CAYE CAULKER, BELIZE

What is a caye anyway? A caye is a small, tropical island situated on the surface of a coral reef. How cool is that?! The reef in which Caye Caulker is situated on is known as the Belize Barrier Reef which is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. The MBRS stretches from Mexico to Honduras and is the second largest coral reef system in the world - behind only the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. It’s not hard to see why this is considered one of the best places to scuba dive in the world!

Attractions:

  • Scuba Dive: Don’t have a scuba license? Haven’t scuba dived before? No problem! Book through Black Durgon Dives and the $125 USD package includes an introductory scuba lesson, two 45-minute dives (depths of 20 feet and 35 feet), snorkeling in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (Shark Ray Alley), and lunch. The scuba instructors are fantastic and the groups are small so you will feel safe and taken care of - which is saying a lot considering I had never scuba dived prior to this trip! I implore you to not let the price tag deter you from this experience. It was one of the coolest things I have ever done! To be up close and personal with coral reef and to be able to swim alongside the Caribbean’s tropical fish is something that I will never forget!

  • Great Blue Hole: This natural wonder can be seen from the sky or water! From Caye Caulker, a 1-hour flyover tour costs $270 USD (available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays). Scuba diving here requires a scuba license since it is an advanced dive with a minimum depth of 100 feet. An 11-hour tour costs $310 USD (equipment costs not included; available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays).

  • Snorkel: If scuba diving isn’t your thing, I recommend snorkeling at the very least! The marine life here is out of this world and it would be a shame to not experience it! The two most popular spots in the area are The Split and Shark Ray Alley. Shark Ray Alley gets its name because you will actually swim with nurse sharks and sting rays (tours starts at $40 USD)!

  • Visit the Lazy Lizard: The most popular bar and grill in town! Cheap drinks, good food, and located right next to the Split. The Split is on the northern end of the south island and, hence the name, splits Caye Caulker in two. It’s a perfect spot for swimming!

  • Manatee Watching: Visit Friends of Swallow Caye, a manatee protection nonprofit in town. Half-day tours to see local marine life are $40 USD and full-day tours are $90 USD.

  • Other attractions include: Caye Caulker Forest Reserve, Caye Caulker Sign, and Kitexplorer.

wouter-naert-CIV0DPeMc3w-unsplash.jpg
meritt-thomas-3lvLavKKfMM-unsplash.jpg
maegan-luckiesh-UDdt74azlig-unsplash.jpg

Accommodation:

Caye Caulker is 20 miles off the coast of Belize and split into two islands. The northern island is made up of dense mangrove forest, while the south island has the feel of a small village. When I say small, I mean it; the southern portion of Caye Caulker is 3km in length (less than 2 miles) and can be walked from end-to-end in 30 minutes. This is where all of the hostels are located.

  • Hotel - Colinda Cabanas: Staying in a colorful, beach cabana is on everyone’s bucket list and while there are plenty to choose from across the island, Colinda Cabanas is the easy choice. It is a short walk from town center, which is perfect for those seeking a bit of seclusion and privacy. It is also nestled nicely between the airport and ferry to accommodate whichever mode of transport you go with. You can’t go wrong here!

  • Hostel - Bella’s Backpackers: This classic beach hostel is fit with hammocks, a rooftop terrace, and great vibes. There are plenty of bars, restaurants, and tourist activities nearby as well! It is located 10 minutes walking from the ferry terminal.

meritt-thomas-zbGLG3kkqs8-unsplash.jpg
wouter-naert-m6Sfxlts7SI-unsplash.jpg
fum-bally-snBDNNFotOs-unsplash.jpg
IMG_4956.JPG

Transportation:

Caye Caulker’s main ferry terminal is located here and where all ferries below leave from.

  • San Ignacio is 3.5 hours by ferry, taxi, and bus from Caye Caulker and costs $24.50 USD. The ferry from Caye Caulker to Belize City is 45 minutes and costs $18 USD. From the dock, the taxi to Belize City’s bus station is 5 minutes and costs $3 USD. From the Belize City bus station, the bus to San Ignacio is 2.5 hours and costs $3.50 USD.

