Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about things to do in Caye Caulker, a beautiful island off the Caribbean coast of Belize. While not as popular as San Pedro, Caye Caulker is gaining popularity as a tropical vacation destination. For first-time visitors, there are some things you should know before planning a trip to Caye Caulker Belize.
Getting to Caye Caulker
If you’re flying into Belize and going straight to Caye Caulker, we recommend taking the Belize Express Water Taxi to reach Caye Caulker. They run from about 7am until 5pm, so there’s a good chance if you land in Belize City in the afternoon, you may need to spend one night there before catching the morning water taxi to Caye Caulker. The trip takes under an hour over typically calm waters and is a great way to ease yourself into island life.
Getting Around Caye Caulker
There are no cars in Caye Caulker! The “taxis” here are actually golf carts, and you’ll see plenty of them lined up at the ferry and water taxi docks. If you have a lot of luggage, or just don’t feel like walking, you can hire a taxi to get to your Caye Caulker hotel or guest house. That said, it’s a very small town, so it’s very walkable.
The Split
The Split is a narrow slice of water created by Hurricane Hattie that separates the north and south islands of Caye Caulker. The North Island is a little less busy, as there aren’t water taxis going there. However, there is a resort running a boat back and forth. If you spend a certain amount at their restaurant, the boat ride is free. If you are staying north of the Split, make sure you know how you’re getting there, as most Caye Caulker resorts are south of the Split.
Caye Caulker Accommodation
Caye Caulker is a popular backpacker destination, so there are lots of hostels. While we’re not opposed to hostels and have even found some great family-friendly hostels, the ones we saw here were a bit rustic for our taste. Not to worry, there are also lots of apartment rentals and hotels to choose from as well. Caye Caulker hotels are generally independent properties, so you do have to search them out as they aren’t always advertising on the usual sites like Booking.com. If you’re visiting during peak season (December through March) you will need to book pretty far in advance.
Eating in Caye Caulker
Of course, the seafood here is fantastic! Grilled lobster was definitely a family favorite and conch is another popular ingredient in a lot of dishes, from conch fritters to ceviche. The food is very Caribbean-flavored, so we also saw a lot of jerk spices and chicken dishes. The little beach huts and street vendors were much cheaper than the sit-down restaurants, but the food was still phenomenal, so if you’re looking to save money, hit up the huts!
(If you’re really into lobster, visit during Lobster Fest at the end of June!)
Prices in Caye Caulker
Belize is one of the more expensive destinations in Latin America, and when you’re on the islands, everything has to be shipped in, so the prices are even higher than mainland Belize. It’s not terribly expensive, but it’s also not dirt cheap, either. Make sure you hit an ATM on the mainland and bring cash to spend in the islands. US dollars and Belize dollars are both accepted, and small bills are always better than large bills.
Shocks to Expect When Visiting Belize
Safety in Caye Caulker
As a small island, everyone knows everyone, and it felt very safe walking around Caye Caulker. They rely on tourism and it’s important to be known as a safe destination in Central America. We saw a few tourists who had been overserved and quite a few interesting smells wafting in the air, but overall we did not feel unsafe during our trip to Caye Caulker.
Things to do in Caye Caulker
This isn’t New York City, with endless museums and tours. This is a place you visit to relax and enjoy amazing beaches and blue water. But, there are a few things to do in Caye Caulker.
- Blue Hole tours are probably the top thing to do in Caye Caulker. The Blue Hole is a huge sinkhole off the coast of Belize and it’s a popular spot to go snorkeling or scuba diving.
- A shorter tour would be just out to the barrier reef, where you can still see lots of wildlife like sharks and rays.
- You can also rent paddle boards or kayaks on the beach and go explore on your own
- Rent a bike to explore the neighborhoods of the island; many Caye Caulker hotels have bikes for their guests
When choosing your tours, make sure you are doing your research. Some are more family-oriented, while others are more of a booze cruise atmosphere. We also think it’s important to choose tour companies that care for the environment and insist on guests being responsible and respectful of the wildlife.
Other Caye Caulker Travel Tips
Before you set off for Caye Caulker, here’s a few other things you should know:
- Don’t flush your toilet paper! Put it in the bin next to the toilet
- Don’t drink the water. It’s ok for brushing your teeth, but drink bottled water only!
- Don’t forget sunscreen! The sun is strong here!
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
A trip to Caye Caulker Belize is a great way to relax and enjoy some downtime. The motto of the island is “Go Slow” so it really is the perfect place to kick back and chill. Heck, there aren’t even cars, so there’s no traffic to stress anyone out! Want more Caribbean travel tips? Check out these other blog posts: