Ready for a tropical adventure? Belize has been on my radar for quite some time, being Mexico's neighbour. It seemed very close, yet far away at the same time! This post is a summary of our short 4-day getaway on the beautiful Caye Caulker in Belize with tips on how to get there and what to do.
Belize is nestled between Mexico, Guatemala and the Caribbean Sea and its geographical location really reflects the local culture, which is a mix of Central American with Mayan heritage and influences from the English-speaking Caribbean. You can see this unique blend of cultures reflected in the languages spoken in Belize, the food and the people.
When to Go
The best time to visit Belize is during the dry season, between December to May, although I'd imagine that December-January would be extremely busy. We visited at the end of May, the very end of the dry season, and felt that this was the perfect time to visit as it wasn't overcrowded at all.
Getting There
Instead of trying to fit in too much, we decided to just visit Caye Caulker on this short 4-day getaway. We took the ferry from Chetumal for $77 USD, which took about 3 hours and 15 mins and was bit bumpy! The ferry first stops as San Pedro on Ambergris Caye to clear customs and then continues for another 45mins or so to Caye Caulker. We chose Caye Caulker over Ambergris as it is supposed to be more laid-back and less developed. Indeed, most people got off the ferry at San Pedro and only 4 of us continues on to Caye Caulker!
On the way back, we took the ferry to Belize City (only 45mins and much more comfortable and affordable at 33 BZD (about $16 USD when bought at the ferry terminal, $21 USD when bought online) followed by a shuttle to Guatemala (but you can also take land transport back to Mexico). Here is a summary of the different modes of transport:
Route | Chetumal- Caye Caulker by Ferry | Chetumal - Belize City by land + Ferry to Caye Caulker |
Price | 77 USD | 15-20 USD +21 USD |
Duration | 3 hrs 15 mins Ferry departs at 3:30pm | 5 hrs + 45mins |
Tips | https://belizewatertaxi.com/ another option (more $$$, departs every other day at 10am) is https://www.sanpedrowatertaxi.com/ | Multiple buses and shuttle buses departing from Chetumal. Water taxi from Belize City with multiple daily departures:https://belizewatertaxi.com/ |
Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker really seems like true tropical paradise! Imagine swaying palm trees, crystal-clear waters, and the perfect blend of relaxation and excitement. It is touristy, but not overwhelmingly so, and you can see both locals and tourists enjoying the slow island life. 'Go Slow' is the island's motto, after all. There are no paved roads and therefore no cars, only golf carts and bicycles (the perfect way to get around).
What to Do
Ride a bicycle around the island: Many hotels and airbnbs offer free bicycles, or you can rent one and ride around the island. The island is very small, so you can easily get from one end to the other in 30 mins.
Swim at the Split: The 1961 hurricane literally split the island into two, creating a lovely swimming spot now known as The Split. You can swim, relax, or have a drink at one of the water bars and go slow all day.
Explore the North Side: Take the little Split-to-Split ferry to explore the north side of the island, which is a lot less developed. We rode our bikes all the way to Bliss Beach, a lovely beach bar/club, but if it's very hot, so you could take a ferry straight there instead.
Snorkelling and Diving: This is one of the top things to do in Caye Caulker! We did a half-day snorkelling tour ($45 USD), but the options are infinite! Explore the mesmerising underwater world of the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, swim with nurse sharks, tropical fish and stingrays.
Feed the Rays: Every day around 4 pm you can watch the feeding of stingrays at Iguana Reef Inn for free. This was one of our favourite experiences! The stingrays gather in the shallow water and swim right up to the shore. You can pat them or just watch them gently glide over your feet. This is also a great spot to watch the sunset, with a cocktail in your hand while chilling in a swing or hammock in the water.
Watch the sunset: Watch the sunset at Iguana Reef Inn or Pelican Sunset Bar (also great for their ceviche) for great views and a Happy Hour cocktails!
Taste Local Delicacies: We loved the food in Caye Caulker! From fresh grilled snapper to ceviche to delicious coconut curries, this was one of our favourite cuisines in Central America.
Other tips
US dollars are widely accepted and many (but not all) places accept credit cards. There are also a couple of ATMs on the island.
There are a few supermarkets where you can buy almost anything you need if you are self-catering like we did.
While 4 days was just the perfect amount of time for us to be able to explore and relax, you could stay for just 3 days, or 2 weeks 'going slow' and enjoying the tropical paradise!
It looks so nice! Thank you so much for the information.