Caye Caulker might just be one of the most beautiful spots on the globe. Caye Caulker is a ‘go slow’ island where you can really enjoy the laid-back, Caribbean lifestyle.
Caye Caulker is located just a few miles off Belize City, you can take a 1-hour fast boat or you could fly there on a small plane. The island is a hot spot for younger travellers, who are seeking out dreamy turquoise waters, hipster Caribbean vibes and Belizean culture.
The island is roughly 4 miles long, but only the southern side is inhabited. The north of the island houses thick mangrove forest, and diverse bird life and is protected by a forest reserve.
The motto of the island is ‘Go Slow’, I can confirm Caye Caulker really does go slow. The only way around the island is via golf buggy, bicycle or your feet. The Island only has 3000 residents and their primary source of income is tourism and fishing.
Belize is surrounded by a white sandy coastline, which is hugged by the second-largest barrier reef in the world.
What to do on Caye Caulker
There are so many things to do in Caye Caulker, above the sea or in it, you really won’t be running out of ways to spend your time. You do, however, also have the option to kick back in a hammock and soak up the sun whilst embracing the local ‘go slow’ attitude. Nobody is judging!
Coral Reefs: This should be at the top of anyone’s list who is visiting Caye Caulker. There are so many tour operators who can take you to explore the 61-square-mile pristine marine reserve. I did a full-day boat and snorkelling tour with EZ Boy Tours who I highly recommend. They provided us with 2 meals, unlimited rum punch, great music, banter and memories that will last a lifetime. We swam with sharks, stingrays and puffer fish, all whilst learning about the island’s history through the local tour guides.
Beach Bars: The most popular beach on Caye Caulker is The Split. The island was famously split apart by a hurricane in 1961, if you head down to the Lazy Lizard Bar & Grill you can see this with your own eyes. We spent a full day at the Lazy Lizard when visiting Caye Caulker and had such a fun day. Great music, great beers, social atmosphere and crystal blue water. What more could you want?
The Great Blue Hole: One for the adrenaline junkies. This famous sinkhole is 318 metres across as well as being 124 metres deep. The famous sinkhole is about a 70 km or 2-hour boat ride from Caye Caulker but is considered to be one of the most astounding dive sites found anywhere on planet Earth.
Where to stay in Caye Caulker
There are so many places to stay on the island, it all really depends on your budget. You have budget-friendly hostels as well as stunning Airbnbs and Cabanas available. Personally, I stayed in an Airbnb tucked away towards the quiet end of the island, still only a 10-minute walk to the town area. But here are some great hostel and Airbnb recommendations.
Bella’s Backpackers: My friends stayed here at the same time I visited Caye Caulker. We went here most nights for a beer and to socialise. It’s definitely worth having a look at Bella’s Backpackers as they have a wide variety of rooms available and the hostel is only a stone’s throw away from Caye Caulker’s white, sandy beaches.
Hostel Go Slow: Another great hostel and only a 5 minute walk from The Split, which is really the main hangout area on the island. They have some great tours available and a good choice of rooms. Head over to Hostel Go Slow if you want to immerse yourself in the great Belize culture.
Oasi Apartments: This is where I stayed on my visit and I recommend it to all of you! The host Luciana is truly incredible. She made sure we had everything we needed for our time on the island as well as giving us great food recommendations. Feel free to have a look at Oasi Apartments availability.
Where to eat on Caye Caulker
There are honestly so many great places to eat. Fresh Caribbean seafood, fried chicken, Italian cuisine or even an Instagram-worthy smoothie bowl. I had so many amazing meals on Caye Caulker and visited most places twice!
The Little Kitchen: Hands down the best meal I had on the island. We went down in a group of 8 and there was not a single bite of food or drop of beer left at the end. Their hot sauce was absolutely amazing too, made from fresh ingredients. The Mango Coladas are also delicious. Definitely make sure to visit The Little Kitchen during your stay!
Reina’s: Another great choice. Serving authentic Caribbean food, including jerk meat dishes, great curries and amazing kebabs. This place gets super busy most evenings so make sure to get there early to ensure you get a table.
Namaste Cafe: A great local cafe serving smoothie bowls, fresh fruit, salads, iced coffees and more. It has 2 levels so you are able to socialise or work in the open-air cafe. Namaste even has a top level which is great for Yoga!
When to visit
There is no wrong or right time to visit this beautiful island. Belize is lucky enough to have warm temperatures all year round. However, as with most countries in Central America, there are dry and wet seasons.
The dry season runs from February to May. Temperatures often feel a bit cooler in the dry season, less humidity can make things slightly more bearable. You also see less clouds and rain.
Hurricane season sits between June and November so best to avoid visiting between these months if possible. You will generally experience frequent extreme downpours between the months of June and July so be prepared if you are visiting in these months.
Generally speaking, the best time to visit would be between January through to April. This is when I visited Caye Caulker and we had blue skies every day.
Getting to Caye Caulker
The island is super easy to get to. Most tourists and travellers arrive via ferry. The ferry departs from Belize City and takes around 1 hour. You can purchase tickets online at Belize Water Taxi or Water Jets International. Both of these providers run regular services and also offer services to other destinations in the area; Caye Caulker, San Pedro on Ambergris Caye as well as Chetumal, Mexico, in the state of Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula.
You are also able to fly to the island with Maya Island Air or Tropic Air. The island has a very small airport which is serviced by daily flights which take around 20 minutes from Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City.
How long to stay?
This island just off the coast of Belize is a backpacker’s or holidaymakers’ paradise. Personally, I could stay infinitely. It has a great culture and laid-back vibe with many activities to keep you busy.
Realistically, to experience the island fully as well as seeing all of the amazing nature and beaches it has to offer, you should be looking at staying for between 4-6 days.
If you are strapped for time you could probably experience all of the island’s offerings in 3 days. But it’s best not to rush Caye Caulker, you really do need to adopt the local’s ‘Go Slow’ attitude.
Is Caye Caulker worth visiting?
Absolutely! If you have the chance to go and visit this beautiful paradise I would 100% recommend doing so. The snorkelling is right up there with The Great Barrier Reef. For this reason alone I think it is worth visiting the tropical island. Other than that it has amazing locals, great food, and immaculate vibes and is topped off with some of the best beaches on the planet. You’d be silly not to go!
Read more articles on Caye Caulker HERE.
Leave a Reply