Walk in our Footsteps on the Island of San Pedro - Ambergris Caye in Belize

Walk in our Footsteps on the Island of San Pedro - Ambergris Caye in Belize


Easter in Belize is a long 4 day weekend of activities and events that locals as well as tourists visiting Belize get to appreciate the go slow mode combined with the festive mood in other locations. San Pedro was definitely very busy with a sea of people flocking to the island to celebrate the long weekend. We were in San Pedro - Ambergris Caye in Belize this Easter, the largest island in Belize and a well known destination for many tourist visiting Belize.

San Pedro is the main town on Ambergris Caye (pronounced key) in the Caribbean and is the hub of all events and activities on the island which is located just 35 miles northeast of Belize City and just a short 15 minute flight from the Belize International Airport by way of Tropic Air or Maya Island Air which has scheduled hourly flights to the island. You can also get to San Pedro by way of Boat Shuttle Service which departs Belize City on scheduled runs to the island. When on the island your mode of transportation varies, you can walk, rent a bicycle, catch a cab or rent a golf cart to get around and visit the many beautiful spots on the island or places to eat, drink and be merry.


 Ambergris Caye is 25 miles long (40 kilometers) from north to south and approximately 1 mile wide (1.6 kilometers) and named after the patron saint of Saint Peter, the patron saint of fishermen and net makers. San Pedro and Ambergris Caye has come a long way since being a quiant fishing village. Ambergris Caye in Belize has become a popular tourist destination and with popularity comes many real estate developments. The island of Ambergris Caye has seen an influx of foreign investors and can now boast a large expat community who has helped in the rapid development of the island.

On the island of San Pedro - Ambergris Caye you can casually relax on the beaches, beachfront bars and restaurants, central park on the beach or your beachfront hotel. You can also choose to do offshore activities such as, swimming, jet-skiing, kite boarding, para-sailing, glass bottom boat tours, snorkeling, diving, fishing and much more. The island's friendly people and immense year-round sunshine will almost always insure a perfect getaway and pleasurable stay on the island. I must admit we thoroughly enjoyed our getaway on the island and would definitely recommend it over and over again.

Here are some of the places we visited to relax and eat and would definitely recommend if you are visiting the island of San Pedro-Ambergris Caye in Belize.

D' Sea Deli and Bar: Great Seaside location to hang our with friends and have a cold beer and some delicious food from a full menu of items that include wraps, pizzas, subs, salads...

El Divino Caribbean Steakhouse and Martini Bar at Banana Beach Resort: A place well known not only for their delicious steaks, but also the best mixed ceviche on the island of San Pedro-Ambergris Caye.

Wayo's Bar: A rustic beachfront bar visited frequently by the locals as well as expats offering delicious wings as well as margaritas.


Estel's Dine By The Sea: Excellent choice for beachfront breakfast in a beach casual setting with sand on the ground so you never feel like you are leaving the beach. Breakfast and lunch are served all day long.

D and E's Frozen Custard and Sorbets: During the summer season this is an excellent way to cool down your palette. Smooth, cool and refreshing for a hot day. You can choose from a wide assortment of flavors.


Micky's Restaurant: An excellent choice not only for breakfast, but also for lunch and dinner. Offering delicious and generously portioned meals with a home cooked taste and very satisfying.


Fido's Restaurant and Bar: This beachfront location has recently won our readers' poll for best bar on the island of San Pedro-Ambergris Caye. Known not only for their bar but their ambiance, delicious meals and fun nightlife with the rockin band Love Paradigm who definitely entertains the crowd. This is a location you must visit when on the island.


Celi's Deli: Excellent choice and location to grab a meal on the go, Belize's version of fast food. You can choose from many items that include local journey cakes with cheese and beans, flour tortillas with beans, meatpies, coffee and fresh juices just to name a few. Conveniently located on front street (Barrier Reef Drive).


El Fogon: A location that is tucked away but offering delicious and mouth watering meals all cooked on Belizean "Fire Haat" (an open wood fed hearth to cook meals). A location that is quaint and unique with the best Conch Soup with tender bits. A real hangover cure...Just a thought.


Nautica Seafood Grill and Bar: A wonderful restaurant and dining experience with full service bar that offers a romantic escape, very fresh seafood and very attentive service from the staff. You can choose from indoor or outdoor dining experiences. Located just upstairs of Fido's.

Sunset Grill: Aptly named since it's on the westside of the island that offers the best sunsets over the lagoon. A really elegant dining experience with scrumptious, lip smacking, and beautifully prepared meals. It is always entertaining to feed or watch others feeding the resident tarpons who take sardines from your hands. A true dining experience that is a must have.


