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Don’t let the identify idiot you, Secret Seaside on Ambergris Caye in Belize would possibly simply be the worst-kept secret in Central America, however that’s all a part of its appeal. 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 means 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 may both occasion till daybreak, or chill out to the sounds of mild waves – relying on the place you park your seaside towel.

To be sure you discover the fitting buzz for you, we’ve ready this information on the way to get there, which seaside bars to go to, and a few important issues to find out about visiting. 

Wade in – the water’s not simply fantastic, it’s divine. 

Is Secret Seaside in Belize value visiting?

It’s no secret that Secret Seaside has been let nicely out of the bag. This as soon as hidden gem is now the most well-liked attraction on Ambergris Caye. With the increase of tourism and commercialization underway, chances are you’ll 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 despite the fact that it has been developed for tourism, you may nonetheless get pleasure from a slice of paradise. Secret Seaside is massive sufficient that you would be able to escape the crowds if you wish to, and despite the fact that there are a number of seaside bars alongside its shores, each has a special vibe, so you can see a spot that fits you.

It’s simple to see that Secret Seaside is a quickly creating space. I’m positive that if we have been to return in just a few years time, it might be extra constructed up with extra bars, watersports and actions, and extra lodging choices – that in the intervening time is kind of sparse. Though there are whispers of a Six Senses non-public waterfront resort neighborhood coming.

There’s additionally purpose why this not-so-secret seaside has turn out to be one of the crucial widespread spots on the island. It’s one of many few locations the place you may swim with out the deluge of seaweed. Yep, that is what they don’t let you know about this island paradise. 

Belize experiences a singular 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 without doubt one of the few locations that has year-round sargassum-free water. So when you’re dreaming of these crystal-clear, turquoise waters and powdery white sand backdrops, that is the place to seek out them.

How do you get to the Secret Seaside in Belize?

Secret Seaside is positioned 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 may’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 may see a crocodile on the facet of the highway close to the mangrove space! There may be numerous improvement occurring alongside this stretch and Secret Seaside itself, which is regarding what that can do to this space.

There are many indicators alongside the way in which pointing you within the Secret Seaside course. There are additionally a few bars if you wish to cease in in your means there or again – we noticed extra in there after their day at Secret Seaside.

Whereas Ambergris Caye does have some autos driving round, golf carts are the strategy to get round. You may’t stroll to Secret Seaside, it’s too far, and the warmth can be too sturdy. By golf cart, it takes roughly 35-45 minutes from San Pedro.

In addition to factoring golf cart rental prices, be conscious that it’s important to pay a toll payment to cross the tiny bridge from San Pedro to Secret Seaside, which prices $10 USD return.

Golf cart leases range dramatically in worth, so store round to seek out the very 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 got seen individuals on-line paying as much as $70 USD per day. We did go to within the low season although, so when you’re visiting in peak season, it might be extra.

Deluxe Golf Cart Leases have been good and dependable, and straightforward to speak with through 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 choose to not get a golf cart, then you will 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’ll 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 Assessment: Reasonably priced Beachfront Consolation in Belize

When to go to Secret Seaside

We extremely advocate you go to Secret Seaside as early as potential. Most individuals are likely to arrive after lunchtime, and so the morning is the very 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 this present day of the week.

If you happen to’re nervous to drive at evening, chances are you’ll wish to go away earlier than sundown. We stayed for sundown and it was beautiful, leaving simply after it. We felt completely fantastic driving again simply because it was heading into darkness, however remember that there might 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 working from Secret Seaside to the east coast might be dust with just a few bumps and potholes. If you happen to go away proper after the solar dips, most of this half might be in gray mild.

Mosquitos, sand flies, and different bugs additionally come out round nightfall and so that you wish to be shifting at the moment in order that they don’t land on you! They did get fairly intense at Mistico and had us packing as much as go away so much sooner!

Greatest seaside bars and quiet spots

Though Secret Seaside is a public seaside, it appears your complete 25-mile stretch of sand has a seaside bar hooked up to it, and so that you’ll most definitely end up parked up in entrance of one among 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 house to chill out, from partially submerged benches to hammocks, to swings to solar loungers.

