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Don’t let the title idiot you, Secret Seashore on Ambergris Caye in Belize would possibly simply be the worst-kept secret in Central America, however that’s all a part of its appeal. Tucked away on the island’s lesser-trafficked west coast, this sun-drenched Caribbean seaside has been developed right into a vacationer attraction, however in such a method that it doesn’t unfastened its magnificence or its bliss.
As soon as an area hideaway, Secret Seashore has blossomed right into a barefoot paradise the place you possibly can both celebration till daybreak, or chill out to the sounds of mild waves – relying on the place you park your seaside towel.
To ensure you discover the appropriate buzz for you, we’ve ready this information on the right way to get there, which seaside bars to go to, and a few important issues to find out about visiting.
Wade in – the water’s not simply high quality, it’s divine.
Is Secret Seashore in Belize value visiting?
It’s no secret that Secret Seashore has been let effectively out of the bag. This as soon as hidden gem is now the preferred attraction on Ambergris Caye. With the increase of tourism and commercialization underway, it’s possible you’ll be asking your self if Secret Seashore is absolutely value .t?
The reply is sure, it’s value visiting Secret Seashore, as a result of although it has been developed for tourism, you possibly can nonetheless take pleasure in a slice of paradise. Secret Seashore is massive sufficient you can escape the crowds if you wish to, and although there are a number of seaside bars alongside its shores, each has a distinct vibe, so you will see that a spot that fits you.
It’s simple to see that Secret Seashore is a quickly growing space. I’m positive that if we have been to return in a couple of years time, it might be extra constructed up with extra bars, watersports and actions, and extra lodging choices – that in the intervening time is sort of sparse. Though there are whispers of a Six Senses personal waterfront resort neighborhood coming.
There’s additionally purpose why this not-so-secret seaside has turn into some of the widespread spots on the island. It’s one of many few locations the place you possibly can swim with out the deluge of seaweed. Yep, that is what they don’t let you know about this island paradise.
Belize experiences a singular phenomenon known as sargassum, which is when brown, smelly seaweed covers the shores of Belize in thick blankets, and it smells foul. Secret Seashore is without doubt one of the few locations that has year-round sargassum-free water. So in the event you’re dreaming of these crystal-clear, turquoise waters and powdery white sand backdrops, that is the place to seek out them.
How do you get to the Secret Seashore in Belize?
Secret Seashore is positioned on the West Coast of Ambergris Caye, a brief 12.9 km distance from the city of San Pedro. There’s one street to Secret Seashore, Laguna Drive, so you possibly can’t get misplaced. Drive north on the East Coast, after which the street turns West and cuts by means of the mangroves and lagoon earlier than reaching the seaside.
Apparently typically you possibly can see a crocodile on the facet of the street close to the mangrove space! There’s a whole lot of growth taking place alongside this stretch and Secret Seashore itself, which is regarding what that may do to this space.
There are many indicators alongside the best way pointing you within the Secret Seashore path. There are additionally a few bars if you wish to cease in in your method there or again – we noticed extra in there after their day at Secret Seashore.
Whereas Ambergris Caye does have some autos driving round, golf carts are the strategy to get round. You possibly can’t stroll to Secret Seashore, it’s too far, and the warmth can be too sturdy. By golf cart, it takes roughly 35-45 minutes from San Pedro.
In addition to factoring golf cart rental prices, be aware that it’s important to pay a toll price to cross the tiny bridge from San Pedro to Secret Seashore, which prices $10 USD return.
Golf cart leases differ dramatically in value, so store round to seek out the perfect deal. We rented ours from Deluxe Golf Cart Leases, who charged us $35 USD, however with insurance coverage, it was about $40 USD. Different locations we discovered have been providing about $40-$50 USD per day, however we now have seen folks on-line paying as much as $70 USD per day. We did go to within the low season although, so in the event you’re visiting in peak season, it could be extra.
Deluxe Golf Cart Leases have been good and dependable, and straightforward to speak with by way of WhatsApp. They decide you up out of your resort to take you to the golf cart rental place to fill out the paperwork, and you may depart the golf cart on the ferry terminal once you depart.
