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Place in Belize District, Belize
Photo: Андрей Бобровский, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Caye Caulker is a small island off the coast of Belize, 1.6 km (1 mi) west of the Barrier Reef. Caye Caulker is popular with backpackers and budget travellers for its (relatively) cheap prices, laid-back vibe, and abundance of restaurants and bars.
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Has been protected for longer than the local reef, and so it usually has more mature marine life (i.e. bigger fish) as well as more people, though it's never terribly crowded. It's further away than the local reef.
This is circular in shape, over 300 m (984 ft) across and 124 m (407 ft) deep, with many fish, sharks, and corals. The Blue Hole is possibly the most famous dive site in Belize, even though it's nearly straight down. It's at least an hour boat ride away from Caye Caulker. The dive depth is normally described as 40 m (130 ft), but you may go a bit deeper than that. The dive shops typically combine the blue hole dive with two shallower dives afterward, so you'll only be able to stay down at that depth for 5-10 minutes. Once you're down there, you'll take a look at the formations and probably see a few reef sharks. There's not much to it other than that, so many divers regard the trip as being overrated. It's just one of those things you'll want to check off your list as a diver. That said, most divers enjoy the two subsequent dives on the trip. Some of the less scrupulous dive shops will allow you to go on this dive if you don't have your advanced open water certification from PADI. This can be dangerous and you should consider the risks involved.
An eco-friendly full-day tour on a modern 44ft sailing catamaran with snorkelling guides (typically 1 per 6 guests). The tour includes Hol Chan Marine Reserve, good lunch on board, Shark-Ray Alley, Coral Gardens and rum punch on the way home. It's about BZD20.
Eco-tours. They explicitly don't feed the sharks, they use reusable boxes for lunch and let you refill your bottle with water.
Run by a Belizean. Very friendly and laid back. PADI Certified.
PADI Certified.
This is a great way to explore the northern mangrove forest. Head for the leeward side of the island (the west side) for smoother water and to avoid paddling into the wind. Cost for a two-person kayak is BZ$15 per hour for the first hour, then BZ$10 for each additional hour.
Delicious Belizean and Chinese take-out with a relatively low price. Stewed chicken, baked chicken, rice and bean and cow foot soup.
Good fish and shrimp dishes, chicken is also available. Features swings instead of chairs at some tables and the bar. Friendly hostess.
Serves a mixture of sweet and savoury foods. The ham and cheese turnover, if available, is exceedingly delicious and is a filling breakfast on its own.
Roger's sister, her fare is similar to that of Jolly Roger's, for the same price.
Serves eggs, bacon, a cinnamon roll, and coffee for just US$3.50.
This is a great (though small) breakfast place on Front Street just south of Dock Street. They offer home-made bread, yoghurt and fruit juices.
Puffy pillows of fried dough filled with breakfast ingredients. Cheap and delicious, Eat on verandah or take out.
A short boat ride north of The Split. The boat shuttle leaves at the Bambooze dock next to the Sports Bar. Thai and Southeast Asian inspired cuisine.
Nice vibes and hang out spot to meet with friends or meet new friends. Great place to relax on a hammock or swing with a cocktail. From the top deck you can see the whole island, eerily peaceful at night.
Happy hour 3-6PM with $5 local cocktails. Great manager Alex.
Possibly has the nicest beach on the island. The rooms have A/C, TV, hot water and fridge, and are all in one concrete building with a great ocean view.
Rooms with balcony, cableTV, private bathroom. Nice and new.
Boutique apartment hotel with 6 spacious units accommodating 2-6 guests. Swimming pool, roof top hot tub, spectacular views, balcony, A/C, cable, WiFi, safe, fully equipped kitchen, telephone.
Ideal for the budget traveller. On the beach front. Nice sea view, private hot/cold shower, cableTV, fridge, coffee pot, microwave, toaster, balcony with hammock. Split unit A/C, 1 double bed, WiFi and complementary bicycles. Good for a couple or a single person and safe for females traveling alone.
Beachfront location facing the reef with frequent easterly breeze. All units have hot and cold reverse osmosis purified water, fridge, coffee pot with beans and grinder, several fans, large porches and hammocks. Daily maid service, complimentary kayaks, snorkel gear and bicycles. A 175-ft (53-m) dock with palapa and hammocks, safe swimming area.
Great place, quiet, hammocks on porches right across from beach.
Hotel with private pool, beach, dock, free continental breakfasts, safes and small refrigerators in each room, A/C, free WiFi and shower. They have their own bar. No children under 10 years old allowed.
3-room guest house south of downtown, near the airstrip. Each suite has a kitchen, porch with hammock and free use of bicycles.
5 hotel rooms, and 7 apartments and cabanas for those who want to stay longer. Sensibly-priced but bedrooms can be noisy with louvred windows facing on to sitting area. Friendly Austrian host messages you daily to see if you want any help.
Two 559-sq-ft condos that sleep 3 guests each with full kitchen, bathroom, 400-sq-ft verandas.
Rooms with balcony, TV, hot and cold shower, private bathroom, Free WiFi.
Immaculately clean and very comfortable rooms, with charming garden 50 yards from the water's edge.
Convenience store. Just north of the ferry terminal.
Small grocery store.
By sea
Catch a water taxi in Belize City or Ambergris Caye to Caye Caulker Ferry Terminal. They have frequent runs to the island everyday rain or shine.
There are only three main streets on Caye Caulker, namely Front Street, Middle Street and Back Street, none of which are paved.
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Caye Caulker · Regional · CUK
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