Albertina Aquino Food Stall in Central Park: Albertina Aquino is a hard working woman that serves up the best mouth watering afterhours street food creations on the island of San Pedro-Ambergris Caye in Belize. She can always be found at the park between the hours of 6pm and 5am and is the last stall on the right when facing the sea closest to the playground. Albertina serves up the best burritos, tacos, hot dogs and much more. Make sure to visit Albertina's Food Stall after you are finished clubbing, partying, or just meandering near Central Park on San Pedro-Ambergris Caye late at night.

Places to shop for groceries and other miscellaneous items:

Island Supermarket - Shop in airconditioned comfort with all the modern convenience with the widest selection of items close to downtown San Pedro Town.

La Isla Groceries - If you are staying on the southside of the island this is another great location that offers air conditioned shopping and a great selection of items.

Marina's Grocery Store - Located approximately 1.5 miles south of town this location offers a great selection of items at very reasonable prices.

A couple activities that we definitely recommend would be a snorkeling or diving trip to Hol Chan Marine Reserve or Shark Ray Alley the most popular site for snorkeling/diving which is just a short boat ride, 4 miles southeast of San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye to Belize's famous Barrier Reef. Swimming with a healthy population of sharks, rays, fishes and resident sea turtles will surely add excitement to your visit or stay in San Pedro-Ambergris Caye in Belize. It's an experience that we gaurantee will add to your overall enjoyment in Belize.

We will be covering these locations in great detail in future posts. We have some great photos of the foods, drinks, interior and much more.
We welcome you to visit San Pedro-Ambergris Caye in Belize to share in the experience with others. We are sure you will not be disappointed.

Homes For Sale in Belize for under $100,000 USD

Expats are not only looking to move to Belize for sunshine and warmth but many are also looking for a "good deal" on Belize Real Estate. We have decided to make it easier for you and we have compiled a very small list of  a few of our homes that are availabe for under $100,000 USD, yes we did say under $100,000 USD.

Our goal is to truly represent the needs and concerns of our clientelle. We are committed to finding you the best deal possible. This is because we want the client relationship with our company to be long term. Our success is measured by the continued use of our extensive real estate services by our clients, who are pleased to know that our "Platinum Agents" will be 100% on their side throughout the search and into negotiations of any real estate transaction.

If you would like a FREE list of other homes and properties that are available in Belize be sure to contact us at: info@platinumrealestate.biz.

Belama Riverside Home For Sale

$65,000 USD

Excellent opportunity to own a 3 Bedroom, 1 Bath home at an unbeatable price in the Belama Phase 2 area of Belize City. This wonderful waterfront home provides 1,100 Sq ft of living space on a 65 x 90 lot.

For more photos and information on this home: Click Here

Charming Bungalow in Los Lagos Area of Belize

$70,000 USD

Charming and attractive 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Bungalow in Los Lagos, Belize. This home measures 900 Sqft of Living Space on a very large lot.

For more photos and information on this home: Click Here

Charming Ranch Style Home in San Ignacio, Cayo District, Belize 

$90,000 USD

This Charming Ranch Style Single Level 4 Bedroom, 2 Bath home is located in the popular Cahal Pech area of San Ignacio Town in the Cayo District. This home measures 1,400 Sqft of living space on a very large lot.

For more photos and information on this home: Click Here

Home On The Hills in San Ignacio

$95,000 USD

This wonderful 3 bedroom, 2 Bathroom single storey bungalow sits on the hill just off the Western Highway in San Ignacio Town.

For more photos and information on this home: Click Here

Home in Sunset Park- Perfect Starter Home at Perfect Price!

$70,000 USD

This fully concrete 2 Bedroom, 1 Bath home located on a large lot in Sunset Park just a few minutes outside Belize City. It is attractively priced and comes fully furnished, move-in ready!

For more photos and information on this home: Click Here

Home Is Where The Heart Is in Independence

$89,500 USD

If “Special” and “Great Deal” is what you are looking for in a home then you will more than likely fall in love with this charming 3 bedroom, 2 bath home locate in Independence Village situated in the Stann Creek District of Belize. This home measures 2,860 Sqft of living space on a large lot.

For more photos and information on this home: Click Here

When searching for Belize Real Estate remember to look to Platinum International Real Estate for help with all your real estate needs.

Battle of St George's Caye Celebrated in Belize on the 10th of September Every Year

The Battle of St. George's Caye was a short military engagement, came as a result of the outbreak of war between Britain and Spain in 1796, lasted from 3 September to 10, 1798, fought off the coast of what is now Belize. However, the name is typically reserved for the final battle that occurred on September 10.

The battle took place between an invading force from Mexico, attempting to claim Belize for Spain, and a small force of resident woodcutters called Baymen , who fought for their livelihood assisted by black slaves. After the final two and a half hour battle, ravaged by sickness, the Spaniards withdrew and the British declared themselves winners.

