Sunrise Over San Pedro
Few experiences are as lovely as waking up to the sun’s rays shining on your face. It’s especially enjoyable when it happens on the balcony of your accommodations at The Phoenix Resort, with a view of palm trees and the crystal-clear waters of San Pedro, Belize. San Pedro, a hip town on the southern part of the island of Ambergris Caye, has a range of activities and restaurants that will keep even the most seasoned travelers awed.
Sunrise
Swimming With Sharks
No trip to San Pedro would be complete without a visit to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. Depending on the location of your hotel, a simple walk along the white sand beaches of the town will lead you to numerous companies who specialize in diving and snorkeling trips. This included seeing sea turtles, barracudas, sharks, and stingrays over the course of a forty-minute swim. For those who are interested in getting close to the wildlife, at the end of the expedition, you will have an opportunity to touch onto sharks and stingrays.
Swimming With Sharks
Streets of San Pedro
After filling much of the morning with swimming and sunning, it’s a smart move to navigate the shop-filled streets of San Pedro in search of lunch. Be sure to keep your wits about you during your walk, as golf carts—which can be rented on the island—are often whizzing bye.
Our landing spot for the afternoon was Elvi’s Kitchen. The restaurant evokes a feeling of home both in its presentation and cuisine. Started by Elvi Staines and her family, the establishment has become the most famous restaurant on the island. Patrons can select from a wide range of fresh seafood, which is prepared with a local touch. On this day, the ceviche, conch, and coconut curry shrimp were particularly memorable.
Parasailing
If you’re looking for some excitement after lunch, parasailing in the early evening provides a unique experience. Either solo or pairs, participants secured in their parasailing gear will be launched off their boats and over the waters of Belize. There is a slight adrenaline rush after liftoff, but a relative calm sets in while looking over the blue waters and island formations off the coast of the Central American nation. The activity is also considered to be safe, and people of various ages and abilities will be able to participate.
The Phoenix Resort (See also featured photo at the top)
Minor updates and edits were made from the original article.
Photos © Gennaro Salamone
This stay (press trip) to Belize was courtesy of the Belize Tourism Board.
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Gennaro Salamone is the founder and editor of Enduring Wanderlust. Please contact him with questions regarding article or photo submissions.