a Lot of Cat-Calling
Something to be aware of: there’s a lot of cat-calling in San Pedro. Honestly, Eve and I agreed it was more than we’d experienced anywhere else, even though we’re both seasoned travelers.
The good news: it never felt unsafe, just uncomfortable and obnoxious. But it’s something you should be prepared for.
10. Bring Bug Spray
Last but not least: pack bug spray! The mosquitos in San Pedro are relentless, especially inland. We both got covered in bites.
There were fewer mosquitos on the east side of the island along the Caribbean Sea, but anywhere near wetlands? Brutal. Don’t skip the repellent.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it — the 10 things you must know before visiting San Pedro, Belize. From golf carts and Secret Beach to snorkeling tours and pesky mosquitos, knowing these tips ahead of time will make your trip much smoother.
If you’ve been to San Pedro, let me know if I missed any tips! And if you’re planning a trip, I hope this helps you get the most out of your time on Ambergris Caye. 🌴
