Entire home

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

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

El Gran Castillo De Arean
Balcony
Pool
Living Room And Kitchen
Kitchen

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 10297.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Pool

Explore the area

Map
San Pedro - North, Belize District
  • Mexico Rocks
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Secret Beach
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • San Pedro Belize Express Dock
    ‪26 min drive‬
  • San Pedro (SPR-John Greif II)
    ‪26 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

Bedroom 4

1 King Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Queen Bed

4 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden

About this property

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

Property manager

Sunrise Property Management
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

Events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

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 that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

San Pedro

Located in San Pedro, this holiday home is on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Belize Barrier Reef and Secret Beach. Travelling with kids? Consider Mexico Rocks and GoFish Belize. Discover the area's water adventures with scuba diving, snorkelling and water tubing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours.
Map
San Pedro - North, Belize District

What's nearby

  • Mexico Rocks - 4 min drive - 2.3 km
  • Secret Beach - 14 min drive - 6.5 km
  • Boca del Rio - 21 min drive - 7.2 km
  • San Pedro Town Hall - 25 min drive - 8.5 km
  • San Pedro Belize Express Dock - 26 min drive - 8.8 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Cool Beans - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪Palapa Bar & Grill - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Coco Loco's Beach Bar - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Sandbar - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Rain Restaurant & Rooftop Lounge - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR located?

Nestled on the beach, this San Pedro holiday home is steps from Belize Barrier Reef and 1.4 mi (2.2 km) from Mexico Rocks. Secret Beach and San Pedro Beach are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 87 out of 89 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 89 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 89 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 89 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 89 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

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

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

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Jerry L., Tempe

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

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
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Michelle B., USA

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

10/10 Excellent

Joanne R., Media, Pennsylvania, USA

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
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

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

10/10 Excellent

Jayson P.

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

50th Birthday

Our first trip to Belize was amazing, mostly due to the accommodations and hospitality of the property management. The house was awesome, with plenty of room for our party of 8. We had 4 couples and each had their own space. William and Marvin were especially helpful and attentive. William even made us a couple souvenirs to take home and helped commemorate my 50th birthday with a piece of engraved mahogany. Restaurant and bar next door are a nice bonus as the road getting into town is rough. Food and drinks were great. We were content to just stay at the house and kayak to the reef ourselves. Another nice bonus was the fireworks show the hotel next door put on to celebrate the new year. Fishing excursions picked us up at our dock and made it very easy. Sunrise Property Management was extremely responsive and helpful in booking our excursions as well as coordinating our arrival and departure transportation as we had several adjustments to our flights. Their quick response made us feel at ease with our first trip to the island. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2024

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

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

10/10 Excellent

beth m., Greensboro, NC

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
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

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
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

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

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
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

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

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
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

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.

10/10 Excellent

Renee C., Jackson

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
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Ward B.

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

Palapa Heaven

We could not have been more pleased with El Gran Castillo de Arena! The location was fantastic (peaceful, yet convenient). The set up was ideal (we had three couples and each had private spaces plus a great common area to gather). The house was immaculate, well equipped and well maintained. The setting and the grounds were amazing (beautiful sand and water, with multiple palapas, each with their own feel and ambiance, plus the roof top pool for a quick dip). William (on-property manager) and Marvin made sure that we had everything that we needed (from kayaks to hammocks) and anticipated things before we knew we needed them! Simon (property management company) patiently answered all of our pre-visit questions and helped us schedule all of our local transportation and Elena helped us with booking excursions. We could not have asked for anything more!
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

About the host

Hosted by Sunrise Property Management

Host profile image
My husband and I live along the Kenai River in Alaska, surrounded by beautiful mountains, soaring eagles, splashing salmon and of course the occasional wandering moose and bear. We travel with our loving companions, Kenai and Willie, our two dogs. Kenai is our black labrador/coonhound mix and Willie is our lovable Tijuana 'potlicker' that we rescued in Alaska. We live in a backyard apartment at El Gran Castillo de Arena during the winter months and look forward to meeting many of you during your stay.

Why they chose this property

We took our honeymoon to Ambergris Caye, Belize in March 2001 to get away from the cold arctic winter. Once there we instantly fell in love with Belize...the weather, the people, the beauty of the rainforest, the spectacular reef, and so much more. We instantly bought property and started building our retirement vacation home that year. We decided to share our wonderful home to fellow nature lovers who appreciate adventure and fun.

What makes this property unique

The property is perfectly located on the north end of Ambergris Caye. Town is only a short drive away but you won't need to go there unless you want to as there is plenty to keep you busy on the north end of the island. We're also located just north of the turn off to Secret Beach and within walking distance of some highly rated restaurants.

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests