15 Best Nightlife in The Cayes and Atolls, Belize

What makes this outdoor bar special, aside from the wicked cheap local rum, is the thick tangle of jungle––fan palms, palmettos, and other flora––that most establishments have cleared. Island's Jungle has hookah, karaoke nights, and a whole lotta charm.

This sizzling beachfront bar on North Ambergris is a sceney but casual place to sip a Shark Bite (light rum, coconut rum, Meyer's rum, mango, and pineapple) or knock back some housemade shots until late evening. Delicious shared plates are generous.

Rum Dog is a notch above other island watering holes, with its Belizean Two-5 craft beers on tap, well-kept pier, and beautiful palapa overlooking the Caribbean. It also offers a menu of impressive bar snacks and cocktails (think rangoon nachos and house-made banana liqueur). 

The island's best---albeit the only---casino has over 100 slot and video poker machines, plus live table games, poker tournaments, and a full bar with tapas and courtesy drinks. You can try for jackpot until 4 am. Captain Morgan's offers free evening boat transfer from Fido's dock.

Sooner or later you're sure to end up at Fido's (pronounced fee-dough's), sipping something cold and contemplating the sea views, under what the owners claim is the largest thatch palapa in Belize. If not the largest in Belize, it may at least be the largest on Ambergris Caye. This casual joint serves mediocre burgers, Caesar salad, tacos, and other bar food, but it's a good place to grab a beer and enjoy the near-nightly live music. It can also accommodate large groups.

Knock back a campechana or two to the beat of reggae jams at this three-story, red-green-yellow mainstay, which has been going strong for more than 30 years. Swings hang from the ceiling in lieu of barstools, and the open-air top floor has hammocks and a view of the village. The second floor is for dancing, often with a live DJ. This is the kind of joint that gives out prizes of thongs and nail polish on Ladies' Night.

This touristy spot boasts a nice, pint-size walk-in beach on the lagoon (so no risk of Sargassum seaweed). You can enjoy a pricey piña colada and partake in a Caye Caulker pastime: day drinking. Sunset is a favorite hour here, for humans as well as southern stingrays, which gather in the shallows. They suffer from human interaction, so don't join other tourists in petting them. 

"Sunny place for shady people" is the slogan of the Lazy Lizard, which sits right at the edge of the water at the northernmost tip of the village. During the day you can swim at the Split and cool off with some Belikins. Sunsets are amazing and after dark there's a spotlight pointed into the water so you can see fish, small sharks, and occasionally even a crocodile swimming around. Don't expect clean bathrooms, seating or delicious bar snacks, but because of the location this is by far the most popular hangout on the island.

Come here to sip on a cheap Cuba Libre, chew the fat with with locals and travelers, and maybe toss back a Jell-O shot with your newfound friends. In the backyard, you can play Belikin pong or chill under palm trees wrapped in twinkle lights. On DJ nights the scene gets groovy.

Bring your swimsuit and dunk into the sea (inner tubes are at the ready) at this end-of-pier San Pedro favorite. The thatch roof and its saltwater backdrop are what draw crowds (although the pulled pork and ceviche aren't bad for bar food). After dark, the colorful lighting lends a festive air. Palapa Bar doesn't rock all night, though—it usually closes around 9, 10 at the latest.

In daytime you can read under an umbrella and sip something blended, while at night you can join the (sometimes rowdy) crowds and play board or drinking games. Fun usually lasts until midnight, but it's island-flexible.

On the odd side of the nightlife spectrum is the Chicken Drop, held on Thursday night at the beachfront Wahoo's Lounge. Bet on a numbered square on a sort of giant bingo board, and if the chicken poops on your square, you win the pot. It's hugely popular.

Wayo's is a salty place to nurse a few drinks and shoot the breeze with folks you met 20 minutes ago. It's easy to lose track of time at this overwater dive, which is known for its tropical cocktails like coconut mojitos.