Major city · Belize
Tobacco Caye
Go for 2 nights if you want a cheap reef base with no roads and no plan; skip if you need beaches, nightlife or a pool.
Tobacco Caye is a sand-and-palm island about 60 m by 120 m, roughly 20–30 minutes by boat from Dangriga. There are no roads, no vehicles and no shops beyond a snack stand, so the day is snorkelling, kayaking, hammocks and communal meals. Two nights is the usual stay; three if you add a Glover's Reef or diving day.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- BZD
- Best months
- Feb–May (dry, calm sea, clearest water)
- avoid Sep–Oct (rain, storm risk); Jun–Nov is hurricane season
- Airports
- BZE · DGA
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Belize ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Belize's Immigration Department or a Belizean embassy before booking.
- Belize ↗Snorkel and dive in the marine reserves only with licensed guides; do not touch coral or feed marine life.
- Belize ↗Leaving by land or sea costs BZ$40 (US$20) in cash at the border or dock; the air departure tax is in your ticket.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Tobacco Caye911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tobacco Caye, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Belize dollar (BZD, $), fixed at 2 to 1 US dollar; US dollars are accepted almost everywhere.Belize-wide
- SIM or eSIMDigi (Belize Telemedia) and Smart sell SIMs at the airport and in towns; bring your passport.Belize-wide
- Tap waterTreated water in Belize City and San Pedro; most visitors drink bottled or filtered.Belize-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10–15% if no service charge.Belize-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/G. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 110 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Belize-wide
- SafetyVery low crime on a 20-resident island; the real risks are sun, cuts from the rocky shore…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; bring paper for bus stops.Belize-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 90 Alternate emergency line
- Sundays & holidaysMany businesses close on Sundays in small towns and on Good Friday.Belize-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBZE Philip S.
- Getting aroundOn foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer or rum at the barcheckBZ$5–10
- Budget bedBudget room or cabin, a night, per roomBZD 100
- Mid-range bedBudget room or cabin, a night, per roomBZD 140
- High-end bedBudget room or cabin, a night, per roomBZD 200
A day, not counting the bed: Budget BZD 120 · Mid BZD 200 · High BZD 350
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BZE Philip S. W. Goldson International, Belize City (Domestic hop to Dangriga or a road transfer, then boat.) · DGA Dangriga (airstrip) (Short domestic flight from Belize City; the caye boat dock is a short taxi ride away.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Feb–May. Avoid: Jun–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest May (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C) low), wettest Sep (17 rain days), driest Apr (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tobacco Caye: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11 rd
Feb
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
6 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
17 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot. You can circle the island in under 5 minutes; there are no roads, vehicles or sidewalks. Bring sandals for the piers and reef shoes for the rocky water edge.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Glover's Reef
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Boat from the caye with a dive or snorkel operator
The main reason to add a third night; book with your lodge or the dive shop.
Thatch Caye
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Boat, about 20 min south
Resort island; do not turn up without a reservation or a pre-arranged boat.
Dangriga
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Boat from the caye dock, about 20–30 min
Supply run and onward buses; most boats leave mid-morning.
Hopkins
overnightDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Boat to Dangriga, then road transfer south
Better as a separate stop than a day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
South tip (Reef's End)
Quietest end, dive shop on site, higher rates.
North tip (Tobacco Caye Lodge, Paradise)
Bar, marine station and the main sunset pier; cabins over the water.
East and west sides
Small lodges and cabins; east side catches the breeze, west side the sunset.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- BZ$120–180 excl. bed
- Mid
- BZ$180–300 excl. bed
- High
- BZ$300+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid cabin, often over the water1 × 2 nights × BZD 220 | BZD 440 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × BZD 200 | BZD 800 |
| Boat Dangriga ↔ Tobacco Caye, each way2 × BZD 60 | BZD 120 |
| Snorkel set rental, per day2 × BZD 30 | BZD 60 |
| Internet at the marine station, per hour2 × BZD 15 | BZD 30 |
| Dive or snorkel trip to Glover's Reef2 × BZD 250 · check | BZD 500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | BZD 195 |
| Trip total≈ BZD 536 per person per day, bed included | BZD 2,145 |
2026 estimate in Belize dollars (BZ$2 = US$1); flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Boat Dangriga → Tobacco Caye | BZ$60 per person |
| Basic room or cabin | from about BZ$50 |
| Set meal at a lodge kitchencheck | BZ$15–30 |
| Beer or rum at the barcheck | BZ$5–10 |
| Snorkel gear rental, per day | BZ$30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Boat seats are limited and there is no fixed public schedule: confirm the return time with your lodge or boat captain the day before.
- Cash only in practice at most lodges and the bar; bring small Belize dollar notes from Dangriga.
- The water's edge is rocky, not sandy: reef shoes help.
- Power and water can be limited; expect simple cold-water showers at the cheaper places.
- Hurricane season runs Jun–Nov; check forecasts before booking a short island stay.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Alternate emergency line
- 90
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Tobacco CayeTobacco Caye
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Tek mi da di dock, pleezTake me to the dock, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Alternate emergency line90
Embassy
No embassies on the caye; the US, UK and Canada have missions in Belmopan or Belize City (check addresses before you travel).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Dangriga → Tobacco Caye boat: about BZ$60 per person, 20–30 min
- Snorkel set, per day: about BZ$30
- Internet at the marine station: BZ$15 per hour on their computer, BZ$10 with your own
Say or show
- Gud maanin — Good morning (gud maa-nin)
- Tahnk yu — Thank you (tank yoo)
- Ho moch it kos? — How much is it? (ho moch it kos)
- Weh di boat deh? — Where is the boat? (weh di boat deh)
- No problem — No problem (no problem)
- Wan bier, pleez — One beer, please (wan beer pleez)
Cash is king here: bring small Belize dollar notes from Dangriga.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tobacco Caye. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Feb–May (dry, calm sea, clearest water) · avoid Sep–Oct (rain, storm risk); Jun–Nov is hurricane season · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Boat-contract page: Dangriga dock departures, lodge boats, last return, weather call-offs.
- Place pages for the marine station, the north-tip bar and the sunset fish-cleaning pier.
- Eat pages for each lodge kitchen with meal-bell times and set-menu prices.
- Storm and no-boat fixtures so gates A–D can go green.