La Perla Del Caribe, on Ambergris Caye, Belize, offers unmatched Caribbean vitality, tranquility and solitude, in the most idyllic
and undiscovered locale in the Caribbean.
Snorkeling and Diving
Snorkeling and diving aficionados will find the second largest barrier reef in the world just outside their villa door at La Perla Del Caribe. We offer underwater adventures for all skill levels and ages, including local marine parks for beginners and the renowned Great Blue Hole just an hour away for scuba experts.
Fishing Belize's Tropical Waters
Avid fly-fishermen will discover Belize's undisputed reputation for some of
the best bone fishing in the world. Chartered sport fishing expeditions of all kinds push off from and return to La Perla’s private dock.
Exploring the interior of Belize
Lush, tropical Belize invites you: exotic Mayan ruins, bird watching, inland
kayaking and caving tours, world renowned eco-tours, and more are within a day's
travel of La Perla Belize. La Perla’s talented concierge staff will be pleased to
arrange these or any other adventure expeditions for you.
Regional Overview
Belize, with a population of 250,000, is an English-speaking former British colony. It is a democratic
country with British-based legal, education, and economic systems. Belize has 9,000 square
miles of land (about the size of Massachusetts) and is located on the Caribbean Sea between
Mexico and Guatemala. Daily flights are available from Miami (a short 2 hours), Los Angeles,
Houston, Charlotte, and Dallas.
From its numerous ancient and dramatic Mayan ruins to the natural wonders of the unspoiled
jungle and the captivating waters of the Caribbean, Belize has quietly developed as one of the
Western Hemisphere’s most cherished travel destinations. And, evolving as Belize’s most exclusive
locale is the island of Ambergris Caye.
Ambergris Caye is the largest of 200 cayes along the coastline of Belize. The island is 25 miles
long, a little over 4 miles at its widest point and is located in crystal clear shallow waters of the
Caribbean Sea just off the tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
The coastline is protected by the 190 miles long Barrier Reef, the second largest living coral reef
in the world. In Mayan times, Ambergris Caye was a trading post. The Marco Gonzalez ruins at
the southern tip of the caye and the Basil Jones site to the north, as well as the many recently
excavated sites in the heart of San Pedro Town give evidence to a former Maya culture. Following
the Maya came the whalers and buccaneers and the ancestors of present day residents who were
fishermen and workers in the coconut plantations. Today tourism has replaced fishing as the
major source of income for the islanders although the mahogany skiffs are still in service for
charter fishing and diving.
San Pedro Town is the only primary business area on the island. Its atmosphere is that of a small
bustling village. The town is clustered with wooden houses, some with Mexican and Caribbean
decor, and some remnants of English colonial architecture. Numerous gift shops, boutiques, bars,
cafes, and restaurants run along the main streets. Just a short walk in town and you will experience
the friendliness of the people and enjoy the easy no-pressure lifestyle. Bare feet, tee-shirts,
and shorts can be quite typical of the daily island dress code.
The people of the island are called “Sanpedranos” and speak English, Spanish, Creole, and
Maya. Before tourism picked up in the eighties, the islanders were mostly Mestizos (Maya-
Spanish). Today they share their island with the Creole, Maya, American, Canadians, and Europeans
who have made Ambergris Caye their new home.
