Some photos instantly transport me back to a simpler San Pedro, and this is certainly one of them. This photograph captures Coconut Drive, looking south toward the San Pedro Airstrip, at a time when the island still moved at a slower pace. On the left stands the familiar picket fence of San Pedro Roman Catholic School, a landmark that generations of island children passed every school day. Straight ahead, you can make out the buildings that housed Tropic Air and the Sunbreeze Hotel, two places that continue to be part of San Pedro’s story today.
What catches my attention most, however, are the two men walking barefoot down the sandy street. There was no rush, no long line of golf carts, and certainly no traffic jams. Just people walking, chatting, and enjoying another day on the island. Back then, your feet were often your best mode of transportation.
Coconut Drive Today
The road itself tells its own story. Before the pavement, Coconut Drive was a wide stretch of white sand where bicycles, pedestrians, the occasional golf cart, and a handful of vehicles shared the road without much concern. It was common to see neighbors stopping to talk in the middle of the street because there simply wasn’t much traffic to interrupt the conversation.
Looking at this scene today, it’s hard to believe how much this area has changed. What was once a quiet entrance to town has become one of the busiest corridors on the island, welcoming thousands of residents and visitors every day through the John Greif II Municipal Airport.
Photos like this remind me that while San Pedro has grown into one of Belize’s premier tourism destinations, it wasn’t all that long ago that life here was defined by sandy streets, familiar faces, and a pace that encouraged you to slow down and appreciate the journey.
Do you remember walking down Coconut Drive when it looked like this? Share your memories in the comments. We’d love to hear your stories!
Click Here for More Flashback Posts
