Air Travel Discount
Links of interest for your travel plans
Ambergris
Caye
Ambergris Caye is the
largest of several hundred islands situated in the northern most waters
of the country of Belize, Central America. The crystal clear, blue
waters of the Caribbean surround an absolute slice of paradise.
Approximately 36 miles long, the island was probably once a part of the
Yucatan Peninsula. Scholars believe that the Mayans occupied Ambergris
Caye over 1500 years ago and dug a narrow channel to separate the
island from mainland Mexico.
On the east side of the island is the Belize Barrier Reef, running
almost the total 190-mile length of Belize. The west side of the island
is where the San Pedro Lagoon connects to the Caribbean Sea by a
salt-water river that is about two miles from the center of San Pedro
town.
Ambergris Caye used to be an island devoted to fishing the rich
tropical waters that surround the area. In the 1970’s,
tourists began arriving in numbers that made the 7,000 residents
realize that their future lie in tourism. One travel guide has
described this place as an “enchanting combination of
mangrove forests, tropical savannahs, lagoons, and sparkling white
beaches”. Ambergris Caye residents go out of their way to
provide a unique style of hospitality to their guests.
Although the first “tourists” to the in Ambergris
Caye were Spanish explorers, Belize used to be a British colony called
British Honduras. Therefore, the culture is also from Spain, with the
Spanish language, Catholic and Mexican traditions. However, the
official language of Belize is English, and most islanders speak and
understand English well.
Ambergris Caye represents all that you would expect from a tropical
vacation. Boat charters, diving excursions, and fishing should
definitely not be missed while on vacation. And of course, the beaches
are magnificent. Because the island is a narrow strip of land some 35
miles long, you are never more than a short trip to the beach.
Nevertheless, if you tire of sun and surf, Ambergris Caye also offers
bird watching and trekking. Would you believe that the golf cart is a
standard form of transportation for short trips?
Accommodations abound. There are dozens and dozens of choices available
to meet every budget and every desire. Ambergris Caye caters to anyone
looking for an island paradise. You can find the finest of beachfront
resorts where service and ambiance is the top of the line. For those
wanting something a little less fancy, cottages and bungalows are
available for rent.
Belize is located approximately two hours from four major cities in the
US, Miami, New Orleans, Houston and North Carolina. Ambergris Caye is
accessible by a one-hour boat ride or a 20-minute plane trip from the
mainland.