Caye Caulker Belize: Everything You Need to Know (2024)

Caye Caulker is a breathtaking tropical island in Belize. Whether you’re a shoestring budget traveller or are happy to splurge on a more luxurious stay, Caye Caulker has something for everyone.

In this guide, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about visiting this beautiful island in the Caribbean Sea. We’ll talk about the best things to do in Caye Caulker. Then, we’ll tell you how to get there, what to pack and where to stay, eat and party!

The Ultimate Guide to Caye Caulker in Belize

In this Caye Caulker travel guide, you’ll find out everything you need to know to help you plan an amazing trip! Let’s start by looking at some general information about the island and why it’s become a popular destination to visit.

Read more about snorkeling tours from Caye Caulker

About Caye Caulker, Belize

Caye Caulker is a small island located off the coast of Belize. The island is actually only around 4 square kilometres (1.5 square miles) and roughly 8km (5 miles) long. Given its small size, you won’t find cars on the island. Most people get around by foot, bike or golf cart. Whilst, the island has a lovely tropical setting and an uber-chilled Caribbean vibe. Certainly, the island is a great place to relax and enjoy the Carribean Belizean way of life!

Belize is actually home to many cayes, which are small islands positioned on top of coral reefs. Certainly, it’s Caye Caulker and also Ambergris Caye, which remain the most popular cayes to visit in Belize.

Ambergris Caye, just north of Caye Caulker, is the biggest caye in Belize and is considered the bigger brother of Caye Caulker. Of course, Ambergris Caye sees many visitors and is popular to visit. But, Caye Caulker has cemented itself as a unique caye to visit in Belize, offering a more rustic and chilled vibe whilst being a more budget-friendly alternative to Ambergris Caye.

Indeed, among backpackers, Caye Caulker has become a popular destination to visit along the Central America Gringo Trail. The island has a reputation for being affordable amongst shoestring travellers. But, by the same token, the island offers a level of luxury for couples and families wanting to enjoy a comfortable island stay. Specifically, Americans are known to travel to Caye Caulker to spend their holidays.

So, exactly where is Caye Caulker located in Belize?

Where Is Caye Caulker?

Caye Caulker is located off the coast of Belize in the Caribbean Sea. The caye is approx. 35km northeast of Belize City – Belize’s capital city. To help you get your bearings, feel free to click on the image below to access Google Maps.

Now you know a little more about the island and where it’s located, let’s talk about the best things to do during a visit.

Things to Do in Caye Caulker, Belize

There are plenty of awesome things to do in Caye Caulker, Belize. Perhaps, the major attraction of Caye Caulker is the nearby Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (AKA the Belize Barrier Reef), which is the second-largest reef in the world. Indeed, most people head to Caye Caulker to snorkel or dive in the phenomenal Belize Barrier Reef!

Snorkeling the Belize Barrier Reef

You can’t visit Caye Caulker without doing a snorkeling trip to the Belize Barrier Reef. Owing to the area’s rich marine life, the reef system was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Because much of the Belize Barrier Reef is protected, you’ll usually need a guide or you’ll need to do a guided tour to snorkel in the area. This is also advised by the Belize Tourism Board, which recommends hiring licensed guides or joining organised tours to visit the reef.

So, exactly what area of the Belize Barrier Reef should you visit from Caye Caulker? After all, there are so many beautiful nearby reefs and underwater paradises to explore.

Well, the two most popular places to snorkel in the Belize Barrier Reef, near Caye Caulker, are the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. Let’s start by looking at the incredible Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Read more: Belize Snorkeling – The TOP 16 Snorkeling Spots in Belize

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is the most popular place for snorkeling near Caye Caulker. At the marine reserve, you’ll explore an impressive underwater landscape full of stunning marine life such as green sea turtles and West Indian Manatees as well as dazzling coral reef, seagrass beds and mangrove forests. Undoubtedly, people travel from all over the world to Caye Caulker to snorkel at this marine reserve.

