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Epic Things to do in Caye Caulker, Belize

Julia Marr

I found myself at a loss for words when describing the beauty of Caye Caulker. Before setting foot on this captivating island, I had already felt a strong pull to explore its paradise-like setting. However, it was only upon my arrival that the true extent of my affection for this diminutive coral island revealed itself to me in full force. Before I started my research into Central America I had barely heard of a country called Belize, let alone an island off the coast called Caye Caulker. Now I couldn’t imagine never knowing about this amazing location!

Caye Caulker is a small Caribbean island off the coast of Belize, it is mainly accessible via boat but does have a small airport too. The island is split into two sections, The southern part of the island is known as Caye Caulker Village and this is where tourists spend their time, the northern part is a protected forest reserve, home to mangrove forests and diverse birdlife.

EPIC Things to do in Caye Caulker, Belize - Travel Guide to Caye Caulker

When to Visit Caye Caulker

The best time of year to visit Caye Caulker is pretty much anytime! The weather here is usually perfect all year round, there is a low season between May - October which is usually because there is more chance of rain and hurricanes around this period. But it means that it is also cheaper this time of year, and when it does rain it is quite mild and in short bursts.

How long should you spend in Caye Caulker? I don’t think there is any certain amount of time that is enough unless you live there. I spent a week there and I still wish I had spent longer, I know some people that only spent three days and that was enough for them. It depends on your budget and the time frame you have, I say that you should stay up to a week if you have the time too because it’s just that amazing!

EPIC Things to do in Caye Caulker, Belize - Travel Guide to Caye Caulker

How to get to Caye Caulker

Depending on where you are coming from there are a few different ways to travel to Caye Caulker, Most people will most likely be catching a water taxi to reach the island.

If you are coming from Mexico, you can have a look at my post about getting from Mexico to Caye Caulker here: https://www.mycameradiaries.com/travel-guides/mexico-border-crossing-into-belize

If you are coming outside of Belize, you will need to fly into Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport near Belize City, then make your way to Belize City ferry wharf to catch a water taxi across to the island. I recommend travelling with Belize Express Water Taxi https://belizewatertaxi.com/destinations/caye-caulker/ it takes 45 minutes and costs USD 21 or AUD 31. The cheapest and most effective way to reach the island, and with 8 trips a day to the island there will be one to suit your arrival time.

If you have been spending time on the island of San Pedro, it’s super simple to head to Caye Caulker. Head to the Belize water taxi ferry on the island of San Pedro and book a ticket to the island of Caye Caulker, the ferries run 8 times a day and take 30 minutes.

EPIC Things to do in Caye Caulker Belize, travel guide to Caye Caulker

Where to stay in Caye Caulker

Best Budget Accommodation in Caye Caulker:

Best Guesthouses in Caye Caulker:

Best Hotels & Resorts in Caye Caulker

My first piece of advice when looking into Caye Caulker is to book as soon as you can, especially during December - March as this is known to be the high season. I organised my hostel in December when I was visiting in March, I know a lot of people missed out on staying where they wanted to because there is limited accommodation and it books out quite fast. Many backpackers turned up without a booking and ended up sleeping in small tents for the duration of their stay on the island.

All accommodations are on the southern island of Caye Caulker, everything is within walking distance which is super helpful and easily accessible. Depending on your budget there are great options for all, here are a few that I recommend.

EPIC Things to do in Caye Caulker, Belize - Travel Guide to Caye Caulker

What to see & do in Caye Caulker, Belize

Caye Caulker is the perfect island escape to just chill and relax or the complete opposite and experience all the action-packed fun! I did a mix of both, some days I just lounged around and read a book all day, and other times I went sailing and snorkelling with sharks, it is the best of both worlds!

This small island is not to be fooled by what it can offer! There are activities to suit all ages and accessibility, I didn’t want to prebook anything as I wasn’t sure what I was going to do and that seemed to work fine as there are plenty of tourist operators on the island and nothing seemed to book out until the day before or the day of. In saying that I would personally check with any tour operators if you know you want to do something in particular. Below are some of my personal favourite and popular activities to do on Caye Caulker.

  • The Blue Hole, Belize

    This is one of the top attractions in Belize, the blue hole is a giant marine sinkhole 70 km offshore from Belize. It is believed to be the largest sinkhole and part of the Belize barrier reef system. It attracts thousands of divers every year. There are two ways to experience the blue hole: boat or plane. It is an expensive spot to visit as it is harder to get to than most attracts, I didn’t get a chance to see it for myself as the weather conditions weren’t right to visit, but I would love to have seen it from above!

    I have heard mixed reviews about the snorkelling and diving there, most people prefer to dive as there isn’t much to see when snorkelling but I feel like the above view will showcase its magnificence like no other. There are day trips from both San Pedro & Caye Caulker. These are the top tour companies that are recommended.

    For a scenic flight, Maya Island Air - https://www.mayaislandair.com/the-great-blue-hole-tour/ - Flights start from USD 255/AUD 388

    For a diving or snorkelling tour, Belize Pro Dive Center - https://belizeprodivecenter.com/tour/blue-hole-dive/ Day trips including diving start from USD 275/AUD 420

  • Day Sailing & Snorkeling Trip

    If you only get the chance to do one activity on Caye Caulker this is the activity to book! Caye Caulker is situated right on the edge of the Belize Barrier Reef, This is the second largest coral reef system in the world and full of beautiful marine life. You can opt to do either snorkelling or diving day trips out to the reef and enjoy delicious Caribbean food and rum punch on the boat.

    Many companies on the island are available for day trips and I booked the day before in peak season so it’s not something you are likely to have to book in advance but if you know what day and company you would like to enjoy this with then it’s advised to book ahead of time just so you don’t miss out.

    When out on the boat, definitely remember to take swimmers, a hat and sunscreen! But make sure your sunscreen is reef-friendly and apply it before you board the boat as they are trying to protect their coral reef from harsh chemicals that can be found in sunscreen.

    The only company I am going to recommend is Raga Sailing Adventures, as I went with them and they were epic! I also had many friends who had a wonderful time before and after me! They are also super experienced and will help any level of snorkelling or divers, they know where to find incredible marine life too. You are bound to see turtles, reef sharks, dolphins, eagle rays, nurse sharks and if you are lucky a Manatee too! Snorkelling and sailing trips are 100 USD/ 153 AUD for adults & Sunset sailing trips are 50 USD/ 77 AUD for adults.

    https://www.raggasailadventures.com/

    However, if you want to do a diving experience I would recommend Sunrise Scuba https://www.sunrisescubabz.com They offer Padi dive courses if you want to learn or half-day, full day and night dive adventures for those who have their licence. Diving tours start from 130 USD/ 200 AUD and courses start from 190 USD/ 300 AUD.

  • 2 Night/ 3 Day Sailing Trip

    If you want a fun adventurous few days, this is the trip for you its a sailing adventure of a lifetime! Great for solo travellers looking to connect with others or couples wishing to explore more of what Belize offers! This tour takes a southern route from Caye Caulker to Dangriga, This trip includes all your snorkelling, fishing and camping gear. As well as marine, private island fees and of course food and drinks! On day one you sail to three different islands and in between enjoy all the snorkelling and fishing to be had. On day two you’ll slowly make your way to Tobacco Caye with many stops along the way to hopefully spot a Loggerhead turtle and Caribbean Stingrays. Day three will be spent out along the channel for extra time snorkelling and manatee watching, enjoy a last BBQ lunch before sailing to the final destination in Dangriga town.

    Everyday meals will be prepared fresh with local seafood and fruits, and enjoy local drinks like rum punch, they accommodate all dietary needs too. This is an adventure that you won’t forget for a very long time! These sailing trips cost 550 USD/ 840 AUD and require a minimum age of 12 years old. https://www.raggasailadventures.com/#overnighttours

  • Feed the Rays

    Every day at Iguana Reef Hotel the stingrays come in just before sunset between the hours of 4 pm - 6 pm where they get fed by the locals and tourists a few times a week. This doesn’t happen every day that they get fed but just head there and ask the hotel staff on which days they feed the stingrays. This is a free activity and is usually full of tourists wanting to see the stingrays and watch the sunset, it’s a wonderful place to visit at this time. The Stingrays are completely harmless as long as you give them space and don’t step on them, They are usually happy to swim over your feet if you stay still and hang out in calm waters. They do love a good stroke and will linger around your feet if they want more attention.

  • Relax & watch the sunset at Iguana Reef

    If you aren’t interested in feeding the stingrays then definitely still head to Iguana Reef to enjoy the sunset, look for seahorses in their wild scantuary and grab yourself a delicious coconut mojito. They even have hammocks in the water for you to relax in! If you aren’t a guest of the hotel then they do ask you to make a purchase of 25 USD/ 38 AUD at the bar to be able to enjoy the lounges but this isn’t always the case if its super busy.

  • Hire a bike & ride around the island

    If you love to explore and do exercise at the same time, why not hire a bike and ride around the island? Now just be warned that you can’t ride in a loop around the island as I learnt the hard way when I ended up in knee-deep mud and walking along Crocodile Road! But there are some great riding tracks and the island is bigger than you probably expected, its also a nice way to get to different spots that you want to visit on the island. You can hire a bike from most accommodation places and they start from around 5 USD/ 8 AUD per day.

  • Spend the day at Lazy Lizard Bar at the Split

    The Spilt is the most popular beach destination in Caye Caulker, It’s known as the Split because it separates the north and south of the island. Lazy Lizard Bar is situated right on the end of the southern island and is a very cool place to spend the day. There are bar seats in the crystal clear water to enjoy a few drinks, diving boards to jump into the water from, activities for the kids, epic music vibes and delicious food. You can’t go wrong with a day spent here!

