The Paradise Villas townhouses are located 100 feet from the best dive and snorkling guides in Belize. The big reefs are directly in front of San Pedro and our property, about one-quarter mile offshore.

We have installed artificial reefs along our beachfront, and they are well established with fish. In any event, there are many great snorkeling areas within a 5-minute boat ride. We can hook you up with an excellent guide.

We will meet you at the San Pedro Airport and be available during your stay to assist you. My contact information is: Email nellie@btl.net, phone 011-501-226-2087, fax 011-501-226-2400, or cell phone 011-501-610-5699.

The rate per apartment per day includes maid service. There are no additional charges, but there is a 9% government tax. The normal deposit is 3 nights, with balance due 30 days before arrival. We accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.

We are 100 yards from shopping, and a 5-minute walk from restaurants and other night life. Although we are on the edge of San Pedro Town, the Paradise Villas compound is secure and quiet. There is no food service in the Paradise compound, but numerous restaurants are close by. Each unit has a complete kitchen.

Numerous day-tours are available, both to mainland locations such as Mayan Ruins, and to outer reefs if you are interested.

PARADISE VILLAS, SAN PEDRO, AMBERGRIS CAYE, BELIZE MOST OF WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (more available on request)

Several units have two one-bedroom suites, each with a living room/kitchen and a roofed front porch. The downstairs unit has a larger living room (with a queen Murphy bed to readily accommodate four persons).

The units are in virtually like-new condition. Kitchen and bathrooms, furniture, woodwork, windows, etc. are in flawless condition. A local manager (Nellie Gomez) and daily maid service keep it that way for you during your visit.

THE ISLAND, WATERFRONT AND WATER SPORTS

San Pedro, at the south end of Ambergris Caye, is the island's only town. Ambergris is 20 miles long and less than a mile wide in most places. A barrier reef runs the length of the island, 1/4 mile offshore to the east. Inside the barrier reef the water is relatively shallow and the waves are modest.

Paradise Villas has its own 150-foot pier for swimming and fishing, with an artificial reef for readily-accessible snorkeling. The massive and varied scuba diving sites are just outside the barrier reef, a 5-10 minute boat ride away.

For scuba, snorkeling and all other water sports, there are numerous local guides, we have dive packages with Capt. Ron's Reef Adventures!  Other popular activities include deep-sea fishing, catamaran sailing, jungle river trips to a Mayan ruin (a must!).  Nellie can arrange day trips to the Belize mainland or to Tikal, Guatemala.

THE TOWN, RESTAURANTS, BARS, DISCOS, GIFT SHOPS

Following is a brief overview about San Pedro. (The currency, Belize dollars, is steady at $2 BZ for $1 US. Don't worry about changing money -every place in Belize accepts US money and gives you Belize $ change.)

San Pedro Town itself is three streets wide and 1/2 mile long. Everything you need is within easy walking distance: restaurants, bars, stores, galleries, gift shops, etc. Locals and tourists all spend a lot of time outdoors and the streets are alive with people 18 hours a day (but never crowded). Just walking around San Pedro is one of the primary vacation entertainments.

There is a wide variety of good restaurants, from $5 to $25 US, with Belizean, Italian, American and Continental food. (Most restaurants have a range of offerings.) There are numerous bars, many on the water, and live music is frequently found. Two discos are available for the energetic.

South of San Pedro, beachfront resorts and a few interesting restaurants are scattered along the 4- mile coast. But it's a boring neighborhood compared to San Pedro. The Paradise Villas are located at the North end of San Pedro Town. Further north is a 1/2-mile residential area, then the San Pedro River. Beyond the river is 20 miles of Caye with no roads or vehicles. North of the River are isolated resorts; a few interesting restaurants are within a short water-taxi ride. (Actually you can cross the River on a small ferry with a golf cart, bicycle, or on foot and go to the high-quality Sweet Basil Deli 1/2 mile north.

TRANSPORTATION AROUND SAN PEDRO

Everything you need is within an easy 5 to 10 minute walk. To travel further or faster, rent a golf cart (at the north end of Front street) or a bicycle (talk to Nellie Gomez). Or hail one of the automobile taxis. (Standard fare is $5 Bz = $2.50 US.)

TRANSPORTATION TO SAN PEDRO

Getting there: Fly to Belize City on American or Continental from many U.S. locations, or on TACA Airlines from New Orleans/Houston.

From Belize International fly Maya Island Air to San Pedro (011-501-226-2435-9 fax 011-501-226-2945). Costs about $94 US round trip. If you e-mail your international air itinerary to Nellie Gomez, she will make Maya Island Air reservations for you to pick up and pay for at the Maya Island ticket counter. (As you leave customs, turn left and go through the inside door to enter the departure terminal, rather than leaving the airport).

We will meet you at the San Pedro airport and take you to the Paradise Villas.

For in-country travel, such as a trip to the Maruba Jungle Spa, talk to Nellie Gomez.

LIVING IN OUR UNITS: WHAT'S THERE, WHAT TO BRING, WHAT TO SHOP FOR

Most bedrooms have queen or king beds, and the units have a high-quality wall bed or sofa bed in the living room. We provide towels, sheets, and maid service daily days (or less often if you prefer).

Kitchens are equipped with high quality equipment: stove, refrigerator, coffee maker, blender, toaster, and all glasses, dishes and tableware. Groceries are available at north end of Front street (100 yards away), or from numerous other food stores in town.

There are wall-mounted air conditioners, but in winter you probably won't want to use them. Most units have cable TV, with a good array of US channels.

For phone service, we have installed a telephone booth inside the property.

For a special treat, Nellie can provide information on massages, rainforest beauty treatments, and traditional-healer herbal consultations.

WEATHER, CLOTHING

Winter days are in the 80s: warm in the sun, very comfortable in the shade. Prevailing onshore breezes increase the comfort. Standard clothing -- shorts and t- shirts.

General rule: bring fewer clothes than you think you need and nothing formal.

One tip: leave your winter coat in your car or a hometown airport locker. Wear a sweatsuit layer for the airplane over a tropical layer for Belize arrival. When the plane lands in Belize City, take off the sweatsuit layer before you get off the plane,

The prevailing wind also means there are very few insects in San Pedro. For the 1/2 hour mosquito visit at dusk, bring repellent.

WATER AND HEALTH

We use purified rainwater for all kitchen and washing purposes. San Pedro has drinkable city water. Bottled drinking water is in ample supply in grocery stores and restaurants.

San Pedro has good basic medical and pharmacy services. Hospital is back in Belize City, so try to avoid major illness.

We have never heard that vaccinations are needed, but you can ask the CDC or your doctor.