Belize, first and foremost, has some of the clearest blue water I have ever seen. It was so beautiful and, for that reason (and many others), I can’t wait to go back.
How did we get there?
We flew United through Houston to Belize City. It seems, at least for us, that United and American had better flight schedules than Delta. When we got to Belize City, we flew Tropic Air to San Pedro. There are two airlines that fly to San Pedro, Tropic Air & Maya Airlines, so, once you pick one, remember you will need to book those tickets separately!
Requirements (as of today) during COVID:
- First, I would consult the Belizean site setup to answer your travel questions: Belize Travel Health & Safety MAIN | TravelBelize.org
- Download Belize Health App and complete the required information within 72 hours of your departure. I do not even think they will allow you to enter beforehand. In our case, United sent us a reminder email 72 hours before our flight departed.
- Make sure to book your accommodations at a “Gold Standard” hotel, condo, etc. Check out the same site above for a list.
- Take a PCR test within 96 hours of your arrival in Belize or a rapid test 48 hours beforehand. (They also have rapid testing at the airport in Belize City which costs $50, if you have issues getting a test.)
- Masks are required everywhere in Belize until you are seated at your table at a restaurant. That means even when you are walking or riding in a golf cart or other vehicle.
Rent a Golf Cart
One of the things you will immediately notice once you get to San Pedro is that the preferred mode of ground transportation is a golf cart. It is a must, in my opinion. You can definitely get someone to drive you on a golf cart or in a taxi (or other car) to your resort, however, it seems much easier and more cost effective to have your own to be able to go out and explore whenever you choose. To put it simply, if you are leaving your resort at all, it doesn’t make sense not to have a golf cart.
Where to Stay?
Mahogany Bay-I cannot say enough great things about this resort!! We loved our stay there and felt, especially during the pandemic, that they did an amazing job at every turn. They have really nice small cottages that really helped us feel right at home. They also offer bigger homes for larger families. It was definitely a family friendly resort!
One of my favorite things about this resort was the private island they have exclusively available to the guests of the hotel! What a dream! They have boats that leave every hour starting at 10am and ending right around sunset. The boats shuttle hotel guests back and forth and is a really pleasant 10-15-minute ride one way. Make sure to note that, if you want one of those beds over the water (or one of the beach cabanas), you need to call and rent them ahead of time. We ended up getting lucky because a couple didn’t show, so don’t make the same mistake we did. If you do forget to book one ahead of time, you can still call when you arrive and asked to be placed on the waiting list.
They also have cute little convenient food stands on the resort property. We had coffee each morning at Rum + Bean. It was absolutely delicious. Their lattes were to die for! Ok, so you guys know how I am about sushi & Japanese cuisine! We absolutely loved a restaurant that was literally 100 yards from our cottage on the property called Jyoto. Me and Breck are big Nobu snobs, so, if it tells you anything, we both agreed this place was a close second. We even had the chance to talk to the chef a while, and he was very nice and a damn good sushi chef. We thoroughly enjoyed some sake, sushi, and Sapporo! Also, the bar area at the main building where you check in has delicious drinks, including the fantastic welcome drink we were given upon our arrival. That was a nice change of pace seeing as welcome drinks are usually not the best. Finally, a great way to start or finish a night at Mahogany Bay is to pay a visit to their on-property martini bar, The Dirty Martini. Their bartenders were great, and the atmosphere was, especially, during COVID, really lively without making you feel unsafe.
Cayo Espanto– This place literally looks like a dream come true!!! I would really LOVE to stay here on my next trip to the island. This would probably only be for a very special occasion though, because it is very pricey.
Photo by www.booking.com
Other places I have heard are great: Victoria House Resort & Spa, Matachica Resort & Spa, Ramon’s Village Resort, Coco Beach Resort, Las Terrazas Resort, and Residences Portofino Beach Resort
Where to Eat?
JYoto-See Above.
The Hidden Treasure– We ate there one night, and it was such a great experience. I will definitely eat there every time I go back in the future. Great food and great wine! We loved the atmosphere and the service was also really good.
Photo by www.tripadvisor.com
Palapa Bar– This is honestly a MUST while visiting San Pedro. A really fun bar setting right on the water makes it a perfect destination for locals and tourists alike. They have a band, lots of TVs, a great setup to get some sun, and have the liveliest atmosphere out of anywhere we visited on the island. If you’re in the mood for a dip in the water (with a drink, of course), make sure to check out the inner tubes attached to the dock where you can get your beers delivered via zip line, from what I hear.
Other places I have heard are amazing and 100% want to go try:
Elvi’s Kitchen, Blue Water Grill, El Fogon, Palmilla at Victoria House, The Truck Stop & The French Touch!
What to Do?
Above all else, plan a beach day! The beaches, the weather, and the water are too amazing not to take full advantage.
Sail to Caye Caulker for the day-On the way, there are so many great spots to snorkel at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and other hidden gems your boat captain will undoubtedly know about. Also, make sure to stop and swim with the sharks at Shark Ray Alley. Once you get to Caye Caulker, go to the Lazy Lizard for a refreshing drink and venture down to The Happy Lobster to grab a bite to eat.
Secret Beach-I was so sad we didn’t have time to do this, but we will definitely be doing this on our next trip down to Belize. I’ve heard it’s a little bit of a drive on the golf cart, so we just didn’t have enough time. I also heard there are plenty of fun places to stop along the way, so it sounds like you could make a half or full day out of it.
Blue Hole-Belize is definitely known for their famous Blue Hole. I would imagine this would be every diver lover’s dream! I am definitely planning on getting certified this year! 2021 goal! If you are not into diving, they also have helicopter and airplane tours that fly over it, if you want to catch a glimpse and get some amazing photos. This is another one to add to our list for the next trip.
Truck Stop-Yet another place we didn’t get to see, but they boast a very cool looking outdoor seating area with a very relaxed atmosphere. I have heard this place is a blast from cornhole and amazing food with the family to movie nights, live music, & even a monthly farmers market.
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