    • You can also take a 2-hour shuttle bus from Belize City’s Ferry Terminal to San Ignacio for $30 USD via Mayan Heart World.

  • Flores, Guatemala is 7 hours by ferry, taxi, and shuttle bus from Caye Caulker and costs $51 USD. The ferry from Caye Caulker to Belize City is 45 minutes and costs $18 USD. From the dock, the taxi to Belize City’s bus station is 5 minutes and costs $3 USD. From the Belize City bus station, the shuttle bus to Flores is 6 hours and costs $30 USD via Marvelus. Shuttles leave twice daily at 11:00am and 1:00pm.

    • There is a $20 USD ($40 BZD) departure fee for Belize but there is no entrance fee for Guatemala.

  • Tulum, Mexico is 7 hours by ferry, taxi, and bus from Caye Caulker and costs $76 USD. The ferry from Caye Caulker to Chetumal is 3 hours and costs $60 USD (ferries leave at 7:00am every other day). From the pier, a taxi to Chetumal’s ADO bus station is 10 minutes and costs $1 USD. From here, the bus to Tulum is 3.5 hours and costs $15 USD; buses run hourly between 9:00am-6:00pm.

    • If you are looking to save money (but not time), you can travel this route via Belize City; this will take 11 hours and cost $44 USD. To do this, take the ferry from Caye Caulker to Belize City (45 minutes; $18 USD). Next, take a taxi from the dock to Belize City’s bus station (5 minutes; $3 USD). From here, hop on the next bus heading to Chetumal, Mexico (5.5 hours; $8 USD); buses run every thirty minutes. Once in Chetumal, transfer to the next bus heading to Tulum (3.5 hours; $15 USD); as stated above, buses run this route hourly from 9:00am-6:00pm.

    • There is a $20 USD ($40 BZD) departure fee for Belize and a $25 USD (500 Mexican Pesos) entrance fee for Mexico if your stay is longer than one week.

  • Mérida, Mexico is 9 hours by ferry, taxi, and bus from Caye Caulker and costs $81 USD. The ferry from Caye Caulker to Chetumal is 3 hours and costs $60 USD (ferries leave every other day at 7:00am). From the pier in Chetumal, take a taxi to the ADO bus station (10 minutes; $1 USD). From Chetumal’s bus station, take the next bus to Mérida (6 hours; $20 USD); buses run this route at 1:30pm, 5:00pm, and 11:30pm.

    • If you are looking to save money (but not time), you can travel this route via Belize City; this will take 12 hours and cost $49 USD. To do this, take the ferry from Caye Caulker to Belize City (45 minutes; $18 USD). From the pier in Belize City, take a taxi to the bus station (5 minutes; $3 USD). From Belize City’s bus station, take the next bus to Chetumal (5.5 hours; $8 USD). These buses run every thirty minutes. Once in Chetumal, transfer to the next bus heading to Mérida (6 hours; $20 USD); buses run this route at 1:30pm, 5:00pm, and 11:30pm.

    • There is a $20 USD ($40 BZD) departure fee for Belize and a $25 USD (500 Mexican Pesos) entrance fee for Mexico if your stay is longer than one week.

Caye Caulker Airport (CUK) is 1 mile (2km) from town center and accessible via taxi (5 minutes; $5 USD) or foot (25 minutes). Flights from BZE to CUK are 10 minutes and range from $75-$90 USD.

  • For those who do not want to pay the hefty price for flying from BZE to CUK, you can also reach the island from BZE. Take a 20-minute taxi to the Belize City ferry terminal for $25 USD ($50 BZD). From here, the 45-minute ferry costs $18 USD.

IMG_4972.JPG
IMG_4985.JPG

Thank you Maegan Luckiesh, Wouter Naert, and Fum Bally for the marine life photos and Meritt Thomas for the photos of the Caye Caulker sign and Belizean locals!