Mayan Princess Hotel

For a small-scale hotel, the Mayan Princess makes a bold first impression. Its bright pink exterior feels perfectly suited for San Pedro’s colorful streets, and its tiny lobby is equally vibrant, with a bright pink accent wall and vivid local artwork. That said, there's little else that sets the tone here, because the hotel doesn’t really have any communal spaces, save for a beach dock with lounge chairs. Because of this, the majority of guests spend their days off-property or within their condo. Perhaps as a result, the hotel is quiet, and suitable for couples, friend groups, and families.  

The Mayan Princess is a beachfront property in the middle of San Pedro. It’s 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. 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 it's 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 most of the beaches in San Pedro town are used as a thoroughfare for golf-cart traffic -- though the one in front of the Mayan Princess is closed to golf carts. 

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.  

Rooms at the Mayan Princess are individually owned timeshare units, so decor and amenities can vary a bit. Generally speaking, decor is dated and rooms could use a little sprucing up. Expect some dark-wood paneling and molding, and in most rooms, prehistoric air-conditioning units. Some rooms feature updated bathrooms, handsome rattan furniture, and kitchenettes with granite counters and mosaic tile back splashes, but others have tube TVs and futons. Rooms are long, narrow spaces where the bedroom area is separated from the living space by a half wall. All are considered studios but different types have different sized beds (a King Studio has a king size bed, a Queen Studio has a queen size bed, etc.). A few have additional bunk rooms, which are ideal for families. Kitchenettes are equipped with flatware and cutlery, pots and pans, basic cooking utensils like ladles and spatulas, and small appliances like microwaves, toasters, coffeemakers, and mini fridges. All have two-burner electric hobs. While bathroom finishes vary, all have the same layout. Vanities are open to the bedroom area, while shower stalls and toilets are tucked into their own enclosed space. Outside, spacious balconies overlook the beach -- all rooms at the Mayan Princess are oceanfront. 

There isn’t much to speak of when it comes to amenities at the Mayan Princess. The beachfront hotel has a beautiful dock that extends over the water and is lined with white wooden lounge chairs -- but that’s about it apart from free Wi-Fi that works in the lobby and throughout the rooms. There aren’t any additional features such as a pool, restaurant or breakfast service. Thankfully the prime location downtown means there are tons of bars, eateries, and supermarkets within walking distance.