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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

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Ambergris Caye

by tacogirl 25/03/2007
written by tacogirl 25/03/2007
San Pedro Belize beach pictures

We have been living on Ambergris Caye, an island off the coast of Belize for just over 1 year now and it has been wonderful. Met so many cool people and seen so many interesting things. Best of all we followed a dream made our great escape from Canadian winter.

Ambergris Caye is the largest of some 200 Cayes (Keys) along the coast of Belize. It is about 25 miles long and a little over a mile wide in some places and 4 miles at the widest point. Ambergris Caye is located on the Caribbean Sea just off the tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Being on the barrier reef makes the island a popular spot for divers. It is 190 miles long and the second largest living coral reef in the world. If you continued to the left in the picture above you would come across the cut area and headed to the north end of the island and towards Bacalar Chico channel between Ambergris and Xcalak Mexico.

Ambergris Caye was a trading post in Mayan times and the narrow channel that separates Mexico and Belize was dug by the Maya to provide a trade route from the bay of Chetumal to the Caribbean. Following the Maya were whalers, pirates and the ancestors of present day residents many were fishermen and worked in the coconut plantations.

There are many different areas on the island and one main town. The one we live in is
San Pedro town. It is about one and a half-miles long and in some places about a mile wide. Walking through town at many cross streets you can look to one side and see the turquoise waters of the Caribbean sea and to the other the lagoon where we sometimes go to get fresh fish. The picture above shows the south end of town which is where we live. We are walking distance from the airstrip which is handy when company comes. The planes mostly fly south so we do not get a lot of air traffic passing over us.


The shot above is front street also known as Barrier Reef drive. This street is mainly tourist shops, real estate agents, banks, a couple restaurants and a few of hotels and some houses up above the shops. One of the nice things about town is that there is a building cap of 3 stories. All along the left side are beach access points. As you walk north up the road you will reach central park right on the water and the immigration office a bit further up to the left, which right above is our favorite coffee place Island perk. Keep going north and you get some local shops the self serve laundry mat and Transylvania Tech our video store.

Last picture is middle street also known as Pescador drive. This is the street we live on and this picture was taken just north of our building. The building to the right is vacant right now so people set up shop outside and sell fruit. On the left the white building with the archways is our local convenience store Rocks. When we do not go along the beach, we walk this way to go to the school we volunteer at which is about 20 min up the road (usually we take the beach there and the road home). If you were to the other direction you would hit Tarpon street and either make a left which would put you at front street, the beach and the library or right which would take you to the lagoon and the direction of Tropic Air which we pass by on the way to Pedro’s sports bar our local hang out.


Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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16 comments

PAUL GERBER 05/08/2011 - 8:13 pm

HOW DOES ONE GET FROM AMBERGIS CAYE TO THE MAIN LAND OR SAN PEDRO. BOAT OR FLYING?

THANKS,
PAUL GERBER

Reply
tacogirl 06/08/2011 - 6:17 am

San Pedro is the town on Ambergris Caye Island. Depending where on the island you are you can get to San Pedro by foot, bike, golf cart, cab or boat. To get to the mainland Flying takes about 15 min and boat roughly 90 min.

Reply
John 22/07/2010 - 11:48 am

Cool. Thank you so much for all your help! It’s awesome to get first hand information from someone.

Thanks again,

John

Reply
tacogirl 22/07/2010 - 3:06 pm

Sure thing John

Reply
John 21/07/2010 - 3:17 pm

No kidding? That’s funny. A buddy of mine is there alot.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I was thinking something that was furnished so I wouldn’t have to worry about finding a bed and such. I would also want a kitchen and bathroom… Thoughts? Is there a website for the San Pedro Sun classifieds?

Reply
tacogirl 21/07/2010 - 4:22 pm

Lot of places come furnished or semi furnished here. Sometimes you can luck out and get a fully stocked kitchen. When we came here I brought ikea cutlery – did a dollar store shop for kitchen stuff and we brought cookware so we were pretty set. Of course shopping here is a bit better now for things like than than it was 4 years ago. http://www.sanpedrosun.com/classifieds/page1/ Try these as well http://www.mandmrentalsbelize.com/ and http://www.cayemanagement.com/ If you do not line up something in advance you may want to consider a couple days stay at a cheap hotel like Pedro’s while you apartment hunt.

Reply
John 19/07/2010 - 12:56 am

Gotcha,
So normally the business that you work for will take care of the paper work/legal side of working? What is the best way to find a place to stay (9 months – 1 year)? Price range?

I’m from Fort Worth.

Thank you so much for your speedy response to my first question.

John

Reply
tacogirl 19/07/2010 - 7:54 am

People often opt for finding a place to work who is willing help them get papers. Some people will go freelance and get papers on their own and then find the place. As for finding a place to live what price range are you thinking? You can find a one bedroom apartment for around $500 – $600 range we paid $450 for our first apt here one bedroom in town. There are lots of property management places here and San Pedro Sun classifieds is a good spot to look as well.

Met a lot of people from different parts of Texas since moving here.

Reply
John 17/07/2010 - 8:15 pm

Hey there,

A friend who works with Ramon’s Village told me about your blog. Cool stuff. I am thinking about moving there to work as a scuba instructor for about a year and wanted to know the first step. How did you guys start out? If you have time, any insight would be awesome.

John
From Texas

Reply
tacogirl 18/07/2010 - 7:38 am

Hi John

Scuba instructor is one of those tricky things. I am not sure exactly where that particular job falls in regards to non locals and a tour-guide license unless you are planning to own a business. A couple scenarios include – finding someone who is willing to hire you and help you get work papers or look into buying a business and getting papers that way. You might want to contact a couple of local dive shops and ask them about the whole non locals being scuba instructors and what it takes to do so.

What part of Texas are you from?

Reply
Corissa 15/11/2009 - 11:06 am

Hi Tacogirl! I have also been enjoying your blog, starting from your first entry. My hubby and I are dreaming of relocating from Manitoba to Belize. We’ve spent some time there, but as tourists, on the mainland, and not yet been to the islands. We are in our late 30s, early 40s…and have 2.5 more years until baby #3 graduates from high school. I just finished my degree in nursing, and hope to make enough $$ in the next couple of years to have a cushion so that when we sell our home, which will take care of all our debt, that we’ll have enough to live on for while so that I can volunteer (or whatever) as a nurse in Belize. We’ve been planning this for 4+ years now, and can hardly wait to make it reality! Thanks, again, for your blog. You’ve provided lots to think about and lots of guidance.

Reply
tacogirl 16/11/2009 - 10:59 am

Hi Corissa, great plan. I am sure that Manitoba winters are helping keep focused on your turning your dreams into reality. I am glad you have found my blog useful.

Reply
audrey 24/10/2009 - 9:43 pm

We are Canadian and planning on relocating to SP. Where in Canada were you from?

Reply
tacogirl 25/10/2009 - 9:24 am

Thanks Denny – good to see you back on the net.

Born on Montreal Audrey but lived long time in Toronto – tacoboy is Toronto too and about 2 h away in the country. Where you at Audrey? Lots of Canucks here.

Reply
tacogirl 27/10/2009 - 7:07 pm

I am originally from Montreal but been long time in Toronto. tacoboy was born in Ontario and been in Toronto long time. Where are you at Audrey?

Reply
Denny Shane 26/03/2007 - 9:08 pm

Congrats on the Blog!! I’ll be sure to be a regular visit!

Reply

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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