If you arrive into Secret Seaside, you may flip left or proper to entry the seaside bars (quick highway both facet). 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 when you use one of many loungers or amenities of the bars, it’s anticipated that you just order meals and drinks. As they’re in a chief location, the costs might 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 legendary for its swings and hammocks over the water. It has a youthful, occasion 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, however it 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 can see 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 when you’re up for it, you’ll obtain a welcome shot upon arrival – jungle inexperienced and able to elevate your spirits – it might entice you to do the crawl up the pole competitors without spending a dime 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 probably the greatest setups when 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 convey 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 just a few pictures, and luxuriate in that “solely in Belize” sort of second.

Mistico

We needed 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 it’s important to proceed down what looks as if the tip of the highway, which winds round to its personal non-public house on the nook of the bay. This helps to keep up its hidden secret standing … for now.

It had every thing we needed: 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 stay 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 rest, with swinging egg chairs, picnic tables, and hammocks within the water, and flower-covered mirrors to mirror 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 facet of the seaside it’s best to go to if you wish to keep away from the events.

Secret Seaside Waterpark

These touring with kids 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 house for as much as 60 individuals! You do must pay a payment to make use of the waterpark. I heard it was $40USD however do your due diligence as costs change. It’s also possible to 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 unquestionably the place to go for households, particularly these with youthful children. Our women needed 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 in a position to hear the stay 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 stay 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. Additionally they do espresso based mostly 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. Word, 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 enjoyable as a household at Mistico on Secret Seaside. Actually, I don’t suppose we’d have beloved 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—good for these chasing a full of life, occasion vibe. If I have been nonetheless a twenty-something backpacker, that will’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 in the present day” for his or her feeds. However it was a extremely cramped house, we may 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 needed.)

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 wherever else. It had our sort of vitality—relaxed, spacious, and fantastically styled with out being crowded. There have been loads of lounge chairs, mild 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 same old chips-with-a-hint-of-cheese scenario you typically get within the U.S.), and the cocktails have been thoughtfully crafted and scrumptious. And the service was glorious – at all times checking in, however not too in your face. Undoubtedly means higher than what we skilled on the Swing Bar.

We beloved it a lot that we prolonged our golf cart rental simply to return the subsequent afternoon for sundown at Mistico—the proper strategy to say goodbye to stunning Ambergris Caye and San Pedro.

Issues to Do at Secret Seaside

Apart from bar hopping, swimming, and snapping your Instagram-perfect pictures, there are just a few different methods to get pleasure from Secret Seaside—whenever you’re not merely lounging the day away (when 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 seen the signal at Mistico however determined to skip it this time in favor of pure rest.

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 facet 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.)

In fact, one of the crucial widespread actions right here is eating at tables set within the water—everybody desires 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 just a few pleasant bugs!

A Cease Enroute to Secret Seaside to Contemplate

We stopped in on the Truck Cease on the Technique to Secret Seaside for lunch (nice concept to replenish 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 out the again.

The domestically sourced meals choices embrace Malaysian and Southeast Asian, Latin Fusion, pizza, ice cream and a bar! We had Pad Thai (which was surprisingly glorious) and drinks whereas the ladies performed cornhole. The vibe was informal and enjoyable, although the mosquitoes have been ferocious, because of the mangroves behind it. Convey repellent!

We drove by once more that night and it was filled with stay music taking part in within the meals truck space. It’s clearly a neighborhood hotspot after darkish. They’ve one thing occurring each evening from stay music to sport reveals, trivia, and film nights. So this might be an amazing choice coming dwelling from Secret Seaside as nicely.

The place to Keep at Secret Seaside

There are only a few choices for locations to remain at Secret Seaside. This will change within the close to future. We stayed on the Sunbreeze Lodge in San Pedro. We appreciated being close to the number of choices in San Pedro city after which being near the barrier reef. Nevertheless, since we did go to Secret Seaside two days in a row, it might have been a good selection to remain at a few of these Secret Seaside villas. Word that the Secret Seaside bars and eating places often shut at sundown, so if you wish to eat out for dinner, it is perhaps a problem … or contain a golf cart journey into city.

• Secret Seaside Cabanas: Boutique resort affords an intimate retreat with 4 unique trip leases positioned on Secret Seaside.
• Casa Cava Mattress & Breakfast: Distinctive waterfront luxurious lodging with solar terrace, backyard, and outside swimming pool. Contains 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