Going Slow on Caye Caulker
A lazy laid back island, where everyone is happy and things “go slow.” Most of the activity is along the street, Playa Asuncion, filled with lodging, bars & restaurants, shops, street vendors, and stunning views of the water. At the end of this road is an area called The Split, which is a point where the North part of the island is split from the South part of the island. The legend is that it was created by Hurricane Hattie in 1961.
The North part of the island is mostly residences and a few hotels. There is a “split-to-split” ferry, which is a local pontoon boat that takes you across or you can swim. The South Island at the split is a popular area as the two largest bars are in this location. People on day sails from Ambergris Caye will make this one of their stops. The Lazy Lizard is the largest and Sip n’ Dip, feels more personal and local and it was our favorite.
How to Get to Caye Caulker
The quickest and most efficient way is to fly onTropic Air or Mayan Island Air (approx $190 round trip). It’s a quick (and beautiful) 10-minute flight from Belize City. Another option is to take apublic ferry from Belize City (approx. $19 one way), this is more economical, but will take around 45 minutes or shorter if coming from Ambergris Caye.
Where to stay in Caye Caulker
We stayed at Low Caye Cottages, it was off the beaten path, but nice and private. There are four villas that each sleep 4 people with a small kitchen and a shared pool. You can rent bikes, which is highly recommended, as that is the main mode of transportation other than a golf cart or your feet. There are several other small hotels and Airbnb’s along the Playa Asuncion and Avenida Hicaco (Front Street) streets, so if you want to be in the thick of it, pick these locations. Another place that we thought looked very serene was Iguana Reef Inn, this would be our pick based on amenities and location for next time.
What we did in Caye Caulker
Hang out at the Split - If you’ve done any research at all on things to do in Caye Caulker you’ll know that The Split is where it’s at and that’s absolutely right. I wasn’t entirely convinced I’d be all that into “hanging out” in a place where I’m supposed to “go slow” but, as it turns out, I totally was.
The Split is literally a small split in the island of Caye Caulker that was caused by Hurricane Hattie back in 1961. Today, it’s the most popular spot on the island to hang out. There are fun bars, turquoise waters, and many ways to pass your island days. Swim in the beautiful water, meet fellow travelers, watch the sailboats and fishing boats, kayakers, paddleboarders, and crazy people jumping off a tower and into the ocean. But mostly go to the Split to Relax.
The Split is literally a small split in the island of Caye Caulker that was caused by Hurricane Hattie back in 1961. Today, it’s the most popular spot on the island to hang out. There are fun bars, turquoise waters, and many ways to pass your island days. Swim in the beautiful water, meet fellow travelers, watch the sailboats and fishing boats, kayakers, paddleboarders, and crazy people jumping off a tower and into the ocean. But mostly go to the Split to Relax.
Sunsets - Iguana Reef Inn is one of the best places on the island for a gorgeous sunset. They have a beach bar for your perfect sunset drink and plenty of beachfront, in-water swings, and a dock for watching the sunset into the horizon of the ocean.
Sting Ray Viewing and Feeding - In the early evening the stingrays approach the beach at Iguana Reef Inn for an on-shore feeding of fresh fish. It's amazing to encounter these gentle creatures up close. There was an expert there to answer any questions we had and to assist people who wanted to hand-feed them.
Seahorse Reserve - Also at Iguana Reef Inn, there is a small Seahorse Ranch Reserve habitat for Seahorses. It may require some real concentration to spot these camouflage experts, but it’ll be so rewarding when you do! The small sanctuary is free to visit and may not look like anything special at first but if you see the signs you’re in the right place. The Iguana Reef Inn and the Seahorse Ranch area on the western side of the island, about a 7-minute walk south of the Split.
Hand Feed the Tarpons - On the west side of the island is the fish feeding dock where you can hand feed the tarpons. And it is A RUSH. Tarpons are large fish and incredibly fast. For a few Belizean dollars, you can buy a bucket of sardines with which to feed the local tarpon population. Hold the sardines just slightly above the water in between two knuckles and they’ll jump up and snatch it from you. Just the anticipation is an adrenaline rush for sure!
Explore the Island on Bikes - The island of Caye Caulker takes up a total of six square miles. No wonder their motto is “Go Slow.” If you go too fast you’re likely to just ride off the end of the island. Our cabana (Low Caye Cottages) had bicycles for us to rent during our entire stay. We pedaled everywhere: to the bars and back (even in a complete downpour), to restaurants, and to parts of the island no short-term visitor ever sees. By the end of my time in Caye Caulker, I’d grown quite fond of the bicycle way of life and the achy bum, the lack of pavement, and splashing through puddles like a little kid.
