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Don’t let the identify idiot you, Secret Seaside on Ambergris Caye in Belize may simply be the worst-kept secret in Central America, however that’s all a part of its allure. Tucked away on the island’s lesser-trafficked west coast, this sun-drenched Caribbean seaside has been developed right into a vacationer attraction, however in such a manner that it doesn’t unfastened its magnificence or its bliss.
As soon as a neighborhood hideaway, Secret Seaside has blossomed right into a barefoot paradise the place you possibly can both get together till daybreak, or calm down to the sounds of light waves – relying on the place you park your seaside towel.
To be sure to discover the suitable buzz for you, we’ve ready this information on find out how to get there, which seaside bars to go to, and a few important issues to learn about visiting.
Wade in – the water’s not simply wonderful, it’s divine.
Is Secret Seaside in Belize value visiting?
It’s no secret that Secret Seaside has been let effectively out of the bag. This as soon as hidden gem is now the most well-liked attraction on Ambergris Caye. With the growth of tourism and commercialization underway, you might be asking your self if Secret Seaside is basically value .t?
The reply is sure, it’s value visiting Secret Seaside, as a result of though it has been developed for tourism, you possibly can nonetheless take pleasure in a slice of paradise. Secret Seaside is giant sufficient which you could escape the crowds if you wish to, and though there are a number of seaside bars alongside its shores, each has a special vibe, so you will discover a spot that fits you.
It’s straightforward to see that Secret Seaside is a quickly growing space. I’m positive that if we have been to return in a couple of years time, it will be extra constructed up with extra bars, watersports and actions, and extra lodging choices – that for the time being is sort of sparse. Though there are whispers of a Six Senses personal waterfront resort neighborhood coming.
There’s additionally cause why this not-so-secret seaside has turn out to be some of the well-liked spots on the island. It’s one of many few locations the place you possibly can swim with out the deluge of seaweed. Yep, that is what they don’t let you know about this island paradise.
Belize experiences a novel phenomenon known as sargassum, which is when brown, smelly seaweed covers the shores of Belize in thick blankets, and it smells foul. Secret Seaside is among the few locations that has year-round sargassum-free water. So in case you’re dreaming of these crystal-clear, turquoise waters and powdery white sand backdrops, that is the place to search out them.
How do you get to the Secret Seaside in Belize?
Secret Seaside is situated on the West Coast of Ambergris Caye, a brief 12.9 km distance from the city of San Pedro. There may be one highway to Secret Seaside, Laguna Drive, so you possibly can’t get misplaced. Drive north on the East Coast, after which the highway turns West and cuts by way of the mangroves and lagoon earlier than reaching the seaside.
Apparently generally you possibly can see a crocodile on the aspect of the highway close to the mangrove space! There may be quite a lot of improvement taking place alongside this stretch and Secret Seaside itself, which is regarding what that can do to this space.
There are many indicators alongside the best way pointing you within the Secret Seaside path. There are additionally a few bars if you wish to cease in in your manner there or again – we noticed extra in there after their day at Secret Seaside.
Whereas Ambergris Caye does have some automobiles driving round, golf carts are the technique to get round. You may’t stroll to Secret Seaside, it’s too far, and the warmth can be too robust. By golf cart, it takes roughly 35-45 minutes from San Pedro.
In addition to factoring golf cart rental prices, be aware that you must pay a toll price to cross the tiny bridge from San Pedro to Secret Seaside, which prices $10 USD return.
Golf cart leases differ dramatically in worth, so store round to search out one of the best deal. We rented ours from Deluxe Golf Cart Leases, who charged us $35 USD, however with insurance coverage, it was about $40 USD. Different locations we discovered have been providing about $40-$50 USD per day, however we’ve seen individuals on-line paying as much as $70 USD per day. We did go to within the low season although, so in case you’re visiting in peak season, it could be extra.
Deluxe Golf Cart Leases have been good and dependable, and simple to speak with by way of WhatsApp. They decide you up out of your resort to take you to the golf cart rental place to fill out the paperwork, and you’ll go away the golf cart on the ferry terminal whenever you go away.
