You’ve landed in the right place for the ultimate Belizean island escape! One can’t go wrong with Belize for a tropical getaway. For a little background, this was the very first country I traveled solo and it was a great place to start for many reasons! 🙂 To start, Belize is inexpensive, which made traveling here a no-brainer. Furthermore, I usually strategize major parts of my travels and one of them is having a clear sign of direction. Belize was an excellent choice to start island hopping!
Belize is the 48th smallest country in the world so it’s easily explored in a short period of time. Even more, this country is home to hundreds of ancient ruins, including around 33 Mayan archaeological sites in various states of excavation and disrepair. This place is truly a hidden paradise. When I reminisce on my time in Belize, I think of solitude and warmth.
Exploring Belize filled my cup with happiness as I started my solo travel adventure here! A dreamy island perfect for anytime you want to just get away!
THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE OF BELIZE
The official language spoken here is English however, many Belizeans are multilingual. And most of the population speaks a Creole patois.
CURRENCY
The Belize dollar is the official currency in Belize. With that being said, the U.S. dollar is also widely accepted here. The 2 are used interchangeably so you don’t have to worry about foreign exchange fees when withdrawing from your bank.
1. Belize City
Belize City, the largest urban center in the country, serves as its vibrant hub of commerce and trade. While it was once the capital of Belize, the seat of government was moved to Belmopan in 1970. Despite no longer being the political capital, Belize City remains a key cultural and economic cornerstone of the nation.
Belize City is also home to the largest population of Belizeans. And remains as the gateway in the Cayes, Atolls and Belize’s mainland. The only international airport in Belize is the Philip Goldson International which makes it the first point of contact for tourists.
When traveling to Belize, you’ll land in Belize City, then you’ll take an hour and 15 minute ferry ride to San Pedro or 45 minutes to Caye Caulker. Belize City is full of color, sunshine and smiles. Upon my arrival at Philip Goldson International airport, I was greeted with my friendly driver who drove me to the Belize City Ferry Terminal. For as low as $27USD you can enjoy a scenic ride and make friends along the way!
A few things to note about this stunning city is that there is plenty to do here! You can spend the day exploring the old capital which is full of historical sights such as the House of Cultures and Belize’s Supreme Court. One can also tour the Museum of Belize that was once a prison! The list goes on, but you wouldn’t want to miss visiting one of Belize’s Mayan sites, Altun Ha.
I’ve mentioned just a few options on things to do as far as sightseeing however, Belize City has so much more to offer. The Belize Zoo is another one you might save for your bucket list. Especially if you’re an animal lover like me!
This is the oldest wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility in Belize. And the best part is that the animals here are rescues! They’ve either been confiscated from illegal wildlife trade by law enforcement or transferred from other rehab and zoological facilities.
In addition to all the adventurous things to do, this city also has a plethora of restaurants, cafes, nightclubs and more which makes it a perfect getaway for everyone.
2. San Pedro
A picturesque town on the southern part of the island of Ambergris Caye just off the coast of Belize in Central America. With an estimated population of 16,117, this sleepy fishing town makes a for a gorgeous place to unwind and rejuvenate. 😉
A key to making your vacay in San Pedro more enjoyable is to rent a golf cart. You heard that right! It’s pretty common to see many golf carts driving around. Ambergris Caye is a pretty small, due to this are rarely any full-sized cars, trucks, or other vehicles.
This means the primary mode of transportation on the island is golf carts. Another reason to rent one is because most hotels, resorts and condos aren’t located in the center of town. The cost for renting a golf cart is about $45USD for a 24HR rental however, you can rent them by the hour as well.
This stunning island is 25 miles long making golf carts a great way to feel the gentle breeze blowing in your hair as you explore it from tip to tip! It was such a blessing meeting a couple lovely ladies who had invited me to spend the day with them because it was my birthday and we had a ball! Meeting lovely travelers and locals along the way through this journey called life is one of my favorite things to do, even though I’m mostly introverted! 🙂
My 27th Birthday at SECRET BEACH ❤
This stunning beach with crystal clear waters sits on the northwest side of the island. There are many bars and restaurants along the shores playing music and creating a lovely atmosphere.
HOW TO GET HERE
Secret Beach is on the west side of the island – the opposite side of Ambergris Caye.
To get there from San Pedro town, you will need a golf cart! It’s at least a 40 minute ride from the San Pedro town center. At approximately 4.5 miles north Ambergris Caye take the big left turn. This is where you’ll see all the signs – referred to as “the Secret Beach Junction”.
Continue down the unpaved road… (hopefully it’s better now.) And from the Junction to Secret Beach is about 15-20 minute drive with your golf cart.
Besides all the restaurants and bars serving food and beverages, you can also find souvenirs, hair braiding services and more! But most importantly you can swim, drink, eat, rejuvenate and repeat until the sun fades! 🙂
Photography is a hobby of mine which aides in creating memories throughout all my travels. And this photo below is one of my favorites that I’ve ever taken. Secret Beach exudes peace and tranquility, one can truly feel it just by looking at it. 🙂
3. My Accommodation
I decided to stay at X’Tan Ha a secluded beachfront resort that was so peaceful and picturesque. This place lives up to it’s name which means the waterfront in Mayan dialect.
I woke up to the sound of the ocean every single morning and coffee on my patio.. who wouldn’t want to wake up here? 🙂
The cost for the seafront villa is currently $234 per night and is worth every penny. This stunning resort offers private beach, 2 outdoor pools, a restaurant and bar and shuttle service to the airport for $80BZD.
All in all, Belize has so much more to offer, we’re barely scratching the surface. There’s so much to explore here such as Caye Caulker, Hopkins village, Belmopan (the capital) and more!! We’ll save these for my next trip to Belize.
The Caye (key) to happiness is to never stop exploring. Belize is truly sensational! ❤
