The Ultimate Travel Guide: Caye Caulker, Belize
Caye Caulker is a small, 5-mile long island off the coast of Belize that is popular among backpackers and divers traveling to Central America. It is the smaller island neighbor to Belize’s most popular island, Ambergris Caye.
Caye Caulker is known for its warm Caribbean waters, the best snorkeling and diving, and its “Go Slow” motto that the locals on the island live by.
If you want to experience what it truly means to be on island time, Caye Caulker Belize is the perfect destination for you. Caye Caulker is a small island that is split between the north and south side. Caye Caulker Village on the south side is the only development on the island and there are no roads or cars allowed on Caye Caulker. The only way to get around this island is by bike or golf cart!
Although Caye Caulker is only 5 miles long, there is no shortage of fun and adventure to be had on this little Caribbean island. In this Caye Caulker Travel Guide I’ll share all the information you need to plan the perfect island escape for your next trip to Belize!
This post contains affiliate links where I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Table of Contents
When to Visit Caye Caulker
Although Caye Caulker is a destination that is visited year around, there are certain times of the year that are better to visit than others. The time of year you plan to visit can largely impact the cost of flights and hotels. If you want to avoid crowds on your trip, it is best to travel during the low or shoulder seasons and avoid traveling during high season.
December through April: High Season
December through April is considered high season in Belize. This is where you’ll see the most amount of visitors & the highest prices in Caye Caulker. This is also the dry season, so you can expect sunny days with little to no rain. The high season is the best time to travel for perfect weather on your trip.
May through July: Shoulder Season
The shoulder season in Belize is when the weather transitions from the dry to wet season. During this time, you’ll find less crowds and cheaper prices on the island. If you’re okay with a little rain, this is a great time to visit Caye Caulker!
August through November: Low Season
August through November is the low season in Belize as it falls during the Caribbeans hurricane season. Because of this, you’ll find the least amount of crowds and cheapest prices but also the worst months for weather. Although Belize does not get many hurricanes, there is still a high chance for tropical storms in Caye Caulker during the low season.
How to get to Caye Caulker
In order to get to Caye Caulker, you will most likely fly into Belize City if you are coming in on an international flight. Once you’ve arrived in Belize City, there are two ways to get to Caye Caulker.
Option One: Take the water taxi. From the airport in Belize City, you will take a taxi or shuttle service to the water taxi dock. Once at the dock you will take the San Pedro Belize Express water taxi to Caye Caulker. The water taxi ride from Belize City to Caye Caulker takes around 45 minutes and cost $21 USD.
Option Two: Take a flight from Belize City to Caye Caulker. This option is a little more expensive, however it is much quicker and you don’t even need to leave the airport. Just head over to check in once you’ve gone through customs. Tropic Air and Maya Island Air are the two airlines that run between the mainland and Belize Cayes and cost around $85-$90 USD each way. Browse flight options HERE on booking.com!
If you are planning to travel between multiple destinations in Belize, make sure to book one way tickets for your flights and ferries!
What to pack for a trip to Caye Caulker
Packing for Caye Caulker is like packing for any tropical beach destination, but there are a few things that I would never travel without on a trip to this little island. Here’s a few items that are specific to this Caye Caulker Travel Guide:
- Snorkel & Mask – This snorkel and mask set comes with me on every beach trip! Caye Caulker has some of the best snorkeling I’ve ever seen, it’s nice to have your own mask to snorkel off your resort beach or at the Split! I personally prefer to bring my own snorkel gear on snorkel tours with me and this one is a great option!
- Reef Safe Sunscreen – Caye Caulker is home to the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world, the Belize barrier reef. Tourism can have a negative impact on the reef and wearing reef safe sunscreen when in the water can help reduce damage to the reef. Sun Bum is one of my favorite sunscreen brands and is Reef Compliant.
- GoPro – The underwater world of Caye Caulker is just as incredible as the island itself! Having a GoPro is the best way to capture the underwater beauty of the Belize Barrier Reef and Hol Chan Marine Reserve. If you don’t want to bring a GoPro, THIS waterproof phone pouch is another great option to get those underwater shots!
- Insect Repellent – One thing about Caye Caulker is the bugs come out to bite at night and you might experience sand fleas during the day. I always take bug spray and insect-repellent bracelets when traveling to tropical climates and Caye Caulker, Belize is no different!
Need more help packing for your trip to Caye Caulker? Get my full Belize packing list HERE!
Where to Stay in Caye Caulker
Most accommodation options in Caye Caulker are going to be on the South side of the split where Caye Caulker Village is located. The north side of Caye Caulker is just now starting to be developed. If you have time, I recommend trying to stay a few nights on each side of the island.