    If you have a big family or lots of friends it might be a good option to hire a beach cabana for the day, or if you want to enjoy a night out Lazy Lizard also doubles as a bar/nightclub in the evening. Your options are endless when it comes to this spot!

    https://www.lazylizardbarandgrill.com/

Epic THINGS TO DO IN CAYE CAULKER, BELIZE - TRAVEL GUIDE TO CAYE CAULKER

Where to eat in Caye Caulker, Belize

Out of all the food from Central America (Including Mexico), I think Caye Caulker was my favourite food! In Australia we don’t have a big Caribbean food culture so the foods here were very new to me but oh my! Jerk Chicken is my new favourite food and fryjack! I ate these every day that I was on the island and never got sick of them! So many incredible restaurants and cafes on this little island and I didn’t get a chance to visit most of them, But I did spend a lot of time at BBQs on the main road. Also, the seafood here is so fresh and delicious, that this is a must-have when staying on Caye Caulker Island.

Breakfast Spots In Caye Caulker:

  • Ice & Beans Cafe - Open from 6:30 am - to 4:30 pm, this Cafe will be your go-to! They have delicious bagels and yummy drinks, alongside good wifi and comfy hammocks. Can’t go wrong with breakfast from here! https://www.instagram.com/iceandbeans/?hl=en

  • Namaste Café - If you would like a side of Yoga with your breakfast this is a great little spot to check out, Why not enjoy a morning of yoga followed by a delicious healthy breakfast at this vibey cafe? https://namastecafebelize.com/

  • Errolyn's House Of Fryjacks - Fryjacks can be enjoyed at any time of the day but it is known as a belizean breakfast food. Breakfast is the sweetest time to indulge in fryjacks so you have the rest of the day to work it off. If you are not sure what a fry jack is, they are deep-fried dough pieces that are traditionally served with eggs, refried beans, bacon and sausages.

Where to lunch in Caye Caulker:

  • Local BBQ stands: Along the village town of Caye Caulker you will see locals selling BBQ Jerk chicken and sides, If you are wanting a delicious easy meal to enjoy by the ocean then I recommend grabbing one to go! Traditional Caribbean food in its finest form and so bloody delicious! A few to try include: Betty's Go Slow Grill street food, Chef Kareem's Unbelizable Lunch Caye Caulker and Martinez Fast Food

  • The Dock Cafe And Bar: This is the place to be to enjoy lunch over the clear turquoise waters or have a drink in the swim-up bar stools. Delicious food, catchy tunes and fun staff, you really can’t go wrong with this spot for lunch!

  • The Pelican Sunset Bar - Enjoy fresh seafood and local Belizean foods at this wonderful local bar and grill restaurant, a favourite among tourists it’s a great lunch and dinner spot that will have you wanting to come back for more!

For Dinner In Caye Caulker Try:

  • Shado Beni Caribbean Tapas Lounge - This place invites you into a world that mixes Indian and Caribbean foods in a tapas style. Enjoy live music and sip a few cocktails for a fun evening of adventurous tastebuds and intimate moments, also if you do go, ask the owners how they met… It’s a funny story! https://www.instagram.com/shadobenibelize/

  • Maggies Sunset Kitchen - This spot is recommended by many locals and if you love fish and seafood this is one to check out for sure. This is a small restaurant with only four tables and it does get busy, a great restaurant to watch the sunset and enjoy local foods at a reasonable price.

  • Elba's Little Kitchen restaurant - This restaurant is one of the oldest authentic spots in Caye Caulker, owned and operated by a local family. The food here is delicious and I highly recommend the coconut curry shrimp (Prawns if you are Aussie). The prices are a little higher but worth every cent in my eyes!

Places to Drink & Party in Caye Caulker:

  • I&I Reggae Bar - This spot has been partying for the last 30 years, open from 5 pm - 1 am, this is the spot for your Reggae jams. This three-storey party bar will have you dancing the night away!

  • Enjoy Lounge & Bar - This is the spot to hang if you love Karaoke! Every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday evening from 7 pm - 12 am you can enjoy belting out a tune or listening to everyone else destroy famous songs! Great atmosphere and to laugh!

  • Bella’s Backpackers Hostel - If you aren’t exactly sure where you want to go or don’t have anyone to go with, Bella’s Backpackers Host bar crawls around the island and is a great way to party and socialise on this beautiful island!









Epic THINGS TO DO IN CAYE CAULKER, BELIZE - TRAVEL GUIDE TO CAYE CAULKER

My Top Tips when travelling to Caye Caulker, Belize

  • Bring Cash! Most places on Caye Caulker will only accept cash including hotels and tour companies. There is a bank on the island but I recommend bringing cash if you can. They do accept both USD & BZD Currencies.

  • It can be expensive espeically compared to other parts of Belize and countries in Central America. Most activities are priced for American tourists so when coming from a country like Australia where our dollar is lower in value it can be more expensive. So be prepared to budget a little higher here.

  • Make sure you have reef-friendly sunscreen! Being on a tropical island you will spend a lot of time under the sun, so make sure you apply sunscreen multiple times a day otherwise, you will look like a lobster. When buying sunscreen please make sure it is labeled reef friendly and apply 30 minutes before going in the ocean as they are trying to protect the waters and reef as much as possible.

  • Everyone speaks English! This is the only country in Central America where the locals speak English.

  • There are a lot of local dogs on the island and most of them are friendly and love a pat but do ask the owners first or watch the dog’s body language to see if they would love a pat from you!