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a protected area. So, you can only snorkel there with a guide. Thankfully, there are many tour operators in Caye Caulker offering guided tours to the marine reserve. Indeed, snorkeling tours at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve are the main tours advertised and promoted by tour operators on the island.

Personally, Beck and I booked this Full-Day Caye Caulker Snorkeling Tour on GetYourGuide. This tour was run by friendly and expert guides at Salt Life Eco Tours. Because we had a fantastic time on this tour, we’re more than happy to recommend doing this tour. Feel free to use this link on GetYourGuide to book your full-day snorkeling tour from Caye Caulker to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Alternatively, you can also book this same full-day snorkeling tour on Viator.

Truth be told, you’ll find many different tour operators on Caye Caulker offering similar full-day tours. Essentially, all of the tour companies offer roughly the same itinerary visiting the same places in the marine reserve. This generally includes visiting Shark Ray Alley, the shipwreck (Belizean Titanic) and sites where you can see green sea turtles and White Indian manatees. So, it doesn’t really matter which tour company you choose! You’ll have a great time with whichever tour company you choose to go with.

Read more: Caye Caulker Snorkeling – The BEST Tours

Shark Ray Alley

Shark Ray Alley is one of the most amazing places you can go snorkeling near Caye Caulker. Located in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley is also referred to as ‘Zone D’ of the marine reserve. Whilst, it’s also known as Shark and Ray Alley, Hol Chan Shark Ray Alley and Shark Alley. Basically, the area is full of nurse sharks and stingray. By visiting Shark Ray Alley, you can swim with docile nurse sharks and stingray, which is one of the most incredible experiences that you can have in Belize.

By doing a full-day or even a half-day snorkeling tour of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, you’re guaranteed to visit Shark Ray Alley. Definitely, Shark Ray Alley is often the headline attraction of a snorkeling trip to the reserve.

The history behind the emergence of Shark Ray Alley as a snorkeling destination is very interesting. It was once an area where anglers would clean their catches of the day. This led to fish falling off the side of the boat, into the water, attracting the interest of nurse sharks and stingray. With an easy meal on offer, more and more nurse sharks and stingray started to gather in the area.

Although fishing is now banned in the area, when boats arrive at the site, nurse sharks still instinctively swim towards the boats in the hope of being fed. With this in mind, tour companies started to visit the site, knowing that swarms of nurse sharks would be present. Because nurse sharks are generally harmless to humans, snorkeling at Shark Ray Alley became a main selling point of tours – being able to swim with sharks!

Read more: Shark Ray Alley Belize – Swim With Sharks in Belize!

Caye Caulker Marine Reserve: Coral Gardens

The Coral Gardens, found in the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve, has one of the most stunning underwater landscapes in Belize. At the Coral Gardens, you’ll see a dense area of colourful elkhorn coral, fire coral and brain coral. Other than the exquisite coral on display, it’s also a decent place to see green sea turtles, and, if you’re lucky, seahorses!

You’ll find that most full-day snorkeling tours, from Caye Caulker, include a stop at the Coral Gardens. Indeed, the Full-Day Caye Caulker Snorkeling Tour that we booked on GetYourGuide included a stop at the sensational Coral Gardens.

Fishing Tours: BBQ Your Catch!

Whilst we’re talking about Caye Caulker tours, chartered fishing trips are another popular tour option. Doing a chartered fishing tour is another great way to explore the Belize Barrier Reef. The best part is that you’ll even get to cook your catch of the day. Included in most chartered fishing trips is a BBQ lunch where your guide will cook your catch in the Caribbean style.

You’ll find most chartered fishing trips on GetYourGuide and Viator depart from Ambergris Caye. So, it may be best to enquire in person once you arrive in Caye Caulker about a chartered fishing trip.

