Where to stay in Ambergis Caye?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,471
Where to stay in Ambergis Caye?
We are planning our first trip to Belize. We are a traveling family of four, me, my husband and teenage daughters ages 14 and 16. We've been to Costa Rica countless times and the Cancun/Quintana Roo area of Mexico once. We have two weeks in August, and I was thinking as a tentative itinerary to fly into Belize City, then head to San Ignacio where we'd stay for a few days at Cahal Pech (my sister recommends Cahal Pech resort--thoughts?) then arrange a trip to Tikal where we'd spend a couple of nights. Then we were going to head to Ambergis Caye. There my kids were hoping for a resort-type place, even an all inclusive, with a good pool and of course beach. From there we'd take one of their day trips to hopefully see manatees. Where would be good to stay in Amergis Caye? We snorkel but don''t dive, and like nature activities, food tours (we toured a chocolate plantation in Costa Rica and it was fantastic) and stuff like cayaking and cenotes (not sure they have those in Belize). Any help would be much appreciated, TripAdvisor is proving useless for the hotel recommendations as they push their advertised ones down your throat and I can't tell what's good and what's not.
#5
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 23,740
You're welcome - it's awesome. You might take a look at spending some time at the Lamanai Outpost Lodge if you have time - nice wildlife and birding, located right on the river and next door to some impressive ruins.
We did Tikal as a day trip from San Ignacio with PACZ tours so didn't stay overnight.
We did Tikal as a day trip from San Ignacio with PACZ tours so didn't stay overnight.
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 608
We stayed at Cahal Pech two years ago. It worked for us as a budget friendly option. Staying in the jungle lodges wasn't high priority for us (did that in Costa Rica) and on a four night stay with tours and food, a/c, nice pool, and separate bedrooms for our family of 4, we saved close to $2000 by staying there. The rooms are nothing to get excited about, but we were only there to eat and sleep. You can find my trip report on here to see what tours we did.
On Ambergris, I've heard Xanadu, Coco Beach, and Phoenix are quite nice for what you are looking for. Ramon's is also supposed to be fun with a good beach. We find Ambergris to be too busy and prefer Caye Caulker. There aren't too many resort type places, though. Island Magic has a nice pool, but no beach.
On Ambergris, I've heard Xanadu, Coco Beach, and Phoenix are quite nice for what you are looking for. Ramon's is also supposed to be fun with a good beach. We find Ambergris to be too busy and prefer Caye Caulker. There aren't too many resort type places, though. Island Magic has a nice pool, but no beach.
#8
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 25,217
Monica, I thought I answered you yesterday, but guess not!
I only mentioned Tikal because we stayed at a wonderful hotel about a 45 min. drive from the site - La Lancha. It's an upscale hotel with a wonderful restaurant (fabulous view), but the best thing is it's on a lake, so the day we toured Tikal, when we got back to the hotel, after lunch, we lounged on the dock with a bunch of other people, had drinks while kids swam in the lake, other people canoed, etc. It was just a lovely afternoon. (You can stay in jungle lodges in the park, though, if that's to your liking). I had fish from the lake both nights for dinner.
I only mentioned Tikal because we stayed at a wonderful hotel about a 45 min. drive from the site - La Lancha. It's an upscale hotel with a wonderful restaurant (fabulous view), but the best thing is it's on a lake, so the day we toured Tikal, when we got back to the hotel, after lunch, we lounged on the dock with a bunch of other people, had drinks while kids swam in the lake, other people canoed, etc. It was just a lovely afternoon. (You can stay in jungle lodges in the park, though, if that's to your liking). I had fish from the lake both nights for dinner.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,471
Sf307 thanks for the tip, I will look into it. Volcanogirl, sadly Victoria House is out of our price range--college tuition for two looms in our future! Xanadu is sadly booked but Phoenix looks like a possibility, thanks Janinecoke.
#11
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 1
Hi Monica,
From my experience, I would recommend Table Rock in San Ignacio AND it's close to Tikal so you could even do a 1 day trip there! I would recommend doing Tikal after visiting the ruins in Belize as if you do it first, everything else will pale in comparison.
In Ambergris Caye, I recommend Ramon's (scuba oriented and no alcohol on the premises), Phoenix is good (doesn't have a walk on beach) or Caribbean Villas (standard rooms are comfortable and affordable).
Manatees can actually be seen easier in Placencia Village which I completely recommend instead of Ambergris Caye, but it's a bit pricier. Here I recommend Robert's Grove, Singing Sands or Belize Ocean Club.
From my experience, I would recommend Table Rock in San Ignacio AND it's close to Tikal so you could even do a 1 day trip there! I would recommend doing Tikal after visiting the ruins in Belize as if you do it first, everything else will pale in comparison.
In Ambergris Caye, I recommend Ramon's (scuba oriented and no alcohol on the premises), Phoenix is good (doesn't have a walk on beach) or Caribbean Villas (standard rooms are comfortable and affordable).
Manatees can actually be seen easier in Placencia Village which I completely recommend instead of Ambergris Caye, but it's a bit pricier. Here I recommend Robert's Grove, Singing Sands or Belize Ocean Club.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,471
We stayed at San Ignacio Resort in San Ignacio and Phoenix resort in San Pedro and both were fantastic. We did Tikal as a day trip from San Ignacio and that was no problem. Also saw Xunantunich and Cahal Pech and the chocolate factory there. The Phoenix was so nice! Luxury 1500 sf condo oceanfront with twice a day maid service and lots of perks like complimentary happy hour. Great trip!
