So you want to go to one of the most incredible islands in one of the most stunning countries in the Caribbean? I can’t blame you, you’ve got good taste! After I got back from Belize, I immediately told my friends they all must visit Caye Caulker. Lucky for them – and you – I’m the crazy person who meticulously documents plans for my trip. So let me share some of that wealth and provide you with my recommendations for what to do in Caye Caulker so that you get you ruins, incredible snorkeling, and more.
Also I do want to point out that Caye Caulker is quite possibly the chillest place I have ever been. Everyone is so down-to-earth, relaxed, and the island has its own very distinct vibe. If you’re looking for a party island or high-energy place, Caye Caulker isn’t the place for you. It’s also not really a beach or fancy resort island. You can get in the water all over the island, but it’s not really for lounging in the sand. However if you’re looking for a relaxing island not far off the mainland where everything just goes a little slower, this list of what to do in Caye Caulker is going to be ideal.
What to Do in Caye Caulker: the Short Version
- Day 1 – Chill and boozey day at The Split
- Day 2 – Day trip to Lamanai Archeological Reserve
- Day 3 – Snorkel In Hol Chan Marine Reserve
- Day 4 – Rent a bike and explore
The Long Version 0f What to Do in Caye Caulker
Like I said, Caye Caulker is an immeasurably chill vacation destination. It’s absolutely a must visit place, because of its beauty and proximity to lots of amazing things to do in Belize. You can balance 4 days in Belize super easily in Caye Caulker; rotating between adventure days and relaxing days. For such a small spot and such a chill vibe, there really are lots of things to do in Caye Caulker. And in this post I tell you exactly how I would recommend you spending 4 days of your Belize trip, but first let’s get you situated.
A Couple Things to Know First
How to Get to Caye Caulker
In order to know what to do in Caye Caulker you first need to know how to get to Caye Caulker, and to do that you’ll you’ll need to fly into Belize City. From there you can either take a short 15 minute flight via Tropic Air for ~$100 or take an hour-ish long ferry for ~$10! We opted for the ferry because it was more economical but it was also super pretty! We were on the ferry multiple times throughout the trip and I think it’s a great way to navigate between the Belize islands and mainland.
Where to Stay • Caye Caulker, Belize Hotels
During my 4 days in Caye Caulker, I stayed in the Tropical Paradise Hotel. It was on the east end of the island but still super walkable to everything and I’d consider this a more affordable hotel in comparison to some of the others. Was it fancy with a ton of amenities? No, but it got the job done and I wasn’t spending my day there anyway. I did however truly appreciate watching sunrise from their little pier.
But, there are lots of other hotels to choose from on this gorgeous little Belize island. You’re pretty much guaranteed an amazing view within walking distance no matter where you stay, but take a look here for options of every price range:
4 Day Caye Caulker Itinerary
Alright now let’s get started on the actual 4 day Belize itinerary! It’s going to have a good mix of relaxing days and adventure days; exactly how I like to travel. Everything on this Belize itinerary, I feel, is an amazing thing to do on Caye Caulker, but definitely feel free to modify as you see fit if you’re more into one over the other.
Day 1 – Chill and Boozey Day at The Split
If you’re like me, you love a good cocktail in the water. Lucky for you, Caye Caulker has a lot of ways to enjoy this specifically. The Split is the most famous part of Caye Caulker, where bars and restaurants sit along the break in the island caused by a hurricane. You can grab a drink or food from anywhere nearby and hop into the water to enjoy. No blog listing what to do in Caye Caulker is complete without some time spent on The Split.
And if you’re really looking for a nice buzz in the sun, I highly recommend getting yourself a Lizard Juice from The Lazy Lizard. But seriously, you really only need one.
And don’t forget to get a sign next to the iconic The Split sign like I did! You saw I snagged one with the Caye Caulker sign, but apparently got lazy and forgot about The Split one. Oh well, just an excuse to go back, right?
Day 2 – Day Trip to Lamanai Archeological Reserve
Any trip to Central America or the Caribbean for me requires that I spent at least a day at an archeological site. So this had to be included in my “what to do in Caye Caulker” plan, no doubt. And it did not disappoint.
Belize has so many different sets of Mayan ruins you might wonder which ones to choose. Now, I did a full deep dive in the reasons why you should visit Lamanai here, but I can just say that the main one and why I’ve included it in this itinerary. It was super easy to get to from Caye Caulker. All I had to do was take the ferry into Belize City and my tour guides did the rest. I got to visit this ancient, magical jungle world and go back to island paradise all in a day. It was truly magical and I highly recommend this Lamanai Archeological Reserve.
Day 3 – Snorkel in Hol Chan Marine Reserve
When planning what to do in Caye Caulker for my own trip, I knew snorkeling was going to happen. But what I didn’t know was how amazing the snorkeling is in Hol Chan Marine Reserve. When I say this is some of the best snorkeling I’ve ever done, I am NOT exaggerating in the slightest.
We found our tour guides by just walking outside of our hotel and onto the pier. There were some guys docking for the night and they asked if we wanted to join their tour tomorrow, and we agreed! Don’t worry, we went through the official channels and found their actual company Star Tours to book with. But there are so many different companies you can snorkel with, don’t feel like you need to book before you arrive to the island.
You’ll leave in the morning and boat out to Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Throughout the day you’re taken to different areas – including the famous Shark Ray Alley – where you’ll see different marine life. It was incredible, and these are all of the animals we saw in just a few hours:
- Three manatees
- Sting ray
- Moray eel
- Dozens of nurse sharks
- All of the fish
- Probably a dozen or so eagle rays
It was amazing. Snorkeling in the marine reserve is absolutely something that is a must-do on any “what to do in Caye Caulker” list.
Day 4 – Rent a Bike and Explore
Your final day in Caye Caulker should include renting one of the classic bicycles on the island and just riding around. You can find these almost anywhere and it’s not at all expensive to rent for the day. So pick the closest bike rental spot to your hotel and get to pedaling.
On our day of exploration, we explored The Spit again as well as riding to the opposite end of the island. We biked to Iguana Reef Inn and enjoyed their beach area while sipping on a cocktail and playing with a local beach dog. We also befriended some pelicans. I am obsessed with pelicans so this was an emotional experience for me. Nothing is harder for me than to leave wildlife alone, but it was fun just to sit near them while they relaxed.
After biking around all day, we decided to grab one last cocktail and enjoy sunset from The Split again. This is a great place to catch the sun go down. The colors were vibrant and there are plenty of spots to sit and relax.
So there you go, the answer to your “what to do in Caye Caulker” question is complete! As always, check out my Instagram story highlights to see more live-action evidence of my recommendations. I’m excited for you, and feel free to shoot me any questions you might have!
Pin My “What to Do in Caye Caulker List” for Later
I haven’t heard of this location before, but since it has an archaeological area to it I’ll definitely make a point of visiting in the future!
Yes! Technically the archeological area is on the mainland, but a very easy day trip from this particular island. There are lots of archeological reserves in the country!
Your post inspired wanderlust in me. I like both the short and long version. Lovely share!
Oh I love reading that! 🙂
I had to cancel a trip to Belize and can’t wait to go….I’m saving this for future reference!
ohh such a bummer but hoping you can do it soon! And yes feel free to holler if you have any questions or anything as you plan. Happy to help. 🙂
Love the photos – I’ve never been to Belize and now I really want to go!
thanks so much! It really is a gorgeous country.
What is the green cover up you have?
Oh shoot, honestly I’m not sure at this point it’s been so long since I bought that. But it’s a satin-like material so I’m sure you could find something similar pretty easily!