Pedro's Backpackers and Pedro's Hotel

Location
San Pedro is situated on Ambergris Caye, one of the few inhabited islands off of the coast of Belize. It is a tourist mecca for those wishing to dive the barrier reef and the famous Blue Hole and a great place to get away from it all while sampling some great seafood and soaking up the sun.

With a good assortment of restaurants and bars and easy access from the mainland it is not surpising that it recieves visitors from all over the world.

Island Time

Don't expect huge beaches or perfect swimming though, the important seagrass is one reason the islands are still here so swimming pools or swimming off of the small piers is the way to go to cool down. Better still is to take a diving or snorkleling trip as the reef here is spectacular!

The hostel and hotel are located just south of the town centre and easily walkable however if you have luggage take a minivan from the street. The property is set off of the street and away from the ocean, sea views come at a price, the budget prices reflect this.

Author waiting for a boat

Getting in and out
There are a few ways to get to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.

By Air
The easiest way of course is to fly in, both Tropic Air and Maya Air fly to San Pedro Airstrip from towns all over Belize. You can make connecting flights from some other locations however you are charged for each hop and it become quite expensive.

Click here for Tropic Air
Click here for Maya Air

By Boat
Several options here; fast boats operate from the north of belize - the Thunderbolt from Corozal running everyday or the San Pedro Belize Express service from Chetumal in Mexico (this is especially good if you are coming or going from Cancun/Playa)that runs (as of January 2009) fri, sat, sun and mon only. Immigration is done at the respective docks for the latter service.

There are also services from Belize city (two companies) to San Pedro but beware of the last boat @ roughly 5:30 pm or you will be stranded in Belize city!

Click here San Pedro Belize Express
Click here caye Caulker Water taxi
Click here for The Thunderbolt

Hostel Review
Pedro's has two properties, a backpacker building and a Hotel style house just across the street.

Pedro's Backpackers
Built above the famous bar the backpackers is a simple affair with lockable rooms 2-3 beds to a room, all with a fan and most with a window. Shared bathrooms are the norm, split male and female. If you are on your own you should be able to get the room to yourself. Wifi is available although there are no plugs in the rooms, only on the balcony or in the bar. The rooms are kept clean as are the bathrooms and there are small locker spaces below each bed. Rooms at the back are closer to the airstrip and the 7.00am flight may or may not disturb you depending upon the amount of jaeger consumed the night before!

Ringing the bell at Pedro's backpacker bar

Prices for the beds may vary seasonaly so be prepared to book well ahead at peak times.
The bar below is a great place to hang out and meet locals, expats and fellow travellers and is a reliable spot to guarantee a hangover.

The Backpackers at Pedro's

Pedro's Hotel

Staying on the beach is an expensive option in San Pedro although a few budget places do exist the quality is pretty poor. Pedro's Hotel has aimed at the middle market, backpackers with a bigger budget or travellers who want privacy, safety and a few comforts.



The Hotel is really a big wooden style island house with two to three bedded rooms all with private bathrooms, TV, AC and cleaning service. There is a nice freshwater swimming pool and deck, as well as a bar and an office where Cindy will help book any tours or help with restaurant advice.

For a single traveller it probably is on the pricier side but for two of three people it provides a great way to stay on the island and keep within a reasonable budget.

Roads are mostly sand off of the main drag and after it rains, as it will sometime, flip flops or sandals are the easiest way to negotiate any puddles. Leave your Jimmy Choos at home!

San pedro is a fun island to spend a few days and is good as a base for the many trips available, if you are heading through Belize the island makes agreat diversion so do not miss it!

You can book the backpackers through my website, which will cost you no more but will help pay for these reviews a little by clicking on the link below.

BOOK A HOSTEL ROOM
Click here to book a hostel bed

Click here for Pedro's Hotel Website

Swim off the dock

If you have enjoyed this article you can read more of my travel stories on either my website The World traveller.net or the excellent publication Travel Generation.

Enjoy your travels

Peter J Smith
theworldtraveller.net expert travel advice and tailor made itineraries