Secret Beach Belize: 5 Things to Know

Ambergris Caye, Belize is just 25 miles long and about a mile wide, so it’s super easy to navigate. You’d have to try pretty hard to get lost.

San Pedro, the main town, is only three streets wide, and one of the best parts of being here is that you get around by golf cart.

Unless you’re staying right at Secret Beach, you’ll want to rent one to get there, and they’re a blast to drive!

We booked ours through our hotel (now the Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection) for convenience, but you can also check out top-rated local spots like MK Golf Cart Rental.

Expect to pay around $70 USD per day, and most companies will either pick you up from the airport or drop the cart right at your hotel.

Before we jump into directions to Secret Beach, here’s a quick lay of the land.

San Pedro is the main hub on Ambergris Caye, and when people talk about the “north” or “south” part of the island, they mean north or south of San Pedro. A bridge connects the two sides, and it’s BZ$5 to cross.

You’ll also hear about the “reef side” (eastern side) and the “lagoon side” (western side) of the island. Secret Beach sits on the lagoon side, north of town.

From San Pedro, you’ll head north, then cut west toward the lagoon. Once you leave the paved streets, you’re in for a mix of dirt roads and a VERY bumpy ride.  But that’s part of the fun when you’re bouncing along in a golf cart.

From our hotel, it took us about 45 minutes to reach Secret Beach.

When you roll up to Secret Beach, you’ll quickly notice locals acting as unofficial “security” and trying to steer you toward a specific bar.

My advice? Take a quick walk and check them all out before committing. They each have their own vibe.

Some spots are polished (and pricey), others are more rustic, and a few crank up the music for a full-on club scene.

We ended up at Blue Bayou, and it was exactly our speed. Relaxed, laid-back, and far from the spring break crowd. The music was chill, the staff was super friendly, and the cocktails hit the spot.

The best part? Their tables are in the water.

Yep, you can sit waist-deep in calm, crystal-clear water while waiters wade out to deliver your drinks and food. The sandy bottom was perfect (no sharp rocks), and we even spotted a few tropical fish swimming under the tables.

Oh, and the shrimp tacos? Delicious.

This was 100% my kind of place.

If you’ve got your heart set on one of those in-water tables, get there early. We aimed for 11 a.m., snagged a spot with no problem, and were glad we did.

By the time we left around 2:45 p.m., every table was taken.

Plan your exit too.

Mosquitoes here don’t mess around, and if you’re like me (apparently an all-you-can-eat buffet for them), you’ll want to head out well before dusk.

Plus, that 45-minute bumpy golf cart ride is much more fun in daylight.

For us, about four hours at Secret Beach was perfect. Plenty of time to swim, eat, sip cocktails, and still make it back before the bugs (and darkness) set in.

I’d heard that Sundays can get busier since more locals have the day off.

We didn’t go on a Sunday, so I can’t confirm firsthand, but I can say that on a Monday at 11 a.m., we had no trouble grabbing a table and getting great service.

Secret Beach was 100% worth the trip for us, and that’s coming from someone who’s picky about how I spend my vacation time.

Grab a golf cart, embrace the bumpy ride (consider it part of the charm), and scope out the bars before committing. Whether you want a lively scene or a chilled-out spot with your toes in the water and a cocktail in hand, you’ll find your place.

If you’re building your trip, my 6-day Ambergris Caye itinerary has all my favorite eats, drinks, and adventures. The good stuff that makes a trip unforgettable.

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Have you been to Secret Beach? What was your favorite bar?

Let me know in the comments below!