Belize with Babies: A Family-Friendly Guide to San Pedro
What to do, where to eat, and how to enjoy island life with little ones in tow.
Traveling with toddlers might not sound relaxing to everyone—but with a bit of planning and the right destination, it can be magical. I recently traveled to San Pedro, Belize with my 14-month-old daughter and my friend’s 19-month-old, and we were pleasantly surprised at how baby-friendly (and beautiful!) this part of the country can be. From pontoon boat tours to beachside dinners, here’s a full recap of our time on the island—with tips for anyone considering a similar trip.
Where We Stayed: Comfort + Convenience at Tres Cocos
We stayed at Tres Cocos @ The Cloisters, and it was ideal for traveling with toddlers. We chose it because they offer two-bedroom suites with a full kitchen and a washer/dryer, which made life so much easier. The property has a pool, on-site bar and restaurant, and the front desk even provides free sunscreen and aloe vera—a thoughtful touch in the Belizean sun!
When we arrived at the San Pedro airport, a staff member picked us up and helped us get settled. On the way to the hotel, we stopped at Caye Mart to stock up on essentials like diapers, wipes, milk, and snacks. Super convenient and definitely worth doing right away.
First Night on the Island
We got settled in, let the babies explore the suite, and then walked over to 303 Belize Bar and Grill for dinner. It had a cute, laid-back vibe and good seafood, but a heads-up for parents—no high chairs here, so plan accordingly.
Breakfast & Market Finds
The next morning, we discovered a favorite: Farmhouse Market and Café. The coffee was excellent, the breakfast was tasty, and they had fresh fruit and market goods we could take back for the kids. We loved this spot so much we went back again.
Our Boat Day: Baby-Friendly Adventures with Jesus Oba
One of the highlights of our time in San Pedro was a boat tour we booked with Jesus Oba. He picked us up at the hotel at 9 AM and surprised us with a quick tour of town before heading to the docks. We met Ben the crocodile (a local celebrity who lives near the Purple Pelican Restaurant) and stopped at the Iguana Eco Sanctuary, which was perfect for the kids—iguanas everywhere! We made a small donation to support their work.
Then we boarded our pontoon boat—highly recommended when traveling with little ones. The flat layout gave the babies space to move around safely. Our captains, Eli and Brandon, were fantastic and even offered to watch the kids so we moms could sneak in a quick snorkel.
We stopped at Sting Ray City, where the water is only about 4 feet deep, perfect for holding babies while standing in the sea. We saw sting rays and nurse sharks—magical! After that, we visited a private beach area with calm, shallow water, just right for baby splashing. We were back to the dock by 12:30 PM, just in time for nap.
Golf Cart Life + Playground Time
We rented a golf cart through Fox Golf Cart Rental—just sent a WhatsApp and they delivered it to our hotel within an hour (and it was cheaper than renting through the hotel). Pro tip: fold down the back seat to stash your stroller.
After naps, we explored Boca Del Rio Beach Park, a great little playground right on the sand. The local kids were so sweet with our toddlers, and going at sunset meant shade and a gorgeous view.
Dinner at The Truck Stop
That evening, we headed to The Truck Stop, a lively collection of food trucks, bars, and a swimming pool. The babies dipped their toes in the water while we waited for food. It’s a perfect spot to let kids run around while the adults unwind.
Exploring Town by Golf Cart + Stroller
The next morning, we loaded the babies into carriers and our folded strollers into the golf cart to explore the town. The paved roads and sidewalks made it super stroller-friendly (especially since it was hot—no one wanted to babywear for long). Stroller fans were essential!
Our route looked like this:
- Breakfast at The Fry Jack House – tasty food, but tight quarters, so not great with babies.
- San Pedro Sign – cute photo op.
- Sixteen Ounces – excellent coffee + air conditioning (so welcome!).
- Tiburon Rum Tasting Room – fun for a quick tasting.
- Belize Chocolate Company – iced cacao + sweet treats.
- Artisan Market – a good place for souvenirs and local crafts.
Dinner at Palmilla Restaurant – A Sweet Ending
After heading back to the hotel for nap time, we wrapped up our San Pedro experience with a special dinner at Palmilla Restaurant at Victoria House. We took the first available reservation at 5 PM and got a table outside. The best part? There was a big lawn for the kids to run around on while we waited for food, which helped everyone stay relaxed and happy.
Pro tip for dining at nicer restaurants with little ones: Order everything up front—drinks, appetizers, entrées, dessert—and ask for it all to be brought out as quickly as possible. That way, if the kids start to melt down, you’re not stuck waiting on food. And if they’re doing great? You can relax and linger a bit longer.
Palmilla was also the only place we visited that had high chairs—such a small thing but a huge help. It was the perfect, peaceful way to end our time on San Pedro.
The next morning, we returned our golf cart keys at the front desk and caught the 10 AM Tropic Air flight back to Belize City—ready for our next adventure in the jungle.
Packing List for San Pedro with a Baby
- Lightweight, compact stroller (with sunshade)
- Stroller fan (game changer in the heat!)
- Baby carrier for airport, boat, and short walks
- Swim diapers, sun hats, and rash guards
- Baby-safe sunscreen and mosquito repellent
- Reusable water bottles + snack containers
- Travel crib (if not provided)
- A few favorite toys or books for downtime
- Electrolyte powder and basic meds
- Light layers for sun protection and A/C spots
Top Tips for San Pedro with Babies
🛏 Book a suite with a kitchen and laundry—makes life easier.
🛒 Stock up on essentials at Caye Mart as soon as you arrive.
🚤 Choose a pontoon boat if doing a water tour with toddlers.
🛺 Rent a golf cart through WhatsApp for convenience and cost savings.
🌅 Visit playgrounds at sunset for shade and local kid connections.
🥵 Use a stroller in town—paved roads make it easy, and babywearing gets hot.
🍫 Balance your day with fun stops for parents (rum, chocolate) and shaded breaks for babies.
San Pedro was full of pleasant surprises. The island is compact, easy to navigate, and full of kid-friendly charm. With a little planning, we were able to balance fun outings with solid nap time, and we found so many welcoming locals along the way.
If you’re considering Belize with a baby: do it. Just bring a good stroller fan, don’t over-schedule, and enjoy the slower pace.
Next up: our adventures deep in the Belizean jungle at Jaguar Creek!
Traveling Without Both Parents? Read This!
If you’re traveling to Belize with a child and only one parent is present, Belizean immigration requires a notarized parental consent letter from the other parent listed on the birth certificate.
Without this document, you may be denied entry into the country.
Be sure to have this letter notarized before your trip and keep it with your travel documents—you’ll need to show it at immigration upon arrival.
Author:
Rachel Goble Hara grew up traveling to Belize and has been connected to the country for most of her life. Her family built Jaguar Creek, an eco-lodge nestled in the Belizean rainforest, which she now helps manage through The Goble Family Foundation. After welcoming her daughter in February 2024, she realized how few resources existed for families traveling to Belize with young children. This blog is her way of sharing what she’s learned—so other parents can feel confident exploring this beautiful, family-friendly destination.
