San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize

BELIZE MISSION TRIP

TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING

Transportation fee housing- Revised 7/16/07

TRANSPORTATION:  Folks can fly direct from Belize International Airport to San Pedro - cost around $100US round-trip and takes 15 minutes.  You can check out current schedule and prices at: www.mayaislandair.com.  The last flight to San Pedro departs at 5:30pm so groups can arrive in San Pedro on the same day they fly into Belize.   Taxi to hotel - $3US per person round-trip.  Everything else is within walking distance.  The only reason you may need a taxi to the hotel is for your luggage.

You may choose to take the Water Taxi to San Pedro - cost round trip is $20US per person and takes about one and a half hours.  You will need to take a land taxi from the Airport to the Water Taxi dock in Belize City - costs $8US per person and takes about half an hour.  Contact Philip Elliott at: philstours@btl.net for reservations.  The last Water Taxi leaves at 4:30pm.

PROJECT FEE:  Each group is asked to donate $2,500US to the construction project.  This covers building materials, transportation of supplies and wages for the Belizean workers who assist each group.

LODGING in SAN PEDRO: The best hotel price I've found so far is Rubie’s Hotel.  It is in downtown San Pedro, right on the beach (smile) about a 15-minute walk (up the beach) to the work site, no AC but plenty of ocean breeze.  All rooms have private baths - 14 rooms with two beds cost $50US per room per night, double occupancy; 2 rooms with AC cost $55US per night.   Rubies is clean as can be and in a great location.  You can check it out on the web and contact them at: rubies@btl.net or 011-501-226-2063.

You might also want to check out the following hotels on the web.  All are centrally located, an easy walk to the school and 'Francis recommended' - a little more expensive but with ac!

Blue Tang www.bluetanginn.com 011-501-226-2326 On the beach, pool, ac

Coral Beach Hotel - most economical hotel with ac - about $65per room per night 
www.coralbeachhotel.com, 011-501-226-2013.  A block from beach, restaurant

Ramon's Village www.ramons.com 011-501-226-2071 On the beach, pool, ac, restaurant - a San Pedro tradition - lovely!

Sun Breeze Hotel www.sunbreeze.net 011-501-226-2191.  On the beach, pool, ac,
 restaurant - beautiful.

The Tides www.ambergriscaye.com/tides 011-501-226-2283. On the beach, pool, ac, breakfast included - very close to the School (This is my personal favorite!!)

Each group needs to make their own reservations, as all hotels in San Pedro require a credit card to book a reservation.  Deposit is usually one night room rate times the total number of rooms.

MEALS:  I'm estimating cost at $25US per person per day.  Breakfast, mid-morning snack and lunch will be provided at the school and prepared by our cooks - $12US per person, per day.   Dinner - lots of options from frugal $8 to $10US to elaborate and pricey.  

PURIFIED WATER:  Is available at the School for $10US per person for the week.  Tap water is perfectly safe for washing and brushing teeth.  It just doesn’t taste very good but is provided hygienically through a reverse osmosis process.  All restaurants use purified water (available in 5 gallon containers) for ice and drinks.  Bottled water is easily and economically available all over San Pedro.

SIGHTSEEING OPTIONS: Most recreational opportunities can be arranged from San Pedro including the wonderful Mayan ruins at Lamanai, cave tubing, the Natural Habitat Zoo, etc.   Of course all sorts of water sports - snorkeling, diving, wind surfing, swimming are available right in San Pedro.      

If your group would like, accommodations can be arranged at the Diocesan Guest House in Belize City at $15US per person per night.  Many groups choose to spend either their first or last night at the Guest House in order to attend Cathedral services or to have recreational opportunities more assessable - the Zoo, Old Belize, Altun Ha, Cave tubing, etc.  If you spend the first night in Belize City you can either fly or take the Water Taxi to San Pedro.

Please let me know your questions and we'll continue planning your mission trip!!!  Blessings, Francis Wilson: franciswilsonbelize@yahoo.com