Welcome to our Barefoot Backpackers’ Caye Caulker travel guide, one of our favourite little Caribbean islands in Central America. Sitting just off the coast of Belize, Caye Caulker is all sandy streets, reggae music, turquoise water, and slow island living. The island’s motto is literally “Go Slow,” and after a day or two here, you completely understand why. Days revolve around swimming, snorkeling, BBQ by the sea, rum punch at sunset, and biking barefoot between cafés and docks.
Unlike some Caribbean destinations that feel polished and resort-heavy, Caye Caulker still has a backpacker spirit. Plus, it’s on the backpacker route from Mexico, so you can get a taste of Caribbean life not far from the mainland. You’ll find colorful guesthouses, local BBQ spots, dock bars, yoga cafés, and tours out on the reef. Whether you come for the marine life, the sunsets, or simply to relax for a few days after traveling mainland Belize, it’s the kind of island that allows you to really chill.
In this guide, we break down our favourite things to do in Caye Caulker, where to stay, snorkeling and diving tours, sunset spots, food recommendations, and practical budget and transport tips. So with that in mind, let’s get into it.
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Getting to Caye Caulker
Most backpackers arrive via ferry from Belize City. The ferry ride takes around 45 minutes and costs roughly $20 to $25 USD each way, or around 40 to 50 Belize dollars depending on the company and season. Boats leave multiple times throughout the day and the journey itself is beautiful, with bright blue Caribbean water the whole way.
Once you arrive at the dock in Caye Caulker, you can walk almost everywhere on the island. When leaving, shuttle buses and public buses connect directly from the Belize City ferry terminal to places like San Ignacio, Flores in Guatemala, and other destinations across Belize.
Where to Stay
Barefoot Beach Belize Hotel
We stayed at Barefoot Beach Belize Hotel in a colorful little wooden shack just steps from the sea, and honestly, it perfectly matched the island vibe. The rooms were simple but super comfortable, with bright Caribbean colors and a relaxed backpacker atmosphere that made it easy to meet people.
The best part was the dock area. During the day, travelers lounged in hammocks or jumped straight into the water to cool off, while every evening there was a firepit around 6pm where everyone naturally gathered together. The hostel also rents bikes, which is one of the best ways to explore the island.
Caye Caulker Belize Hotels & Hostels
Where to Stay : Barefoot Beach Belize (Caye Caulker)
Where to Stay: Bella’s Backpackers (Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca)
The Split
The Split is the social heart of Caye Caulker and where most people spend their afternoons swimming, drinking, and watching the boats pass through the channel. The area was created when a hurricane split the island into two parts, leaving behind a stretch of crystal-clear water that’s now lined with floating docks and bars.
You’ll find backpackers jumping into the sea all day long while reggae music drifts from the waterfront bars. The Lazy Lizard is one of the most famous spots here for drinks and swimming, but the whole area has a fun social atmosphere.
Along the waterfront, locals set up BBQ grills serving fresh seafood and jerk chicken. We ate at Otis’ BBQ and had some amazing jerk chicken cooked by Otis and his family right by the water. Meals around The Split usually cost between 15 and 30 Belize dollars, depending on what you order.
What to do in Caye Caulker
Bliss Beach
Bliss Beach was one of our favourite places to spend a slower beach day on Caye Caulker. Located on the quieter north side of the island, it feels much more peaceful and secluded compared to the busy atmosphere around The Split. After taking the tiny hand-pulled ferry across the channel, we biked up sandy roads lined with palm trees and mangroves until we reached the beach club.
There was no entrance fee when we visited, you simply needed to buy food or drinks while spending the day there. The whole setting felt relaxed and untouched, with wooden loungers, turquoise water and hardly any crowds. It’s the kind of place where you end up staying for hours, swimming in the warm Caribbean Sea, drinking fresh cocktails, and completely losing track of time. We also found it was a great value for money.
Sunday Funday at Bella’s Backpackers Hostel
If you’re on the island over the weekend, Sunday Funday at Bella’s Backpackers Hostel is one of the biggest backpacker events on Caye Caulker. The afternoon includes unlimited rum punch, drinking games, music, boat trips, and floating in the sea at sunset with other travelers.
We paid around $50 USD, roughly 100 Belize dollars, at the door and signed up the day before. You only pay when you actually go, rather than paying ahead online. It’s definitely more of a party atmosphere than a chilled beach day, but it’s a fun way to meet people if you’re backpacking in Belize.