If you happen to decide to not get a golf cart, then you may get a Secret Seaside shuttle boat from San Pedro, which is about $30 USD return per grownup. You may theoretically stroll round San Pedro, so if you realize Secret Seaside is the one place you’d go the place you don’t want a golf cart, then it is perhaps a greater choice for you.
Examine the place we stayed in San Pedro: SunBreeze Lodge San Pedro Evaluate: Inexpensive Beachfront Consolation in Belize
When to go to Secret Seaside
We extremely suggest you go to Secret Seaside as early as doable. Most individuals are inclined to arrive after lunchtime, and so the morning is one of the best time to go to for a quieter expertise. Sundays are the times the locals have off, and so Secret Seaside is at its busiest on at the present time of the week.
If you happen to’re nervous to drive at evening, you might wish to go away earlier than sundown. We stayed for sundown and it was beautiful, leaving simply after it. We felt completely wonderful driving again simply because it was heading into darkness, however remember that there shall be no streetlights, so it is going to be fairly darkish till you get to the outskirts of San Pedro city. Plus, a lot of the highway operating from Secret Seaside to the east coast shall be grime with a couple of bumps and potholes. If you happen to go away proper after the solar dips, most of this half shall be in gray mild.
Mosquitos, sand flies, and different bugs additionally come out round nightfall and so that you wish to be transferring at the moment so that they don’t land on you! They did get fairly intense at Mistico and had us packing as much as go away loads quicker!
Greatest seaside bars and quiet spots
Though Secret Seaside is a public seaside, it appears your entire 25-mile stretch of sand has a seaside bar connected to it, and so that you’ll probably end up parked up in entrance of one in all them.
Though commercialized, it’s nonetheless fairly, and also you’ll rapidly be met by throngs of locals attempting to direct you to their bars. Every bar has a special vibe – some with loud music, some extra low-key – and all of them include some type of area to calm down, from partially submerged benches to hammocks, to swings to solar loungers.
Whenever you arrive into Secret Seaside, you possibly can flip left or proper to entry the seaside bars (brief highway both aspect). I counsel cruising alongside each till you discover the seaside bar that resonates most with you. You may at all times bounce to a different one all through the day!
It’s free to go to Secret Seaside, however in case you use one of many loungers or amenities of the bars, it’s anticipated that you simply order meals and drinks. As they’re in a first-rate location, the costs could be excessive (we skilled a fish taco plate for $25 USD), so issue this into your price range. Listed here are a few of our favourite spots alongside Secret Seaside:
Swing Bar
The primary bar we visited was the aptly named Swing Bar, which is known for its swings and hammocks over the water. It has a youthful, get together scene, with loud music, volleyball nets, and backpackers doing pictures at midday.
It wasn’t actually our vibe, as we have been travelling with our teenage daughters, but it surely was onerous to withstand getting a freshly squeezed jiuice and a photograph on the long-lasting swing seat within the water.
Swing Seaside and The Blue Bayou subsequent door are the most well-liked spots on Secret Seaside. Right here you will discover a DJ taking part in club-style music, picnic tables within the ocean, and the grilled seafood meals is alleged to be respectable (although costly).
And in case you’re up for it, you’ll obtain a welcome shot upon arrival – jungle inexperienced and able to elevate your spirits – it could entice you to do the crawl up the pole competitors without cost booze. Ah to be a twenty one thing backpacker once more!
Blue Bayou
One of many Secret Seaside bars we had famous down to go to was Blue Bayou. It’s simply the most effective setups in case you’re after that quintessential “desk within the water” expertise. Image this: waist-deep turquoise water, a wood desk and chairs planted proper within the shallows, and your server wading out to deliver your meals and drinks. It’s a reasonably unforgettable—and really Instagram-worthy—scene.
