The coast of Belize hardly rises above sea level. Off shore is an extensive barrier reef; barrier islands have no more than a few feet of elevation. The largest of these islands is Ambergris Caye (pronounced "key".) The local town is San Pedro, about 7000 people with a modest tourist industry of small local hotels and resorts and active diving and fishing tourism.
(photos and sketches: mmcconeghy)
right: Frequent flights by small plane reach Ambergris Caye from Belize City.
Front Street, or "Barrier Reef Drive"
Tourism in San Pedro is low key, There are no highrise hotels, fancy boutiques, five star restaurants or hot spots. Many of the local cafes and bars have sand floors and most people walk, ride bikes or drive golf carts for transport. Nearby Caye Caulker is even quieter, with only a few hundred people.
Not exactly Las Vegas. (photo:mmcconeghy)
Sunrise at Caye Caulker (photo:mmcconeghy)
a palapo
Water Taxi
No problems at the "Oceanside"
Houses outside town have rainwater collection systems -- the town of San Pedro has a modern water purification plant. Bottled water is available everywhere.
Me and my dive guide, Rocky, snorkeling on the reef -- two sharks, two large rays and a bunch of little guys were hanging around for a handout as soon as I jumped off the boat! They were harmless, of course. When I didn't feed them they swam off.
