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Don’t let the identify idiot you, Secret Seashore on Ambergris Caye in Belize may simply be the worst-kept secret in Central America, however that’s all a part of its allure. Tucked away on the island’s lesser-trafficked west coast, this sun-drenched Caribbean seashore has been developed right into a vacationer attraction, however in such a method that it doesn’t free its magnificence or its bliss.
As soon as a neighborhood 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 seashore towel.
To be sure you discover the appropriate buzz for you, we’ve ready this information on get there, which seashore bars to go to, and a few important issues to find out about visiting.
Wade in – the water’s not simply wonderful, it’s divine.
Is Secret Seashore in Belize price 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 growth of tourism and commercialization underway, chances are you’ll be asking your self if Secret Seashore is absolutely price .t?
The reply is sure, it’s price visiting Secret Seashore, as a result of though it has been developed for tourism, you possibly can nonetheless take pleasure in a slice of paradise. Secret Seashore is massive sufficient which you could escape the crowds if you wish to, and though there are a number of seashore bars alongside its shores, each has a distinct vibe, so you will discover 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 could be extra constructed up with extra bars, watersports and actions, and extra lodging choices – that in the meanwhile is sort of sparse. Though there are whispers of a Six Senses non-public waterfront resort neighborhood coming.
There’s additionally an excellent cause why this not-so-secret seashore has change 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 novel phenomenon referred to 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 should you’re dreaming of these crystal-clear, turquoise waters and powdery white sand backdrops, that is the place to search out them.
How do you get to the Secret Seashore in Belize?
Secret Seashore is situated on the West Coast of Ambergris Caye, a brief 12.9 km distance from the city of San Pedro. There may be one highway to Secret Seashore, Laguna Drive, so you possibly can’t get misplaced. Drive north on the East Coast, after which the highway turns West and cuts by the mangroves and lagoon earlier than reaching the seashore.
Apparently typically you possibly can see a crocodile on the aspect of the highway close to the mangrove space! There may be a number of growth occurring alongside this stretch and Secret Seashore itself, which is regarding what that may do to this space.
There are many indicators alongside the way in which pointing you within the Secret Seashore route. 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 automobiles driving round, golf carts are the approach 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 you need to pay a toll charge 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 search out the most effective 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’ve got seen individuals on-line paying as much as $70 USD per day. We did go to within the low season although, so should you’re visiting in peak season, it might be extra.
Deluxe Golf Cart Leases have been good and dependable, and simple to speak with by way of WhatsApp. They decide you up out of your lodge 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 whenever you depart.
For those who choose to not get a golf cart, then you will 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’d go the place you don’t want a golf cart, then it is perhaps a greater choice for you.
Examine the place we stayed in San Pedro: SunBreeze Resort San Pedro Overview: Inexpensive Beachfront Consolation in Belize
When to go to Secret Seashore
We extremely advocate you go to Secret Seashore as early as doable. Most individuals are inclined to arrive after lunchtime, and so the morning is the most effective 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, chances are you’ll wish to depart earlier than sundown. We stayed for sundown and it was attractive, leaving simply after it. We felt completely wonderful driving again simply because it was heading into darkness, however bear in mind that there might be no streetlights, so it is going to be fairly darkish till you get to the outskirts of San Pedro city. Plus, a lot of the highway operating from Secret Seashore to the east coast might be dust with a couple of bumps and potholes. For those who depart proper after the solar dips, most of this half might be in gray mild.
Mosquitos, sand flies, and different bugs additionally come out round nightfall and so that you wish to be shifting at the moment in order that they don’t land on you! They did get fairly intense at Mistico and had us packing as much as depart quite a bit quicker!
Finest seashore bars and quiet spots
Though Secret Seashore is a public seashore, it appears your complete 25-mile stretch of sand has a seashore bar hooked up to it, and so that you’ll almost certainly end up parked up in entrance of one in every 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 house 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 seashore bars (quick highway both aspect). I counsel cruising alongside each till you discover the seashore 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 should you use one of many loungers or amenities of the bars, it’s anticipated that you simply order meals and drinks. As they’re in a main location, the costs will be excessive (we skilled a fish taco plate for $25 USD), so issue this into your price range. Listed here 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, but it surely was exhausting to withstand getting a freshly squeezed jiuice and a photograph on the enduring swing seat within the water.
Swing Seashore and The Blue Bayou subsequent door are the preferred spots on Secret Seashore. Right here you will discover a DJ taking part in club-style music, picnic tables within the ocean, and the grilled seafood meals is claimed to be respectable (although costly).
And should you’re up for it, you’ll obtain a welcome shot upon arrival – jungle inexperienced and able to elevate your spirits – it might 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 should 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 fairly unforgettable—and really Instagram-worthy—scene.
It’s undoubtedly 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 right place to spend an hour or two, snap a couple of pictures, and luxuriate in that “solely in Belize” form 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 you need to proceed down what looks as if the tip of the highway, which winds round to its personal non-public house on the nook of the bay. This helps to keep up its hidden secret standing … for now.
It had the whole lot 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 dwell saxophone participant and lounge music in between units. And better of all, you can nonetheless hear the sound of the breeze and waves.
It was so fantastically 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 aspect of the seashore you need to go to if you wish to keep away from the events.
Secret Seashore Waterpark
These touring with youngsters could 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 house for as much as 60 individuals! You do must pay a charge to make use of the waterpark. I heard it was $40USD however do your due diligence as costs change. You can even lease jet skis and stand-up paddle boards from there.
Whereas the youngsters play, mum and pop could 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 a substitute of right here, however they’ve skilled inflatable waterparks like this earlier than and LOVED them! Now they’re youngsters there pursuits are slightly 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 capable of hear the dwell 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 dwell music was on a stage going through out to the water, so you can attend the live performance whereas swimming or floating!
Moist n Wild can be distinctive because it has a bar sitting within the water – however some complain that it’s slightly slimy! #tobeexpected
Desire a espresso or mild 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 a substitute. Word, 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. Actually, I don’t suppose we’d have beloved Secret Seashore practically as a lot if we hadn’t discovered it. Many of the different seashore bars felt slightly too cramped, busy, and loud—good 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 price 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 as we speak” for his or her feeds. Nevertheless it was a very cramped house, 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 totally totally different story. The second we arrived, we knew we’d discovered our spot and deserted the thought of exploring wherever else. It had our form of vitality—relaxed, spacious, and fantastically styled with out being crowded. There have been loads of lounge chairs, mild music, and room to breathe. And sure, it was simply as gorgeous for the Instagram feed!
The meals right here was one other nice shock—barely pricier, however completely price 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 wonderful – at all times checking in, however not too in your face. Undoubtedly method higher than what we skilled on the Swing Bar.
We beloved it a lot that we prolonged our golf cart rental simply to return the following afternoon for sundown at Mistico—the right approach to say goodbye to stunning Ambergris Caye and San Pedro.
Issues to Do at Secret Seashore
Except for bar hopping, swimming, and snapping your Instagram-perfect pictures, there are a couple of different methods to take pleasure in Secret Seashore—whenever you’re not merely lounging the day away (should you can snag a chair, that’s!).
Some seashore bars, like Swing Bar, have volleyball nets arrange proper within the water for a little bit of enjoyable between drinks. A couple of spots additionally lease out paddleboards and kayaks—we observed 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 aspect of the island, simply ten minutes from the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef on this planet 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 desires that postcard shot! Simply know that relying on the tide, issues can get slightly 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 Take into account
We stopped in on the Truck Cease on the Approach 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 vehicles in colourful delivery containers, organized round a communal eating space with video games, a pool with swim-up bar, and even an outside 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 wonderful) 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 filled with dwell music taking part in within the meals truck space. It’s clearly a neighborhood hotspot after darkish. They’ve one thing occurring each night time from dwell music to recreation reveals, trivia, and film nights. So this might be an ideal choice 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 will change within the close to future. We stayed on the Sunbreeze Resort in San Pedro. We appreciated 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 might have been a good selection to remain at a few of these Secret Seashore villas. Word that the Secret Seashore bars and eating places often shut at sundown, so if you wish to eat out for dinner, it is perhaps a problem … or contain a golf cart trip into city.
- Secret Seashore Cabanas: Boutique lodge affords an intimate retreat with 4 unique trip leases situated on Secret Seashore.
- Casa Cava Mattress & Breakfast: Distinctive waterfront luxurious lodging with solar terrace, backyard, and outside swimming pool. Contains Belizean or homestyle breakfast
- Villas Secreta Beachfront Resort: This resort has a swimming pool with a view, solar terrace, lush backyard. a non-public seashore space, beachfront, and gorgeous sea views.
Extra Belize adventures
Listed here are different locations to go to and issues to do in Belize that we loved on our 7-day Belize Trip