For those who decide to not get a golf cart, then you may get a Secret Seashore shuttle boat from San Pedro, which is about $30 USD return per grownup. You possibly can theoretically stroll round San Pedro, so if you realize Secret Seashore is the one place you’ll go the place you don’t want a golf cart, then it is likely to be a greater possibility for you.
Examine the place we stayed in San Pedro: SunBreeze Resort San Pedro Assessment: Inexpensive Beachfront Consolation in Belize
When to go to Secret Seashore
We extremely suggest you go to Secret Seashore as early as potential. Most individuals are inclined to arrive after lunchtime, and so the morning is the perfect time to go to for a quieter expertise. Sundays are the times the locals have off, and so Secret Seashore is at its busiest on this present day of the week.
For those who’re nervous to drive at night time, it’s possible you’ll wish to depart earlier than sundown. We stayed for sundown and it was attractive, leaving simply after it. We felt completely high quality driving again simply because it was heading into darkness, however bear in mind that there can be no streetlights, so it is going to be fairly darkish till you get to the outskirts of San Pedro city. Plus, many of the street working from Secret Seashore to the east coast can be dust with a couple of bumps and potholes. For those who depart proper after the solar dips, most of this half can be in gray gentle.
Mosquitos, sand flies, and different bugs additionally come out round nightfall and so that you wish to be transferring presently in order that they don’t land on you! They did get fairly intense at Mistico and had us packing as much as depart loads sooner!
Finest seaside bars and quiet spots
Though Secret Seashore is a public seaside, it appears the whole 25-mile stretch of sand has a seaside bar connected to it, and so that you’ll almost certainly end up parked up in entrance of certainly one of them.
Though commercialized, it’s nonetheless fairly, and also you’ll shortly be met by throngs of locals making an attempt to direct you to their bars. Every bar has a distinct vibe – some with loud music, some extra low-key – and all of them include some type of area to chill out, from partially submerged benches to hammocks, to swings to solar loungers.
Whenever you arrive into Secret Seashore, you possibly can flip left or proper to entry the seaside bars (quick street both facet). I recommend cruising alongside each till you discover the seaside bar that resonates most with you. You possibly can at all times bounce to a different one all through the day!
It’s free to go to Secret Seashore, however in the event you use one of many loungers or amenities of the bars, it’s anticipated that you just order meals and drinks. As they’re in a first-rate location, the costs could be excessive (we skilled a fish taco plate for $25 USD), so issue this into your funds. Listed below are a few of our favourite spots alongside Secret Seashore:
Swing Bar
The primary bar we visited was the aptly named Swing Bar, which is known for its swings and hammocks over the water. It has a youthful, celebration scene, with loud music, volleyball nets, and backpackers doing pictures at midday.
It wasn’t actually our vibe, as we have been travelling with our teenage daughters, nevertheless it was onerous to withstand getting a freshly squeezed jiuice and a photograph on the long-lasting swing seat within the water.
Swing Seashore and The Blue Bayou subsequent door are the preferred spots on Secret Seashore. Right here you will see that a DJ enjoying club-style music, picnic tables within the ocean, and the grilled seafood meals is claimed to be first rate (although costly).
And in the event you’re up for it, you’ll obtain a welcome shot upon arrival – jungle inexperienced and able to elevate your spirits – it could entice you to do the crawl up the pole competitors without cost booze. Ah to be a twenty one thing backpacker once more!
Blue Bayou
One of many Secret Seashore bars we had famous down to go to was Blue Bayou. It’s simply among the best setups in the event you’re after that quintessential “desk within the water” expertise. Image this: waist-deep turquoise water, a picket desk and chairs planted proper within the shallows, and your server wading out to carry your meals and drinks. It’s a reasonably unforgettable—and really Instagram-worthy—scene.
