Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 4BDR Reviews, Deals & Photos 2026

Q: Is Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 4BDR pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Q: How much is parking at Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 4BDR?

On-site parking is available at the property.

Q: Where is Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 4BDR located?

Nestled on the beach, this San Pedro villa is just steps away from Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Belize Barrier Reef. Mexico Rocks is 1.4 mi (2.2 km) away.

10/10 Excellent

merrie w.

30 Nov 2024

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

Great Thanksgiving

A beautiful beach and property. Location next to the hotel/bar was convenient and not noisy at all. The caretakers version of crab races was better than the one in town...lots of fun

Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Timothy B.

20 Apr 2024

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

Fun

The property was amazing. William and Marvin were amazing. Highly recommend for a group good time.

Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott & Amanda H.

27 Nov 2023

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

Amazing stay on the beach

We have stayed a lot of placed but always wanted to have a vacation where you can walk out the door straight on to the beach. This place delivered! This is a great house in a beautiful location with all the amenities you can want. From the minute we arrived, we had top-notch service from the management company and from William on site. The property is just a little far out from town, but the privacy is worth it, and you get used to the short golf cart drive very quickly. There are plenty of options for dining and groceries within a very short golf cart ride, and your even closer to great places like Secret Beach than you would be closer to town.

Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

David G.

27 May 2024

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

El Gran Castillo De Arena did not disappoint

My wife and I along with our best friends celebrated both of our 35th wedding anniversaries in San Pedro. The home was perfect for our needs. William and Marvin were amazing in keeping the beach beautiful and supplying us with kayaks, snorkeling gear. They were our “go to” for great advice with local and in town excursions. Our last night their they did a send off hermit crab race and a special presentation for us. Chapolene and Lady, the resident dogs, were great companions too! The roof top pool was our hang out when we weren’t on the go. The little resort next door had a great bar and great food when we didn’t feeling like cooking or taking the golf cart in to town for meals. Easy walk to Matachica for some upscale dining. Simon and Terrylee were awesome in making all of our excursion and dinner reservations as well as great follow up on the questions we had.

Stayed 8 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Molly F.

29 May 2025

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

Great waterfront home

We enjoyed our visit. William was very helpful and Victor brought fresh breakfast burritos right to our door. The roof top pool was so fun for the grand daughters.

Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

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

10/10 Excellent

Donald M., Hagerstown, Maryland, USA

10 Feb 2017

Pool with a view!

Our vacation started with a 15 min. flight from Belize City to San Pedro. The view of the blue water was incredible. Our driver met us at the airport (Jorge) after we had a drink at the bar beside the airport. We stopped at the market for groceries and then on to the house. When we arrived Carolyn was waiting outside to greet us. The layout was great with an awesome view of the ocean from the house. It was very comfortable and the rooftop pool was the place to be to watch the sunsets. The complimentary beach toys really made it more fun when we were on the beach or using bikes to ride to town. Carolyn also arranged for Aurora to fix a great dinner for us three nights. That's a must. Fantastic! And the pricing was cheaper than some of the restaurants. The other evenings Carolyn had some great recommendations. Lion fish at Pirates Treasure, ice cream at The Truck Stop, and Akbul for incredible Belize-an food. You've got to have the coconut pie. I must not forget to mention William, the caretaker of the property. Great guy. He fixed us lemon grass tea one day and built an incredible bonfire for us on the beach one evening. The five of us all enjoyed the company of the dogs. They were definitely entertaining, but very well behaved. We really enjoyed them. I can't forget to mention Ted, Carolyn's husband. Great guy. A little tip. If you want to get on his good side he likes bloody marys. We did rent a golf cart for a couple days to explore. If you get the opportunity make it over to Secret Beach. Calm, clear water, and a sandy bottom. To sum it up we really couldn't think of anything more that we could have had or they could have done to make our vacation more enjoyable. Thank you Carolyn, Ted, and William

6/10 Okay

Joshua T.

21 Jun 2021

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

The good, the bad and the ugly

The Good: Marvin and William are absolutely amazing. They are attentive, helpful, knowledgeable and made our stay much better than what it would have been without them. The welcome message that was engraved into the sand was a special touch. William and Marvin were great with our kids. They spent a lot of time with them, showing them the property and teaching them about traditional medicines, plants and about the history of the island. They put together games for the kids, like a hermit crab race, which our kids loved. Marvin and William would make themselves available to take our kids fishing off of the docks. I believe our children will look back fondly on the trip and remember Marvin and William forever. The large size of the home provided space for everyone so that we weren't always on top of one another. The welcome gift and the phone app was most appreciated and helpful for our stay. The property management company is also top notch. The Bad (and ugly): There are a number of items that would have made our stay much better. First and foremost, the sargassum/seaweed MUST be removed prior to and during the rental. One of the main factors in choosing this home was that it is beachfront with a dock. Swimming and lounging on the beach was impossible. The foul/sulfur smell required that we spend most of our time indoors or travel to secret beach to avoid the stench. The mattresses and pillows are totally unacceptable. The mattresses are extra firm and are equivalent to sleeping on the floor or a piece of plywood (which I believe are used instead of box springs). Although, tile is necessary due to the sand, the tile is slippery, I suggest sandpaper grip on the stairs to prevent people slipping and hurting themselves. The water pressure is low, which affects one's shower. Not a deal killer at all, but be aware that your shower won't be anything like it is at home. Although John's bar/grill (next door) is currently closed, please be aware of the proximity of it to the property. If it opens again, it could either make or break your stay, depending upon the guests you have with you. The property management company indicated that they would look into addressing a number of the items. Hopefully your stay will be better than ours.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Marcy F.

