Entire home

Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR

Property grounds
Interior
Pool
Property grounds
On the beach

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

5 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 103200 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
San Pedro - North, Belize District
  • Place, Hol Chan Marine Reserve
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Secret Beach
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Place, San Pedro Beach
    ‪25 min drive‬
  • Airport, San Pedro (SPR-John Greif II)
    ‪31 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

About the neighborhood

San Pedro

When you stay at this vacation home in San Pedro, you'll be on the beach, within a 15-minute drive of Belize Barrier Reef and Secret Beach. .This beach vacation home is 3.9 mi (6.3 km) from San Pedro Beach and 6 mi (9.7 km) from San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi.

What's nearby

  • Hol Chan Marine Reserve - 1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Secret Beach - 17 min drive - 4.6 miles
  • San Pedro Beach - 25 min drive - 5.3 miles
  • San Pedro Town Hall - 31 min drive - 6.6 miles
  • San Pedro Central Park - 31 min drive - 6.6 miles

Getting around

  • San Pedro (SPR-John Greif II) - 26 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Blue Bayou - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Rain Restaurant & Rooftop Lounge - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪RASA Southeast Asian Kitchen - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Aji Tapa Lounge - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Pirate's Not-So-Secret Beach Bar & Grill - ‬14 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR

El Gran Castillo de Arena, the "Great Sandcastle", with its thoughtful design, beautiful décor, location, and overall commitment to excellence, is regarded as one of Belize's finest beachfront villas.

This private home is located just 4.5 miles north of San Pedro Town in the sought-after Mata Grande area, the closest location on Ambergris Caye to the fun and famous Secret Beach. With its 3 separate living areas within the home, it is perfect for your multi-family vacation with large areas to gather and private spaces to unwind and relax as well. We know these days you may have to work as well so we have 60Mb Fiber.

It has been said by past guests that our best feature, hands down, is our caretaker, William. He and his loyal and friendly dogs, Tonester and Lady, live behind the house on the property. He is here to assist you with anything you need. Marvin is William's assistant; he takes great pride in keeping the grounds and beach looking immaculate!

The 'Sunset Tower' is the third-floor patio with a 360-degree view of paradise. Rejuvenate your body after soaking up the Caribbean sun with a refreshing plunge in the 4' deep dip pool. The patio furniture and tables, along with the shaded pergola, offer a fantastic spot for dining while viewing the beautiful turquoise Caribbean waters or breathtaking sunsets.

The upstairs master suite features a spacious air-conditioned great room with soaring ceilings. It is tastefully decorated with an earthy Mayan theme in rich jewel tones with comfortable rattan furniture and locally carved mahogany tables. The beautifully designed, fully-equipped kitchen has a dining and breakfast bar area that seats up to 10. There is plenty of room for the whole gang to gather. The master bedroom with a king bed has an en-suite bathroom. The second bedroom has a king bed that can be converted into two twins for versatility. There is also a second full bathroom in the upstairs unit.

The downstairs suite features a fully equipped kitchen, a living area, two bedrooms featuring split kings for vesatiloity and a bathroom. The dining table, along with the breakfast bar, provides seating for seven.

The hideaway suite connected to the south side of the house features lofty ceilings, a living/dining area, kitchenette, a large bedroom with a queen bed, and a full bath.

As soon as you book, we will provide you with our constantly updated Mobile Guest Guide. Our Mobile Guest Guide is loaded with information, including listings for numerous restaurants, bars, and activities. Our Mobile Guest Guide is integrated with GMaps making it easy to find your way around town. Each listing is linked to TripAdvisor; we’ve even linked the menus to many of the restaurants. The Guide is also searchable, so you can easily find the nearest Seafood or even Vegetarian options. We offer full concierge services and can arrange everything for you so that all you need to think about is having fun. So, just let us know, and we’ll book all your tours, in-country flights, and arrange golf cart rentals with no add on booking fees.

All towels, linens, iron/ironing board, and a hairdryer are provided for your convenience. A washer/dryer is also available for use with a 7-night stay or longer.

Enjoy direct access to the beach right out the door. Across the white sandy beach lies your private pier with a thatched palapa and swim deck. The dock is perfect for snorkeling, sunbathing, or trying your luck at reeling in your fish dinner.

On the beach is your own private thatch-roof palapa to keep you cool and shaded while sipping your favorite libation at the "Carpe Diem" bar. A warm-water shower to rinse off after your day's excursions is conveniently located right outside your front door. Situated in the tropically landscaped backyard is a BBQ grill to cook that fresh catch of the day.

