About Ambergris Caye
Eventually, the Mestizo San Pedranos turned more and more into fishing, and, by 1950, were selling their product to foreign buyers who were exporting lobster to the United States a record breaking 190,000 pounds of lobster tail in one season. The community then was of some 500 inhabitants, but leadership and vision were not scarce. Soon the San Pedro fishermen organized themselves into a formal fishing cooperative and were registered in the early 1960's.
With a vibrant fishing industry and a growing tourism industry, San Pedro continued its rapid growth and attracted not only visitors and retirees, but also a large human work force from other parts of Belize. Soon, other amenities and services included restaurants, gift shops, banks, dive shops, a Lion's Club International, a variety of water sports and entertainment, and resident doctors and nurses. By 1984 the community of San Pedro was elevated to the status of township. By now there were greater responsibilities to share and bigger needs to be met with a population of some 3,000. One of the first and greatest challenges undertaken today is the supply of adequate water and a sewer treatment system to the town proper. Today San Pedro Town sustains a population of some 5,000 inhabitants. One half of San Pedranos are Belizean and Belizean residents who have chosen to live here seeking a change and a better way of life. San Pedro has warmly welcomed them, yet they are asked to join in the march towards developing a better town, one that is prosperous and united and which can still be able to maintain the hospitality, warmth and hardwork and independence and the keen sense of unity that characterizes all true San Pedranos-total respect for the people and the environment. We also ask of all to contribute our little grain of sand for the greater success of this beautiful island, our LA ISLA BONITA. 
For more information, please contact us:
 
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The
village of San Pedro was formally settled around 1848 when the Mestizo
Indians were escaping the ravages of the Caste War in Yucatan, Mexico.
Several of these Mestizos settled in Corozal to do farming while
another group settled in Ambergris Caye to enjoy the abundant marine
life complemented by some farming. When the entire island was purchased
by the Blakes in 1869 for $625 in an auction sale, families living
in San Pedro and others who were inter-related to the Blakes through
marriage, started working for this family. For many years, San Pedranos
were engaged in the logwood industry and the extraction of dye,
the chicle industry and, later, the coconut industry.
This
cooperative was perhaps San Pedro's greatest single historical achievement.
It brought about much growth and prosperity and, most of all, a
high sense of independence. San Pedro then began to grow by giant
leaps. Soon there was 24-hour electricity, telephone, water, public
school system, and air transport, and high school. Just after the
fishing cooperative took San Pedro to greater heights, San Pedro
was discovered by casual visiting tourists who were looking for
a barrier reef, natural marine wonders, white beaches, a warm climate,
seafood for their tables, coconut palms, a place to walk barefooted
and a warm friendly people. San Pedro was the perfect "bait" for
visitors. They immediately became enchanted by the hospitality and
the charm of the island and the quaint fishing village of San Pedro.
