Escape to Belize: A Surprise Adventure from Belize City to Ambergris Caye

Traveling to Belize

We flew into Belize City and took a hopper plane to Ambergris Caye. Tropic Air did everything for us, from taking our names and finding our gate to walking us to the plane; it was a straightforward and quick process. Not to mention, the Belize airport is a small piece of cake to navigate.

Flying in the hopper was not as scary as I thought. We didn’t plummet into the ocean’s depths, there were no small engine fires, and it took less than 15 minutes to get from Belize City to Ambergris Caye. This was completely different from the scenarios I had playing in my mind as I walked out of the airport in Belize City.

Where to Stay in Belize

We chose to stay at the Hilton Mahogany Bay Resort because we were close to hitting Diamond status with Hilton and needed an extra stay. In true Hilton fashion, they upgraded us. We ended up in a large 3-bedroom villa that instantly made me wish we had brought the kids. There were two big bedrooms with king beds and a smaller, more secluded bedroom with a bunk bed that would have been perfect for them and still given us plenty of room to move about.

But what I loved most about Mahogany Bay is its private beach with beds right on the ocean. We spent a whole day there relaxing and soaking in the scenery and the fantastic sun. The added perk to spending the day was a 10-minute boat ride and food and beverage service.

“Adventure is worthwhile in itself.” – Amelia Earhart

How to get Around on Ambergris Caye

We rented a golf cart while there and had it waiting for us when we arrived. They made it very easy for us, and we didn’t have to do much for pick-up or drop-off. Getting used to driving was a little wonky at first. You can rarely move around on the streets in a golf cart without getting in trouble, but in San Pedro, it is the best mode of transportation. Throughout our days there, we noticed parents taking their children to school in golf carts and people waving to others they knew. Some even stopped traffic to chat quickly, which I thought was hilarious.

Eating Delicious Food

Choosing our restaurants was solely based on the signs on the road and the ease of getting there. We went to Brooklyn Bros. Bakery a few times for the best breakfast bagels and The Hidden Treasure Restaurant twice for dinner because it was just THAT good. Still, we mostly tried different things from the Taco Shack in The Mahogany Bay Village. The owner, Orlando, ensures you get the best service, even though it may take a few extra minutes to get your food. Make sure you try the National Belize Dish! It’s a mix of stewed chicken, rice, beans, and a coleslaw or potato salad. I could (and would) eat it every day and be so happy.

Volunteering on Vacation

Like every vacation, we try to do some volunteer work, usually in animal shelters. Typically, we transport puppies and kitties to shelters in the United States or their forever homes/fosters. And it’s always my favorite part. This time we visited the SAGA Humane Society, where you can grab a few leashes and help walk the dogs in the shelter. We spent most of the day walking dogs around the block and on the beach, which sounds like a chore, but the excitement on their faces and the obsessive tag wags made it totally worth it.