Ambergris Caye Report (long)

Just got back from 10 days in Belize. Stayed in San Pedro on Ambergris
Caye. I'm a new diver, got my open water on this trip, so the notes
probably reflect that lack of experience but may be useful.

Set up my own reservations via the web & email. No problems.
http://www.ambergriscaye.com/ was a handy resource.

Flew from Portland, OR w/ American thru Dallas/Ft. Worth to Belize City
then Mayan Air to San Pedro. No problems, made it on time. American
claims that a 1 hour layover coming back to the states is enough to
make it thru customs. It was true but close. I hate running in
airports. My other choice was a red-eye which I will probably do next
time.

Stayed at Hotel del Rio in the north end of town, on the town side of
the ferry. About a 15 minute walk to town. Far enough out to be quiet
but easy access to town. I had the "Guest House" room, US$40/night,
very simple, comfortable and clean. No AC in my room but in Feb. with
the trades there was no need at all. Nice hotel with very friendly
people.

Dove with Amigos del Mar (based on positive web comments). This was a
great outfit with good people and equipment. Eddie was the instructor,
along with Alberto. Great guys, had a lot of patience for the old (51)
guy. They had fun but took it seriously and I ended up feeling
educated, safe and at ease. Beatiful diving. Lots of fish including
nurse sharks and rays plus some turtles. The short (10-15 minute)
trips to the reef were handy. I was very comfortable in a shorty
wetsuit which is what most everyone wore. Also took a couple of very
good snorkle trips inside the reef.

I wouldn't recommend using vacation time for the open water course but
this was kind of a spur of the moment trip and I didn't have time to do
it at home. It worked out OK and you could do a lot worse than spend
your time learning to dive.

I loved the town. It's definitely a tourist place but relaxed and
you're not separated from the (very friendly) locals. Good restaraunts
-- I lean towards the small and simple -- my favorites were Papi's, the
Reef and Lilly's (which was not so cheap). Also the Casa Pandulce
Bakery, down the street from the hotel. I liked the bar at the end of
Amigo's dock (handy is good) and also BC's further south down the
beach.

Only downside was the lack of swimming off of the beach. You could
take a dip to cool off but the water was mostly too shallow and
grass-filled for much. The beaches were pretty though and the town is
making an effort to keep them clean.

It's a good idea to have small denomination $BZE or $US when you arrive
for tips, etc. US$ seems to be happily and fairly accepted.

I highly recommend this place. I will certainly be going back. Next
trip I'll spend a few days in San Pedro but will also spend time inland
(maybe not appropriate to say that in a diving group?), further south
and on the outer atolls.

Sorry if this ran too long. Hopefully this will be of use to the
group. I tried to think of some more negatives to balance all the
above but couldn't think of any other than the beach grass. Must be
something to do with tradewind hypnosis.

Larry

"Larry" <lgbarker@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1110254968.090409.26080@z14g2000cwz.googlegro ups.com...
> Just got back from 10 days in Belize. Stayed in San Pedro on Ambergris
> Caye. I'm a new diver, got my open water on this trip, so the notes
> probably reflect that lack of experience but may be useful.
>
(snip)> I highly recommend this place. I will certainly be going back.
Next
> trip I'll spend a few days in San Pedro but will also spend time inland
> (maybe not appropriate to say that in a diving group?), further south
> and on the outer atolls.
>
> Sorry if this ran too long. Hopefully this will be of use to the
> group. I tried to think of some more negatives to balance all the
> above but couldn't think of any other than the beach grass. Must be
> something to do with tradewind hypnosis.

Yup, there's something in the air and the water in San Pedro. That "je ne
sais quoi" keeps calling me, calling me. I haven't answered that call for 2
years though, since I made the decision to try some new places before
returning.

I've been having a lot of fun, have found other places to love, but none
call to me like Ambergris Caye.