It’s positively extra of a novelty spot than a chill-out lounge like Mistico, however that’s what makes it enjoyable. If you wish to cool off within the water whereas sipping a cocktail and absorbing the full of life Secret Seaside vibe, Blue Bayou delivers. It’s the proper place to spend an hour or two, snap a couple of photographs, and revel in that “solely in Belize” type of second.
Mistico
We wished a extra chilled vibe to Swing Bar, so we headed additional south to Mistico, a comparatively new addition to Secret Seaside. The bar was tucked away from the opposite bars. You may’t see it, which is how lots of people miss it as you must proceed down what looks as if the tip of the highway, which winds round to its personal personal area on the nook of the bay. This helps to keep up its hidden secret standing … for now.
It had every thing we wished: entry to the pristine water, upscale loungers, scrumptious meals, and a laid-back vibe with out the blasting of digital music. After we visited, it had a reside saxophone participant and lounge music in between units. And better of all, you would nonetheless hear the sound of the breeze and waves.
It was so fantastically arrange for leisure, with swinging egg chairs, picnic tables, and hammocks within the water, and flower-covered mirrors to replicate that pure white sand. For teenagers, there have been video games like Jenga to play, and there was additionally a swimming pool. That is the aspect of the seaside you must go to if you wish to keep away from the events.
Secret Seaside Waterpark
These touring with youngsters might wish to take them to Secret Seaside Waterpark, the primary floating journey waterpark in Belize. It has a 9,000 sq. ft inflatable impediment course with slides, locations to climb, swing, and bounce within the ocean. The waterpark holds area for as much as 60 individuals! You do must pay a price to make use of the waterpark. I heard it was $40USD however do your due diligence as costs change. You can even hire jet skis and stand-up paddle boards from there.
Whereas the youngsters play, mum and pop might wish to get a therapeutic massage – sure, you learn that proper – from the therapeutic massage therapist on the dock. Secret Seaside Waterpark is certainly the place to go for households, particularly these with youthful youngsters. Our ladies wished to spend the day in Mistico as a substitute of right here, however they’ve skilled inflatable waterparks like this earlier than and LOVED them! Now they’re youngsters there pursuits are a little bit completely different.
Moist n Wild
Moist n Wild is on the southern finish of Secret Seaside earlier than the cove winds away out of sight to Mistico. We contemplated going right here as we have been capable of hear the reside music from Mistico – though we have been nonetheless hidden sufficient the place we couldn’t see them. What’s cool about this bar is the reside music was on a stage going through out to the water, so you would attend the live performance whereas swimming or floating!
Moist n Wild can be distinctive because it has a bar sitting within the water – however some complain that it’s a little bit slimy! #tobeexpected
Desire a espresso or mild breakfast and lunch bites? There’s a cafe at Secret Seaside! Harvest Cafe serves breakfast burritos, Avo tasted, wraps and salads. In addition they do espresso primarily based coffees, and I did see a flat white on the menu! We have been hoping to get one however settled for espresso martinis at Mistico as a substitute. Notice, costs are fairly steep!
Our Expertise Visiting Secret Seaside, Ambergris Caye
One of many highlights of our four-day trip on Ambergris Caye was our time stress-free as a household at Mistico on Secret Seaside. Truthfully, I don’t suppose we might have liked Secret Seaside almost as a lot if we hadn’t discovered it. Many of the different seaside bars felt a little bit too cramped, busy, and loud—excellent for these chasing a full of life, get together vibe. If I have been nonetheless a twenty-something backpacker, that may’ve been my jam for positive!
We did cease by Swing Bar for a bit—and it was value it for the Instagram pictures alone. As content material creators, we couldn’t resist the swings over the turquoise water, and our teen daughters have been simply as excited to seize their very own “postcards of at present” for his or her feeds. But it surely was a very cramped area, we might solely discover loungers in a bug-ridden nook, it was too busy, with too many younger partiers (no judgement, I say go for it, simply not what we wished.)
However Mistico was a totally completely different story. The second we arrived, we knew we’d discovered our spot and deserted the thought of exploring anyplace else. It had our type of power—relaxed, spacious, and fantastically styled with out being crowded. There have been loads of lounge chairs, light music, and room to breathe. And sure, it was simply as gorgeous for the Instagram feed!
