Entire home

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

your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

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

Property grounds
Pool
Smart TV, DVD player, books, video library
5 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, travel cot, free WiFi
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

5 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 10297 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Pool
  • Barbecue grill
  • Parking available
  • Free WiFi
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

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

Room options

About the area

San Pedro

A family-friendly stay in San Pedro awaits you at this holiday home. You'll be steps from Belize Barrier Reef and 2.2 km (1.4 mi) from Mexico Rocks. Highlights at this beachfront holiday home include a kitchen, a private pool and a washer/dryer. .You can enjoy Smart televisions with a DVD player, and home features free WiFi, 4 bathrooms and a furnished balcony or patio. In-room dining is easy with a kitchen that comes equipped with a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. A living room, a fenced private garden and a TV are also available. Housekeeping is available on request. .This beach holiday home offers concierge services, a garden and barbecues. .In the area of this San Pedro holiday home, you'll find Secret Beach.

What's nearby

  • Mexico Rocks - 4 min drive
  • Secret Beach - 14 min drive
  • Boca del Rio - 21 min drive
  • San Pedro Town Hall - 25 min drive
  • San Pedro Belize Express Dock - 26 min drive

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

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

Property manager

Sunrise Property Management

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach

Pool/Spa

  • Communal pool
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

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

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

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

Living spaces

  • 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

  • Laundromat nearby
  • Washer/dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

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
  • Snorkelling 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 and check-out are 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

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

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
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. Parties and events are allowed on site. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit in all accommodation.

Property is also known as

2166-208771

Frequently asked questions

Are there any beaches close to Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR?

The closest beach to Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR is Secret Beach (5.2 km).

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

Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR has a pool and a communal pool.

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

You bet! With amenities such as a BBQ, highchairs and travel cots, it's no surprise that Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR is a winner with our family travellers.

Is there a private hot tub at Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR?

No, but there is a private pool.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR?

No, Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR does not offer an airport shuttle service.

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

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at Beachfront. Close to Secret Beach. Kayaks. Bikes. Pool. Paddleboards. 5BDR?

No, pets are not allowed.

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

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 84 out of 86 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 86 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 86 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 86 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 86 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Gegetta B.

Liked: Cleanliness
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
Paradise
Amazing property right in the beach. Everything about the place was amazing.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeanne B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Private and Safe for Island Getaway
El Gran Castillo was a great choice for our family vacation. It felt very private and had 3 separate living areas, just right for our three families. Located right on the water, the view was outstanding. We especially liked the sandy front yard for the kids to play, the sand toys provided, the hammocks, and the use of kayaks. My favorite part about this trip was the communication we had with the management company, Sunrise Properties. They went above and beyond to answer every question, provide pack n play cribs, highchairs, taxi service, airport reservations, and golf cart drop off. That made our trip so easy. With international travel, this helped alleviate so much pre-travel stress. Additionally, we were treated so well by the caretaker, William, and the personal chef we hired, Sarita. Things to be aware of include poor infrastructure on the island, (super bumpy roads), music played all day at restaurant next door (I personally enjoyed it tho) very dangerous slippery tiled steps, wide open spaces on the railing (hazard for kids falling through), occasional power outages, and a 20-minute ride to Secret Beach. Groceries are expensive! The grocery store is a 15 minute ride. We found some fun spots: Marbucks (breakfast spot) Food Truck Stop, and Rum Dog for yummy margaritas. Although the rooftop pool is very small, it was super clean and was ideal for our young children who spent most of their time there. Get ready for island life. This house will be a great place to relax.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joanne R., Media, Pennsylvania, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Ward B.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

8/10 Good

elizabeth s.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Austin D.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Alicia M.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Gwen H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Much Love for the Grand Sand Castle
Seven of us had a very comfortable week-long stay at this idyllic, spacious and modern beachfront villa. There were more than enough beds to accommodate everyone, on multiple floors each with their own kitchens and bathrooms. Oh, and the best feature is the rooftop pool!!! We pre-ordered some food to have on hand for our arrival, arranged golf carts and even scheduled some tours all through the Sunrise Vacations management team. Talk about convenient! Not to mention there is a lovely bar & restaurant just next door, if you don't feel like cooking. Secret beach is just on the other side of the island, and it's a quick ride into town for shopping, dining or whatever excursions you'd like to take. The property comes with an on-site caretaker and a groundskeeper, and their concierge-like service cannot be matched. They were so helpful and kind, that it felt like we'd made new friends by the time we departed. Can't wait to visit again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Girls Trip 2023!
Great time stellar views! William & Marvin we’re awesome!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert W.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

William D.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie B.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Spencer T., Fort Worth

