The beachfront Corona del Mar Hotel & Apartments is a no-frills value property about a mile south of San Pedro Town. It's ideal for budget travelers who don’t mind dated decor, a small pool, or a skimpy breakfast. Rooms run the gamut, from tiny studios to large apartments with multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and full kitchens. But all suffer from mismatched and dated furnishings, though most have flat screen TVs and new appliances. Freebies include breakfast, Wi-Fi, and a daily rum-punch happy hour. The property's small pool is awkwardly wedged in between two buildings, however the manmade beach is neatly kept. An on-site sports bar is popular with guests and locals, but it can get rowdy. Travelers looking for completely quiet surroundings might prefer Mata Rocks Resort, which is pricier, but has nicer rooms and amenities.
The beachfront Corona del Mar Hotel & Apartments is a no-frills value property about a mile south of San Pedro Town. It's ideal for budget travelers who don’t mind dated decor, a small pool, or a skimpy breakfast. Rooms run the gamut, from tiny studios to large apartments with multiple bedrooms, bathrooms, and full kitchens. But all suffer from mismatched and dated furnishings, though most have flat screen TVs and new appliances. Freebies include breakfast, Wi-Fi, and a daily rum-punch happy hour. The property's small pool is awkwardly wedged in between two buildings, however the manmade beach is neatly kept. An on-site sports bar is popular with guests and locals, but it can get rowdy. Travelers looking for completely quiet surroundings might prefer Mata Rocks Resort, which is pricier, but has nicer rooms and amenities.
Grand Colony Island Villas is a three-pearl resort conveniently located just south of San Pedro. Its 14 oceanfront villas with ocean or pool views are outfitted with mahogany furniture, granite-countered kitchens, and furnished private balconies. The sandy beach is one of the island’s best -- it's mostly sea-grass free, and lined with coconut palms and wooden loungers. The tiered freshwater pool has built-in benches and a shallow area perfect for kids. On-site freebies include kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and bicycles, but most of the resort’s amenities are located at its sister property next door (including the free continental breakfast). For something with more modern style and on-site amenities like a restaurant and bar, travelers should consider the condos at Captain Morgan’s Retreat.
Grand Colony Island Villas is a three-pearl resort conveniently located just south of San Pedro. Its 14 oceanfront villas with ocean or pool views are outfitted with mahogany furniture, granite-countered kitchens, and furnished private balconies. The sandy beach is one of the island’s best -- it's mostly sea-grass free, and lined with coconut palms and wooden loungers. The tiered freshwater pool has built-in benches and a shallow area perfect for kids. On-site freebies include kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and bicycles, but most of the resort’s amenities are located at its sister property next door (including the free continental breakfast). For something with more modern style and on-site amenities like a restaurant and bar, travelers should consider the condos at Captain Morgan’s Retreat.
The three-pearl Costa Blu Dive & Beach Resort is a homey seaside property on Ambergris Caye’s north shore. Its 36 one-bedroom suites have at least partial ocean views and pleasantly bright interiors, with modern wicker furniture, large flat-screen TVs, and kitchenettes. However, they are poorly soundproofed. The thatch-roofed bar has great waterfront views and the adjacent restaurant serves tasty international cuisine. There’s no swimmable beach, but the freshwater, zero-entry pool is usually uncrowded and has a walk-up bar. Freebies include stand-up paddleboards and kayaks plus round-trip airport transportation. Getting to San Pedro is a trek and visitors looking for a resort closer to the action with (generally) modern rooms, full kitchens, and more hotel amenities should consider the condos at Captain Morgan’s Retreat.
The three-pearl Costa Blu Dive & Beach Resort is a homey seaside property on Ambergris Caye’s north shore. Its 36 one-bedroom suites have at least partial ocean views and pleasantly bright interiors, with modern wicker furniture, large flat-screen TVs, and kitchenettes. However, they are poorly soundproofed. The thatch-roofed bar has great waterfront views and the adjacent restaurant serves tasty international cuisine. There’s no swimmable beach, but the freshwater, zero-entry pool is usually uncrowded and has a walk-up bar. Freebies include stand-up paddleboards and kayaks plus round-trip airport transportation. Getting to San Pedro is a trek and visitors looking for a resort closer to the action with (generally) modern rooms, full kitchens, and more hotel amenities should consider the condos at Captain Morgan’s Retreat.
