This Ultimate guide and post on top things to do in Caye Caulker, Belize will cover everything you need to know about visiting the island. Find out the top things to do, where to stay, best spots to eat and drink, and when to go. I stayed on the island for over a month on my second visit and would go back in a heartbeat!
This post contains affiliate links, helping us with the upkeep of the blog, at no cost to you.
Caye Caulker is an island in Belize known for its colorful houses, laid back vibe and palm trees swaying in the wind. The roads are soft sand and no cars drive on the island, apart from the occasionally passing golf cart. The island is perfect for relaxing in a hammock by the beach, but there are also plenty of activities to try out.
5 Top Things to do in Caye Caulker
1. Snorkelling and Diving
Snorkelling was definitely one of my favourite activities on the island. It’s a great place to see stingrays as well as nurse sharks, and swim among them! Read more about my amazing snorkelling experience in Caye Caulker.
While I haven’t yet tried diving, the island is a popular spot for beginners and experienced divers alike, due to the massive reef and diverse marine life.
2. Chill on the Beach at Koko King
The best beach on the island is arguably at Koko King, which makes it a popular destination to hang out during the day. You can catch a boat to Koko King, where you can find a pool in addition to the beach, as well as a restaurant. Great spot to head over and chill for the day! They also host parties on the weekend evenings, including a full moon party once a month.
3. Paddle Boarding and Kayaking
Renting a kayak or a stand up paddleboard (SUP) is another popular activity on the island. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also try wind or kite surfing! I got a SUP lesson from Contour, as I’d never tried it and didn’t want to drift out into the ocean on my own. It was a lot harder than expected, but soon enough we were on our way to see some interesting spots around the island, passing through the Split to check out the mangroves. My legs were very sore the next day, but I had so much fun!
4. Fishing
One of the more popular activities on the island is fishing, including fly-fishing, if that is something you’re into! There are several companies that offer fishing excursions both on shore and off. Fishing here you can find tarpons, and on the reef also groupers, snappers and barracuda. Combine your fishing trip with snorkelling for an unforgettable day.
5. Enjoy the Split or Sip’n’Dip
If you want to chill by the water and can’t be bothered to make the trip to Koko King, the Split is a great option. They have great drinks at Lazy Lizard, hammocks and tables in the water and good spots for jumping in! Sip’n’Dip is also a firm favorite, as they also have hammocks and swings in the water, making it a great spot to spend a sunny day.
+6. Other Islands
It is also easy to visit nearby, busier San Pedro on Ambergis Caye. If you have time, you can even spend several days sailing to Placencia. There are a lot of exciting things to do in Placencia!
Ultimate Guide to Caye Caulker
Keep reading for everything you need to know about visiting Caye Caulker. This guide will cover:
- Getting There
- Hotels and Accommodation
- Restaurants
- Bars and Nightlife
- Weather and When To Go
- Top Tips
Getting There
The best way to get to the island is taking a water taxi, which takes around 45 minutes. There are a few companies offering this route, including Ocean Ferry and Belize Express. Make sure you’re ready for a potentially very windy ride! When you’re leaving the island, make sure you allow for plenty of time between the arrival of you boat and your flight/bus etc departure; the last time I visited, a few people missed their flights because all the bags hadn’t been loaded onto the boat we had travelled on, and were in fact on the next one that took its time to arrive. Tropic Air also flies directly to Caye Caulker from a range of regional airports. Use SkyScanner to find the best deals on flights.
Hotels and Accommodation
Island Magic Hotel
My second stop was Island Magic, which I chose because of the great pool. They also have swings right by the sea, where you can hang out with a cocktail and watch the sunset. The room prices are different depending on the floor you choose, and conveniently also have a kitchen if you fancy cooking. A solid option for a stay on the island, with really friendly staff.
Seaside Cabanas Hotel
The lovely Seaside Cabanas is one of the nicer hotels on the islands and it’s right on the beach. They have a clean pool and some the cabanas come with rooftop jacuzzis, but there are also regular, more affordable rooms available. I loved staying at Seaside Cabanas! They are right next to the ferry docks as well, meaning you’re right at the doorstep as you arrive.
Apartment Rental
There are a selection of apartments available to rent on the island, through services such as Airbnb, in a range of budgets (click here to sign up if you’re new to to Airbnb and want $$ off!). When I returned to the island for the second time, I decided to stay for a whole month, as I found a monthly rental at Macaw apartments. Renting for the whole month cost as much as getting an airbnb for a few weeks, so it made sense to say for a whole month. Staying for two months or more is even cheaper at Macaw, if there is availability. My apartment was a 1 bedroom with everything I needed. Longer term rentals can be found on facebook groups for example, if you really fall for the island!
Hostels
Caye Caulker does not have a lot of budget accommodation available, but there are a few hostels. I didn’t personally stay in any of them, but if you’re on a strict budget, the island is definitely worthwhile exploring even if you can’t stay in some of the more expensive accommodation.
Restaurants
Caye Caulker has plenty of restaurants and street food to choose from, with a lot of variety. The island is famous for its fresh seafood, fry jacks and beach barbeques. I’ve collated my favourite food spots on the island into a handy guide to Caye Caulker restaurants and street food, full of places worth exploring.
Bars and Nightlife
The island also has a great variety of bars to choose from, to head for a chill drink or partying on the weekend. I collated a list of my favourite spots on the island here: the best bars and nightlife in Caye Caulker.
Weather and When to Go
High Season/Low Season
High Season in Caye Caulker runs from November to March, with low season in between. During the high season weather is at its best with very little rain and beautiful sunshine, and the island has the most to offer in terms of activities.
During low season, the island gets hot and many places are closed for business, however it is the best time to go scuba diving. The best time for fishing is from May to November, although it can be done year round. June to November is when the island sees the highest amount of rain.
Is it lobster season?
Fresh lobster is definitely one of the best foods to eat on the islands, but not available year round. The lobster season is from June to February, and outside the season, it is not possible to get lobster on the island. One of the best times to visit is in June when the lobster season begins, as it kicks off with the Caye Caulker Lobster Fest, a long weekend full of lobster and fun events.
Other Highlights
Other times when the island gets especially busy is around Christmas as well as Easter. Koko King Full Moon parties take place once a month, so it’s worth checking out the schedule ahead of time.
Top Tips for Caye Caulker
Finding an ATM
The island, contrary to rumours, has not just one but two ATMs. One is at the Atlantic bank branch on Avenida Langosta, but if for some reason that one is out of use, you can walk down the road for 5 minutes, as there is another ATM located in the St. Francis Xavier Credit Union (also on Avenida Langosta).
Shopping in Caye Caulker
The island doesn’t have a huge amount of shopping places available, apart from a few souvenir shops and grocery stores. Groceries can also be pricy and variety is limited, given everything has to be brought onto the island. Since I had a kitchen I did cook a few times during my stay on the island, but as groceries aren’t cheap, I often ended up eating out or getting takeaway for the same price.
Get inspired by reading about my journey backpacking across Central America