1 Apr 2019

Wonderful house for an amazing vacation!!

I can't say enough good things about this house. If you stay here, you won't be disappointed. Everyone was wonderful and easy to work with. Carolyn was really helpful in the months leading up to our arrival, quickly answering any questions we had and to share insiders tips about the island. William and Marvin who take care of the property were ready to help with anything that came up while we were there. The house is right on the beach, an easy walk to Rojo (great for a drink or a bite), and super comfortable. The rooftop pool is fantastic for cooling off in the day or watching the sunset. The palapa in the yard is wonderful for coffee and sunrises or rum punch and evening tunes. The dock is lovely for afternoon relaxation and wildlife watching. The house is well set up and comfortable, with everything you need for a great vacation. It's a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of San Pedro, and about a 20 minute golf cart ride back to town for scuba trips or delicious dinners. We were a group of friends coming to Belize without our husbands or children, and it was perfect for us. We are now dreaming of coming back with our whole families, because it would also be perfect for families and children. Honestly- what a wonderful house in a wonderful part of the world!

Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tracey L., Plano, TX, USA

24 Mar 2019

REVIEW FROM RETURN VISITORS

This was our 2nd time to visit San Pedro, Belize and stay at Castillo de Arena! We loved it just as much the 2nd time, and cannot wait to plan a 3rd trip with our kids. We had the pleasure of meeting Carolyn & Ted this time and were so pleased to see William and the pups as well. Marvin was so great too! The Moran's have a wonderful home on a beautiful beach with unbelievable snorkeling right outside the front door. You really do not want to miss this gem! We love Belize! The Lindleys & The Wises ~ AKA The Wisleys

Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

James S., Denver, CO

17 Dec 2018

Paradise in Belize

We just returned from a fantastic week at the Sand Castle. Carolyn and Ted were fabulous hosts, and the house was a perfect location for exploring Ambergris Caye. Transportation to the house was quick and easy with Carolyn's assistance, and she helped us to book a fun boat trip and having a cook come to the house one evening as well. The boat trip was a definite highlight, with a day filled with lobster spearing, fishing, and amazing snorkeling on the reef. The house is located on a quiet beach area that felt secluded while offering a lot of amenities close at hand. John's Escape next door was an easy place to enjoy wonderful food and drinks, as was Rojo just a short walk down the beach. Definitely make a stop at the Truck Stop for delicious cocktails. We couldn't have asked for a better time and will definitely be back to enjoy it again!

Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Trevor D., Dundee

28 Nov 2018

The BEST Place To Stay!

We LOVED staying here. It was a short ride by golf cart to town and walking distance to food via the beach. It is close to Secret Beach too which is a plus. We did two excursions and both picked us up from our dock. The caretaker, William, was wonderful. He really made our stay that much more special by answering tons of our questions, and being so kind and helpful. I'd stay here again just to see William and his dogs. The golf cart was waiting for us at the house when we arrived,and the owner was so kind as to help us arrange excursions and the golf cart. What a perfect vacation!

Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

KAREN S.

6 Jul 2018

Lovely:)

We had the time of our life! Snorkeling, kayaking, diving, kite boarding (yes it was windy). A golf cart is a must, it made our traveling easier. We went all the way up to the north end and stopped at a small place to have a beer. Hol chan and shark ray alley is a must. Secret beach, not so secret, but lovely for just hanging in the water with no waves. The property is gorgeous. I loved the fact that it was fenced off and that we had our own private dock. The pool was a added bonus. We Had Aurora and her husband cook for us one night and it was wonderful. We would stay here again. Thank you for sharing:)

Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2018

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

10/10 Excellent

Danielle S.

28 May 2018

Tropical paradise!

We couldn’t be happier with our choice. The owner, Carolyn, was consistently and quickly responsive. Better yet, she was also helpful. It was like having your own travel agent. She helped plan our week, providing great options. We had a chef from Aurora’s Grill cook us dinner one night, at the house. The meal was amazing. We later found her bar & grill on Secret Beach and enjoyed a beer with her wonderful family. The best part of the house were the caretakers, William and Marvin. They made sure the property was immaculate. They happily answered any and all of our questions. William would check in with us frequently and made sure we were enjoying our stay. He made all the reservations we wanted, like golf carts and taxis. You truly felt pampered. We can’t wait to go back! We also have to put a shout out to Tonester and Lady, William’s adorable dogs. They were so sweet; we so enjoyed their company.

Stayed 7 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Debra S.

24 Apr 2018

Beautiful place

Carolyn was amazing, arranging transportation from the airport, our golf cart, massages with Tephany and all our excursions, we had a great time. We can’t say enough about the caretaker William and his assistant Marvin, they were knowledgeable and very attentive, exceptionally nice guys. The kitchen was well equipped and the AC worked great. It’s beautiful property and the private pool on the roof was perfect. Pictures don’t show all the improvements they’ve done….added a pergola on the roof, a palapa at the end of the dock and beautiful landscape. We thoroughly enjoyed the dogs, they’re so well behaved. Only thing I would change….close off the outside shower so it can be used as an additional shower. Nautilus personnel met us at the airport and explained we couldn’t take the boat to the island due to storms and rough water, they offered to reimburse us and helped secure a flight through Maya air, had a taxi waiting, who kindly stopped at the grocery store before heading to the house. Great day with Sabastian and first mate Andy (Lucky Devil Tours), fishing, lunch on the island (delicious), and a ride along the reef (as we opted to skip snorkeling, it was getting cloudy and cool). The trip with Amigos Del Mar out to the blue hole was outstanding. The food is great and people are all so friendly, it was a wonderful experience.

Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jerilyn J.

13 Feb 2018

We were very pleased with our cozy apartment on the beach.

The accommodations were just right for our group; we had everything we needed. We loved being able to walk out of the front door onto the beach! We spent a lot of time in the sheltered area in front and appreciated such a comfortable way to be outside while out of the sun. We also enjoyed the pool area on the roof, an excellent place to look at the stars and view the sunset! We took advantage of the kayaks, paddle boards, and bikes. Everyone we interacted with at the residence was charming and friendly. Carolyn was welcoming and so very helpful with any questions or requests that we had. The adorable dogs were an added bonus! This was one of the most delightful and relaxing vacations we have had!

Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2018

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

10/10 Excellent

erin c.

15 May 2017

A Sandcastle in Paradise

Carolyn and the home's caretaker William welcomed us and made us feel right at home. Staying at El Castillo de Arena was such an amazing experience. This was our first time Belize and we are dying to head right back. We rented the bottom unit of the home. It was clean, comfortable, and had everything we needed. The home has an amazing yard just feet from a private beach and pier. The home is located about 5 miles from San Pedro but we really enjoyed being out of town, very private but totally accessible. We loved our time so much we are trying to arrange a trip with our whole family next year. Thanks for making our stay so enjoyable!!! Wish we could give you more than 5 stars.

Stayed 4 nights in May 2017

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

10/10 Excellent

FAITH S.

18 Jan 2017

Awesome place to vacation for a family

We stayed with Carolyn for a week and it was overall a perfect place for our family. The pluses: - Carolyn and William were kind, knowledgeable and helpful hosts - It was right on the beach and we could kayak to the reef even with our kids to snorkle - The home was well equipped to cook - It was fabulous having free rentals of boats, games, and whatever we needed. It made everything much more convenient. - The beds were comfortable and the AC worked well when we needed it. - The upstairs bathing pool and deck are lovely and a nice place to have an evening cocktail. - The only hiccup is that the place is next to a restaurant which we did not expect. The restaurant was not loud, but we had thought that property might be slightly more secluded. We strongly recommend staying at the Casa!

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

10/10 Excellent

Tammy M.

6 Jan 2017

Fantastic Trip!

Our stay in Belize was just what we needed. The accommodations were absolutely wonderful. Carolyn and William were extremely helpful in providing us information on travel, food, entertainment, etc. William was there to make phone calls and arrangements for everything. Per Carolyn's recommendation we hired Aurora to come into the house and cook for us on the night we arrived. We loved it so much we booked her for two more nights. We were able to have a day on the water lobster diving, fishing, snorkeling, and a fabulous shore lunch. The kayaks, paddle boards, and beach games were provided for our use whenever we wanted. This was a much needed and relaxing vacation and a great way to celebrate our 20 year anniversary! We will be back!

Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2016

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

10/10 Excellent

Rita G., Greenville NC

18 Nov 2016

Great place to hang by the sea

El Castillo de Arena is right on the ocean with lots of outdoor seating to enjoy the Seabreeze and relax. The kitchen was well-equipped.. we enjoy shopping locally and cooking so it was great for that. It's conveniently located to a small shopping grocery, Mata Grande, and several restaurant choices, although some of them were closed due to the hurricane damage. The owners were available for any request we had and there was a sweet caretaker Marvin who helped us with our water sports equipment and housekeeping. It's an added bonus that Bums Beach Rental is available for all of your snorkeling, kayaking and paddle boarding needs at no charge. We were picked up right off the dock for fishing and snorkeling trips we arranged. There are many choices for guided trips. You can pack your week as full or as leisurely as you choose. The rooftop was a great place to read and relax. Spectacular views. Would definitely return!

Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 4BDR

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