Ambergris Caye, Belize: The Storm Has Passed and We Are Open For Business

Hurricane Earl passed over the island Wednesday/Thursday of last week as a Category One leaving a mess on our beaches – and a community fired up to get things back to normal.  Much of the damage was to the coast line, the surge washed sand, sea grass, plants and whatever was in its way back but…

Here’s a photo from yesterday.  Sunday morning, August 7th.

Central Park, Downtown San Pedro

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Here are the facts:

  • the sun is shining
  • the water is clear
  • the island has water & electricity
  • all flights and water taxis are running
  • the community spirit is high
  • tours are going out and
  • the fishing is amazing (a post storm phenomena)…

If you have a trip planned (whether this week or in a month) or you are thinking of capitalizing on the low price summer fares to Belize, here are some things to consider…

  1.  We are open for business and the best way to support our beloved island is to visit – eat, go on tours, drink and have a great time.
  2. Talk to your hotel.  There are a few that are closed for clean-up.  But most are open and ready.  (Not to trick you into coming to a help them clean or to sleep in a room full of sand, I mean READY)
  3. If you have never been here, here is the list of 11 Things You MUST Do on Your First Visit to Ambergris Caye.  Today, three full days after Earl,  you can do 10/11 – Palapa Bar, the famous dock over the water, was very sadly washed away (though I know they will rebuild).  Almost all of the restaurants, bars, tours are up and ready to go.

The sharks are waiting for you.

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4.  If this is an island that you have visited before, HURRAY!  You love it.  And I know you want to support your friends (I’ve gotten SO many emails!) as life as we know it gets back to normal.

Trust me.  You will love it just as much…if not more.

Yesterday I had breakfast at Estel’s Dine by the Sea (#2 on my list on things to do on Ambergris Caye) and they are fully up and running.

You can see that they are moving buckets of sand to the front but otherwise…things are pretty much back to normal.  The fry jacks and burgers are just as delicious.

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And it was Sunday as usual…almost.  Many kids out in the water and many adults cleaning up the beach and re-building.

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The San Pedro Belize Express water taxi is now docking at the Municipal Pier – while their pier is repaired.

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You can see where the surge went.  Estel’s fence now sits a few feet above the sand.

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Later in the day, I walked down to Victoria House – the BEAUTIFUL resort just south of me – and they were bustling.  With people staying at the resort (they hosted a wedding just two nights ago) and those raking sand and cleaning the pool.

They are totally open for business and things look beautiful.

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Yes, one dock is wonky.

But one dock does not a vacation make.  Come down, visit…the storm HAS passed and we are open and MORE THAN READY for business.

And please PIN IT or share it if you agree.

Hurricane Earl passed over Ambergris Caye and there is damage...but let's dispel all the rumors.

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