Blue Tang Inn

If you’ve ever seen “Finding Nemo,” you’re likely familiar with the character Dory, a blue tang fish with a sunny disposition and a bit of a memory problem. Though Blue Tang Inn existed long before the Disney character, the hotel somehow reminds us of her playful spirit. Blue Tang Inn’s entrance on the beach is marked by a tiled archway that features a hand-painted mermaid surrounded by tropical sea life. Past the archway is a central courtyard, where brightly colored fish-shaped chairs are arranged around an activities board. The bright colors and quirky island vibe continue in the lobby, a small reception space covered in mermaid tchotchkes and vibrant beach paintings. 

The atmosphere around Blue Tang Inn is quiet and relaxing. The majority of guests at the hotel are couples, and it seems as though they spend most spend of their time off property, exploring the island or taking advantage of Blue Tang’s private boat charters. In the afternoons, guests come back to the hotel to hang around the pool or enjoy cocktails on the rooftop sundeck. 

Located on the southern end of San Pedro’s main beachfront drag, Blue Tang Inn feels like it’s in the center of everything San Pedro has to offer. There are restaurants and supermarkets nearby, beachfront bars next door, and several dive shops within walking distance. Golf carts and bicycles are constantly whizzing past the property, and there’s usually a continuous stream of people walking around. But thanks to a white picket fence that surrounds the property, and swaths of mature palm trees, Blue Tang Inn feels a bit more private than nearby hotels. Still, the ramshackle town of San Pedro has a frenetic energy that’s hard to ignore, so it’s not the best spot on the island for those seeking serenity. Travelers in search of quieter surroundings should head north or south of town, where the atmosphere mellows significantly. 

San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, Belize’s largest island. Ambergris Caye is best known for its proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef, which is a mere 20-minute boat ride from the island. The Belize Barrier Reef is part of the larger Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which extends from eastern Mexico to Honduras -- making it the second largest reef system in the world, after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Needless to say, travelers visit Ambergris Caye to experience its rich marine life and exceptional dive sites, such as Hol Chan and the Blue Hole. Ambergris Caye is an ideal destination for divers and avid snorkelers, and is an excellent place for those seeking scuba certification. The caye isn't an ideal destination for travelers in search of beautiful beaches (check out Placencia or Hopkins instead). Nearly all of Ambergris Caye’s beaches are manmade, and the beaches in San Pedro town -- like the one in front of Blue Tang Inn -- are used as a thoroughfare for golf cart traffic. 

Like many parts of the Caribbean, Ambergris Caye is currently dealing with a massive seaweed problem. Due to rising ocean temperatures, large amounts of seagrass accumulate along the shoreline and wash up on the beach. The piles of dried seagrass are unsightly and foul smelling, and the problem seems particularly bad on the northern end of the island. The stagnant seaweed prevents a lot of people from swimming directly off shore, and the sulfurous smell may aggravate some travelers more than others. This is a natural phenomenon, and there isn’t much hotels can do to get rid of the seaweed, but it’s something travelers should anticipate when visiting Ambergris Caye.  

Blue Tang Inn’s light and bright exterior decor doesn’t continue inside its rooms. Instead, lots of wood paneling and dark colors make rooms feel sort of gloomy -- especially on the ground floor, where low ceilings have a basement-like feel. Fortunately, rooms on the second and third floors have vaulted ceilings that make spaces feel much larger. We’d recommend booking a room with a balcony to take advantage of the hotel’s outdoor space as much as possible -- though it should be noted that some balconies are really shared outdoor hallways. All rooms are studio units with full kitchens, a dining table, futon, and either one king or two queen-size beds. Rooms aren’t huge, so families may want to consider renting two units. 

Beds are dressed in blue-and-green striped quilts, and make the already dark rooms feel darker. Big, bulky furniture also makes them feel tight on space. Not all rooms are equipped with TVs, but oddly enough, guests can rent TVs for a daily fee. On the bright side, kitchens are fully equipped with everything guests might need to prepare meals: pots and pans, cutlery, small appliances like coffeemakers, microwaves, blenders, and toasters, and kitchen gadgets like lighters, bottle and can openers, and vegetable peelers. Bathrooms are decently sized and feature jetted tub/shower combos, but the beige tile work and dark wood cabinetry look dated. It should be pointed out that some guests complain about street noise around the hotel at night, but unfortunately in San Pedro town, street noise is nearly unavoidable. 

Features at Blue Tang Inn are hit-or-miss. The tiny lightbulb-shaped pool overlooks the beach and is surrounded by lounge chairs and bright blue umbrellas. Many guests spend their days off property, but return in the afternoon to relax by the pool. The pool area also has a communal grill and outdoor tables where guests can barbecue and eat dinner. The beach in front of the hotel, like nearly all the beaches on Ambergris Caye, is manmade. The beach isn’t the prettiest -- there’s a concrete seawall and a constant stream of pedestrian traffic -- but its subpar looks don’t stop guests from using it. We wouldn’t recommend swimming directly offshore, since there’s usually tons of seaweed. Better swimming conditions can be found at the end of the nearby public docks. 

One of Blue Tang’s greatest features is its 40 foot sailboat, Sirena Azul. Guests can book private charters or reserve a spot on one of the boat’s half- or full-day trips. The hotel organizes excursions to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley, Mexico Rocks, and nearby Caye Caulker. The sailboat can also take guests on boozy sunset cruises that include beer, rum, and snacks.  

Blue Tang Inn offers free daily breakfast and free Wi-Fi for all guests. Breakfast is served as a small buffet beneath a tiny thatched-roof structure across from the pool. Breakfast includes mostly cold items like cereal, muffins, and fresh fruit, but also includes one hot item daily, like eggs, pancakes, or french toast. The Wi-Fi is free and works well in the rooms and across the property.