Welcome to Sarteneja
Sarteneja
Belize is a fishing village east of Corozal Town near the mouth of the Bay of
Chetumal. The name Sarteneja is taken from a Maya word meaning “taking water
from the rock”. The town is built atop, and takes fresh water from, ancient Maya
wells.
Since the 19th century, the
residents of Sarteneja have made their living from the sea. For centuries before
that, the Maya made use of this centralized location. The area is dotted with as
yet unexcavated ruins. Local residents build beautiful wooden sailing vessels
by hand in the tradition of their forefathers. The sailboats, painstakingly
built using indigenous hardwoods, are as much an art form as they are
watercraft. Local fishermen ply the
Bay
of Chetumal and the water of the barrier islands in search of Caribbean lobster
and conch. Each spring the Easter Sailing Regatta attracts people
from all over northern Belize to watch as the sailors demonstrate
the prowess of their crafts and crews.
Transportation
The bus ride from Belize City to Sarteneja takes approximately 3 hours and costs $4 US. Sarteneja is approximately a one hour drive east of Corozal Town. The drive from Corozal includes crossing rivers via hand-cranked ferries. Ferries are a great way to meet locals as everyone gets out of their vehicles to enjoy the crossing. Ferry operators may even allow you to have a turn at the crank.
There is an airstrip in Sarteneja with local airlines offering service between, Belize City, Corozal Town and the cayes. There is also a regularly scheduled water taxi service twice daily both west to Corozal or east to San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.
For more detailed information on travel options see our complete Section.
Hotels
There are a couple of bed and breakfasts in Sarteneja. What they lack in amenities, they more than make up for in friendly service and incredibly fresh seafood. For the more adventurous travelers, there is a hostel just outside Sarteneja with cabanas and campsites.
Cayo Espanto
( Editors Choice )
Location. The Cayo Espanto Is A Private Island Located Off The Shore Of San Pedro, Belize. The Resort Is Five Kilometers From San Pedro And Six Kilometers From The Belize Barrier Reef. Hotel Features. The Cayo Espanto Features Five Oceanfront Private Cabanas And One Over-water Bungalow. The Resort's Spa Offers Massages, Skin And Nail Treatments, And Aromatherapy Services. The Hotel Offers Tour Assistance And Arranges Guided Snorkeling And Diving Excursions, Boating And Fishing Tours, And Private Picnics. Children Under 10 Years Old Are Not Permitted On The Property. Guestrooms. Guestrooms Feature Personal Housemen, Three Daily Meals, Snacks, All Drinks Except Champagne, Wine And Cordials, And Non-motorized Water Sports.cabanas Feature Private Alfresco Showers, Oceanfront Patios And Freshwater Plunge Pools. The Over-water Bungalow Offers 360-Degree Views Of The Ocean. Beds Are Swathed In Yves De Lormes Sheets And Turndown Service Is Performed Nightly. All Accommodations Feature Hardwood Floors And Tropical Motifs. Unique Design Elements Are Incorporated Throughout Each Unit, Such As Granite Countertops, Cabbage Bark Ceilings, And Zirocotte And Jobillo Wood Paneling. Expert Tip. Before You Arrive At Cayo Espanto, The Resort Provides A Culinary Survey For You To Complete. Based On Your Responses, Chefs Prepare Three Custom Meals Daily. Whether It's Breakfast In Bed Or A Candlelit Dinner On Your Personal Verandah, The Epicurean Cuisine Is Award-winning And Prepared Especially With Your Palette In Mind.
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Attractions
Bay of Chetumal You can tell the seasons by the color of the Bay of Chetumal. In the wet season, when large amounts of fresh water flow into the bay from numerous rivers, the water adopts the color of a cup of Earl Grey tea. This brackish condition – when salt and fresh water mingle – may not produce the most attractive color, but it does create conditions ideal for aquatic life. Much of the Bay of Chetumal is surrounded by mangroves – nature’s filtration and incubation system – which thrive in these estuary conditions. The waters of the bay act as a fish hatchery and make the Bay of Chetumal an ideal fishing location. Fly and flats fishermen come from all over the world to experience the abundance of the Bay of Chetumal. Bonefish, permit, jacks, snapper, barracuda or snook are just some of the species caught in the bay.In the dry season, the bay reveals its status as part of the Caribbean Sea as the water color progresses though the spectrum from blue to green. This large bay is protected from the open water by the Yucatan Peninsula and barrier islands, making it ideal for sailing, swimming and a variety of other water sports.
Bacalar Chico Park and Marine Reserve
The Bacalar Chico Park and Marine Reserve on the eastern edge of the Bay of Chetumal is a UNESCO World Heritage. The barrier reef actually meets the mainland in these protected waters and you’ll find a convergence of unique marine and terrestrial species. Loggerheads and nine other endangered sea turtles nest here. While 187 bird species fly overhead, all five of Belize’s native cats prowl the land. Bacalar Chico includes 12,000 acres of land and 15,000 acres of marine reserve.
The Bacalar Chico channel marks the boundary between Belize and Mexico. The mangrove lined channel was dug out by the Maya in 100-900 AD. Thousands of years ago the Maya used the channel as a shortcut as they moved food and trade goods to locations throughout their empire. Today, the reserve is essential in protecting the natural resources of Belize. There are numerous locations within the reserve ideal for snorkeling or diving. The reserve is accessed by water. Guides and boat transportation to the reserve are available in Sarteneja.
Shipstern Nature Reserve
The Shipstern Nature Reserve just west of Sarteneja. The 27,000 acres reserve on the Bay of Chetumal includes wetlands, lagoons and dry forests. Along the bay you can see endangered species such as manatees and majestic woodstorks, while inland you’ll find the Baird’s tapir. All of these creatures are endangered, but within the Shipstern Nature Reserve they have healthy populations. You can arrange to stay overnight in a treetop observatory within the reserve. Shipstern includes a visitor’s centre, butterfly garden, museum, botanical train and Mahogany Park.
Dining
Dining in Sarteneja is limited, but the food is fresh. Produce is locally grown and the seafood plentiful.
Weather
The Corozal District is the northernmost district in Belize and receives the smallest amount of rainfall in the country – only 1500 mm a year compared to 5,000 mm in the southern district.
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Video's
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