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  • Our Ambergris Caye Restaurant Guide

    Our Ambergris Caye Restaurant Guide

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While Ambergris Caye is relatively small, there was no shortage of delicious food to eat while we were there. These were some of our favorite spots![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Rain Restaurant & Roof Top Terrace – our first dinner stop was Rain, near the Grand Caribe Hotel, north of town. You’ll need a golf cart to get here, or you can contact them about a complimentary water taxi ride if you don’t have a golf cart during your trip. The big draw here are the sunsets you’ll catch (unfortunately the night we ate here there was not much sun) but the food was great as well! From bacon wrapped dates on top of pineapple, mussels and clams in champagne, coconut crusted shrimp and our favorite key lime pie of the trip (yes, we may have eaten key lime pie every night) everything was delicious. They also had cocktails, beer, and a great wine selection.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1016″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1506055470795-aba98551-ed9d-9″ include=”1017,1018″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Elvi’s Kitchen – located right in town, this is another must while you’re in Ambergris Caye. While I am sure everything tastes great here I have to advise you – get the coconut curry! It was so delicious, definitely one of the best meals I had while there.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1035″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Blue Water Grill – located just south of town and right on the beach, this is a great spot for a nice dinner. While not originally planned, we ended up here for Toby’s birthday dinner. If you like sushi, make sure to visit on Tuesday or Thursday. Otherwise get yourself some dumplings, the scallops appetizer, the shrimp dynamite crusted snapper, and the mixed grill![/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1506055470811-b4e15985-90b2-5″ include=”1020,1021,1022″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Estel’s Dine by the Sea – we had a kitchen so spent most mornings cooking up our own bacon and eggs, but treated ourselves to one brunch at Estel’s. The menu is written on chalkboard, so figure out what you want to eat, order, and then take a seat and enjoy the ocean view. We had yummy shrimp and lobster omelets but whatever you get, you must order fry jacks! I probably don’t need these in my life every day but we need more restaurants to start serving them! Wash your breakfast down with a mimosa or two and enjoy your day![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1023″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_single_image image=”1024″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hidden Treasure – we, very unfortunately, did NOT get to try this restaurant while we were in town. I had made reservations for Toby’s birthday dinner (check out the photos – the place looks cool!) and we made the long drive from our hotel north of town to this southern part of the island to find they were closed for repairs! While upsetting, we luckily ended up having a great dinner at Blue Water, and when I emailed Hidden Treasure to share my disappointment they responded immediately and apologetically and send us a meat and cheese tray and bottle of wine that accompanied us to some deserted dock sunsets later that week.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1025″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Stella’s Smile – we noticed the sign for this wine bar on our many trips to and from town – located on the lagoon side, it made for the perfect sunset stop. We enjoyed a couple of glasses or wine, appetizers, and a beautiful sunset.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1026″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_single_image image=”1027″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]El Fogon – located close to the airport, be prepared to sit outside without much of an ocean breeze. However, that doesn’t mean the food isn’t great! Get yourself some Belizean Creole and enjoy![/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1506055470839-9b66d462-889e-7″ include=”1029,1030″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Hungry Grouper – I always go between loving to research and leaving some things up to chance – on our last night we picked one of the higher rated restaurants on Tripadvisor and ended up at the Hungry Grouper on the lagoon side of town. It was a small, hot place, but they know what they are doing. We let the owner order for us – from jerk shrimp to blackened fish and dirty rice – I’m not sure you can go wrong here. Just remember to BRING CASH![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1028″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Sandy Toes Beach Bar & Grill – located barely north of town, this little beach bar is an easy spot to spend a couple of hours at. With Adirondack chairs and inner tubes in the shallow water and yummy drinks and food for lunch, we enjoyed a nice afternoon here after Toby went diving.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1032″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]One spot that we didn’t get to because it was closed for the season was the Truck Stop. Located north of town, the Truck Stop is a few different food options in shipping containers on the lagoon side – complete with a nice little dock to catch the sunset from. So, if you go, make sure you check it out and let us know what you think![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Aside from all of the eating we did, there are plenty of fun bars to visit while you’re there. From late nights at Jaguars to hermit crab races at Canucks, there is something for everyone on this little island.

    Read more about what we did on the island here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • 5 Perfect Days in Ambergris Caye

    5 Perfect Days in Ambergris Caye

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]For this year’s annual birthday trip we decided to take a more relaxing route and chose to spend five perfect days in Belize. We absolutely fell in love with Ambergris Caye and have already been recommending it to everyone.

    As a disclaimer, we did go in early September, right before the slowest of the slow season, so we may not have gotten a taste for how crazy or busy the island can get at more popular times of the year, so keep that in mind![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]On the first day, we arrive in Belize City on a flight from Atlanta. It sounds like most flights from the United States come from there or Houston. Their international airport is tiny, but has food options, a bar, rum tastings, and plenty of knick knack souvenirs to buy.

