Five Reasons to Return to Ambergris Caye (Belize)
We visited Ambergris Caye (Belize) six years ago and planned to return this summer. I became a certified Open Water scuba diver in the Island, and I would never forget my first dives in Belize. The island is 40 Kilometer in length – it’s just like the distance from Minneapolis to the border of Wisconsin State. It’s a small island but charming and inviting. Followings are our reasons to return to Ambergris Caye.
Fun People to Scuba Dive with
Belizeans in Ambergris Caye are easy going and friendly. I had positive experiences with Belizeans, from the immigration officer (who kept my Indonesian passport for a night since I did not have a visa to enter Belize) to Belizean scuba divers.
Ambergris Caye
Beautiful White Sandy Beach
No need to explain here, as the picture speaks for itself. One thing to appreciate: the entire beach in the Island is for public!
Ambergris Caye
Delicious Fresh Food & Beautiful Hotels next to the Beach
One thing I remember, the Belizean ceviche was fresh and tasty! Hotels and resorts in the Island are majority located next to the beach, and as well the restaurants!
Impressive Marine Life
I hope I will meet these amazing animals again. The best locations for scuba diving and snorkeling in Ambergris Caye are Shark Ray Alley and Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
Exploring the Island with Golf Cart
Unfortunately, we did not explore the Island on our first visit. This time, we hope to explore the Island from the south to the north with the golf cart, and hopefully no rains during our visit 🙂
Ambergris Caye
indahs: dive, travel & photography 
Have a great time in your second trip to Belize! How difficult/easy is it for Indonesians to get a visa for Belize?
Thank you! It was a pleasant trip 🙂 My first trip in 2010 was quite easy, I got an emergency visa (they don’t give visa on arrival to Indonesians) for a week. Then this year, as long as you have a valid USA visa, then you can enter Belize with an Indonesian passport. It is also applied in Mexico and some countries in Central America and the Caribbean except Guatemala. Thus, when you have a valid US visa, perhaps it’s best to combine by visiting these countries as well 🙂 PS: I think their Mayan history and ruins might intriguing to you!
Speaking of Mayan ruins, a few days ago I read an article on NatGeo about Calakmul, and its more famous counterpart — Tikal. Do you know whether it’s easy or difficult for Indonesians to get a visa to visit Guatemala?
I was told by a Guatemalan officer to visit their embassy in Belize by carrying passport and credit card if I wanted to visit Tikal. Unfortunately, my days were short back then – we did not have prepared plans when traveling Belize after scuba diving trip. We miss the opportunity to see Tikal because of paperwork for me who hold Indonesian passport 😦 I suggest to check Guatemalan embassy in Indonesia first. If they don’t have a country representative in Indonesia, then perhaps apply for their entry visa in Belize but prepare extra days on your travel for the visa 🙂 Having Indonesian passport is challenging 😀 Belize has Mayan Ruins too – they were linking to each other – Mexico-Belize-Guatemala. It’s very interesting!
Thanks for the info. Will do more research on this should I make a plan to visit Mexico and Central America one day.
I have been to Ambergris Caye several times and have done a fair bit of diving there. Fantastic people and wonderful diving. Took my Rescue Diver course with Belize Pro Dive Centre on my last trip and the instructor and course were second to none. I am sure you will enjoy your next trip. They have also done a lot of work on the road north so your exploring should be fairly easy cart driving.
Thank you so much! We visited the north area with the golf cart, and indeed, it has developed so well compared to six years ago (back then we cycled from the North to San Pedro in the middle of rock and mud road 😀 ) And congratulations on your Rescue Dive certification! I have been thinking to do it, sounds a great idea to do it in Belize!
Five reasons to go in the first place. Do they use golf carts like cars…cool!
Yup!! You need a car driving license to drive a golf cart in Belize 😀
Wonderful trip Indah and super cool photo shot under water 🙂 Groetjes.
Thank you!! ❤
Great photos and great place. We did a Moorings bare boat catamaran charter in 2008 and it was wonderful. At the time it was whale shark season unknown to us at the time. We bought all our dive gear and asked at the charter office for 8 dive tanks. Not one was available in all of Placencia!!! Seemed every diver in the world was there and no tanks available. Lesson learned, book your tanks in advance!
Enjoy your second trip…maybe you can make it to the Blue Hole?
Cheers,
John & Susan
Impressive shots, Indah. It sounds like a great place to visit. I hope I get to travel there someday. 🙂
Beautiful report, Indah! Gorgeous shots make me want to visit!
Beautiful photos Indah, I think I’d be spending much of my time in Shark Ray Alley and Hol Chan Marine Reserve ~ watching the marine world swim on by is the best relaxation 🙂 Looks like you had an amazing trip six years ago, so a return to explore more is a great idea.