El Pescador Resort is a family-owned fishing lodge that has operated on Ambergris Caye since 1974. This mid-range property's warm community atmosphere, dedicated full-time fishing guides, and top notch all-inclusive packages have been attracting repeat guests for over 40 years. Plus, its 21 rooms and excellent on-site dining make it feel more like a tropical resort than a fishing lodge. That said, travelers who aren’t avid fishermen will likely feel out of place here, as almost everything revolves around fishing -- think early breakfast hours and fish-centered dinner conversations. Ramon’s Village Resort is better suited for the non-fishing crowd, but doesn’t have the same community atmosphere as El Pescador.
El Pescador Resort is a family-owned fishing lodge that has operated on Ambergris Caye since 1974. This mid-range property's warm community atmosphere, dedicated full-time fishing guides, and top notch all-inclusive packages have been attracting repeat guests for over 40 years. Plus, its 21 rooms and excellent on-site dining make it feel more like a tropical resort than a fishing lodge. That said, travelers who aren’t avid fishermen will likely feel out of place here, as almost everything revolves around fishing -- think early breakfast hours and fish-centered dinner conversations. Ramon’s Village Resort is better suited for the non-fishing crowd, but doesn’t have the same community atmosphere as El Pescador.
The oceanfront, three-pearl X’Tan Ha Resort has one of Ambergris Caye’s best beaches: It’s well maintained, great for swimming, and features water volleyball as well. Kayaks, Hobie Cats, and stand-up paddleboards are free, and the resort’s two saltwater pools -- including one with a sandy, zero-entry point -- are rarely busy. The resort’s 42 villas -- some with ocean views -- have air-conditioning in all rooms (a rarity on the island), kitchenettes, and bamboo furniture. Unfortunately, they are dated, and some have tube TVs. Additionally, the resort is a 40-minute drive from San Pedro, meaning guests are stuck eating at the mediocre on-site restaurant unless they have wheels. For a stay closer to San Pedro with modern rooms, a great pool, and better restaurant, check out White Sands Cove Resort.
The oceanfront, three-pearl X’Tan Ha Resort has one of Ambergris Caye’s best beaches: It’s well maintained, great for swimming, and features water volleyball as well. Kayaks, Hobie Cats, and stand-up paddleboards are free, and the resort’s two saltwater pools -- including one with a sandy, zero-entry point -- are rarely busy. The resort’s 42 villas -- some with ocean views -- have air-conditioning in all rooms (a rarity on the island), kitchenettes, and bamboo furniture. Unfortunately, they are dated, and some have tube TVs. Additionally, the resort is a 40-minute drive from San Pedro, meaning guests are stuck eating at the mediocre on-site restaurant unless they have wheels. For a stay closer to San Pedro with modern rooms, a great pool, and better restaurant, check out White Sands Cove Resort.
For sporty travelers looking for an Ambergris Caye getaway, the two-and-a-half-pearl Belizean Shores Resort is an unpretentious spot with plenty to do on-site. The 45-room oceanfront resort has free tennis and basketball courts, ping-pong tables, beach volleyball, and water sports. Lounge chairs dot its palm-lined beach, but there's frequently sea grass, so swimming can be a bit unpleasant. There’s a great saltwater pool and hot tub with a walk-up bar plus lots of loungers -- the area is rarely crowded. Rustic suites are clean but dated and sport kitchens, tropical paintings, and bamboo furniture. Room service is available but the restaurant is expensive and gets mixed reviews. For a more intimate option, the nearby White Sands Cove Resort has more modern room plus a great restaurant and pool.
For sporty travelers looking for an Ambergris Caye getaway, the two-and-a-half-pearl Belizean Shores Resort is an unpretentious spot with plenty to do on-site. The 45-room oceanfront resort has free tennis and basketball courts, ping-pong tables, beach volleyball, and water sports. Lounge chairs dot its palm-lined beach, but there's frequently sea grass, so swimming can be a bit unpleasant. There’s a great saltwater pool and hot tub with a walk-up bar plus lots of loungers -- the area is rarely crowded. Rustic suites are clean but dated and sport kitchens, tropical paintings, and bamboo furniture. Room service is available but the restaurant is expensive and gets mixed reviews. For a more intimate option, the nearby White Sands Cove Resort has more modern room plus a great restaurant and pool.