GO SLOW.

That’s how they roll out here in Caye Caulker Belize. No one wants to work hard on this island and rightfully so, warm beaches, good food, and good rum do indeed contribute to the chill vibe. Life here is very simple and it revolves around leisure, not the struggle for money. In fact, there are no cars on the entire island and you can explore the whole of it by foot in half a day.

Caye Caulker Belize, where is it?

It’s in is a Caribbean island off the Belize coast just south of Mexico.

How do you get there?

I recommend you take the water taxi (http://cayecaulkerwatertaxi.com/) to Caye Caulker. Round trip from Belize to Caye Caulker via Water Taxi is $17.50/person, a 45-minute ride. You can take a plane as well, but it’s expensive and not as cool as feeling like a pirate cutting through the Caribbean water.

Why go?

Dude, it’s cheap! I mean not as cheap as say Thailand but if you’re coming from the USA, flights are very cheap in the shoulder season. There’s great seafood and lots of beans and rice, if that’s your thing – A diver sold me one of his fresh lobster catch for 7 bucks, I took it to a restaurant owner to grill, he added coleslaw and beans/rice to plate and with a cold beer, I had one of the best meals I've ever had that year. There’s also plenty of diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and all sorts of beach tropical things to do.

What’s there?

A go slow and low-key vibe with chill Rastafarian bars, coconut trees, tropical breeze and sparkling Blue Ocean. There’s only one beach, it’s practically man-made that was initiated by a hurricane that split the entire island. One beach? What about swimming? You can swim at the cool Blue Hole, with marine life in a gorgeous barrier reef (second largest in the world), and even swim with and feed sharks!

I enjoyed interacting with the people and especially experiencing the Rastafarian culture. Everyone speaks English or a version of it and it allows you to easily make connections with the locals who are as warm and friendly as any other cultures I’ve met in my travels.

When do I Go?

I recommend September. It's low season and flights are cheap…and probably because it’s close to hurricane season but don’t let the deter you; it was simply marvelous when I was there also hotels, tour companies and would have lowered their prices.

Where to Stay?

I’m all for cheap accommodations. I’ve been known to sleep in cars and tent camp when given the chance. Caye Caulker has a few.

Colinda Cabanas has a $20 per night deal during the September hurricane season. I had a girlfriend at the time so this is where I stayed.
(+501-226-0383) http://www.colindacabanas.com

If you really want cheap, check out Bella's Hostel.
+501 226 0360

Ignacio's Cabins

Where to Eat and what to Eat?

Wish Willy, hosted by With the famous chef Maurice aka Wish Willy Located at the north end of the island (near The Split) it's a cool place to relax, listen to some reggae and enjoy fresh seafood.

Amor y Café is a good place to have breakfast
Chan’s Takeout (Pirate’s), like most business in Belize this is run by a Chinese business owner. Not much Chinese food here but they have awesome fried seafood.

Syd’s deep-fried chicken yo.

Need I say more?

Deep fried chicken!

What to Do?

First, explore the island by bike! You can rent golf carts but that’s doing this place a disservice, I golf carts whizzing around like go-carts; you’re supposed to “go slow.” You can go snorkeling with sharks and go scuba diving in the famous Blue Hole.

What did I do most? I did what the locals do. I Go Slow in Caye Caulker mon and chilled at a swimming spot up north near the split and drank some rum drinks at the seaside bar.