Background
The territory that is now Belize was under dispute from as early as the mid 1750s by Great Britain and Spain. While Spain never occupied Belize, she apparently considered it part of her Central American territories, such as Mexico and Guatemala. The British had entered the territory as of 1638 to harvest logwood and later mahogany. Spain recognized this trade in the Treaty of Paris (signed in 1763) but did not undertake to draw boundaries (which would have suggested that Spain was giving up claims of sovereignty to the area), leading to further disputes. Indeed, from 1779 to 1782 the settlement was practically non-existent, its settlers having been deported to Havana, Cuba.

The Treaty of Versailles and the Superintendency
In 1783, hostilities were brought to an end by the signing of the treaty of Versailles, which allowed the Baymen rights between the Belize and Hondo rivers; this was extended with the 1786 Convention of London to the Sibun River. Cutting rights were granted to the settlers on the condition that the settlement be recognized as belonging to Spain; Superintendent Col. Marcus Despard was to administer the terms of the treaty. Due to conflicts with the inhabitants Despard resigned, but by 1796 it was clear the issue would have to be settled.

Escalation and preparations
Humphreys relates that in a 1796 visit to the area, Visitador Juan O'Sullivan claimed the British were encroaching on Spanish territory in Mexico by cutting near the Rio Hondo. Upon his return to Spain, hostilities broke out between Great Britain and Spain as a result of the Napoleonic Wars. The Spanish viewed the situation seriously and determined to take out the British.

Colonists appealed to Jamaica Lieutenant Governor Alexander Lindsay, Sixth Earl of Balcarres, for assistance. Even though he was in the midst of the Maroon Wars, Balcarres nonetheless sent muskets and ammunition to the settlement and a further shipment arrived on Lt. Thomas Dundas' ship HMS Merlin in December 1796. But upon his arrival, Dundas noted panic in the settlement and the subsequent dispatching of slaves to cut logwood instead of preparing to defend the settlement.

Balcarres then named Major (promoted to Lt. Colonel) Thomas Barrow Superintendent of the settlement. Barrow, a seasoned veteran of war according to Humphreys, immediately began whipping the unruly Baymen into shape, and martial law, stopping all activities in the settlement, was declared on February 11, 1797. On March 18, magistrates Thomas Potts, Thomas Graham and Marshall Bennett all asked Barrow whether there were any incoming messages from Jamaica. Barrow admitted that more help would be on the way soon, to alleviate the fears of the Baymen, but Humphreys calls the actions of Potts and company "cowardly" and says that even after that reassurance morale was low.

The June evacuation meeting
Impatient with the plans to defend the settlement, the Baymen called a public meeting for 1 June 1797. At this meeting, the Baymen voted 65 to 51 to defend the settlement and cooperate with Barrow. This initial support wavered considerably between then and September 1798, as reports came in of the size of the Spanish arrived just north of St George's Caye in early September 1798, all secured by Don Arturo O'Neill Tirone, Yucatán Governor and Commander of the expedition, had secured: reportedly consisted of 32 vessels, including sixteen heavily armed men-of-war and 2000 troops broken down below.

“ ...two very large frigates, an armed brig, and two sloops carrying two 100 pounders, and four gunboats carrying each a 24 pounder in bow; with several other armed vessels, arrived... at Campeche, and taking aboard about 300 troops, then sailed and (made a rendezvous) at the island of Cozumel;...the two frigates and the brig left the fleet there and as the deserters understood, returned to La Vera Cruz... A schooner of 22 guns, to which they (the deserters) belonged, then became commodore...All the small vessels of the fleet were to be sent to Bacalar to assist in embarking the troops at that place, said to consist of 12 companies of 100 men each... ”

This estimate was severely reduced due to outbreaks of yellow fever and dissent in the Spanish army. Nevertheless, it was enough to frighten the Baymen into posting lookouts near the boundaries of the territory.

Baymen's preparations
The Merlin's command in 1798 was Captain John Moss, a strategist on the order of Barrow. By July 18, 1798 the fleet had reached Cozumel, leading the settlers to agree to arm their slaves, an act that affected the outcome of the battle due to the slaves' knowledge of warfare. There were still some who were cautious and demanded evacuation, including Potts, but Balcarres ignored them and imposed martial law on July 26. The Settlement lineup consisted of the following:

“ Merlin, HM's sloop of war; two sloops, Towser and Tickler, with one 18 pounder and 25 men each; one sloop, Mermaid, with one short 9 pounder and 25 men; the schooners, Swinger and Teazer, with six four pounders and 25 men each; seven gun-flats, one 9 pounder and 16 men each. ”

In addition there were 700 troops ready to deter attack by land.

The Battle
From September 3 to 5, the Spaniards tried to force their way through Montego Caye shoal, blocked by the defenders and shallow waters. The military commanders, Moss and Barrow, differed on where to put their resources for the next phase of the fight: Barrow thought they would go to the land phase, while Moss decided on defending St. George's Caye. Moss arrived in time to stop the Spaniards, setting the stage for September 10.