Great Blue Hole: Fly Over or Scuba Dive

The Great Blue Hole (AKA the Blue Hole Natural Monument and the Belize Blue Hole) is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Belize. It’s also one of the seven protected areas of the Belize Barrier Reef. The giant marine sinkhole with a perfectly circular body of water is surrounded by the Lighthouse Reef Atoll.

From Caye Caulker, it’s possible to take either a scenic flight over the Great Blue Hole or actually dive in it. Honestly speaking, taking a scenic flight is the best to truly appreciate the scope of the incredible natural attraction. Head to the Tropic Air website to book this scenic flight.

In terms of scuba diving, you’ll find many tour operators in Caye Caulker offering excursions out to the Great Blue Hole. Keep in mind that the Great Blue Hole is awesome for diving; but, not so much for snorkeling. So, unless you can dive, we don’t necessarily recommend taking the trip out there to snorkel as you won’t see much at the top of the sinkhole. In this case, it’s better to just take the scenic flight or simply snorkel at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley.

Now you know more about boat trips and tours departing from Caye Caulker, let’s look at the best things to do on the island itself!

Visit The Split in Caye Caulker, Belize

The Split is one of the most popular places to visit in Caye Caulker, Belize. Basically, it’s a hub of bars and water-based activities where tourists, locals and expats hang out. There’s certainly a great social scene at The Split.

Of course, the background story of how the place got its name is very interesting. As the story goes, in 1961, Hurricane Hattie single-handedly annihilated the island, literally splitting the island in two! ‘The Split’ is the divide between the main island and the north side of Caye Caulker. We’ll talk about things to do on the north side of Caye Caulker here. But, first, let’s look at things to do at The Split.

What to Do at The Split

You’ll head to The Split for fun water activities or to enjoy the social scene at one of the bars.

It’s possible to snorkel at The Split. Sure, the snorkeling on offer at The Split pales in comparison with what’s on offer at the Belize Barrier Reef. But, it’s one way to enjoy being in the water at The Split. Additionally, a whole bunch of watersports are on offer. This includes paddleboarding, kiteboarding, windsurfing, kayaking and platform diving. Otherwise, you can simply swim in the glistening Caribbean Sea in the passage dividing the south and north parts of the island.

In terms of bars at the Split, the Lazy Lizard is the most well-known establishment. For sure, you can’t visit the Lazy Lizard without having the bar’s famous Lizard Juice. It’s packed full of rum and a good time! Otherwise, head to Sip ‘N’ Dip, where you can literally sip on cocktails, whilst chillin’ in a tube in the water.

Visit the North Side of Caye Caulker, Belize

As mentioned, The Split actually refers to the divide in the island that separates the north and the south. From The Split, at the northern tip of the island’s mainland, you can swim, kayak or ferry over to the north side. You’ll find that the north side is far less developed; but, it’s emerging as a more popular place to visit and stay.

The Northside Beach Club (formerly Koko King) is one of the main attractions on the north side of Caye Caulker. The club has a large site with a hotel, restaurant, bar, pool and white-sand beach. It’s certainly a hub of activity and socialising. Further north of the island are some restaurants such as North Side Happy Lobster and La Fogata. Whilst, further north, you’ll find other accommodation options such as Blu Zen Caye Caulker and Sea n Sun Guest House.

Rent a Kayak in Caye Caulker, Belize

Kayaking is certainly one of the must-do activities when you’re in Caye Caulker. Beck and I thoroughly enjoyed kayaking around the north island and up towards The Split. Exploring the dense mangroves and shallow waters surrounding the island was extraordinary.

Personally, we rented kayaks for free from our accommodation at Go Slow Guest House. You’ll find most accommodations in Caye Caulker include kayak rental in the price of the accommodation. The friendly staff at Go Slow Guest House helped us carry the kayak over to a small jetty, next to the Tarpon Feeding Deck. We then set off on our kayaking journey!