Being that the island is so small, exploring it by bike is super easy, interesting, and definitely one of the best things to do in Caye Caulker. There are a few bike rental locations around the island but chances are your hotel/accommodations will have them for you either for free or to rent. If not, they can definitely help you locate some.
Other Activities on Caye Caulker
Snorkeling - There isn’t much snorkeling from the beaches, but if you take a guided tour, like any of these, they will be sure to take you to all the best spots, like Shark Alley, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and so many other beautiful spots.
Scuba Diving - If you are a scuba diver (or are interested in getting certified), I highly recommend diving in Belize. The crystal clear turquoise waters, nurse and reef sharks galore, sea turtles and so many fish! We did our diving from Ambergris Caye, so I will go more into detail on our Ambergris Caye post.
Deep-Sea or Reef Fishing - Want to have Fresh Catch of the Day - go Fishing with some locals. They will clean what you catch and grill it up for you or you can take it to most local restaurants and have them prepare it any way you wish.
Manatee Tour - I wish we would have had time to do this while we were in Belize. These slow-moving mammals flock to certain areas around the Cayes. They are endangered and protected in Belize.
Island Tubing - You and up to seven other guests will be towed serenely (or, depending on the group, not so serenely) on a tour around Caye Caulker. You’ll start on the front side, cruise through the Split, catch the sunset, then make your way back. Bartender included! Suitable for all ages, Island Tubing might be the best way to live up to the island’s motto, Go Slow!
The Blue Hole - The most popular dive spot in Belize is the Great Blue Hole. The Blue Hole is a naturally-occurring marine sinkhole which would be a terrifying fact if it weren’t so gorgeous. It’s about 43 miles off the coast of mainland Belize and 2.5 hours by boat from Caye Caulker. Diving the Blue Hole you’ll see sharks and interesting limestone formations as well as a whole lotta darkness. Maybe this sounds exciting to you or maybe you prefer to get no deeper than five feet from the surface. Luckily there’s something for everyone in the waters around Caye Caulker.
If you are interested in diving the Blue Hole, check out Frenchie’s Dive Shop.
If diving is not your thing, but you still want to experience the famous Belize landmark, book a scenic flight over the Blue Hole. From above you get to see the Blue Hole and all its glory! These scenic flyovers typically last one hour since they have just one objective, but I imagine it’s an hour like none other! Belize’s airline Tropic Air offers scenic Blue Hole flyover tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am from Caye Caulker. These flights take place on 3 or 11-seat aircrafts meaning everyone gets a window seat!
Paddle Board (or Kayak) around the Island - Since the island of Caye Caulker is protected by the barrier reef from large waves crashing on the shores, this makes it a perfect place to paddleboard. Enjoy exploring the coastline and looking through the crystal clear waters at all of the marine life below. Bring along your snorkel gear in case you find a reef to explore.
Sunset Cruise - Being on the water is the best way to get a sense of how beautiful the area surrounding the island is. There are many different companies that can provide amazing sunset cruises. Stunning!
Where We Ate on Caye Caulker
Hibisca by Habanero - Delicious food and drinks, right along Front Street. Check out their entertainment calendar, they usually have live music!
Sip n’ Dip - We hung out here for lunch or just drinks multiple times while on the island. They have a fun staff ready to serve you yummy drinks/food on their deck or in the water.
Lazy Lizard - Most people you talk to that have been to Caye Caulker, know about the Lazy Lizard, which sits on The Split. They serve up delicious food and drinks and have tons of activities (corn hole, jumping platform into the water, beach vibe jams, etc.).
Il Pellicano Cucina Italiana - Dine in a lush garden on delicious Italian food.
Southside Pizza - Craving pizza while living the island life, check out this place to eat in or carry out.
Dee N D’s Waterside Grill - Every day (except Sunday) this Chef is grilling delicious lunches; fresh lobster, pork ribs, jerk chicken, Italian sausage, chicken skewers, or kabobs. These are all served up with rice n’ beans, pico de Gallo, and coleslaw. This isn’t a physical restaurant, he has his grill is set up on Playa Asuncion (Front Street). You can’t go wrong with any of the options, and the price is right too.
Maggie’s Sunset Kitchen - Maggie’s is a local family fun restaurant on the West side of the island. They specialize in seafood and all is freshly caught each day and grilled to perfection.
Errolyn’s House of Fryjacks - They say “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” and Belizeans take this very seriously. One of the more popular and mouth-watering breakfast meals is the fryjack. These are deep-fried dough pieces that can be shaped into circles, squares, or triangles. Sometimes they are filled with refried beans, eggs, cheese, bacon, etc. This is a great place to grab breakfast for under $10.