Staying in Belize? Why Oceanfront Accommodations are the Way to Go
When you vacation in Belize, the incredible Belize Barrier Reef is always within easy reach. The nation is tucked in just below Cancun in Mexico with the Caribbean Sea making up the entire Eastern border of Belize. This unique combo gives you the best of both worlds and creates that unique Belizean flare that wins the hearts of so many travelers. To take full advantage of all that the Caribbean offers, choose an oceanfront Belize accommodation for your next vacation.
One of life’s simpler joys is taking in a beautiful view. Belize has an unending supply of those, and a favorite is a sunrise over the Belize Barrier Reef and the Caribbean Sea. Dawn is a time that dolphins tend to be active and it’s not a rare sight to watch them frolic in the waves as you sip your morning coffee on the veranda. The blues of the Caribbean are so vibrant you need to see it to believe it. Not a morning person? The moon rise over the water in the evening is just as magical, and the stars are so bright they sparkle.
Ambergris Caye is the largest of Belize’s hundreds of islands that dot the coast. At roughly 25 miles long and up to 1 mile at its widest, the island is a thriving tourist hotspot. San Pedro Town is at the heart of this vacationer’s paradise and has a convenient airstrip for local flights directly from the Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City. There are many restaurants, beachside bars, and gift shops to explore in San Pedro. To take full advantage of the beauty and tranquility of the oceanfront in Belize, consider choosing a luxury accommodation that is slightly out of the bustling town of San Pedro.
While vacationing on Ambergris Caye, you are within easy access to some of the most spectacular snorkeling, diving, and sailing in the region. Belize’s coastline is home to 191 miles of the magnificent Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the largest reef in the northern hemisphere. Scuba divers can enjoy the many local dive sites in the area and even plan a dive at the world-famous Great Blue Hole in the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Snorkelers have access to guided tours at protected areas at Mexico Rocks and Hol Chan Marine Reserve where the coral formations, colorful fish and even a docile sea turtle make appearances. Sail sports are also a fantastic way to enjoy the sea when staying on Ambergris Caye. A sunset sail along the coast can cap a great day or spend your day sailing with stops for fishing, snorkeling and a beach BBQ for lunch.
The verdant jungles of Belize’s mainland are within easy access when staying oceanfront. There is no need to sacrifice the island vibes and stunning views of the coast in order to explore all that the mainland has to offer. Day trips via local flights are very popular and easy to arrange from Ambergris Caye. This proximity to the mainland while staying on the beach gives you the best of both worlds. There are many Mayan Monuments steeped in history, thrilling zip lines through the jungle canopy, even an up-close-and-personal encounter with the native fauna at The Belize Zoo.
The main attraction on the coast of Belize is, of course, the reef, but one of the most-asked questions is about the beach on the island. On Ambergris Caye, the reef runs parallel to the island and is rather close, roughly a half-mile from the shore and growing closer as you go north until it eventually touches land at Rocky Point. The proximity and location of the coral reef is in direct correlation to the shoreline on the island and greatly impacts the resulting beach. A barrier reef grows very close to the surface and naturally protects the adjacent shoreline from big waves, as the reef acts as a breakwater. Waves from the open sea break over the reef and lose energy, instead of crashing into the shore.
The result at our beach is calm, shallow water, with a deeper channel closer to the reef. While we do not have the traditional walk-in beaches of other tropical destinations, the Belize Barrier Reef offers unlimited adventure. Calm, shallow waters and magnificent views of turquoise waves on the reef set the perfect backdrop for a vacation in paradise. Come and experience it for yourself!