Feed Tarpons at the Tarpon Feeding Dock

Feeding tarpons from the Tarpon Feeding Deck is an iconic thing to do during a stay at Caye Caulker in Belize. Upon arrival, you’ll usually pay around $2.50USD ($5BZ) to get a bowl of sardines. You can then hold the fish in between your fingers, hover your hand over the water and wait for a tarpon to leap out of the water to snatch the fish from your hand.

FYI – many full-day snorkeling tours from Caye Caulker visit this tarpon viewing area near the end of their tours. That’s what Beck and I experienced near the end of our Full-Day Caye Caulker Snorkeling Tour. Instead of accessing the feeding dock, you’ll simply admire the tarpons from the boat.

See Stingrays at Stingray Beach

Located at Iguana Reef Inn, Stingray Beach is a popular place to visit to see, feed and even swim with stingrays. Because the staff of the Iguana Reef Inn feed the stingray several times a week between 4–6pm, that’s when loads of stingray show up at the beach. Other than seeing stingrays out in the Belize Barrier Reef, this is the best place to see stingrays in Caye Caulker.

Right next to Stingray Beach, you’ll find the Seahorse Ranch Reserve otherwise known as the Seahorse Viewing Platform!

Visit Seahorse Ranch Reserve

The Seahorse Ranch Reserve is another attraction located at Iguana Reef Inn. Basically, the wooden jetty at the Iguana Reef Inn is a haven for seahorses. So, if you miss out on seeing seahorses at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve or at the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve, then you can see them at the Iguana Reef Inn’s Seahorse Ranch Reserve. Although, seahorses are great at hiding. So, you may need some help seeing them from a friendly staff member.

Similar to visiting the Tarpon Viewing Deck, many full-day snorkeling tours from Caye Caulker also visit the Seahorse Ranch Reserve at the end of their tours. Again, that’s what Beck and I experienced at the end of our Full-Day Caye Caulker Snorkeling Tour.

Of course, you’ll have to head back to the Iguana Reef Inn for sunset.

Sunset at Iguana Reef Inn

There are many nice places to watch the sunset in Caye Caulker, Belize. But, perhaps the best place to watch the sunset is at the Iguana Reef Inn. There’s plenty of seating on the wooden jetty and surrounding the beach. So, it’s super convenient to grab a beer from the bar, find yourself a seat and watch the spectacular sunset over the Caribbean Sea!

Sunrise at Ice and Beans Cafe

If the Iguana Reef Inn is great for a sunset, then Ice and Beans Cafe, on the opposite side of the island, is a great place to watch the sunrise. The cafe usually opens nice and early at 6:30am. So, you can order yourself an iced coffee and then grab a seat on the beach or chill out on the wooden jetty to watch the sunrise.

Do a Yoga Class at Namaste Cafe

Another popular cafe on the island is the Namaste Cafe. Other than serving up healthy eats, the cafe is well-known for putting on rooftop yoga classes. The class is donation-based, whilst the cafe supplies the yoga mats and superb views from the rooftop.

Where to Eat in Caye Caulker, Belize

Caye Caulker is known for its delicious Caribbean-style cuisine. Barbecued lobsters and jerk chicken – yes, please! Let’s look at the best places to eat during your time on the island.

Restaurants on Caye Caulker, Belize

There are plenty of nice restaurants in Caye Caulker, serving up traditional Caribbean cuisines. Sure, you won’t find fine dining on the island. But, there are still loads of great restaurants to choose from. Without exhaustively listing all of them, the most highly-reviewed restaurants include Pasta per Caso, Maggie’s Sunset Kitchen, Roy’s Blue Water Grill, Meldy’s Restaurant and the well-known Wish Willy Bar and Grill.

Beck and I particularly enjoyed the barbecued lobster at Roy’s Blue Water Grill and Wish Willy Bar and Grill. Expect to pay as little as $12USD ($24BZ) for barbecued lobster in Caye Caulker!

