In a land blessed with hundreds of islands and spectacular coral atolls, Caye Caulker in Belize is truly special. Little unchanged since Belize became a visitor hotspot, Caye Caulker is that rare combination of comfortable modern amenities and laid-back natural beauty that has little in common with more popular Caribbean destinations.
Although visitors to Belize are slowly starting to learn about the rustic beauty of Caye Caulker, most of the island has remained immune to the siren call of multi-story hotels and beachside bars built for yacht passengers. Originally chartered by locals as a place for fisherman to seek anchorage and shelter during storms, Caye Caulker’s indigenous population grew as a cottage industry in boat building and fishing took off. The gorgeous sandy beaches of Caye Caulker started to attract foreign visitors starting in the 1970s, drawn to the picturesque little island who appreciated how steady see breezes kept mosquitos and other insects away.
Caye Caulker is located approximately 21 miles northeast of Belize City and can be reached by private water taxi in about 45 minutes. Nestled inside of the Belize Barrier Reef, Caye Caulker is the second-largest island in the country although it measures just half a mile across and five miles long. Today, approximately 1,200 locals still inhabit the island, many of them still engaged in traditional handicrafts and fishing, although the tourism industry has begun to boom. Nonetheless, the dive shops, hotels, bars, gift shops, and restaurants still retain a special laid-back cheerful vibe that continues to endear itself to locals and visitors alike.
Having so far successfully escaped the widespread sprawl of development, most of Caye Caulker is pristine beaches, ideal for a day of sunbathing, swimming, or strapping on scuba diving gear and heading out into the crystal-clear waters to marvel at the rainbow of marine life that can be found within a few feet of shore. Other popular activities on Caye Caulker include sea kayaking around the island, windsurfing, and fishing.
A popular activity along the reef is island hopping, and Caye Caulker makes an excellent port of call with its regular connections both to Belize City on the mainland and up to San Pedro on the biggest island in the country, Ambergris Caye. Caye Caulker can be reached for a fun day trip in between tours of Belize City or explorations of Maya temples on the mainland or serve as a base of operations to plumb the waters of the nearby Shark Ray Alley and the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
Caye Caulker is an excellent place to earn a PADI or NAUI dive certification with courses that take place right on the nearby reef. Once you’re ready to enjoy scuba diving, Caye Caulker is close to popular spots like Lighthouse Reef (and the famous Great Blue Hole), Half Moon Caye, Long Caye, and the fabulous Turneffe Islands.
If the relaxed ambience and friendly locals of Caye Caulker make you want to spend more time there, there are a number of lodging options ranging from small boutique hotels to five-star luxury resorts.
Although small, Caye Caulker has an abundance of laid-back cafes and bars as well as restaurants offering the very finest in fresh-caught seafood and other Belizean specialties. Sip on a freshly-squeezed juice made from organic Belizean produce or dance away the night while enjoying cocktails made with locally-produced rum and fruit juice and listening to reggae, punta, and other musical styles that Belizeans love.
Caye Caulker has three roads to help visitors get around known as the “front”, “back”, and “middle” road. Since motor vehicles are few and far between, the best way to get around the island is with a golf car or bicycle rental.
Cahal Pech Village Resort arranges tours to and from Caye Caulker, lodging at resorts on the island, and adventure vacation packages that include sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing at the top spots along the Belize Barrier Reef.
Cahal Pech Village Resort
The Cahal Pech Village Resort outside of San Ignacio Town has an excellent network of relations with the best hotels and resorts in Caye Caulker. If you’re interested in visiting Caye Caulker or excursions to the Belize Barrier Reef, Cahal Pech’s reservation team can help you book a comprehensive Belize reef and rainforest package.
Whether you’re interested in exploring San Ignacio and the west of Belize or Caye Caulker and the islands in the east, Cahal Pech is your one-stop shop for the best Belize vacation and tour packages.
