Tropical Oasis, Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is a small island in Belize and all the hostels, bars and restaurants are located very near; Tropical Oasis is less than ten minutes' walking away from the ferry, the only way to get to the island (except some private planes but those are very expensive). It has a quiet vibe and mostly attracts couples for the very cheap price of the private double rooms.

The Location

As mentioned, it is very near the bus station and easy to find, as it has an indication with an arrow on the Main Street. The Split, which is the only beach on the island with a bar, a volleyball court, and a sunset spot, is right next to the hostel. Bars and restaurants are all on the Main Street, not more than five minutes' walking from the hostel. The only nightclub in the island is a little further away, around fifteen minutes. When guests enter the hostel for the check-in, it could be a little tricky to understand where the reception is, as there is none. As a matter of fact, the reception is just the owners' private bungalow, and no indications are given. They are often outside of the hostel, so new guests might need to wait a few hours before checking in, and as such this could be a little annoying.

Rooms and Bathrooms

The hostel has mostly private bungalows that are very cheap, and a few dorm rooms of about eight to ten bunk beds. The quality of mattresses is below average and you can often feel the bottom of the bed, which hurts your back a bit when you lay down. We did not really enjoy the sleeping, as our backs were a bit in pain. Bathrooms and showers are outside, and there is only cold water. We need to mention that the cleaning is taken seriously and we never found rooms, common areas, kitchen, bathrooms, or showers to be dirty. In addition they have many toilets and showers, so there is never waiting.

Common Spaces

There is a central area with tables and hammocks that are very nice and relaxing and there are always guests hanging around and relaxing at the hostel. There are also cute dogs and cats, which don’t bother guests; if you are afraid of or allergic to them, it may not be a good choice to select this hostel.

The kitchen is really nice and has all the equipment needed to cook. There is a fridge and a freezer to store the food and a large space to prepare the meals. Unfortunately drinking water is not provided.

The vibe is very relaxed -- it is not a party hostel, but it's a social place where to meet and chat with other travelers, mostly couples for the cheap price of the bungalows. Many people here tend to smoke, so if you don’t like that, you should search for another place.

Summary

In conclusion, the hostel is a great choice for couples and for guests that want to have a quiet time and relax and chat with other people. It is also recommended to those that want to prepare their own meals, as the kitchen is very nice. The hammocks are very enjoyable and often available as there are many. On the other hand, if you are looking for a party spot and a great energy and if you don’t like a smokey environment, choose another place. We need to mention again that mattresses are usually uncomfortable and don’t provide a great sleep.