Street Food in Caye Caulker, Belize

When it comes to food in Caye Caulker, street food is all the rage. One of the best street food options is at Chef Kareem’s Unbelizable Lunch Caye Caulker. Beck and I ordered the jerk chicken from Kareem and it was super tasty! Otherwise, you’ve got to try a fry jack from The Fry Jack House.

Where to Party in Caye Caulker, Belize

Caye Caulker isn’t a party island as such. But, there is definitely still a nightlife scene if that’s your style. If you’re looking for a night out in Caye Caulker, you’ll want to start with afternoon drinks at the The Split and then head to Barrier Reef Sports Bar and Grill.

Barrier Reef Sports Bar and Grill

Barrier Reef Sports Bar and Grill (known simply as the ‘Sports Bar’) is the go-to place to watch sports, drink beers and enjoy a little music after a day of snorkelling or diving. The Sports Bar holds karaoke and trivia nights as well as hosting live music with the odd DJ bangin’ out some tunes.

If you’re keen to kick on once the Sports Bar closes, your only post-midnight option is the I and I Reggae Bar.

Remember to Go Slow!

So, there you have it – all of the best things to do in Caye Caulker, Belize. Before we dive into some logistics to help you plan an unforgettable trip, don’t forget that the island’s manta is ‘go slow’. It’s all part of the charm, being on island time during your Caribbean getaway. So, when it takes over an hour to get your order from a restaurant or no one is there to check you into your hotel, don’t stress, smile, you’re on island time!

How to Get to Caye Caulker From Belize City

To get to Caye Caulker from abroad, you’ll need to initially fly to the Goldson International Airport located in Belize City. Then, you can either catch a domestic flight from Belize City to the Caye Caulker Aiport or catch a ferry. When booking flights, you should definitely use Skyscanner to search for the cheapest flights. That’s what Beck and I always do.

Personally, we caught a ferry from Belize City to Caye Caulker. To follow in our footsteps, make your way to the San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi ferry terminal and ticket office located here. Pre-booking often isn’t required. Beck and I booked our ferry tickets from Belize City to Caye Caulker on arrival at the ticket office. Just to be on the safe side, you can pre-book tickets online on the official website. You can find the ferry schedule on the website here.

The roundtrip ferry ticket covering Belize City to Caye Caulker and Caye Caulker to Belize City usually costs around $35USD ($70BZ). In 2022, Beck and I paid $34.50USD/person ($69BZ) for a return ferry ticket.

How to Get to Caye Caulker From Chetumal, Mexico

If you’re travelling far and wide in Central America, you might find yourself wanting to get to Caye Caulker from Mexico. The easiest and quickest way to get to Caye Caulker from Chetumal, Mexico, is to get the ferry run by Water Jets International.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t an option for Beck and I when we visited because the ferry wasn’t in operation. So, that meant a slower and more tedious journey, which involved taxis, a bus and a ferry. Specifically, we got a taxi from Chetumal to the Chetumal Mexico-Belize border, crossed the border, got a taxi from the border to Corozal, got a chicken bus from Corozal to Belize City and then got a ferry from Belize City to Caye Caulker. This journey took about a day and may have only been slightly cheaper than the approx. 2.5 hour ferry from Chetumal to Caye Caulker.

How to Get Around Caye Caulker, Belize

Getting around Caye Caulker itself is very simple. The island is very small, so you can easily walk around the island and to all of its attractions on foot. Golf carts are available to hire if you need some help getting around the island. You can easily book this in person on arrival.

Bike Around Caye Caulker, Belize

Another option for getting around Caye Caulker is to rent a bike. Indeed, cycling around the island is a fun way to see and experience the island.

Where to Stay in Caye Caulker, Belize

Despite being a small island, there are plenty of superb accommodation options in Caye Caulker, Belize. Below, we’ll look at the best budget, mid-range and luxury options in Caye Caulker.

