Island Craft & Cacao Trail

The shift from Ambergris Caye’s turquoise waters to its artisanal heart reveals a side of San Pedro that many travelers bypass in favor of golf cart racing and beach bars. This route focuses on the tangible heritage of the island—specifically the Mayan-rooted cacao industry and the tactile craftsmanship of the local woodworking community. It starts with the bean-to-bar process at the Belize Chocolate Company, a family-owned operation that has anchored the beachfront since 2007 Belize Chocolate Company. While most visitors stop for a quick truffle, the $25 BZD chocolate-making class provides an unmatched technical deep-dive into the transition from raw bean to tempered bar Belize Chocolate Company…. Moving inland, the route transitions from taste to texture. The island’s art scene is often dominated by mass-produced trinkets, but Belizean Arts and the San Pedro Artisans Market serve as filters for genuine quality. The logic here is simple: skip the online window shopping and engage with the physical objects. The wood and stone carvings found at Belizean Arts are heavy, high-quality pieces that demand in-person inspection. This path concludes at Caye Coffee Roasting Company, which acts as the industrial bookend to the afternoon. By walking the length of the town center toward the roasting facility, one transitions from the curated boutiques of the north to the hardworking, aromatic production floor where the island’s caffeine supply is actually manufactured.

What to Expect

Expect about 1.8 miles of walking on flat but occasionally dusty streets shared with golf carts. The budget is modest; the chocolate class is roughly $12.50 USD, and a coffee-and-cookie break is under $10 USD. Most vendors at the Artisans Market prefer cash (BZD or USD are both accepted 2:1). Timing is critical—the route should be completed before 4:00 PM to ensure the coffee roastery hasn't closed for the day or the weekend.

The Route

1

Belize Chocolate Company

86

Navi Walkability Score

Path Popularity99

Infrastructure67

Terrain100

Safety72

Lighting88

Amenities100

Transit77

"Skip the generic souvenirs and jump into the $15 chocolate-making class; it's the best value on the island and the dark chocolate truffles are a literal legal high."

30-45 min4 min

4 min · 380 m86

2

Belizean Arts

86

Navi Walkability Score

Path Popularity99

Infrastructure67

Terrain100

Safety72

Lighting88

Amenities100

Transit77

"A goldmine for wood carvings and stone lamps, but skip the email tag—you have to buy in person since the owner is notoriously hard to reach online."

30-45 min5 min

5 min · 382 m85

3

San Pedro Artisans Market

85

Navi Walkability Score

Path Popularity84

Infrastructure58

Terrain100

Safety75

Lighting88

Amenities100

Transit77

"Prices fluctuate based on the crowd, so visit on a quiet day to score the best deals on handmade souvenirs. Bring cash and look for the vendors crafting unique items right at their stalls for pieces you won't find in standard gift shops."

30-45 min25 min

25 min · 1.3 mi76

4

Caye Coffee Roasting Company

76

Navi Walkability Score

Path Popularity97

Infrastructure54

Terrain100

Safety69

Lighting74

Amenities89

Transit37

"Ask Paul for a quick roasting tour, then grab a warmed chocolate chip cookie to pair with the island's best coffee—just make sure to stock up before the weekend since they're closed Saturday and Sunday."

45 min - 1 hr12 min walk

Frequently Asked Questions