This little-known Caribbean island with pristine beaches is breaking tourist records

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Are you tired of the usual Cancuns and Punta Canas, with the crowded resorts, bachelor parties and debauchery all week long?

This lesser-known island in the Caribbean, with virtually untouched beaches, turquoise waters and authentic culture still has fewer crowds and affordable prices in 2026, but you better get there quickly: it is is growing in popularity faster than ever.

Located off the coast of Belize, Ambergris Caye has officially been crowned the country’s number one destination. The news was announced by Belize itself Tourist Office (BTB), which predicts an even stronger year:

Where is Belize even?

Let’s be real for a moment: unless you’re a geography buff or have been on one of the ultra-luxurious Royal Caribbean cruises, chances are you’ve only vaguely heard of Belize.

Pressed between the Caribbean Sea and Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula – the same area where our beloved Cancun is located – it is one small nationstands about the size of New Hampshiresparsely populated and almost completely covered by jungle.

People go to Belize for different reasons: if they’re there on business, they’ll likely spend most of their time in the financial center of Belize City. For tourists who would like to explore the ancient Mayan ruins, you can find them in the Altun Ha or Caracol archaeological zones.

If they’re looking for some much-needed relaxation and some quality time in the sun, then chances are Ambergris Caye is where they go:

One of the last truly untouched Caribbean islands

With pristine white sands unfurling along a crystal clear sea, endless rows of palm trees and undeveloped fishing villages that have not yet been completely rid of gentrification, this is the kind of island you escape to when the speed of the modern world starts to get to you.

According to BTB, of the 551,698 total visitors staying overnight in Belize in 2025, Ambergris Caye accounted for almost 28% of all guests. In their own words, San Pedro (the largest settlement on the island) is ‘the place where everyone who visits Belize wants to go’.

Ambergris Caye is special because it really packs a punch lot into one surprisingly small island, stretching 40 kilometers or a little more 1 mile wide:

• It is the largest island in Belize and San Pedro is a major tourist destination
• It is located next to Belize’s Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world
• Laid-back Caribbean vibe: think golf carts instead of cars, barefoot luxury and zero stress
• Secret beaches that remain virtually quiet
• A fascinating mix of cultures: Caribbean, Mayan, Latin and combined

This Is what you visit Ambergris Caye for

Of course, you can’t visit Ambergris Caye without visiting San Pedro, the largest coastal town. It is known for its lively streets, with colorful buildings full of street art, beachside vendors selling fresh fruit and local snacks, and… zoomchaos on the golf cards.

If you’ve been to Isla Mujeres in Mexico, you know it.

Ambergis Caye isn’t exactly known for its abundance of ancient ruins, unlike mainland Belize, but it does have a charming Roman Catholic Church of San Pedro.Caribbean-simple, but historic– and traditional bars on piers, like Papala Bar & Grill, where you can literally drink over the water

The island’s biggest draw, however, is its breathtaking nature, especially around the Hol Chan Marine Reserve: there are numerous dive sites around the park, but for a better chance of seeing those sea turtles, eagle rays and colorful fish, head straight to Coral Reef Zone A.

In Shark Ray Alley, the most adventurous among us can swim with nurse sharks and stingrays in shallow, crystal clear waters. It is one of the most touristic places on the island, but if you have a huge passion for marine life, it’s a must see.

Amazing Beaches galore

As beautiful as Hol Chan may be, it doesn’t exactly have beaches in the traditional sense of the word. For the white sand and palm trees typical of Belize, it is best to take the winding coastal road that leads to Secret Beach.

Not exactly secret, with all the floating bars around, but i.eIt still feels like a relief compared to the main beach in Cancun, or any of the average Mexican Caribbean resorts. Again, Belize is visited by about half a million people every year.

For even quieter On the coast, North Ambergris Caye, near the aptly named Tranquility Bay, has a string of natural, postcard-like beaches and fewer swimmers, while Bacalar Chico, to the north, can only be described as remote and wild.

Zero crowds, rugged nature and turquoise seas. It is also right next to the Bacalar Chico National Park of the same name, famous for its mangroves, reefs and big-toothed crocodiles. But don’t worry: the beaches are safe for swimming.

How much does it cost to visit Ambergris Caye?

Ambergris Caye isn’t exactly the cheapest place to visit in Belize, especially compared to Caye Caulker and Placencia Peninsula, which isn’t actually an island, but an island-like peninsula on the mainland.

That said, you can travel on a budget, and so can you eat local and stay basic:

Average prices in Ambergris Caye

Why visit Belize this season

Moreover, Ambergris Caye is one low-risk destination for international tourists. Crime on the island is limited and most visitors report feeling safe during their holiday.

It’s a bit out of the way, considering there are no nonstop flights, and if you go there you’ll probably have to land in Belize City (BZE) first and then take a short domestic ‘hopper’ flight to Ambergris Caye.

Additionally, English is widely spoken on the island (Belize is an English-speaking country after all), the tourist zones are well equipped with restaurants, bars and modern amenities, and dollars are accepted in most locations, making Ambergris Caye a very convenient Caribbean escape.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior head writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60 countries to his name (and is currently weaving stories from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.