Ocean Tide Beach Resort

Much like Ambergris Caye itself, Ocean Tide Beach Resort has an easy-breezy atmosphere that’s perfectly conducive to island life. Its three-story, balcony-lined building could pass for simple beach condos. The hotel doesn’t have a formal lobby, instead guests are welcomed outside by the pool. It's an inviting spot with low-slung loungers, hammocks, and teal-and-orange fabric panels adding a heavy dose of color, all bordered by palm trees and facing the pale blue waters of the beach just beyond. After checking in, new arrivals are invited to enjoy a free welcome drink by the bar while staff members provide information about the local area. Guests come from all over the United States and Canada, and many are young budget travelers and/or avid scuba divers.  

Ocean Tide Beach Resort is located on the beach in San Pedro town on Ambergris Caye. Ocean Tide is within walking distance of great restaurants, fun bars, large grocery stores, and a handful of dive shops. Guests who plan on exploring the farther reaches of Ambergris Caye can rent a golf cart (the only form of motorized transportation on the island) at one of the nearby supermarkets. 

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. This 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. It’s not 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 Ocean Tide -- are used as a thoroughfare for golf cart traffic.  

The ramshackle town of San Pedro is a sight to behold. Brightly colored facades line the sandy streets, where golf cart traffic crisscrosses between pedestrians, cyclists, and street dogs. San Pedro is exciting, and frenetic, but it’s probably not the best spot on the island for rest and relaxation. Travelers seeking quieter surroundings should head north or south of town, where the atmosphere mellows significantly.  

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.  

Though the rooms at Ocean Tide aren't exactly fashion-forward, they’re perfectly pleasant for sleeping and showering and are spotlessly clean. Beige walls and cream colored bedding create a simple backdrop, but original hardwood floors and dark crown molding add a bit of character. Beds are topped with colorful throw pillows, which also add a much-needed hit of color. Rooms are equipped with one king, two doubles, or two doubles and a twin bed, and come with nice amenities like wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and air-conditioning. White-tiled bathrooms have shower tub combos and small vanities, but like rooms they're low-frills overall. Outside, outdoor hallways serve as shared balconies and offer beautiful pool and ocean views. The best views are on the third floor, but guests should note that the property does not have an elevator. 

Ocean Tide’s star feature is its pool. It’s small, but that doesn’t stop guests from flocking to it. The rectangular pool is surrounded by a sundeck, where hammocks hang between wooden posts and adirondack chairs are arranged near the bar. Billowy tangerine and aqua colored curtains brighten up the area and provide some privacy from the street. The Lazy Pelican is the poolside bar, where guests start sipping tropical cocktails by early afternoon. Across the street, a sturdy dock extends into the ocean. Guests can use the dock for swimming and sunbathing, but most choose to stick around the pool. Ocean Tide doesn’t offer breakfast (most hotels in the area don’t), but it does have free Wi-Fi, which works well in the rooms and around the pool.