29 AMAZING Things To Do In Caye Caulker Belize (2023)
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Looking for the best things to do in Caye Caulker? You’re in the right place!
Whilst backpacking Central America, Caye Caulker was one of our favourite places, and it is so underrated!
Caye Caulker is a picture-perfect Caribbean island surrounded by the turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, with endless amounts of wildlife, friendly locals, incredible BBQ food, cheap(ish) prices and a chilled ‘go slow’ attitude that absolutely everyone on the island adopts.
It’s a truly incredible place to visit. In fact, our time in Caye Caulker was the highlight of our nine-month Latin America trip.
We originally booked 5 days in Caye Caulker, which quickly turned into two weeks. And I’ll be honest, we could have stayed longer! It really is a special place, and one I’ll never forget.
It’s one of those little bubbles in the world that’s rare to find. Every local you meet will talk about it being paradise, and it really is. Being an island, you feel cut off from the rest of the world, and quickly adopt the ‘go slow, have fun’ way of life.
In the following post, I discuss the absolute best things to do in Caye Caulker. From snorkelling to scuba diving, kayaking and drinking rum punch, you’ll know what to do on the island in no time!
🇧🇿 HEADS UP: My blog has a whole ton of information on Caye Caulker and Belize! From tips on backpacking Caye Caulker, where to eat and drink, where to party, how to book the perfect snorkelling tour and how to get to the island, you can bet this blog has the answer. You can check out all of my Belize content here!
Still have a question about the best things to do in Caye Caulker? Let me know over on Instagram or shoot me an email at jennie(@)jenniewanders.com!
🇧🇿 Other Belize posts:
- Backpacking Caye Caulker: Everything You Need To Know
- Where To See Stingrays in Caye Caulker: Complete Guide
- Snorkeling in Caye Caulker: COMPLETE Guide!
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25 AMAZING Things To Do In Caye Caulker Belize
| 🌎 Top Travelling Tip!
📲 Make your travelling easier by downloading an eSIM. This way, you won’t have to worry about roaming payments, mobile connection and Internet quality.
1. Experience snorkelling in the Caribbean Sea
If you’re visiting Caye Caulker for the first time, one of the best things to do is to snorkel in the Belize Barrier Reef. It’s the second-largest barrier reef in the world, with miles of colourful coral and an abundance of wildlife.
I’ve snorkelled in a lot of places around the world, but snorkelling in Belize was one of the best trips I’ve ever done!
As the Belize Barrier Reef is just a short distance from Caye Caulker, most tours will be able to spot incredible marine life within a few minutes of leaving the shore.
If you’re lucky, you’ll have dolphins dancing around your boat, manatees swimming through the seaweed, pelicans hunting for fish overhead and eagle rays jumping from the water as you sail to your first stop.
The best part about snorkelling in Caye Caulker is the amount of marine life you’ll see. For example, you’re likely to see:
- Nurse sharks
- Manatees
- Pelicans
- Caribbean Lobsters
- Giant green iguanas (from the boat, the iguana was on land)
- Seahorses
- Green Sea turtles
- Eagle Rays
- Southern Stingrays
- Short nose pufferfish
- Remoras (also known as suckerfish)
- A variety of fish such as Bar Jacks, Blue-striped Grunts, Dogsnappers, Bluehead Wrasses, Stoplight Parrotfish and Grey Angelfish
- Yellow Stingrays
- Elkhorn coral, fire coral, brain coral
- Tarpons (large fish)
- Starfish
Want to pre-book your snorkelling trip? I highly recommend booking the Nauti Time Full Day Snorkeling Tour (read my full review here!)
Snorkelling on Caye Caulker is undoubtedly one of the best things to do on the island – in fact, it’s one of the best things to do in Central America!
🇧🇿 TOP TIP: English is the national language of Belize (which makes communication a lot easier if your Spanish is anything like mine), and currency is the Belizean Dollar.
