We are SO appreciative of this Airbnb and happy we came for a week! San Pedro / Amerbergris Caye has definite upsides and downsides.
I've never written a review this long but felt like if I had this information before checking in I would've been more mentally prepared. We are glad we only stayed a week (the duplex neighbors are there a whole month, and that would've been too long).
*Pros for this Airbnb:*
It's one of the most scenic and beautiful stays on the island! It feels luxurious.
Terri The property manager made this stay absolutely wonderful! we rented a golf cart through her and it was the right choice. She met us at the airport, showed us around town to her favorite grocery and produce / juice shop, she even got me a birthday cake, and put celebration wine in the bungalow, scheduled excursions etc.
Derek the staff on site is wonderful, he put up hammocks for us, cleared the beach of seaweed, and burnt coconuts to clear mosquitoes.
The beds are luxurious and comfortable. Big white fluffy blankets are hotel style.
The Wi-Fi is strong enough for one zoom call at a time. Internet is about 17 - 35 MBps.
The view is breathtaking from the kitchen.
Far enough away from tourist the beach feels almost private.
The Airbnb is in a very quiet area 35 min away from tourists & town.
The Belize economy is recovering from the pandemic and hospitable to tourists.
Most people speak English, which made getting around and getting recommendations easier.
Belize Candace tour guides picked us up from the pier for a snorkeling tour, and this was the MOST possible fun! Definitely a must do.
*Cons for the Airbnb:*
The water is shallow, and was 90% merky with seaweed while we were there in September.
This house is a duplex. You can hear everything between the walls. We were woken up with a baby screaming and a toddler at 5am - 6am, and we sleep with earplugs.
Even all the way at the end of the pier the water is about 2 feet. You can't jump in or swim, because of the massive amounts of sea grass and bug sand mounds.
The location of the Airbnb is a 35+ minute golf cart ride to town. The house is far away from restaurants (tho there is 1 bar at the Sapphire hotel next door, and small grocery stands less than 10 min away).
The door on the front of the Airbnb is extremely difficult to open and takes two hands and all
my power to open.
The “hot water” in the shower never really gets hot. The cool water did feel nice on sunned skin.
*Cons for San Pedro / ambergris caye:*
Mosquitoes are really really really bad in Sept - Oct. I don't normally get bitten, but there were 20+ bites in 3min, so I found myself not wanting to be outside unless we were in the water and the water by the house isn't swimmable. I'll reiterate: MOSQUITOS ARE REALLY RAMPANT in Sept & Oct.
This is a party island. The culture is all about beach bars and drinking (We were there during COVID so it was nice and empty, so we were able to create an experience that wasn't bar centric).
There's a line 5+ feet of Seaweed / seagrass gathers on the shores daily, because of the barrier reef - and there's lots of sea flies.
It's worth asking the host how much of this is seasonal. This was our experience in September.
We are glad we came for a week, and we're ready to leave (mainly because of the mosquitoes & this distance from town).