    We were through customs and waiting for our puddle jumper flight to Ambergris Caye in no time. There are two airlines that fly to the cayes – Tropic Air and Maya Island. We found cheaper rates on Maya (around $60 one way) and took the easy 15-minute flight over. You also have the option of taking a taxi ($25 – 30-minute ride) to the ferry (about $15 one way – 90-minute ride) but since we had limited time we opted for the slightly more expensive flight – plus the views from the plane are amazing.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1506053707430-8fc4b35c-f942-9″ include=”995,1003,1004″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Where to Stay

    We used Chase Sapphire Reserve points and chose Belizean Shores Resort. We opted for this resort as it was a little smaller than some that came up in our search, but was still beach front with a great pool. We had a one-bedroom seaview condo during our stay. I can’t say enough about how amazing the staff was before and during our stay. Jose was always quick to respond to any questions we had along the way and offered to be as helpful as possible.

    The resort is located 3.5 miles north of town, so we ended up renting a golf cart for the length of our stay (the longer you rent a car the cheaper it gets!). They do have water and land taxis, but the water taxis are pretty infrequent and stop around 10 pm. To be able to go wherever you want, whenever you want, I’d highly recommend going the golf cart way.

    That being said, we did drive to town every day and night, so while I absolutely loved Belizean Shores, I think we would potentially opt to stay closer to town on our next trip – of course, if you have no desire to be anywhere near town then again, I can’t recommend Belizean Shores enough![/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1506053707439-a0eda903-b529-5″ include=”996,991″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]What to Do

    Snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley – there seems to be an endless amount of companies who run snorkel trips, but we settled on Chuck & Robbie’s and couldn’t have been happier with our experience. You can do this snorkel trip in a couple of hours so you have the option to choose the morning or afternoon trip. Their shop is located just north of town and if you’re staying outside of town they’ll also pick you up in their boat (for a fee). The snorkel spots are just a few minutes away from the dock and the marine life is absolutely amazing! Another spot (that we didn’t get to) is Mexico Rocks, a spot more recently turned into a marine reserve.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”997″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Scuba Dive – if you’re a diver, Belize is probably already on your list. The Blue Hole is probably on your bucket list. However, after some research and chatting with a few people, Toby decided to stick to diving the reefs right off shore than making the long (and expensive) trip to The Blue Hole. From what we heard there is almost no marine life, your a few hour boat ride away, and really, it’s just a bucket list dive.

    We had been so happy with Chuck & Robbie’s that Toby went back to them for a two tank reef dive – the diving is SO close that you actually spend your surface interval going back to the dock to grab your next tank (plus snacks!).

    If you don’t dive but are still interested in checking out The Blue Hole, there are snorkel trips, fly overs, and even skydiving. All of these activities come at a high price though – so just be prepared if it’s on your list![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Secret Beach – a long bumpy road, Secret Beach was worth a few hours in our opinion. There’s no seagrass here and a couple of little restaurant bars have popped up so you only have to come prepared with your sunscreen and bathing suit. I’m sure the sunsets are pretty amazing here as well but the drive back would be quite dark![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”1006″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Day Trip to Caye Caulker – when we were initially planning our trip we were thinking about splitting our stay between Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, or possibly just staying in Caye Caulker the entire time. Because Caye Caulker’s motto is “Go Slow” and we were already going to be in the throws of the slow season, we opted to just take a day trip and not spend the time switching hotels. I don’t regret the decision but I’d also love to spend a night or two on Caye Caulker next time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Wander around the town, grab a delicious iced coffee (I cannot remember the name of this place but it was so good!), jump off the platform at the Split and grab a slushy drink at the Lazy Lizard, and get yourself over to Koko King. I could have lost a few days loving life at Koko King.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1506053707451-201e3238-0fb8-5″ include=”993,990″][vc_single_image image=”1002″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Relax! Here were some of our favorite spots to grab a day drink:

    • Palapa Bar and Grill – grab a drink and hang out in an inner tube of the dock. Sometimes there is a live band (other times they just play all of my favorite country music songs) – just north of town (and just south of Chuck and Robbie’s!)
    • Sandy Toes – just a little bit north of Palapa, this bar has Adirondack chairs that you can sit in the shallow ocean while sipping on a drink – and inner tubes as well!
    • Amber Bar & Grill – if you’re looking for a little fun just south of town, Amber Bar & Grill is home to the El Diablo waterslide as well as some inflatable ocean toys – accompanied by delicious drinks on a bar over the water.

    [/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1506053707460-b8351f58-3dad-6″ include=”998,1005″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Catch the sunset – the sun sets on the lagoon side of the island and while many bars and restaurants sit oceanfront, there are a handful that have docks over the lagoon – the perfect way to wind down your not-so-stressful day. Or, when it’s slow season and places are starting to close down, grab a bottle of wine or a couple of beers and find an empty dock all to yourself![/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1506053707466-925563ba-1b85-0″ include=”992,1001″][vc_single_image image=”999″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Fish – while we didn’t end up doing any fishing, there are a variety of fishing tours available and plenty of fish to be caught![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Party – one thing we weren’t totally expecting was the late night party scene here. While Caye Caulker is known to be more of a happy hour place, Ambergris Caye is pretty empty until people finish up dinners around 10 pm (or later). Of course, being the slow season there wasn’t a whole lot of craziness going on but you can still catch Hermit Crab Races at Crazy Canucks, the Chicken Drop (still sad we weren’t there on a Thursday), and enjoy cocktails at a variety of spots in town.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”994″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]All in all, we absolutely loved our time in Ambergris Caye and would definitely come back.

    Check out our Restaurant Guide for Ambergris Caye for our foodie reviews of all of the delicious meals we had while we were there![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]