Included are bicycles, kayaks, snorkel gear, beach games, beach toys, baby needs and much more. CAS5
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, which features a private pool and a Smart TV. There's a private furnished balcony/patio. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and a DVD player is provided for your entertainment.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as concierge services and barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach

Pool/Spa

  • Communal pool
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Kitchenette
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 4 private bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Dock
  • Fenced yard
  • Furnished balcony/patio
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washer/dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near the ocean
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Bicycles
  • Kayak
  • Water sports equipment
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water tubing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Bicycles
  • Garden
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Unit size: 3,200 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

Events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

2166-208771

Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 93 out of 95 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 95 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 95 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 95 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 95 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jason J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise

Amazing property right in the beach. Everything about the place was amazing.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karla S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Tropical Getaway

This was a unique property as it was 3 homes in 1 and everyone could have some privacy! We all enjoyed and William was the best he helped with reservations cab ride getting us fresh caught fish! Marcus took great care of the property very enjoyable.
Stayed 16 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jerry L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great service, caretakers on property were outstanding

Relaxed, secluded just enough....excellent time, services requested were always on time.......
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

DORIS S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous!

The house was amazing. Gorgeous views! Terry Lee and the property managers - William and Marvin were so accommodating and assisted us with travel and everything around the house. Definitely recommend!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Austin D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gran Castillo

Location and amenities were awesome! William is amazing and was always super helpful and friendly. Can’t wait to go back
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Girls Trip 2023!

Great time stellar views! William & Marvin we’re awesome!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michelle B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

April Vacation

We just got home from our stay at El Gran Castille de Arena and we already want to be back there. Everything about this place was incredible- the location, the amenities, the caretaker William (and his dogs)- everything! We're already talking about our return trip and I really can't imagine staying anyplace else.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gegetta B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous!!

Property is amazing. William and Marvin took great care of us and we did not see another property on the island that compared for location and amenities. Perfect for our family with separated spaces all in one home! Spectacular beach area with equipment to make the most of the water. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Terrific House

We and our family (total of 10) were able to vacation in a beautiful, very well-attended and cared for property. It was paradise. The property allows for privacy when wanted and for togetherness when wanted.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

beth m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Paradise - You have to stay here!

El Gran Castillo de Arena is amazing! The home is beautiful, well equipped for all of your needs, and extremely clean. The reservation staff and caretakers, William and Marvin, are awesome! They made our trip so special, were always there to assist us, and made sure we had the best time possible on our trip. I can't wait to return!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2021
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Karen L.

Another wonderful stay at Castilla De Arena!

This is the second family trip to Ambergris Caye, and both times we stayed at Castilla De Arena. The house is perfect for large families looking for a relaxing beach vacation with convenient access to restaurants and water sports in a beautiful setting. The caretaker, William is always available to assist with any needs, and Carolyn, the owner, is super responsive and great to work with. We can't wait to book another family trip to this beautiful island and stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2017
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alicia M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Boys Trip

The boys had an absolutely amazing time! The house and caretakers were wonderful. The guide provided helped answer all our questions. The excursion we booked through the house was perfect. My husband fell in love with the area and accommodations. Thank you for a great Trip!
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joanne R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Birthday celebration -The best!

The entire experience from reserving the house, having all my questions answered quickly by Simon and his staff to staying in a beautiful clean home with spectacular views! The beach was cleaned daily by William and Marvin and a great restaurant next door! We had all our tours pick us up at our dock! Truly and amazing experience!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Beautiful and relaxing

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We had the best time couldn't have asked for anything better. The house was perfect for our group. William was a great host and went above and beyond for us.we will definitely book this place again.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

William D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location, Amazing Hospitality!!

Eight of us stayed at the property and we will be back for sure. The location was what you would think of a tropical paradise with the sun rising off the dock every morning! The island is nice, the reefs are full of life, not like some of other tourist places. Everyone is friendly and being right next to Johns Escape, we felt like we had a hotel bar. The staff on site was beyond accommodating, William was great, and for anyone visiting, ask William to give his coconut presentation! It was a great trip!
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2023
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

John P.

Awesome getaway !!

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Everything was great. William was on top of everything. The man can cook too !!!
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Belize it!!!!

