Basics: The main way to navigate around the island is by golf cart. There are many rental companies located right near the boat terminal, along with additional options scattered around the island. We chose not to rent one for our full stay since we only needed it for a day or two. Instead, we arranged a cart through our resort. The rental company charged a $30 USD pickup and return fee, so we didn’t need to travel into town to collect or return it ourselves, very convenient.

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You’re in the tropics, even if you’re not staying near the rainforest, so bug repellent is a must, especially around sunset or during rainy weather. We learned the hard way about “no-see-ums,” tiny sand flies smaller than mosquitoes with much itchier bites. The bites often don’t appear until a couple of days later and can be extremely irritating. We spent the week after our trip trying every anti-itch cream in the pharmacy. Do yourself a favor and spray yourself from head to toe every time you go out, they can even bite through clothing.

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English is widely spoken in Belize (along with several other languages), so getting around and communicating is easy. The locals are extremely friendly and happy to help with directions and recommendations.

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We didn’t have a hard time bringing food into the country. However, we did read beforehand that customs will sometimes confiscate food items. In our case, everything we packed was vacuum-sealed or fully cooked and frozen. We went through regular customs with nothing to declare and had no issues, but keep in mind that enforcement can vary, so there is always some risk.

If you plan to bring your own food, it’s smart to make sure everything is tightly sealed, clearly packaged, and preferably cooked or commercially prepared.

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We had also planned to buy a small or disposable grill locally, since our research suggested they were widely available in San Pedro. Once we arrived, we discovered that disposable grills are actually very hard to find. We eventually located a much larger and more expensive grill at a hardware store, which was more than we wanted or needed.

If you’re traveling to Belize and expect to grill your own food, we strongly recommend packing a few disposable grills in your suitcases to save time, money, and hassle.

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Minyan: Chabad of Belize, located in San Pedro, often hosts Shabbos minyanim. It’s best to contact the Rabbi before your trip to confirm times and availability.

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Kosher Food: Chabad offers takeout options and also operates a restaurant called Kosher VIP.

In addition, we found many OU-certified products in several supermarkets around the island, making it easier to stock up on basics.

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Weather: The weather in San Pedro is tropical and warm year-round. We visited in February and found the humidity to be on the lower side, making it very comfortable. During the rainy season, however, it can be quite humid and sticky. Locals told us that the rainy season used to run from June through November, but in recent years it has typically been shorter, roughly September through November, giving travelers a longer planning window.

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Hotels & Attractions: We stayed at Reef Haven Resort, located at the northern tip of Ambergris Caye. There are many hotels and resorts within San Pedro offering beautiful accommodations across a wide range of budgets. We chose Reef Haven because we wanted the secluded, private atmosphere the resort provides.

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