• Budget – Go Slow Guest House: Beck and I booked the Go Slow Guest House and really enjoyed it. We stayed in a lovely private room that was comfortable and clean. We highly recommend this budget option.
• Mid-range – Tropical Paradise: there are plenty of excellent mid-range Caye Caulker hotels to choose from. Tropical Paradise is our pick of the bunch given it has the most reviews.
• Luxury – La Isla Resort Caye Caulker: if you’re looking for a special place to stay on Caye Caulker, look no further than the exceptional La Isla Resort.
• Luxury – Weezies Caye Caulker: another stellar luxury option is Weezie’s Ocean Front Hotel and Garden Cottages.

What to Pack For Caye Caulker, Belize

Let’s talk about the things you’ll need to wear and pack for a trip to Caye Caulker, Belize. A lot of our suggestions are based on the fact that you’ll likely be swimming and snorkeling!

• Swimming gear: well, this probably goes without saying, but you’ll need your swimmers! We recommend wearing a rash shirt to help protect your skin from the sun, especially if you’re on a full-day snorkelling tour.
• Reef-safe sunscreen: you’ll want to apply sunscreen to protect your skin. But, of course, we want to conserve the coral reef, so a reef-safe sunscreen is ideal.
• Microfibre towel: a small lightweight microfibre towel is a great addition to dry off in between snorkeling stops on a tour.
• GoPro and other accessories: although many snorkeling tours include a guide taking photos, using your own action camera to photograph marine life is part of the fun!
• Waterproof phone case or a drybag: to help keep your belongings dry whilst you’re out on a boat.
• Sea sickness tablets: if you tend to get seasick, we recommend taking travel motion sickness tablets before going on the boat as a precaution.
• Sunglasses, hat, long lightweight sleeves and insect repellant

Best Time to Visit Caye Caulker, Belize

Generally speaking, Belize has nice warm weather all year round. So, Belize is really an all-year destination. But, the best weather in Belize and Central America is during the dry season between December and May. In particular, March and April are heralded as the best months to visit as the water visibility is best, whilst the water is calmer and warmer.

From June to November, the wet season can bring wilder weather, which can impact the running of snorkeling and diving tours. Of course, during these months, the weather is a little warmer and prices to travel to Belize are generally cheaper as it’s off-season. So, at the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preference.

Travel Insurance For Caye Caulker, Belize

Travel insurance is an absolute must, especially if you’re travelling in Belize, Central America.

Heymondo is one of the best budget travel insurance providers on the market. They provide comprehensive travel and medical insurance that won’t break the bank. Whether it’s single trip insurance, annual multi-trip insurance or long stay insurance, Heymondo offers affordable travel and medical insurance to suit all of your needs. Personally, we use Heymondo travel insurance and highly recommend it. To find out more about Heymondo travel and medical insurance, read our Heymondo travel insurance review.

Other Places to Visit in Belize

There are many spectacular cayes in Belize to visit other than just Caye Caulker. Some of the other most popular cayes to visit off the coast of Belize include Laughing Bird Caye, Tobacco Caye, Coco Plum Caye and Goff’s Caye. Whilst Belize’s three atolls – Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Turneffe Reef Atoll and Glover’s Reef Atoll, are all other spectacular places to snorkel and dive in the Belize Barrier Reef.

Otherwise, San Ignacio is another popular place to visit in Belize. Especially if you’re intending on travelling to Guatemala, San Ignacio becomes a natural place to spend some time. During your time in San Ignacio, you should definitely visit the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, Xunantunich, Caracol and the ATM Cave.

Read more: 46 AWESOME Things to Do in Belize (Best Tours and Travel Tips)

Caye Caulker Belize FAQs

Below, we’ll answer the most frequently asked questions about Caye Caulker in Belize.

How Big Is Caye Caulker, Belize?

It’s roughly 4 square kilometres (1.5 square miles) and only around 8km (5 miles) long.

What Is Caye Caulker Known For?

It’s well-known for its motto, ‘go slow’, whilst it’s known as being a budget-friendly alternative to Ambergris Caye. It’s also known as a great base for visiting the Belize Barrier Reef.

