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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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How Big is Ambergris Caye? Bigger Than You Think

by tacogirl 15/02/2018
written by tacogirl 15/02/2018
How Big is Ambergris Caye

It is not uncommon for first-time travelers to ask, “how big is Ambergris Caye? ”

Lying between 18.87 and 18.19° north latitude and 87 to 88° west longitude, Ambergris Caye is approximately 25 miles or 40 kilometers long from north to south. It spans as little as 1 mile or 1.6 kilometers wide in some places and as wide as 5 miles at its widest point. Areas where limestone caye has not been altered by development, are mostly outlined with mangroves and white sandy beaches. Ambergris has an estimated 17,400 people (some say more) living in 17,600 acres of space in it’s only town of San Pedro. It takes up approximately 27.5 sq miles or 71.2 sq kilometer with an elevation above sea level at 2 meters or 7 feet.

The aerial photos below by L Kelly Jones give you a good example of how narrow the island can be at some points. In town, you can be standing at a crossroads and see both the Caribbean Sea to the east and lagoon to the west. Kelly also provided the featured image above.

How Big Is Ambergris CayeHow Big Is Ambergris Caye

About 20 miles north of town at end of the island is the Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve. This area of land is separated from Mexico by the very narrow El Rio de Bacalar Chico channel (or Mayan channel) between Ambergris Caye and Xcalak Mexico. It is believed the channel was created by the Maya to provide a trade route from Quintana Roo around 600 A.D.

The canal was mistakenly called a river and many believed that this river belonged to Mexico, thus the conception that the land of Bacalar Chico was Mexican territory. It was determined that Bacalar was in fact (British Honduras) land and the treaty was settled in 1893.

Belize Mexico map from Wikipedia and Mayan Canal picture is Courtesy of JohnBTV. To see more of the area click through to my North Ambergris Caye Adventure. I got to take a boat ride with the whale sharks around the north side of the island, what a fun tour. We stopped at little known about San Juan- visitor center, passed by Chaac Balam Maya site while navigating through the canal and our last stop was Rocky Point for a swim and some land exploration.

How Big Is Ambergris CayeHow Big Is Ambergris Caye

Another Kind of Big

Aside from its physical size, Ambergris Caye is big in another way. It’s residents have huge hearts and so do many travelers that vacation here. There are always individuals and organizations needing help. I have seen so many longtime and new travelers that are willing to contribute to one cause or another. Some use “Pack for a Purpose”  and some “mule” on suitcases full of items from school wish lists or things needed in disadvantaged communities.

In this case, it was our local children’s shelter, Hope Haven, that is trying to get up and running.

I was beyond excited to hand over the Code For a Cause donation to assist Blue Water Grill’s monthly community effort. Although I was not able to be at the restaurant for the official exchange as I had a pre-scheduled boat trip that day, my editor Shirlee and I caught up with Michelle Estrella Nunez and Christen Jones yesterday afternoon to hand over a tacogirl.com donation.

How Big Is Ambergris Caye

Not only is there strength in numbers, but there are also far-reaching benefits. Helping providing comfortable bedding, toys, and food for children in need is a life-changing act. I would like to give a big shout out to everyone that booked their Tropic Air tickets using CFC for a December flight. Your thoughtful decision to fly with a purpose generated a donation of $1700.00.

Over a two month period, Blue Water Grill customers donated $2,088, and they matched it by 100%. Guests of The Phoenix Resort donated $1,905, which The Phoenix also matched, customers of Wine de Vine donated $124, which Wine de Vine matched. In total, the three contributed $8,234 plus Code For a Cause makes a grand total of $9,934 to help get Hope Haven Shelter closer to open.

February’s cause is the San Pedro High School, teachers, and principal. The goal is to raise $3500 to give each teacher and principal at SPHS a $100 cash bonus as a thank you for the important work that they do. You can donate in person while enjoying a delicious meal at Blue Water Restaurant or on the Blue Water Belize Community website. A portion of all flights flown in January will be donated towards this worthy effort.

When you book online with Tropic Air use the current code horizon and a portion of your flight purchase will be included as a donation to the charity/cause choice of the month. [*Please note as of 2020 there is no more tacogirl Tropic Air Flight discount and the one beneficiary of flight code for a cause is the Belize Cancer Center.]

First Hope Haven donation picture below, courtesy of BWG Facebook page.

Ambergris Caye Belize

Ambergris Caye Belize

Ambergris Caye Belize

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.

previous post
9 Great Valentine’s Options on Ambergris Caye
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We Totally Needed a Boat Bar Crawl

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2 comments

Tom Hlady 15/02/2018 - 4:20 pm

Laurie,
When you book online with Tropic Air use the promotion code horizon and a portion of your flight purchase will be included as a donation to the charity/cause choice of the month
Will this code be ok to use in May ? or are they changing it. Have a travel company booking.

Reply
tacogirl 16/02/2018 - 9:01 am

Morning Tom.

Thanks for wanting to fly with a purpose. The flight code horizon will still be good in May. Thanks for using it.

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

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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