Snorkeling & Diving Tours
One of the main reasons people visit Caye Caulker is for the incredible snorkeling and diving around the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef system in the world. Even if you’re not a diver, there are loads of boat trips leaving daily from the island.
Most tours head to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, where you can snorkel alongside tropical fish, turtles, stingrays, and nurse sharks in unbelievably clear water. Full-day snorkeling tours usually cost between $90 and $120 USD, including lunch, snorkeling gear, fruit, rum punch, and marine park fees. Half-day trips are generally around $45 to $60 USD.
Popular tour operators include Anda De Wata Tours, Good Vibes Tours, Reef Snorkeling Tours, and Ragga Sailing Adventures. Many travelers also recommend smaller, locally run tours for a more relaxed experience.
Feeding the Stingrays
Stingray feeding in Caye Caulker is a popular daily, free, and impromptu event that happens around 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM behind the Iguana Reef Inn on the island’s west side. Staff and locals feed wild, Southern stingrays and nurse sharks in shallow water, allowing visitors to watch, take photos, or hand-feed them, often while watching the sunset. Watch out for the pelicans getting involved, too.
Food & Cafés
Errolyn’s House Of Fryjacks
Fry jacks are one of Belize’s most popular breakfasts and something you’ll see everywhere on Caye Caulker. They’re deep-fried dough pockets that puff up while cooking and are usually served with eggs, beans, cheese, ham, or jam. Think of them as a fluffy Caribbean breakfast bread and one of the cheapest meals on the island.
Most local breakfast spots sell fry jack plates for around 8 to 15 Belize dollars, depending on fillings but we went to Errolyn’s House Of Fryjacks for a cheaper takeout option.
Namaste Café
For a healthier breakfast, we really enjoyed Namaste Café. The setting felt calm and tropical, surrounded by greenery with a slower wellness atmosphere compared to some of the busier beachfront cafés.
They serve smoothie bowls, healthy breakfasts, fresh juices, and good coffee, with meals generally costing around 20 to 35 Belize dollars. They also host yoga classes, which fits perfectly with the laid-back energy of the island.
Another good breakfast and coffee spot is Ice and Beans Café, especially if you want a dockside coffee overlooking the sea.
Sunset Spots
The Pelican Sunset Bar
The Pelican Sunset Bar was one of our favourite places to watch the sunset. Like most places on Caye Caulker, it’s simple in the best way possible. Wooden docks, cold drinks, reggae music, and front-row views as the sky turns orange and pink over the Caribbean.
Maggie’s Sunset Kitchen
Another sunset spot we loved was Maggie’s Sunset Kitchen, especially for fresh seafood dinners right by the water. This became one of our favourite evening spots on the island. We came here for fish while watching the sunset, and the whole atmosphere felt relaxed and local rather than touristy.
Fresh fish dishes usually cost around 25 to 45 Belize dollars, depending on the catch of the day.
Exploring the North Side
One of the best things we did was rent bikes and explore the quieter northern part of the island. To get there, you take a tiny hand-pulled ferry across The Split, which only takes a few minutes and costs just a few Belize dollars. We rented bikes from our hotel, which is what most people did, but you could also get a golf buggy, too.
Once across, the roads become quieter with stretches of mangroves, beach bars, and docks over the water. We spent the day at Bliss Beach, where there was no entrance fee as long as you bought food or drinks while relaxing there.
It felt much quieter and less developed than the southern side of the island, and it is definitely worth spending a day exploring.
Practical Guide to Caye Caulker
Getting Around
Caye Caulker is small enough to walk around, but renting bikes is easily the best way to explore. Bike rentals usually cost around 15 to 25 Belize dollars per day.
There are very few cars on the island, so most people travel by bicycle or golf cart. Sandy roads and barefoot walking are part of the whole experience.
Budget
Caye Caulker is more expensive than mainland Belize, but still affordable compared to many Caribbean islands.
Hostel dorms usually start around $30 to $50 Belize dollars per night, while private cabins and beach huts range from around $120 to $250 Belize dollars, depending on season and location.
Local meals like fry jacks and BBQ plates can cost as little as 10 to 25 Belize dollars, while cafés and tourist restaurants are slightly more expensive. Backpackers can comfortably explore the island on around $100 to $180 Belize dollars per day, depending on tours and nightlife.
Best Time to Visit
The dry season from December to April brings the sunniest weather and clearest water, making it the most popular time to visit. The shoulder months are quieter and cheaper while still offering warm temperatures. We visited the first week of May and had excellent weather.
Hurricane season runs from June to November, though many travelers still visit during this time for lower accommodation prices and fewer crowds.