2. Visit Shark Ray Alley
One of the most famous spots near Caye Caulker is Shark Ray Alley. Situated in the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world, this specific area attracts tourists from all over the world.
Shark Ray Alley is quite literally what it says on the tin – an alley in the Caribbean Sea full of nurse sharks. And the best thing? You can swim with them! (It’s safe, I promise!)
As well as nurse sharks, Shark Ray Alley also homes stingrays, turtles and other marine life, so it has quickly become one of the most popular spots to snorkel or take a boat trip in Belize!
Note that you need a tour to visit Shark Ray Alley. The Belize Barrier Reef is a protected area, and you need to be with a licensed boat to visit. This doesn’t mean you need to snorkel, it just means you need a tour company to take you to the area (rather than paddling out there yourself).
Want to know more about Shark Ray Alley and how to get there? Check out my full Shark Ray Alley post here.
🇧🇿 TOP TIP: There’s little to no signal on the island (if you’re a digital nomad, make sure you’re staying in a hostel with wifi) so you can totally disconnect and escape reality for a few days.
I highly recommend downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and safety in Guatemala We found most of the cities to be chaotic and difficult to find local SIM cards! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
3. Scuba dive in the Great Blue Hole
Whilst the Great Blue Hole isn’t exactly close to Caye Caulker, it’s a must-do day trip for any scuba diving enthusiasts!
This 400 ft (122 metre) deep Great Blue Hole is recognised as one of the world’s best diving sites. Part of the Belize Barrier Reef UNESCO World Heritage Site, this incredible, dark blue sinkhole is instantly recognisable and a complete geographic marvel.
If you’re in Belize or staying on Caye Caulker, taking a day trip to the Great Blue Hole is one of the most memorable and epic things to do. Whilst it’s not cheap, it’s an experience that will stick with you forever.
If you’re already in Caye Caulker, scuba diving trips to the Great Blue Hole can be booked all over the island – just look out for the small scuba diving shops!
Prices can vary, but most of the independent companies on Caye Caulker tend to cost the same amount.
4. Feed the stingrays at the Iguana Reef Hotel
If you like getting up close and personal with marine life, feeding wild stingrays is another must-do when in Caye Caulker.
And, like many other things on the island, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
The main location to see stingrays in Caye Caulker is the Iguana Reef Hotel. The hotel feeds them a couple of times a week, so the stingrays show up every evening in the hope being fed dinner!
The stingrays usually arrive around 4pm, and are there until 6pm. You are allowed to touch, feed and feel the stingrays glide over your feet.
It’s entirely free to enter (perfect for budget backpackers) and a great spot to watch the sunset. However, if your budget allows, I highly recommend splurging on an Iguana Reef cocktail!
Need more information about the stingrays in Caye Caulker? Check out my full guide here.
5. Spot seahorses, giant tarpons and pelicans on the water’s edge
This activity can easily be paired with feeding the stingrays, as the seahorses, pelicans and tarpons are just a few metres away.
As seahorses tend to feed heavily on algae, they gather around the nets adjacent to the dock at the Iguana Reef Hotel. The nets are the perfect environment for moss, plant and animal matters to settle, so spotting the hungry seahorses is easy!
The seahorses in Caye Caulker come in all shapes and sizes (some were even lying horizontally when we saw them), so make sure to look carefully!
A few steps away is the large, wooden dock, leading out to the sea. If you walk along the decking, you’ll be able to spot large tarpons jumping out of the water, and pelicans trying their best to scoop them up.
Both the tarpons and pelicans are an incredible sight to see, especially due to the sheer size of them. We sat on the deck for a few hours watching the marine life around us, and were even greeted by a nurse shark at sunset!
Entrance to the Iguana Reef Hotel is free, so this is another amazing budget backpacker activity!
⭐ Top-rated experiences in Caye Caulker!