It’s positively extra of a novelty spot than a chill-out lounge like Mistico, however that’s what makes it enjoyable. If you wish to cool off within the water whereas sipping a cocktail and absorbing the full of life Secret Seashore vibe, Blue Bayou delivers. It’s the proper place to spend an hour or two, snap a couple of images, and revel in that “solely in Belize” sort of second.
Mistico
We needed a extra chilled vibe to Swing Bar, so we headed additional south to Mistico, a comparatively new addition to Secret Seashore. The bar was tucked away from the opposite bars. You possibly can’t see it, which is how lots of people miss it as it’s important to proceed down what looks like the top of the street, which winds round to its personal personal area on the nook of the bay. This helps to keep up its hidden secret standing … for now.
It had every thing we needed: entry to the pristine water, upscale loungers, scrumptious meals, and a laid-back vibe with out the blasting of digital music. Once we visited, it had a reside saxophone participant and lounge music in between units. And better of all, you may nonetheless hear the sound of the breeze and waves.
It was so superbly arrange for leisure, with swinging egg chairs, picnic tables, and hammocks within the water, and flower-covered mirrors to replicate that pure white sand. For youths, there have been video games like Jenga to play, and there was additionally a swimming pool. That is the facet of the seaside it’s best to go to if you wish to keep away from the events.
Secret Seashore Waterpark
These touring with kids might wish to take them to Secret Seashore Waterpark, the primary floating journey waterpark in Belize. It has a 9,000 sq. toes inflatable impediment course with slides, locations to climb, swing, and soar within the ocean. The waterpark holds area for as much as 60 folks! You do need to pay a price to make use of the waterpark. I heard it was $40USD however do your due diligence as costs change. You may as well hire jet skis and stand-up paddle boards from there.
Whereas the youngsters play, mum and pa might wish to get a therapeutic massage – sure, you learn that proper – from the therapeutic massage therapist on the dock. Secret Seashore Waterpark is certainly the place to go for households, particularly these with youthful youngsters. Our ladies needed to spend the day in Mistico as an alternative of right here, however they’ve skilled inflatable waterparks like this earlier than and LOVED them! Now they’re youngsters there pursuits are a little bit totally different.
Moist n Wild
Moist n Wild is on the southern finish of Secret Seashore earlier than the cove winds away out of sight to Mistico. We contemplated going right here as we have been in a position to hear the reside music from Mistico – though we have been nonetheless hidden sufficient the place we couldn’t see them. What’s cool about this bar is the reside music was on a stage going through out to the water, so you may attend the live performance whereas swimming or floating!
Moist n Wild can also be distinctive because it has a bar sitting within the water – however some complain that it’s a little bit slimy! #tobeexpected
Need a espresso or gentle breakfast and lunch bites? There’s a cafe at Secret Seashore! Harvest Cafe serves breakfast burritos, Avo tasted, wraps and salads. In addition they do espresso primarily based coffees, and I did see a flat white on the menu! We have been hoping to get one however settled for espresso martinis at Mistico as an alternative. Notice, costs are fairly steep!
Our Expertise Visiting Secret Seashore, Ambergris Caye
One of many highlights of our four-day trip on Ambergris Caye was our time stress-free as a household at Mistico on Secret Seashore. Truthfully, I don’t assume we’d have cherished Secret Seashore practically as a lot if we hadn’t discovered it. Many of the different seaside bars felt a little bit too cramped, busy, and loud—excellent for these chasing a full of life, celebration vibe. If I have been nonetheless a twenty-something backpacker, that might’ve been my jam for positive!
We did cease by Swing Bar for a bit—and it was value it for the Instagram pictures alone. As content material creators, we couldn’t resist the swings over the turquoise water, and our teen daughters have been simply as excited to seize their very own “postcards of in the present day” for his or her feeds. However it was a very cramped area, we may solely discover loungers in a bug-ridden nook, it was too busy, with too many younger partiers (no judgement, I say go for it, simply not what we needed.)
However Mistico was a very totally different story. The second we arrived, we knew we’d discovered our spot and deserted the concept of exploring anyplace else. It had our sort of vitality—relaxed, spacious, and superbly styled with out being crowded. There have been loads of lounge chairs, mild music, and room to breathe. And sure, it was simply as beautiful for the Instagram feed!
The meals right here was one other nice shock—barely pricier, however completely value it. The nachos have been loaded with toppings (not the same old chips-with-a-hint-of-cheese scenario you usually get within the U.S.), and the cocktails have been thoughtfully crafted and scrumptious. And the service was glorious – at all times checking in, however not too in your face. Positively method higher than what we skilled on the Swing Bar.
We cherished it a lot that we prolonged our golf cart rental simply to return the following afternoon for sundown at Mistico—the proper strategy to say goodbye to lovely Ambergris Caye and San Pedro.
Issues to Do at Secret Seashore
Except for bar hopping, swimming, and snapping your Instagram-perfect images, there are a couple of different methods to take pleasure in Secret Seashore—once you’re not merely lounging the day away (in the event you can snag a chair, that’s!).
Some seaside bars, like Swing Bar, have volleyball nets arrange proper within the water for a little bit of enjoyable between drinks. A number of spots additionally hire out paddleboards and kayaks—we seen the signal at Mistico however determined to skip it this time in favor of pure leisure.
Secret Seashore isn’t actually the place for snorkeling, although. The water right here is shallow, sandy, and calm—nice for floating and cocktails, not coral. For snorkeling, you’ll wish to head to the east facet of the island, simply ten minutes from the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef on the earth after Australia’s Nice Barrier Reef. (We share extra about that in our Issues to Do in San Pedro information.)
In fact, some of the widespread actions right here is eating at tables set within the water—everybody needs that postcard shot! Simply know that relying on the tide, issues can get a little bit slippery underfoot. And whereas the hammock within the water at Mistico makes for a dreamy photograph, be ready to share it with a couple of pleasant bugs!
A Cease Enroute to Secret Seashore to Think about
We stopped in on the Truck Cease on the Option to Secret Seashore for lunch (nice concept to replenish and assist prevent cash at Secret Seashore) We did this on the second day, so we solely spent cash on sundown drinks at Mistico.
The Truck Cease is an island must-do: 4 meals vans in colourful transport containers, organized round a communal eating space with video games, a pool with swim-up bar, and even an out of doors 18ft film display out the again.
The regionally sourced meals choices embody Malaysian and Southeast Asian, Latin Fusion, pizza, ice cream and a bar! We had Pad Thai (which was surprisingly glorious) and drinks whereas the ladies performed cornhole. The vibe was informal and enjoyable, although the mosquitoes have been ferocious, due to the mangroves behind it. Deliver repellent!
We drove by once more that night and it was full of reside music enjoying within the meals truck space. It’s clearly an area hotspot after darkish. They’ve one thing taking place each night time from reside music to sport exhibits, trivia, and film nights. So this can be an incredible possibility coming residence from Secret Seashore as effectively.
The place to Keep at Secret Seashore
There are only a few choices for locations to remain at Secret Seashore. This may occasionally change within the close to future. We stayed on the Sunbreeze Resort in San Pedro. We preferred being close to the number of choices in San Pedro city after which being near the barrier reef. Nevertheless, since we did go to Secret Seashore two days in a row, it could have been a sensible choice to remain at a few of these Secret Seashore villas. Notice that the Secret Seashore bars and eating places normally shut at sundown, so if you wish to eat out for dinner, it is likely to be a problem … or contain a golf cart experience into city.
- Secret Seashore Cabanas: Boutique resort presents an intimate retreat with 4 unique trip leases positioned on Secret Seashore.
- Casa Cava Mattress & Breakfast: Distinctive waterfront luxurious lodging with solar terrace, backyard, and outside swimming pool. Consists of Belizean or homestyle breakfast
- Villas Secreta Beachfront Resort: This resort has a swimming pool with a view, solar terrace, lush backyard. a non-public seaside space, beachfront, and beautiful sea views.
Extra Belize adventures
Listed below are different locations to go to and issues to do in Belize that we loved on our 7-day Belize Trip