What Are the Best Things to Do in Caye Caulker?

To find out about the best things to do in Caye Caulker, please read Things to Do in Caye Caulker.

How Many Days Should You Spend in Caye Caulker?

This all depends on what type of holiday you want and what activities you’d like to do. Personally, Beck and I spent three nights in Caye Caulker. This gave us one day to do this full-day snorkelling tour and another day to explore the rest of the island. We found three nights was a decent amount of time to see the main attractions on the island. If you’d like some more relaxation time, we recommend staying an extra 1–2 nights, or even up to one week.

Can You Walk Around Caye Caulker?

Yes, walking around the island is the simplest way to get around.

How Long Is the Boat Ride From Belize City to Caye Caulker?

The ferry from Belize City to Caye Caulker usually takes around 45 minutes.

Can You Swim in Caye Caulker, Belize?

Yes, the best places to swim are at Stingray Beach at Iguana Reef Inn, The Split or at the beach at the Northside Beach Club.

Is There a Caye Caulker Beach?

No, there isn’t an official beach with that name. Overall, the island isn’t famous for having long stretches of sand. There are just small pockets of sand here and there, with the best beaches found on the north part of the island.

Is Caye Caulker a Party Island?

No, not really. The island is more about chillin’ out with a few beers by a pool or beach rather than any raging nightlife. Of course, there is some nightlife if you’re interested. As mentioned, most people tend to head to the Barrier Reef Sports Bar and Grill, whilst, beyond midnight, only I and I Reggae Bar is open.

Is Caye Caulker Expensive?

Compared with Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker is much cheaper. But, generally speaking, islands aren’t always super cheap given the extra costs associated with shipping over produce and material. So, if you’re a super strict shoestring traveller, you might want to skip Caye Caulker altogether. But, if you’re looking for the cheapest place to stay to snorkel the Belize Barrier Reef, Caye Caulker is your best option.

Is Caye Caulker Safe?

Generally speaking, Caye Caulker is safe. If anything, you’re more likely to run into dodgy characters in Belize City, en-route to the island!

Is Caye Caulker Worth Visiting?

Yes, absolutely. Beck and I absolutely loved our time there and highly recommend it. Of course, we think doing a snorkeling tour of the Belize Barrier Reef, Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley is the main drawcard for visiting the island or Ambergris Caye, for that matter. Basically, to make the most of your time on the island, make sure to do a snorkeling or diving trip to explore the extraordinary Belize Barrier Reef.

Bonus Tips About Caye Caulker, Belize

• Visit in the off-season to save money: visiting outside of the peak season during the wet season usually means cheaper accommodation.
• Caye Caulker vs Ambergris Caye: the age-old debate is whether to stay at Caye Caulker or Ambergris Caye. Please read About Caye Caulker, Belize, to find out more information that compares the islands.
• Check out Caye Caulker village: naturally, by walking around the island, you’ll walk by or through the island’s village. This is a great opportunity to interact with the friendly locals and get an insight into their way of life.

Central America Guides

Use these other guides to help plan your trips around Central America.

• Mexico: we spent a month exploring incredible Mayan ruins and breathtaking cenotes. Read about the 13 Best Mayan Ruins in Mexico and 25 Best Cenotes in the Yucatán Peninsula.
• Guatemala: we also spent a month in Guatemala, exploring all of the main natural attractions. Read our 17 Best Hikes in Guatemala guide.
• El Salvador: we spent around three weeks trekking some lesser-explored volcanoes in El Salvador. For more information, read our 20 Epic El Salvador Hiking Trails Not to Miss.
• Nicaragua: another three weeks were spent in this gorgeous part of Central America. Read about the 16 Best Hikes in Nicaragua and the 4 Best Hikes on Ometepe Island.
• Costa Rica: we explored the most popular waterfalls and volcanoes in Costa Rica. Read about La Fortuna Waterfall, the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Poas Volcano and Irazu Volcano.

Please leave us a comment below.