3 of the Best Places to Enjoy Sunset and a Sundowner in San Pedro, Belize

by Carolee Chanona
truck stop sunset via thelatinablanca San Pedro

A beach vacation just isn’t complete without fully indulging in a sunset and sundowner at least once. After all, watching the sun sink below the Caribbean Sea is an unparalleled experience; the sky illuminates with a kaleidoscope of either pastel or fiery reds, oranges, and purples as one of life’s great pleasures. But, sunsets on San Pedro change on a daily basis, which is half of the beauty in itself. In the dry season, a brilliantly bold ball melts into the horizon, while the rainy seasons’ clouds melt into a dramatic palette. Sunlight streams down through coconut fronds and wisps of thatched huts, irradiating your face — hopefully with a smile. With a cocktail in hand, here’s 3 of the best places to sunset-gaze in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.

The Truck Stop

Christmas belize snowbirds

The Truck Stop in San Pedro, Belize. Photo via Unsplash

The Truck Stop is a hip, laid-back collection of eateries serving up pizza, pad thai, arepas, and ice cream in repurposed shipping containers. Belize’s first shipping container food park has slowly expanded over the years, which includes an extensive outdoor area and pier for unobstructed sunset views in San Pedro.

While you’re killing time ’til sundown, grab a cocktail at the swim-up bar or eat oyster tacos while playing foosball barefoot in the sand. Traditionally, there’s also a different fun event going on every night – including live music, game shows, multimedia trivia, movie nights, and more. Located one mile north of the bridge on the way to Secret Beach, you can’t miss it. As for food? Eat at one truck stop, or all four, with a bunch of unique food options such as Malaysian Sweet & Spicy Wings from Rasa or a maple-bacon ice-cream from Cool Cone. Although The Truck Stop is temporarily closed for the season, this is one spot worth waiting for.

360° Views at Rain Restaurant & Rooftop Terrace 

rain restaurant grand caribe rooftop bar

Four floors up from Grand Caribe Belize, you’ll find Rain Restaurant & Rooftop Terrace. The full bar, tucked around the corner from dining tables, sports big-screen TVs and comfy seating, offers an incredible location and view. Several families with polite youngsters dine at the same time; perhaps Grand Caribe guests take advantage of the restaurant’s ideal location for them. After all, its the only rooftop Ambergris Caye restaurant on the island. If you’re there, try a Ruby Mule: Absolut ruby red grapefruit vodka, house-made ginger beer and grapefruit juice muddled with local cane sugar and fresh grapefruit. The menu itself is delicious, but the ambiance is really what makes this place top notch. It’s a bit more formal than a beach backdrop, plan to dress up to go for sunset cocktails and people watching.

For a special sunset experience you won’t forget, head out on a sail offshore San Pedro with Xsite Belize Sailing & Adventures. Add on a private cook to prepare a meal, like XSite’s famous fish tacos, for you; you can sit down to dine just as the sun begins to disappear. Besides, a private boat just for you and your partner or a special group of friends is an exclusive experience. Make sure you save a Belikin beer or some Rum & Coke to toast as the sun sets on an un-Belize-able day.

Feature photo of the Truck Stop via Instagram @thelatinablanca. Images of XSite sunset sail, albeit on a gloomy day, courtesy Carolee Chanona.

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