- SUNDAY FUNDAY Beach Experience
- Backpacker EPIC Sunset Cruise
- Tiki Bar Pontoon Boat Cruises
- 7-Stop Snorkelling Tour
- Caye Caulker to Belize City Day Tour
- SUNDAY FUNDAY Beach Experience
- Backpacker EPIC Sunset Cruise
- Tiki Bar Pontoon Boat Cruises
- 7-Stop Snorkelling Tour
- Caye Caulker to Belize City Day Tour
6. Dive and swim at The Split
Another of the best things to do in Caye Caulker is to visit the Split. A body of water separating the north and south islands, the Split is the perfect spot to relax with friends, dive off the edge or spot marine life.
The Split is also one of the best areas on the island to go swimming. You can even bring out your adventurous side by jumping off a 20ft platform leading directly into the ocean!
The water around Caye Caulker is warm, clear and an amazingly bright, turquoise blue. As it is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, you can expect all types of wildlife in the water; from stingrays to manatees and even nurse sharks!
As the Split is so popular, there are a couple of bars with floating tables and chairs for you to enjoy a cocktail in the Caribbean Sea, as well as some nearby beach BBQs.
Enjoying a day out at the Split was one of our favourite things to do in Caye Caulker, especially when paired with some new friends from the hostel and a beer in hand. Don’t miss it!
🇧🇿 TOP TIP: You don’t need to buy food or drink at the Split bars to swim in the water or use the diving platform. Both are free to access. However, taking your own food and drink into the area is prohibited.
7. Look out for wild manatees
Did you know that manatees are part of the elephant family? They’re strange looking, slow-moving animals with large, grey bodies and a paddle-shaped tail.
Usually found in shallow coastal areas, the giant herbivores go to the surface of the water every three to five minutes to breathe; making them the perfect marine life animal to spot when in Caye Caulker!
Whilst you can spot manatees 365 days a year in Belize, the best time to see them is during the dry season, from September through to February.
You can spot manatees from the Split, on a boat trip or during a snorkelling tour. If you’re really desperate to see these crazy-looking creatures, I recommend booking a snorkelling tour, as your boat will take you to some of the best areas.
8. Go on a sunset cruise
Another great thing to do in Caye Caulker is to go on a sunset cruise. As you can imagine, the sunsets on the island are incredible, and gather a crowd every single evening.
Whilst you can watch the sunset on the island for free, another great option is to book a cruise and head out onto the water.
Some hostels host ‘booze cruises’, whilst some companies offer a calmer and more peaceful experience on a catamaran or yacht.
Regardless of the option you choose, taking a boat trip during sunset is an unforgettable experience!
Want to pre-book your sunset cruise? Check out this website with different types of boat trips and price ranges.
9. Visit the North Side of the Island
It’s important to know that Caye Caulker is split into two parts; the north and south island. All of the main tourist attractions, accommodations and restaurants are located on the south island.
However, you can hire a bike and explore the north island. There isn’t a lot over there (a few abandoned hotels and beach clubs), but it’s a cool activity if you’re looking for something to do.
There are a couple of open restaurants (such as the Koko King Northside Beach Club), but in our experience, they didn’t have much of an atmosphere. But if you’re someone who enjoys the peace and quiet, they’re ideal!
We spent half a day exploring the north island, seeing it’s funky, half-built buildings and taking in the deserted atmosphere. It’s a little creepy, but it’s an experience!
You’ll need to board the Split to Split ferry at The Split (which is north of the south island) which will take you across the water to the north island.
Ferries run throughout the day until sunset, but be sure to check with the driver – things change and you don’t want to be stuck over there!
🇧🇿 TOP TIP: I highly recommend hiring a bike to explore the north island, rather than walking. It’s big in size, quiet and secluded – cycling makes it easier to get around and quicker to see.
10. Rent a kayak or paddleboard
Another fun thing to do in Caye Caulker is to head out to sea on a kayak or paddleboard.
Our hostel (Go Slow) actually had free kayaks to use during the day. But if your hostel or hotel doesn’t provide them, they’re are plenty of small independent shops to hire kayaks and paddleboards.
