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Voykit pocket guide · Belize
Caye Caulker
Spend 3–4 days on Caye Caulker: enough for snorkeling, a day trip to Hol Chan, and relaxed island time; skip if you only have a single day.
Caye Caulker is a small, backpacker‑friendly island off Belize’s coast. Its main draws are the nearby reef, the laid‑back "Split" beach area, and easy access to day trips like Hol Chan Marine Reserve. A 3‑day stay lets you snorkel, try a kayak or dive, and still have time to unwind without rushing.
- Country
- Belize
- Best months
- Feb–May
- Avoid
- Jun–Oct (rainy season, possible storms)
- Stay
- 3–4 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BZD
- Money
- Currency is the Belize dollar (BZD, $), fixed at 2 to 1 US dollar; US dollars are accepted almost everywhere. Check which dollar a price is in.
- Daily spend
- Budget BZD 30–50 excl. bed · Mid BZD 50–80 excl. bed · High BZD 80+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Digi (Belize Telemedia) and Smart sell SIMs at the airport and in towns; bring your passport.
- Emergency
- Police / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B, G · 110 V (some 220 V) · 60 Hz · US plugs usually fit.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10–15% if no service charge.; Tour guides and boat crew: BZ$20–40 per person per day.; Taxi drivers: Not expected; round up.
- Water
- Treated water in Belize City and San Pedro; most visitors drink bottled or filtered.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; bring paper for bus stops.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Drink at Lazy Lizard (2 rum drinks) | BZ$5 |
| Snorkel tour (full day) | BZ$70 |
| Bike rental (per hour) | BZ$5 |
| Golf‑cart rental (full day) | BZ$35 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CUK · Caye Caulker Airport
- Flights from Belize City (hourly) cost ~US$75 one‑way; 10‑15 min flight.
Typical fares
- Water‑taxi Caye Caulker ↔ Ambergris Caye
- ≈ US$21 one‑way, US$37 round‑trip (check)
- Bike rental (hourly)
- ≈ BZ$5 per hour
- Golf‑cart rental (full day)
- ≈ BZ$35
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The island is walkable; a 20‑min stroll reaches most points. Golf‑carts (30 min island loop) and bicycles are widely rented.
See and do
Known for
- Snorkelling at the local reef
- The Split swimming area
- Golf‑cart rentals
- Budget‑friendly eateries
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Hol Chan Marine Reserve | Water‑taxi from Caye Caulker Ferry Terminal, ~45 min boat | ≈1 h |
| Ambergris Caye (San Pedro) | Water‑taxi, ~45 min boat | ≈1 h |
| The Blue Hole (via Ambergris Caye) | Full‑day dive charter, ~1 h boat from Ambergris | ≈5 h total |
Sleep
- Front Street area
- Closest to ferry terminal, many hostels and budget hotels; walking distance to most sights.
- The Split area
- Hostels and guesthouses near the main swimming spot; quieter evenings.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Pardonpardon |
| Thank you | Tank yutank yu |
| How much is it? | How much?how much? |
| Where is the water‑taxi? | Where water‑taxi?where water‑taxi? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say 'good morning' or 'good evening' when entering shops and buses; avoid: Skipping greetings
- Pace: Relax; service is slow; avoid: Showing impatience
- Photography: Ask first; avoid: Photographing Mennonites and Maya villagers without consent
- Dress: Cover up away from the beach; avoid: Swimwear in town
Scams and watch-outs
- Water‑taxi schedules can vary; check departure times each morning.
- ATMs may run out of cash on busy weekends – carry extra BZ$.
- Snorkel tour prices are standardized but confirm inclusion of lunch.
Caye Caulker is generally safe; keep an eye on personal belongings on the beach and use reputable water‑taxi operators.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Caye Caulker yet. Suggested stay: 3–4 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Snorkelling at the local reef
- The Split swimming area
- Golf‑cart rentals
- Budget‑friendly eateries
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Caye Caulker, revision 5336210 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5336210
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Caye Caulker
Plis, go to dis address
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Ambulance911
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/caye-caulker). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.