Liked: Cleanliness
Great house, location and amenities
We really loved the house, especially the various nice outdoor spaces. The pool/deck, dock and beach bar were all great. The views of the sea and the reef were extraordinary, as were the sunrise & sunset. The swimming / snorkeling isn't great and the water is often pretty murky by the beach and the dock. But, we loved using the SUPs and kayaks. Also loved watch the many rays swimming around and jumping and also saw a pod of dolphins go by very near the dock. The house definitely has everything one could need and the caretakers (William and Marvin) were very helpful, yet not intrusive. William did a great information session on the coconuts and also barbequed my fish and lobsters that I caught. The house and grounds are very clean. You can certainly tell the difference between the condition of the beach at El Gran Castillo -vs- some other properties along the beach that had lots of washed up trash. It was also VERY convenient to have the restaurant John's Escape next door(named after John Mcaffee who used to own the property and lived in the house next door...see Netflix for lots more info on that). We had a few good meals from there, got side dishes to go with my fish and lobster and bough cases of beer from them. Highly recommended! Simon at Sunrise was a great property manager, made everything go very smoothly with the flights, golf cart, etc and booked a great fishing trip for me. Overall, it was a fantastic stay. It was just two of us, but the property certainly would be great for a much larger group. There are 3 separate living areas, but the prime one with great views from inside and out is on the upper level.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Renee C., Jackson

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Jerry L., Tempe

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Grainne B.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Great Escape
This property exceeded our expectations in many ways. Stunningly beautiful views. Exceptional accommodations with countless amenities. The interior design of the house fit the needs of our party (3 generations) perfectly. The exterior design of the house is striking while at the same time subtle so it does not disrupt the beautiful natural surroundings. The location is great - we had everything we needed onsite, but for the occasions we wanted to venture beyond the property it is quick and convenient to get to restaurants, attractions and downtown. The on-site team, William and Marvin, are fantastic hosts who helped provide a very comfortable stay and helped create many very special moments throughout our stay. Simon and the rest of the team with Sunrise Property Management is the most thorough, professional, knowledgeable and service-oriented group we have ever worked with over many years of VRBO stays. Excellent communication and so proactive to prepare us for our international travel and plans for our visit well before arrival, and ready to help with anything (excursions, transportation) throughout our entire trip. This property deserves more than 5 stars. We give it ALL the stars!!!
Stayed 8 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michelle B., USA

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Jacob H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent Family Getaway
Our rental experience with this property was fantastic from start to finish. The management group was in frequent contact with us to coordinate our arrival and provide updates to the Covid policies in Belize. They also helped us schedule our on site spa day which was a huge hit with our party! The house was beautiful and offers a great floor plan for multiple families as each area has its own kitchen and living area to allow for individual down time. Finally, the views from the rooftop pool area are breath taking!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Beverly R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay
Everything was perfect! I rented this house and another one almost next door for our family and friends to stay at for our beach wedding. The property management company and Simon were outstanding to work with! And, the staff at the house, William and Marvin were awesome!!! Everyone went above and beyond to help set up for the wedding, literally building a wedding venue on the beach! I can’t say enough about the generosity of the Belizean people, William and Marvin in particular!
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melissa V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Week
Our family had a great week relaxing, playing, and enjoying the sunshine! Simon and Elena were very responsive to questions and flexible when adjustments to excursions were needed. William and Marvin were very accommodating and personable! It was great to get to know them and learn more about their culture and the island. The house was immaculate, beds were comfortable, and had enough space for our group. We were able to snorkel, dive, fish, and kayak. There was a dolphin who would swim by the pier a couple of times a day! Chef Alex prepared a few meals for us at the house and we went to a few restaurants. We drove golf carts to "Secret Beach" which was beautiful with shallow water and incredible views. It wasn't really our scene, but I'm glad we went! It was a wonderful week! Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

beth m., Greensboro, NC

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Amy G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful stay/Wonderful staff
We really had a great time at El Gran Castillo de Arena. The house was immaculate and very comfortable for our group, which ranged in age from 8 to 78 years old. The beach area and hammocks were awesome, as was snorkeling off the docks. Although there is some seaweed, snorkeling from the end of the dock was really nice, lots of fish! We did some line fishing too, which our teenage boy really enjoyed. We even saw a ray and a nurse shark. William and Marvin were exceptional and helped with all our needs. William was able to get us fresh lobster (thankfully it was lobster season, so delicious!) and fresh fish the week we were there. He is also very caring and helped us get to a clinic when one of the boys fell on his wrist (all was okay!) Simon is also very extremely responsive and made booking our stay and excursions so easy. We did a couple of excursions and were graciously picked up and dropped off right from the dock. I loved the rooftop pool, it was so relaxing to go up there for a quick dip and sun bathing. Also, the star gazing was amazing! Overall, the house had all the right ingredients for a wonderful family vacation!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Michelle L., Kearney, NE

Liked: Cleanliness
Nebraska Girls Getaway
This was a great place for our girls get-away!! Being right on the beach was so relaxing. Carolyn and her staff were wonderful. This is on our "return to" list.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Rick P.

Liked: Cleanliness
El Castillo de Arena
Great Property, Carolyn and her team were excellent. Fun time for all!
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2019