We took our kayaks out to sea during sunset, with a beer in hand and our new hostel friends in tow.
It was such a beautiful evening – just seeing the sunset on the water whilst laughing with new people and soaking in every moment. It’s by far one of the best things to do in Caye Caulker!
11. Eat delicious Caribbean BBQ food
No trip to Caye Caulker is complete without trying some ridiculously good Caribbean BBQ food. There are so many beach BBQ options and menus to taste that I highly recommend eating it pretty much every day for lunch!
With the waves crashing against the shore, the reggae music playing, the rum punch flowing, the lobster on the grill cooking – eating barbecue food in Caye Caulker is an experience you won’t forget.
Kareem’s was the first BBQ we had on Caye Caulker, and as you can imagine, we were not disappointed! We ordered our BBQ chicken, rice and beans and sat along the beachfront, drinking from our coconuts and counting our lucky stars.
If we ate BBQ food in the evening, we’d tuck into tasty fresh lobster, whilst sharing a rum punch with our new friends.
And it’s not just the food that makes this experience special. The locals working on the barbecue stands were so welcoming, friendly and happy – their huge, infectious smiles just made our day.
We instantly warmed to them, and were recognised each and every day we returned! They showed a genuine interest, as we did with them, and we loved showing up for food, a chat and a beer!
An unmissable and amazing thing to do in Caye Caulker.
12. Drink rum and party with the locals
As I previously mentioned, Caye Caulker is small. Really, really small. So wherever you eat dinner or party, you’ll be accompanied by the locals who ran your snorkelling tour or served you your BBQ food!
We got to know pretty much everyone in Caye Caulker in just a few weeks!
Belize’s national drink is rum punch, and you will be able to buy it everywhere in Caye Caulker (even in a coconut). It’s fairly priced, and you shouldn’t need to pay more than 8 BZ for one anywhere on the island.
Want to know the best places in Caye Caulker to eat, drink and party? Check out one of the following posts:
🇧🇿 TOP TIP: If you’re not a fan of rum, the other most popular drink is a Belikin beer, which is also one of the cheapest drinks you can find! We ended most of our days with a Belikin overlooking the sea and watching the sun go down.
13. Take a scenic flight over the Great Blue Hole
Remember when I told you you could scuba dive in the Great Blue Hole? Well, if you’re not a fan of deep-water swimming, you can take a scenic flight over this natural phenomenon instead.
Prices for this kind of activity are steep, but it’s the bucket list experience you won’t forget for a while.
If you’re already in Caye Caulker, scenic flights to the Great Blue Hole can be booked all over the island – just look out for the small scuba diving shops!
Prices can vary, but most of the independent companies on Caye Caulker tend to cost the same amount.
14. Go tubing in the Caribbean Sea
If you don’t feel like exerting too much energy, tubing is one of the best ways to experience the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Float along the water in a rubber ring being pulled by a boat across the surface of the water. You don’t even need to get your hair wet!
This is another amazing activity to do at sunset, and we saw groups of backpackers head out on tubes with beers in hand!
15. Volunteer at the Caye Caulker Animal Shelter
Something unique and an entirely different thing to do on Caye Caulker is to volunteer at the Animal Shelter. Whilst we didn’t have time to do this on Caye Caulker, we did it on Isla Holbox, and it was one of our favourite experiences in Mexico.
You can volunteer at the shelter for a few hours, looking after wild cats and dogs that need support in different ways. One of the most common ways to help out is by cleaning or taking the dogs for a walk.
It’s a great thing to do in Caye Caulker if you have the time, and the shelter is always so grateful for the help. The animal shelter can be found directly opposite the Ice and Beans coffee shop.
16. Take a day trip to San Pedro
San Pedro and Caye Caulker aren’t far in distance from each other, but what they offer is totally different. If you don’t want to stay overnight at San Pedro, visiting via a day trip is another feasible option.
San Pedro attracts an older crowd, with large hotel resorts, swimming pools and regular, paved roads. It’s actually five times bigger than Caye Caulker and is known as the big ‘party’ island by the locals.
Caye Caulker is small and laid back, with a real backpacker vibe to it. Everyone knows everyone, and you can walk to any spot on the island within 30 minutes.
San Pedro attracts tourists (big families, older couples) who want stay in their grand resorts and apartments and enjoy a more traditional type of holiday.
It’s a fun day out if you want to try some of the bigger, more modern restaurants, sit on the beach, go shopping or party until the early hours.
Want to visit San Pedro? Check out my detailed guide on how to travel between Caye Caulker and San Pedro here.
17. Try fryjacks at Errolyn’s House of Fryjacks
Mmmmm, fryjacks 🤤 .
Only open for breakfast, Errolyn’s is one of those places in Caye Caulker you have to try before leaving.
Fryjacks are similar to an empanada, made of dough and fried in hot oil with a filling of your choice. They’re one of the most popular dishes in Belize, and are worth a try if you’re a foodie like we are.
It’s a small, hole-in-the-wall type venue, so you can grab your fryjack and head to the water to enjoy your breakfast.
Another fun thing to do in Caye Caulker!
18. Drink a morning coffee at Ice and Beans
Ice and Beans was our favourite place in Caye Caulker for a casual lunch and coffee. I actually added Ice and Beans to my regular morning coffee routine whilst we were staying.
They have incredible reviews on TripAdvisor – and for good reason. The second you walk in the door of Ice and Beans, you’re made to feel welcomed and at home. It’s pretty special for a place that just serves coffee and bagels!
If you’re staying in Caye Caulker for a few days, be sure to pick up a coffee reward card. They stamp it each time you buy a hot drink, and on your tenth visit, you get one for free!
The bagels are ‘unbeliezable‘ and are perfect for a light lunch. They also offer wifi, but we found it to be quite hit-and-miss (which, of course, is not a problem when you’re sitting in paradise).
Just remember the motto of the island is ‘go slow’, so you can wait up to 15-20 minutes for your food (which we didn’t mind at all, the views from the seating area are worth it).
19. Gather with the crowds to watch the sunset
Another free and fun thing to do in Caye Caulker – especially if you had one too many drinks the night before – is to relax and watch the sunset.
The best spot to watch the sunset for free on Caye Caulker is the area right outside Sophie’s Guestrooms. There’s a long wall where you can hang your feet over the edge, spot giant tarpons swimming by and watch the sky change colour.
As this space isn’t occupied by any of the nearby bars or restaurants, you can take your own beers and food to enjoy. The perfect hangover spot!
20. Eat yummy Chinese food from Yummy Yummy
Had enough of BBQ food? Yummy Yummy was another of our favourite budget locations to eat in Caye Caulker. Located directly opposite the Sports Bar, Yummy Yummy served all types of noodles and rice for an exceptionally low price. And the portions were huge!
It’s the perfect place to start your night out before heading to drinks at Swings or the Sports Bar (more info on partying in Caye Caulker here!)
We may or may not have visited Yummy Yummy 3 nights in a row…
21. Watch the locals play football on the Caye Caulker football field
When walking from the Split to the Iguana Reef Hotel, you’re likely to pass the Caye Caulker football field.
During the evenings, you can expect to find locals playing football and socialising here, and it’s a great sit back, relax and drink a beer.
The locals play football barefoot, and watching how passionate they become about the game is a great experience.
Note that you’ll only find locals on the pitch in the evenings, as during the day it is far too hot!
🇧🇿 TOP TIP: Always be respectful when observing local activities. Don’t try and take over or intervene! If there are children playing, it’s always best to ask before taking any photos.
22. Do a pub quiz or karaoke at the Sports Bar
A word of warning – Sports Bar isn’t the cleanest or prettiest, but it does the job if you’re looking for some evening entertainment!
It’s a typical dive bar, with cheap drinks, loud music and an even louder crowd! Every night the Sports Bar hosts different events, such as Trivia, karaoke and NFL games.
Before 9pm, it’s mainly older American tourists in the Sports Bar, and then past this time, the tables are moved and the whole place becomes a dancefloor with a small smoking area on the beach; packed full of backpackers.
The best thing about the Sports Bar is the prices – you won’t find alcohol any cheaper anywhere on the island.
A rum punch is just 5 BZ dollars (£2/$2.50) and a beer is 6 BZ dollars (£2.40/$3). The rum punch isn’t the strongest, but it’s cheap enough to buy a few and get you tipsy!
After the event of the night (karaoke, live music, trivia etc), a DJ starts playing around 9pm.
This is when the Sports Bar really takes off, and most backpackers can be found on the dancefloor with tequila being poured down their throats by the bar staff. Yep, it’s that kind of place!
If you want to experience it but don’t want the chaos of the dancefloor, there are some tables in the beer garden to take it a bit slower.
It’s also a great place to make new friends and meet other backpackers. We loved it!
23. Walk around the island to take photos
This may sound like a pretty obvious thing to do in Caye Caulker to some, but others may not even think of it. Even if you’re not a social media or photography fan, I highly recommend taking your best camera (or phone) with you when visiting Caye Caulker.
Why? The island is stunning. Every corner is photogenic. We couldn’t walk further than a few metres before I needed to shoot or record something else. It is truly paradise, and it deserves to be captured!
If you’re going to feed the stingrays or on a snorkelling tour, don’t forget a waterproof Go Pro. Having photos of nurse sharks, stingrays sliding over your feet and giant turtles is something almost everyone will be interested in seeing back home!
→ Buy your new GoPro here!
24. Hire a golf cart
Caye Caulker is entirely walkable. In fact, there are zero cars on the island, as they’re simply not allowed.
This means if you need to travel any further or require help with your luggage, you’ll need to hire a golf cart.
Of course, golf carts can also be hired just for fun. We saw lots of couples driving around the island and making an evening of it with a few beers (but of course, driving responsibly 👀)
Golf carts can be hired from lots of small shops on the island. As I’ve mentioned a few times, it’s tiny, so you won’t need to walk far to find a rental location!
25. Drink rum punch in the Caribbean Sea at Sip ‘N’ Dip
Sip ‘N’ Dip is known for being one of the best day time bars on Caye Caulker. It is right next to the Lazy Lizard bar, and has a similar vibe (it’s just a bit smaller).
With tables and swings in the sea, most people sit and drink their rum punch in the water!
We really loved the vibe of Sip and Dip, and enjoyed the reggae music whilst swimming in the clear blue water. It’s the perfect place if you want some casual day drinks!
26. Experience Caribbean late-late night partying at the I and I Reggae Bar
As Caye Caulker is such a small island, there aren’t many options when it comes to nightlife. However, if you’re craving a wild late-late night out, you can check out the I and I Reggae bar.
The Reggae Bar is the only place on Caye Caulker that is open past midnight. It’s more of a club than anywhere else on the island, so if you’re not into overcrowded dance floors, head home at midnight!
Want to know more about the best spots to drink in Caye Caulker? Check out my full party guide here!
27. Enjoy an overnight sailing trip
Another popular thing to do on Caye Caulker is to take an overnight sailing trip.
Companies such as Ragga Sailing Adventures offer multiple-day tours to explore some of the surrounding islands, camp under the stars and travel south from Caye Caulker to Dangriga by sea.
Group sailing tours include watching the sunset, snorkelling, fishing and other fun water activities.
Most sailing tours do not return to Caye Caulker and instead finish in Dangriga (which is south of Belize, a short distance from Hopkins and Palencia). Because of this, I recommend booking your sailing tour for the end of your Caye Caulker trip.
28. Take a rooftop yoga class
Fancy something a little slower? Namaste Cafe is the best spot on Caye Caulker for yoga classes with a view.