Blu Zen – Blu Zen is a luxury resort on the north side of Caye Caulker. It is the largest resort in Caye Caulker and the only development on the north side of the island. Blu Zen offers condo style accommodations making it perfect for groups. I loved how secluded it was at this resort and how it felt like staying on a private island! The resort offers a free shuttle boat that runs multiple times a day between the north and south side making it easy to explore the village.
The Bohemian – The bohemian is a luxury Airbnb on the south side of Caye Caulker. The Bohemian consists of 4 luxury oceanfront villas that can be rented individually or as a whole. Each open-air villa has it’s own private dock perfect for watching the sunset over the Caribbean. I absolutely loved this Airbnb – the villas were luxurious and the property had a large infinity pool, private beach, and water activities like paddle boards and kayaks. There are also free bikes that guest can use during their stay to explore the south side of Caye Caulker!
Weezie’s – Weezie’s is an oceanfront boutique hotel in Caye Caulker that consists of 13 hotel rooms and 5 cottages. The hotel has 3 pools, a pier, and offers water activities such as kayaks, paddleboarding, and free gear for snorkeling.
El Ben Cabanas – If you want to stay in your own little beach hut, check out El Ben Cabanas on the north side of Caye Caulker. El Ben Cabanas is a luxury hotel with 25 cabana-style rooms with palm roofs and modern amenities.
Explore more Caye Caulker hotels and resorts HERE
What to do in Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker may be a small island, but it’s full of fun activities and adventure! I could spend a week on this island and not run out of things to do. In this Caye Caulker Travel Guide I’ll share my top bucket list experiences to have on your next trip to Caye Caulker.
The Great Blue Hole
Taking a flight over the Great Blue Hole might be the #1 bucket list thing you can do in Belize. If you only have time to do one thing in Caye Caulker (or Belize in general) this needs to be it.
Maya Island Air has Great Blue Hole Tour Flights leaving from Caye Caulker every Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, & Friday at 8:45 am. The flight cost $255 USD and is worth every penny! It is 1 hour and 15 minutes long. The pilot will circle the Blue Hole a few times from each side so everyone gets a good view. You’ll also fly over a shipwreck on your way back to Caye Caulker!
Snorkel Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley
Belize has some of the best snorkeling I’ve ever experienced! Being home to the second largest barrier reef in the world, there’s no shortage of marine life in this country. From nurse sharks and stingrays to manatees and spotted eagle rays, Caye Caulker is the ultimate underwater destination.
Caye Caulker has many snorkel tours everyday that will take you to Hol Chan Marine Reserve, a shipwreck, to search for manatees, and Shark Ray Alley where you’ll swim with nurse sharks and stingrays. Make sure to book with an eco friendly tour company. I booked with Nauti Time Tours and had the best experience! Full day tours are usually around $90 USD or you can take a half day tour to cut the cost. The half day snorkel tours typically go to the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve which is a small portion of the Belize Barrier Reef located near Caye Caulker!
Spend the day at The Split
Caye Caulker was hit by a hurricane that split the island in two. The Split is the area that splits the island between the North and South Side and is the perfect place to spend the day.
The Split is the best swimming area on the island and has several bars and restaurants. The Lazy Lizard is a popular rooftop bar at The Split that has views of the north side of the island. Another favorite bar at The Split is the Sip n Dip where you can grab a table in the water and spend the afternoon. The split is great spot to snorkel for free or relax on the sunbathing dock. There’s also a diving post where you can jump into the warm Caribbean Sea so grab your golf carts or bikes and head to The Split for a fun day in the Belizean sun!
Sunset at Iguana Reef Inn
Iguana Reef Inn is a hotel in Caye Caulker that has several unique experiences! Every night around sunset, the stingrays come up to the beach to greet the guests.
Iguana Reef is also home to the famous Tarpon Dock where you can feed the tarpons. There is also a seahorse sanctuary here at one of the docks where if you look closely, you may be able to spot some of the seahorses!
Many of the snorkel tours will stop at Iguana Reef Inn on the way back to the dock but it is free to visit on your own as well!
FAQ
Is Caye Caulker worth visiting?
Yes! If you’re traveling to Belize, Caye Caulker is absolutely worth a visit! Since the island is small, you will only need a few days in Caye Caulker so I recommend choosing more than one destination! CLICK HERE for all of my Belize travel tips!
Is Caye Caulker Safe?
Yes! Caye Caulker is absolutely safe for tourists to visit. The island is small and everyone is very friendly. Is also easy to get around so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. Caye Caulker is probably one of the safest destinations in Belize!
What would a good 7 day itinerary for a trip to Belize look like?
You can find my full Belize itinerary HERE!
Where is Belize located?
Belize is located just south of Mexico on the Caribbean coast and shares a border with both Mexico and Guatemala. Because of this, it is a popular spot for backpackers traveling through Central America.
One Comment
Pingback: