 |
THE TOWN, RESTAURANTS, BARS, DISCOS, GIFT SHOPS
(Also see the www.AmbergrisCaye.com and www.Belize.com websites which have extensive information about the island.)
San Pedro is a small, sand-streets town, formerly a fishing village. (It inspired Madonna's "Isla Bonita" song.) Many locals and tourists go barefoot all the time; sandals at most. The residents are very friendly and speak both English and Spanish.
Following is a brief overview about San Pedro. (The currency, Belize dollars, is steady at $2 BZ for $1 US. Don't worry about changing money -- everyplace in Belize accepts US money and gives you Belize $ change.)
San Pedro Town itself is four streets wide and ˝ mile long. Everything you need is within easy walking distance: restaurants, bars, stores, galleries, gift shops, etc. Locals and tourists all spend a lot of time outdoors and the streets are alive with people 18 hours a day (but never crowded). Just walking around San Pedro is one of the primary vacation entertainments.
There is a wide variety of good restaurants, from cheap to moderately expensive in terms of U.S. prices, with Belizean and American food and various specialties. Most restaurants have a range of offerings. (For example, try Mango, Celi's, Caliente, Jambel Jerk Pit, and Cocos. Avoid Elvi's and The Reef on Middle Street, but there are other good restaurants on Middle Street. Go to Fido's for the nightly music, but not for the food.) There are numerous bars, many on the water, and live music is always available. Two discos are available for the energetic.
South of San Pedro, beachfront resorts and condo developments are scattered along the 4- mile coast. But it's a boring neighborhood compared to San Pedro.
The Paradise Villas are located at the North end of San Pedro Town. Further north is a ˝-mile residential area, then the San Pedro River. Beyond the river is 20 miles of Caye with no roads or cars. North of the River are isolated resorts and houses; a few interesting restaurants are within a short water-taxi or island-ferry ride. (You can cross the River on a small ferry with a golf cart or bicycle and go to the high-quality Sweet Basil Deli ˝ mile north.)
TRANSPORTATION AROUND SAN PEDRO
Everything you need is within an easy 5- to 10-minute walk. To travel further or faster, rent a golf cart (at the north end of Front street) or a bicycle (Joe's on Middle Street). Or hail one of the inexpensive automobile taxis. (Ask the driver the fare before you get in.)
TRANSPORTATION TO SAN PEDRO
Getting there: Fly to Belize City on American or Continental or U.S. Air from several U.S. locations, or on TACA Airlines from Miami/New Orleans/Houston. For discount air fares, contact either Alicia at Intratours, 800-334-8069 (Ext. 100) or 713-952-0662, email alicia.ascencio@intratours.com, or Lynn at Roatan Charter, 800-282-8932 (Ext. 310), email lynn@roatan.com.
From Belize International fly Maya Island Air to San Pedro (011-501-226-2435 in San Pedro). Costs about $94 US roundtrip. If you e-mail your international air itinerary to Nellie Gomez, she will make Maya Island Air reservations for you. When you arrive you can pay for the reservation at the Maya Island ticket counter. (As you leave customs, turn left and go through the inside door to enter the departure terminal, rather than leaving the airport).
Nellie Gomez will meet you at the San Pedro airport and take you to the Paradise Villas.
For in-country travel, such as a trip to the Maruba Jungle Spa, talk to Nellie Gomez or call Amigo Travel at the Island Air office.
For a special treat, Alexandra of Mayan Secrets provides massage, rainforest beauty treatments, and traditional-healer herbal consultations. (phone 226-3770.)
WEATHER, CLOTHING
Winter days are in the 80s: warm in the sun, very comfortable in the shade. Prevailing onshore breezes increase the comfort. Standard clothing -- shorts and t-shirts.
Winter nights are in the 70s, occasionally as low as 65: standard clothing the same, shorts and t-shirts. For occasional cool nights lightweight full-length clothes are useful. Same for sleeping.
General rule: bring fewer clothes than you think you need and nothing formal.
One tip: leave your winter coat in your car or a hometown airport locker. Wear a sweatsuit layer for the airplane over a tropical layer for Belize arrival. Just before the plane lands in Belize City, take off the sweatsuit layer.
The prevailing wind also means there are very few insects in San Pedro. For the ˝ hour mosquito visit at dusk, bring repellent.
WATER AND HEALTH
Unit 16 uses either city water or rainwater from our own cistern for all kitchen and bathroom purposes. Both are drinkable. Bottled drinking water is in ample supply in grocery stores and restaurants.
San Pedro has good basic medical and pharmacy services. Hospital is back in Belize City, so try to avoid major illness.
We have never heard that vaccinations are needed, but you can ask the CDC or your doctor.
[Pictures coming soon....]
|
|
|
|