Running on a ‘pay by donation’ basis, you can decide how much you pay after experiencing a unique yoga class with panoramic views of Caye Caulker.
“Island-paced” yoga lessons are available for all levels, including beginners.
Not yoga-ing? You can still check out the Namaste cafe for its healthy breakfasts, brunches, coffee and smoothies all in a beautiful open-air setting.
29. Go slow!
I couldn’t write this post without a section on ‘going slow’. If you don’t already know, Caye Caulker is known for its slow way of life. The locals enforce it, the tourists love it, and it adds to the overall Caribbean vibe.
Things really do go slow – from coffee orders to BBQ’ed meats, check-in times and the pace of people walking along the street. Everything here is slow, chilled, relaxed and carefree.
If you have a fast-paced nature, you’re really going to need to reign it in when on Caye Caulker! I saw a man in Ice and Beans complain that he had been waiting for his coffee for 4 minutes – as you can imagine, this didn’t go down well!
I’ll always remember one of the locals cooking on the BBQ, telling me that Caye Caulker is the ‘happiest place in the world’. He gave me a huge smile, and told me life how ‘is slower and simpler here’.
We’d only just arrived, and I already knew that Caye Caulker was going to have a special place in my heart.
Enjoy it. Embrace it. Go slower on Caye Caulker than you would in your everyday life. It’s a unique and freeing experience, and one I still crave every day.
If only we could go a little slower in London. How different life would be!
Where to stay in Caye Caulker
As I previously mentioned, Caye Caulker is small. Really, really small. So everyone gets to know everyone, regardless of what hostel you’re at.
There’s also a lot of talk about the hostels, and what makes them great (or not so great). If you’ve done your research, you’ll have heard about Bella’s Backpackers.
Well, yes, it might be known as the ‘party’ hostel, but it doesn’t receive the best reviews (in person and online).
I’ve met people who have mixed reviews about Bella’s. Some have loved it, whilst some have checked out early. Do your research and read the reviews, so you know exactly what you’re letting yourself in for! You can read some of the helpful reviews here.
If you’d rather avoid the chaos of Bella’s, I highly recommend:
- Go Slow Hostel: we stayed here for over a week and it was perfect. Clean, comfortable, and in the best location on the island (it’s actually on the street next to Bella’s). There’s a large area to socialise and meet other backpackers, which we loved. The wifi is a little hit-and-miss, but it’s worth it! ➡ BOOK NOW!
- Sophie’s Guestrooms: If you want a quieter stay. This hostel only has 5 rooms and has a real homey vibe to it. ➡ BOOK NOW!
- Tropical Oasis: for basic dorms but a good party and social vibe. Right next to Go Slow Hostel. ➡ BOOK NOW!
How to get around Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker is a small island, and you can walk to most places you’ll need to get to. However, if you have heavy bags after arriving from the ferry, or want to visit the north island, you can hire either a:
- Bicycle: prices start at £5 ($6) per 24 hours
- Golf cart: these are also available as ‘taxis’ if you need help with your bags. Prices for golf carts are considerably higher and are not worth it unless there is a group of you.
TOP TIP: If you’re visiting the North Island of Belize, I highly recommend hiring a bike because of how big and vast it is. You can take this bike on the Split to Split ferry for under £3 ($4) each way, per person. Ferries run across the Split from early in the morning until late at night, but if you are unsure, check with the ferry attendant.
Is Caye Caulker safe for solo female travellers?
Yes, Caye Caulker is a safe place for solo female travellers to visit. Throughout the entire time I spent in Caye Caulker, I felt safe. This includes on my own during the day and at night.
The locals were kind, welcoming and friendly. Yes, you do get a bit of heckling and asking whether you’d like a rum or other suspicious items, but it’s nothing harmful.
In fact, Caye Caulker was where I felt safest throughout our Central American travels.
