Ambergris Caye Belize Resort Development - Department of ...

9.0 Integrated Social Assessment Review
9.1 Background
Chapter 9
The island of San Pedro Ambergris Caye is situated about 36 miles from Belize City and is the
largest island in Belize in terms of tourism activities, infrastructure and marine destinations
(protected areas). The main economic stay and employment opportunities is generated from
tourism and related activities. The central settlement on Ambergris Caye is San Pedro Town
(Fig. 9.1), which is the focus of Belize’s marine attractions. The Town is made up of various
cultural and ethnic groups from within which these communities are the main service providers
to the tourism industry.
Demographically, the other nearest town is Corozal, with a calculated population of about 35,829
(2006) including other smaller villages dotted along Corozal District coast (Fig. 9.1). Similarly,
the fishing/tourism village of Caye Caulker with a population of about 2,000 is situated about 10
miles south of the town of San Pedro and about approximately 31 miles from the proposed
development site. The Mexican border town of Ixcalak is located some 9.8 miles north of the
proposed development site.
Over the past two and a half decades, population on the island of Ambergris has increased to
over 50% due to the rapid increase in tourism activities. Reflecting this dynamism, tourism and
residential developments have also expanded north of the Town beyond the San Pedro River and
along the coast to past Boca Bacalar Chico. Scattered along this windward or eastern side of the
island, are the many residential and holiday homes, hotels and sea-side resorts. Because of its
pristine environment, areas along both the north eastern and north western sides of Ambergris
have been declared protected areas with built in conservation zones.
In terms of infrastructure development, construction materials, equipment, goods and supplies
are transported weekly from Belize City to the island of Ambergris Caye in large and small cargo
barges. Locally, smaller barges and boats transfer cargo to areas north of Boca Del Rio (San
Pedro River) to construction development sites north of the River.
In terms of transportation and access to and from the town to northern Ambergris, there is a track
or road commencing from Boca Del Rio to about thirteen miles north of the River; mainly golf
carts and bicycles utilize this track or road. From this point, the beach area and smaller tracks are
utilized by locals to access the areas of northern Ambergris. There is no road access to the area
of the proposed development site however there is a designated road reserve. Noteworthy, the
main access to areas north is by boat.
Besides the various hotels/resort scattered along the northern coast of Ambergris Caye, the
NOVA shrimp farm established in late 1997, is the only other private industrial developer in the
area. This shrimp farm is located some 13 miles north of the town of San Pedro and has
established its own private commercial pier adjacent to the property. A small airstrip is located
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