The meals right here was one other nice shock—barely pricier, however completely value it. The nachos have been loaded with toppings (not the standard chips-with-a-hint-of-cheese state of affairs you typically get within the U.S.), and the cocktails have been thoughtfully crafted and scrumptious. And the service was wonderful – at all times checking in, however not too in your face. Positively manner higher than what we skilled on the Swing Bar.
We liked it a lot that we prolonged our golf cart rental simply to return the following afternoon for sundown at Mistico—the proper technique to say goodbye to lovely Ambergris Caye and San Pedro.
Issues to Do at Secret Seaside
Except for bar hopping, swimming, and snapping your Instagram-perfect photographs, there are a couple of different methods to take pleasure in Secret Seaside—whenever you’re not merely lounging the day away (in case you can snag a chair, that’s!).
Some seaside bars, like Swing Bar, have volleyball nets arrange proper within the water for a little bit of enjoyable between drinks. Just a few spots additionally hire out paddleboards and kayaks—we observed the signal at Mistico however determined to skip it this time in favor of pure leisure.
Secret Seaside isn’t actually the place for snorkeling, although. The water right here is shallow, sandy, and calm—nice for floating and cocktails, not coral. For snorkeling, you’ll wish to head to the east aspect of the island, simply ten minutes from the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef on this planet after Australia’s Nice Barrier Reef. (We share extra about that in our Issues to Do in San Pedro information.)
After all, some of the well-liked actions right here is eating at tables set within the water—everybody needs that postcard shot! Simply know that relying on the tide, issues can get a little bit slippery underfoot. And whereas the hammock within the water at Mistico makes for a dreamy picture, be ready to share it with a couple of pleasant bugs!
A Cease Enroute to Secret Seaside to Think about
We stopped in on the Truck Cease on the Approach to Secret Seaside for lunch (nice thought to refill and assist prevent cash at Secret Seaside) We did this on the second day, so we solely spent cash on sundown drinks at Mistico.
The Truck Cease is an island must-do: 4 meals vehicles in colourful transport containers, organized round a communal eating space with video games, a pool with swim-up bar, and even an outside 18ft film display screen out the again.
The domestically sourced meals choices embody Malaysian and Southeast Asian, Latin Fusion, pizza, ice cream and a bar! We had Pad Thai (which was surprisingly wonderful) and drinks whereas the women performed cornhole. The vibe was informal and enjoyable, although the mosquitoes have been ferocious, due to the mangroves behind it. Carry repellent!
We drove by once more that night and it was full of reside music taking part in within the meals truck space. It’s clearly a neighborhood hotspot after darkish. They’ve one thing taking place each evening from reside music to recreation exhibits, trivia, and film nights. So this shall be a terrific choice coming house from Secret Seaside as effectively.
The place to Keep at Secret Seaside
There are only a few choices for locations to remain at Secret Seaside. This may increasingly change within the close to future. We stayed on the Sunbreeze Lodge in San Pedro. We favored being close to the number of choices in San Pedro city after which being near the barrier reef. Nonetheless, since we did go to Secret Seaside two days in a row, it could have been a sensible choice to remain at a few of these Secret Seaside villas. Notice that the Secret Seaside bars and eating places normally shut at sundown, so if you wish to eat out for dinner, it is perhaps a problem … or contain a golf cart trip into city.
- Secret Seaside Cabanas: Boutique resort affords an intimate retreat with 4 unique trip leases situated on Secret Seaside.
- Casa Cava Mattress & Breakfast: Distinctive waterfront luxurious lodging with solar terrace, backyard, and out of doors swimming pool. Consists of Belizean or homestyle breakfast
- Villas Secreta Beachfront Resort: This resort has a swimming pool with a view, solar terrace, lush backyard. a personal seaside space, beachfront, and gorgeous sea views.
Extra Belize adventures
Listed here are different locations to go to and issues to do in Belize that we loved on our 7-day Belize Trip