September 10
On the morning of September 10, 1798, fourteen of the largest Spanish ships sailed to within 2.5km of St George's Caye, keeping to the deep water to the east, and began firing. Captain Moss of the Merlin held his fire – the Spanish broadsides were falling short. At 1:00 pm that afternoon, the Spaniards and British lined up off St. George's Caye. The Spaniards stormed through the channel, and at 1:30 Captain Moss gave the order to open fire. Guns blazing, the Merlin and the Baymen's fleet swept forward, wreaking havoc among the heavy and crowded Spanish ships. The Spaniards engaged the British in a two-hour fight which ended in defeat for the confused Spaniards who were already weakened by desertions and yellow fever. They suffered heavy losses and fled in disorder to Caye Chapel. There they remained for five days, burying their dead on the island. Moss reported no one killed and the side in good spirits. Barrow was dispatched and arrived in time to see the end of the battle and prevent the slave men from boarding the enemy. The Spaniards were in full retreat by September 13, and Barrow agreed to send vessels to further push the Spaniards back. On the morning of September 16 the defeated fleet sailed for Bacalar.

Aftermath
Though a victory was won against overwhelming odds, the Battle of St George's Caye was not by itself decisive. No one in Belize could be sure that the Spanish would not once again attempt to remove the Baymen by force. The legal status was as before: a settlement where the inhabitants could cut timber but which did not constitute a territory of the British empire. Sovereign rights remained, nominally at least, with Spain.

However, in purely practical terms the power of the Spanish empire was waning while the British empire was consolidating and expanding. But in Belize the slaves were still slaves, though they had fought valiantly alongside the Baymen: their owners expected them to go back to cutting mahogany. Emancipation came no earlier than elsewhere in the British empire. Indeed controversy still exists within Belize over the fact that the battle was fought between two European powers to establish rule over a colony. It created the conditions for Belize to become an integral part of the British empire and enabled the slave owners to claim that the slaves were willing to fight on behalf of their masters. Whatever its legacy, the 1798 expedition was the last time that Spain attempted to gain control over Belize; Britain gradually assumed a greater role in the government of the settlement

The event is celebrated every September 10 in Belize as St. George's Caye Day or National Day.

Top Caribbean property for 2009

Belize on the list of top Caribbean investments in 2009

The global economic downturn has seriously affected the world's property markets. Many countries are reporting a sluggish turnover of property and decreased value on previously purchased real estate.

However, keen investors are finding that there are still some areas which are riding the storm and flourishing. A company that has been monitoring the markets in the 26 Caribbean countries is now sharing what they feel are the top locations for purchasing property in 2009.

International Property advisor, Wini Dean, states that "It is simply not true that everything is in decline, in fact I am as busy as ever with clients seeking property in the Caribbean region. Of course some areas are doing better than others and we feel obligated to let people know where they will get most value for their investments."

One of the countries remaining popular with buyers is Belize. As it is the only English speaking country in Central America, there is an increased ease of conducting both personal and business affairs for expats and investors. Real estate is readily available as Belize is the least populated country in Central America and has one of the lowest population densities in the world. Belize is popular with those who enjoy pristine environments with rainforests and exotic wildlife. In addition the coastline of Belize is lined with tropical beaches which offer snorkeling and diving into the 2nd biggest coral reef in the world.

Retiring to Belize is made more appealing through government incentives for qualified retirees. These include tax-free income status and duty free concessions to import all household items, a car and even boat or a light aircraft. They have also recently reduced the stamp duty tax on real estate title transfers. The new rate is 0% up to US$10,000 in purchase price and 5% for any amount above US$10,000.

Whilst many of these Caribbean countries are popular with retirees, Wini Dean adds a word of caution to prospective buyers of working age. "It is important to realize that there are few job opportunities within these countries and anyone who wants to live there should be prepared to create their own avenues for employment. Setting up new business which brings new jobs for locals is also a way of giving back to a country that has embraced you."

When in Belize don't forget to check with Platinum International Real Estate and Investments about some of these investments. They will be sure to have a few you might like.

Platinum Goals for Belize Real Estate.

The goal of Platinum International Real Estate and Investments is to revolutionize the real estate industry by offering various departmentalized services to the benefit of the Sellers and Buyers of residential, commercial and investment property in the country of Belize therefore setting Platinum International Real Estate and Investments as the client’s number one choice for all real estate services.
We will standardize the real estate practice to avoid price gouging of the real estate Sellers and Buyers therefore gaining the trust from our real estate clients.
We offer unmatched services among our competitors which sets our company as the number one choice for real estate in the nation and the first choice for anyone looking for real estate in Belize.