Ambergris Caye, Belize

Ambergris Caye is a popular travel destination within Belize. It is the largest island and lies about a mile away by the much praised Belize Barrier Reef; now a World Heritage Site. This island once was sustained by fishing and trade but during the last thirty years it is tourism that has taken over. Despite its increasing popularity this is a part of the world that has still managed to maintain much of its original charm and beauty. The Ambergis Caye beach is considered by many to be one of the best in the Belize.

Ambergris Caye is approximately twenty five miles long and just over a mile wide and is divided into three diverse areas; sand, lagoons, and mangrove swamps. The island was originally inhabited by the Maya people but Europeans began arriving about five hundred years ago – their arrival had a huge impact on the whole of Belize. Today’s population is made up of a diverse heritage including Mexican refugees, European pirates, and the native Maya. Ambergris is just one of 200 hundred islands that are located off the coast of Belize.

The island is surrounded by crystal clear waters that are a delight to swim in; the beach is long enough that you won’t have a problem finding a secluded spot. The main town is San Pedro and this still manages to maintain much of its original fishing town charm. Here you will also find all the bars and restaurants that you would normally expect to find in a tourist area of this sort. The architecture in the town is a mix of Mexican, English Colonial, and Caribbean Styles. People in the town and across the island are typically friendly and are very laid back about life.

One of the main attractions of Ambergris Caye is its nearness to the Belize Barrier Reef. There are plenty of tour operators who can organize diving trips for people of all levels of diving skill. The reef is truly spectacular and the second largest of its kind in the world; second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. As well as diving the reef, there are also plenty of snorkeling trips where visitors can get to admire much of the marine life and coral.

Another popular activity in Ambergris Caye is cave tubing. These tours will take you to a few of the different caves where you can climb into a tube and enjoy the amazing scenery. Some of these caves were sacred Maya sites and can only be reached by water.

There is also a lot to see inland on the island. A river tour can take people to some of the ancient sites associated with the original inhabitants of the island. There is also plenty of wonderful exotic wildlife to see and this is a part of the world that is considered unspoiled. A trip inland will also allow visitors to see the ancient capital of the island. Of course if you don’t feel like being too energetic you can just focus your attention on brushing up you tan on Ambergris beach.

Other beaches in Belize
	Turneffe beach	South Water Caye	Placencia beach	Lighthouse Reef

	Laughing Bird Caye	Half Moon Caye	Goff's caye	Caye Chapel

	Great Blue Hole	Ambergris Caye