This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Caye Caulker.
Caye Caulker is a backpacker's paradise -- tropical waters, top-class snorkeling and scuba diving, sandy streets devoid of cars, and a number of hostels. Caye Caulker is more budget friendly and laid back than its neighbor, Caye Ambergris (also referred to as San Pedro). This makes Caye Caulker is a great place to meet new people, relax in the sun, and swim with the resident marine life.
Caye Caulker's beaches aren't sandy or particularly swimmable, but locals and travelers alike collect at the split, where currents and various underwater hazards make swimming fun but somewhat dangerous. Elsewhere on the island there are plenty of docks on which to sit and eat fresh mango while you dip your feet in the water.
Nearby snorkeling is great, and relatively inexpensive, with special stops just to swim with armies of rays. You can also take scuba trips farther afield, even to the world-famous Blue Hole. Tours can be easily arranged right from the island.
The town is small, with few streets named things like Front Street, Middle Street, and Back Street. You can walk everywhere, but if island laziness has really got hold of you, you can take a golf-cart taxi.
As with all of Belize, food is rather expensive compared to surrounding Mexico and Guatemala. It's even more noticeable on a tiny island, but good informal restaurants and sand-floored bars cater to the shifting tourist populations (bare feet are welcome). Other services are also more expensive, but it's still doable on a budget. You'll have to get to the Caye by boat, generally from Belize City or San Pedro. Boats are frequent, fast, and inexpensive.
Various Caye Caulker hostels and other budget accommodations fill the island, many with hammocks and shared areas where guests learn to enjoy island life. On Caye Caulker, nowhere is far from anywhere, so your hostel or guest house will be right in the middle of all the barefoot-strolling, wildlife-watching, drink-sipping action.
Written by local enthusiast for Caye Caulker hostels
Melinda Brasher
