Tired of your usual Cancuns and Punta Canas, with the jam-packed resorts, bachelor parties, and week-round debauchery?
This lesser-known island in the Caribbean, with virtually untouched beaches, turquoise waters, and authentic culture, still has smaller crowds and affordable prices in 2026, but you’d better get there quickly: it’s rising faster than ever in popularity.
Lying off the coast of Belize, Ambergris Caye has officially been crowned the country’s number one destination. The news was broken by Belize’s own Tourism Board (BTB), which predicts an even-stronger year ahead:
Where Even Is Belize?
Let’s be real for a sec, unless you’re a geography buff or you’ve been on one of the ultra-luxurious Royal Caribbean cruises, chances are you’ve only vaguely heard of Belize.
Squeezed between the Caribbean Sea and Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula—the same one that’s home to our beloved Cancun—it is a tiny nation-state roughly the size of New Hampshire, sparsely populated, and almost entirely covered by jungle.
People go to Belize for different reasons: if they’re there on business, the Belize City financial hub is probably where they’ll spend most of their time. For tourists keen on exploring ancient Mayan ruins, find them either in the Altun Ha or Caracol archaeological zones.
Now, if they’re craving that much-needed R&R and some quality time in the sun, chances are Ambergris Caye is where they’re headed:
One Of The Last Truly Unspoiled Caribbean Islands
With pristine white sands unfolding along crystal-clear seas, endless rows of palm trees, and undeveloped fishing villages that have not been completely decharacterized by gentrification, it is the kind of island you escape to when the fast-pacedness of the modern world starts getting to you.
According to BTB, out of Belize’s 551,698 total overnight visitors in 2025, Ambergris Caye accounted for nearly 28% of all guests. In their own words, San Pedro (the largest settlement on the island) is ‘where everyone who visits Belize wants to go’.
Ambergris Caye is special because it truly packs a lot into one surprisingly small island, stretching 25 miles and a little over 1 mile wide:
- It’s the largest island in Belize, and San Pedro is a main tourism destination
- It lies next to Belize’s Barrier Reef, the 2nd largest in the world
- Laid-back Caribbean vibes: think golf carts instead of cars, barefoot luxury, and zero stress
- Secret beaches that remain virtually uncrowded
- A fascinating mix of cultures: Caribbean, Mayan, Latin, and combined
This Is What You Visit Ambergris Caye For
Naturally, there’s no visiting Ambergris Caye without hitting up San Pedro, the largest coastal town. It’s known for its vibrant streets, with colorful buildings splashed in street art, beachfront vendors selling fresh fruit and local snacks, and… hem, some golf-chart chaos.
If you’ve been to Isla Mujeres in Mexico, you know the drill.
Ambergis Caye isn’t exactly known for its plethora of ancient ruins, unlike mainland Belize, but it does have a charming San Pedro Roman Catholic Church—Caribbean-simple, but historic—and traditional bars on piers, like Papala Bar & Grill, where you can literally have drinks over the water
However, the island’s main appeal is the stunning nature, particularly around the Hol Chan Marine Reserve: there are numerous diving spots around the park, but for a better chance of catching sight of those sea turtles, eagle rays, and colorful fish, head straight for Coral Reef Zone A.
Over in the Shark Ray Alley, the most adventurous among us can swim with nurse sharks and stingrays in shallow, crystalline water. It’s one of the most touristy spots on the island, but if you’re extremely passionate about marine life, it’s a must-see.
Stunning Beaches Galore
Gorgeous as Hol Chan may be, it doesn’t exactly have beaches in the traditional sense of the word. For the Belize-typical white sands and palm trees, you’ll want to take the winding coastal road that leads to Secret Beach.
Not exactly secret, with all the floating bars nearby, but it still feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the Main Beach in Cancun, or any of your average Mexican Caribbean resort strip. Again, Belize is visited by roughly half-a-million people every year.
For even quieter shores, North Ambergris Caye, near the aptly-named Tranquility Bay, has a string of natural, postcard-ready beaches, and fewer swimmers, whereas Bacalar Chico, in the north, can only be described as remote and wild.
Zero crowds, raw nature, and turquoise seas. It’s also located right beside the namesake Bacalar Chico National Park, famous for its mangroves, reefs, and big-toothed crocs. Don’t worry, though: the beaches are safe for swimming.
How Much Does Ambergris Caye Cost To Visit?
Ambergris Caye is not exactly the cheapest spot to visit in Belize, particularly compared to Caye Caulker, and Placencia Peninsula, which is not an island, proper, but an island-like peninsula on the mainland.
That said, you can travel on a budget, and you eat local and stay basic:
Average Prices In Ambergris Caye
| Category | Typical price (USD) |
| Takeout snack | $5–$10 (street food) |
| Sit-down meal (local restaurant) | $10–$15 |
| 3-course meal (mid-range restaurant) | $20–$30 |
| Hostel overnight | $30–$70 |
| 3-star hotel per night | $100–$180 |
| 5-star hotel (all-inclusive, per night) | $250–$400 |
| Taxi fare per mile (golf cart) | $3–$4 |
Why Visit Belize This Season
On top of that, Ambergris Caye is a low-risk destination for international tourists. Crime on the island is limited, and most visitors report feeling safe during their vacation.
It’s a bit out of the way, given the fact it doesn’t host nonstop flights, and if you’re heading there, you’ll likely have to touch down first in Belize City (BZE), then take a short domestic ‘hopper’ flight to Ambergris Caye.
Additionally, English is widely spoken on the island (Belize is an English-speaking country, after all), tourist zones are well-equipped with restaurants, bars, and modern amenities, and dollars are accepted in most venues, making Ambergris Caye a highly-convenient Caribbean escape.
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