William and Marvin (caretakers) were amazing. They both made sure we were entertained with hermit crab races, water toys and volleyball. Their coconut presentation was so cool!!! William is an amazing chef!!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
5/5 stars – Fantastic Beachfront Stay for Couples Getaway!My wife and I recently stayed here with a few other couples, and we couldn’t have asked for a better spot on Ambergris Caye. The views from the house are stunning, with direct beach access and that gorgeous Caribbean water right outside. The private dock was a huge highlight: Wild Adventures picked us up straight from the property for snorkeling and excursions, which saved so much time and hassle. The pool didn’t get much use as it was Feb and rather cold unfortunately. Special shoutout to William, the property manager—he was super friendly, responsive, and went out of his way to make sure everything was perfect. The only minor downsides were the construction next door, which started early (before 8 am most days) with music and went late (past 8 pm) except on Sundays. We were in the mother-in-law suite on the side, so the noise came right through the windows and was noticeable. Also, while the listing mentions bikes and kayaks, we didn’t find any bikes available during our stay, which was a small disappointment.That said, these issues didn’t ruin our trip—the location, amenities, cleanliness, and overall vibe were outstanding, and we’d happily return (maybe check on nearby construction next time and confirm bike availability).Highly recommend this place for groups or couples wanting a true Belize beach experience. Thank you for an amazing stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2026
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Deric K.

Absolutely perfect!

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: Pulling up the house and property are better than advertised. William and Marvin were always available for anything we needed. We are huge dog lovers so having them on the property was the icing on the cake.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Dawn R.

Amazing property!

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was more than happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We had a great experience all around! The house and property were beautiful. The on-site staff went above and beyond and the surrounding waters are gorgeous. Great spot for snorkeling just off the dock. The national bird of San Pedro is the mosquitoe, but you survive with lots of bug spray and itch cream. The dogs are a hoot too.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Renee C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet and Roomy

Our group of six had a wonderful stay and very much enjoyed the property and amenities. We were extremely comfortable and able to make great meals, enjoy the awesome rooftop pool area, corn hole, kayaks, and lounge on the pier. William and Marvin were very attentive to our needs and helpful with information. They made our stay very enjoyable and loved the hermit crab ninja warrior race on our last day! The only issue we had with the property was the single-bedroom unit had a very funky smell so none of us were able to stay in the unit.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Laurel L.

Amazing family stay

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We were a family of 10 (6 adults, 2 seniors and 2 kids). Each couple and kids had their own room. The family and all couples had their own bathroom. The house had everything we needed. Terrylee helped us set up our flights and taxis to and from the airport. Had our golf carts waiting for us at the property. AND helped set up amazing snorkelling and reef fishing excursions. We were picked up right at the dock on the property. It was so convenient and easy. The guidebook they sent provided us with a provisioning service so we had groceries and delicious meals waiting for us when we arrived. William and Marvin are the caretakers on site and helped us with anything we needed on property and for around the island. They even set up hermit crab races for us. They were so kind and generous. Anything we asked or needed, they were able to assist. The dock was wonderful to watch the sunrise on. The rooftop pool was amazing to cool off in. You could watch the sunset on the rooftop patio as well. We had 3 separate kitchens to cook in. The sand and property as beautifully maintained. We enjoyed hanging out under the gazebo, on the loungers and in the hammocks, and playing corn hole. The restaurant next door was also a bonus and tasty.Would highly recommend
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Gina H.

Fabulous Place

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was more than satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: We were a group of five couples. This home fit us perfectly. It has the most beautiful view. Sunrise was magical. Simon the main contact, is fantastic in getting all your needs set up before you get there. The two caretakers are amazing and will help with all your needs during your stay. Loved it and will book again. The only downside to this place is the beds are super hard.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Amy N.

Wonderful house on the beach

Rating Details: The property manager was very helpful. The vacation rental was spotless. I was very happy with the location. I was very satisfied with the condition of the vacation rental. Overall, I recommend this vacation rental. Reviewer Comments: The house was clean, convenient and was great for our family of 6 with plenty of personal space. William and Marvin were incredibly helpful and we LOVED the dogs. The rooftop pool was great for a dip. We used the paddle boards and kayaks too. I would recommend renting a golf cart to get around and flying in on the small plane. The Tropical Escape nextdoor was a pleasant surprise with good food and yummy cocktails. Don’t forget to pack the bug spray and suntan lotion!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

elizabeth s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Unbelizable adventure

The property was just as described, has all the extras an active group would like. The weather during our stay (rain & wind) was not ideal for most of the water activities. We enjoyed the pool and spent a lot of time at the tropical escape bar and grill just next door. On site property manager and his assistant were very helpful and attentive. Probably the biggest drawback is the location, while close to the Secret Beach, it is a four plus mile drive from town. Roads are poor and there is a big opportunity in transportation alternatives. Best way to describe it is as a high adventure vacation…this property is best served by an active group of vacationers!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2024