But everyone’s experiences of Caye Caulker are different. What might feel safe to me, might not feel safe for you. But in general, I found there to be no issues or problems in Caye Caulker, no immediate threat of danger and most importantly, the people were kind!
As always, make sure you have travel insurance to have extra peace of mind. As a previous solo female traveller myself, I always use SafetyWing for insurance. They have the best cover for backpackers, and signing up is easy! You can check out their cover here.
Best things to do in Caye Caulker: FAQs
1) Is Caye Caulker Belize worth visiting?
Yes, yes and yes again! Caye Caulker is a slice of Caribbean paradise. There’s a reason why it’s so popular! It has a laid-back, ‘go slow’ vibe, with a fun and welcoming atmosphere.
Expect BBQs on the beach firing up jerk chicken, rum punch from a coconut and reggae vibes in the bars in the evenings.
Plus, Caye Caulker is home to the second biggest barrier reef in the world. On our snorkelling trip, we saw some of the best wildlife we had ever seen. Expect nurse sharks, stingrays, manatees, turtles, pelicans and more. It’s totally worth it!
If a slow pace and a relaxed way of life, with a mix of nature, wildlife and beach vibes, Caye Caulker is so worth visiting.
2) Can you walk around Caye Caulker?
Yes, Caye Caulker is walkable. The island is less than 1 mile wide (east to west) and only 5 miles north to south. Most of the tourist attractions and areas are all in the centre, and most visitors will not need to leave this area (or want to!)
However, you can hire a bike and explore the north island. You’ll need to board the Split to Split ferry at The Split (which is north of the south island) which will take you across the water to the north island.
If you do need help with luggage or a more than 5 minute walk (seriously, most things are within 5 minutes of each other), you can grab a golf cart taxi. These taxis are around throughout the day and you can hail them from the side of the road.
3) How long should you spend in Caye Caulker?
If you’re visiting Caye Caulker for the first time, I recommend spending at least 4-5 days on the island. It’s one of those places that’s hard to leave, and the longer the better! There is so much to see and do in Caye Caulker, with some tourists staying for up to a week.
As backpackers, we arrived in Caye Caulker not really knowing what to expect. We were so surprised that we actually extended our stay by a week! And it wasn’t just us; we were surrounded by other backpackers who did the same.
There’s just so much to do, people to meet, food to taste and experiences to be hard – and it’s hard to leave when you realise how beautiful it is!
Heading to the mainland after Caye Caulker? Check out my post full of all the best things to do in San Ignacio here!
4) Is Caye Caulker expensive?
Everyone talks about how expensive Caye Caulker is, but after arriving in Belize after Mexico, we didn’t find this to be the case! In most instances, things were cheaper than what we had paid in places like Isla Holbox and Tulum.
Prices will vary and depend on the time of year that you are visiting. My biggest tip when backpacking Central America is to book hostels in advance. We found the nicest and most popular hostels in Belize book up quickly, and if you don’t book with enough time, you could end up missing out!
Plus, as I have mentioned quite a few times – Caye Caulker is tiny. There are only so many hostels (and the rest is just expensive hotels), and if you want to extend, it’s not going to be easy! Book early to avoid any disappointment!
Best backpacker travel insurance for Central America
If you’re visiting Central America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.
Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.
I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.
If you need medical help at any point whilst in Central America, you need travel insurance.
With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)
Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Central America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!
If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!
Best things to do in Caye Caulker: In A Nutshell
So, there you have it! Nearly 7000 words later, and you should know everything about the best things to do in Caye Caulker! Phew, if you’ve got this far, I’m impressed!
When you’re planning a trip to Belize, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below. I’d love to know about your experience in Caye Caulker and if you found it as special as I did!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at real-life travellers wanting authentic and down-to-earth information.
I’m currently balancing travelling around the world and living in London with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Belize content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
Other Belize posts:
- How To Get From Tulum To Caye Caulker: Backpacker Guide
- Best Hostels In Caye Caulker For Backpackers
- Is Caye Caulker A Party Island? Backpacker Guide
MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
