Ambergris Caye: A week in Belize
HOW TO GET THERE
United Airlines has flights through Texas that I'd recommend for your trip to Ambergris Caye, Belize. I flew DCA-IAH-BZE for just under $300rt. Alaska Air also has direct flights from Seattle to Belize City if you're on the west coast. Note that once you arrive in Belize City you need to take a 15 mintute flight on a prop plane on Tropic Air Belize or Maya Island Air to Ambergris Caye. You can also take a ferry on the Belize Water Taxi for $30, but the ride takes 1.5hr and it can be a pain to schlep your luggage.
$$$ Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection by Marriott (LINK)
WHERE TO EAT
2 Trigger Street
Order: El Fogon translates to stove and in this case it means a fire hearth type of stove. Any of the grilled entrees are delicious and showcase the hearth cooking style, but the curries are also exceptionally tasty.
Caramba (LINK)
20 Pescador Dr
Order: Stone crab is hard to find where I live so I was so excited to see that on the menu. This restaurant is known for their "catch of the day" raw seafood display outside the restaurant. Pull up around 1 or 2pm and pick the exact lobster or fish you want grilled and served up.
Truck Stop (LINK)
Shipping container food park and beer garden.
Order: I had the queso birria tacos from Sol Fresca and they were delicious. My friend ordered the pepperoni pizza from Slice of Haven and it was solid.
Street Vendors (LINK)
Laguna Drive, Across from Sagebrush Church
Order: When I travel I always prefer to eat what the locals eat and that usually means small, streetside vendors. There is one main bridge in Ambergris Caye and you have to cross it to get to Truck Stop, Secret Beach, Matachia and a few other hot spots. Before and after the bridge are tasty street vendors selling lunch plates.
WHERE TO DRINK
Losers (LINK) Bring your bathing suit, the back of the bar has stairs that lead into the ocean and an outdoor shower for you to rinse off on your way back to the bar.
Wine de Vine (LINK) Order the charcuterie board and the wine flight. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and can give great wine recommendations.
WHAT TO DO
Blue Bayou, Secret Beach (LINK)
This family owned restaurant and bar serves its food and drinks at tables in the water. Waiters wade out to take your order while a DJ blasts dance music. Fish swim around your legs and there are vendors renting paddleboards, floating chairs and other items you can enjoy while at Blue Bayou. The ride to Secret Beach is 25-35 minutes from Mahogany Bay or the Alaia, but you can easily spend the day bar hopping. You can also hire a private boat to drive you to Secret Beach and these trips usually snorkling.
Mahogany Bay Beach Club (LINK)
When deciding between the Alaia (a Marriott hotel) and Mahogany Bay (a Hilton hotel) besides price the biggest difference is that the Alaia is a beachfront property and Mahogany Bay is not. I've stayed at both properties and even though there's not beach attached I still prefer Mahogany Bay partly because of the access to the Mahogany Bay Beach Club. The hotel runs boats every 30minutes from the hotel to the beach club. While at the beach club you can rent an over the water cabana, practice stand up paddle boarding and order food and drinks, which you charge to your room. There are also lounge chairs, bathrooms and hammocks in the water to relax in.
SOUVENIRS
My favorite souvenirs are ones you can use regularly once you get home and that you'll use in their entirety because that makes you want to return to the destination to stock up on more. When I go to Ambergris Caye I like to stop by Belizian Breezes Soap Company. Stand outs include the coffee and biotin infused shampoo, the variety bag of mini soaps which make a great gift and the Bugaway Spray which is great for keeping the mosquitos off of you while on the island. If you have a foodie on your list bring back a bottle of the local hot sauce from any of the grocery stores. Marie Sharp's is a favorite on the island.
Are you planning a trip to Ambergris Caye Belize soon? Let me know in the comments and check out my Belize highlight on Instagram.
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