Discover a gem amongst Caye Caulker hotels and accommodations
unhook from the world
escape to the most laid-back island in the Caribbean
As Lonely Planet says…“People are becoming aware of Caulker’s unique attributes - no cars, no fumes, white sandy beaches, balmy breezes, good food, laid-back inhabitants, azure waters and fantastic barrier reef on its doorstep. You feel close to nature here: it’s a perfect place to chill out.”
Caye Caulker is a small coral island in the Caribbean Sea that offers its own special brand of laid-back tourism and has retained a small-island vibe that’s second to none in terms of charm.
Situated off the coast of Belize and 30 miles South of Mexico, the island is around 4 miles long by under a mile at its widest. It has a distinct old-Caribbean feel and offers an excellent balance between development and amenities - in a peaceful, uncrowded, unpretentious, island environment.
We are blessed with some of the most beautiful blue waters in the world and the amazing Belize Barrier Reef runs just offshore from Caye Caulker. Second in size only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the reef is a recognized World Heritage Site and forms part of the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve.
'Go Slow' is the formal motto of the island however, Go Slow does not necessarily mean go lazy - the diving, fishing, sailing and watersports are all excellent here. There are also a wide array of mainland and island tours, a huge abundance of wildlife and a spectacular 18-hole golf course close by. You can relax all you want but if you get bored here, it’s nobody’s fault but your own.
Go Barefoot – Caye Caulker is blissfully car-free and walking barefoot is the usual way to get around. Iguanas sun themselves alongside sandy tracks which stay quiet except for the occasional hum of a golf cart or the leisurely rattle of a bicycle.
Go in Style – cayereef offers a new standard of vacation rental accommodations on Caye Caulker with a set of six beautifully designed high-spec and spacious beachfront condos/apartments directly overlooking the azure waters of the reef. A true gem amongst Caye Caulker hotels, lodgings and accommodations.
Being an active fishing village, the seafood is wonderful here and there is a great selection of restaurants (over 20 at last count) offering a wide choice of local and international cuisine.
Caye Caulker is truly a ‘desert island’ paradise. Come and enjoy its unique island vibe.
Caye Facts:Activities – Diving, fishing, swimming, snorkelling, sailing, wind surfing, kite surfing, kayaking, golf, bird watching, nature trails, island tours, manatee watching are all available locally. On day trips: Mayan ruins, zoo, caving, cave tubing, jungle trips, wildlife trips etc. Belize is a leader in eco-tourism.
Communications – Condos include WiFi and phones in room for in/outgoing calls. Local cyber café. Good cell phone reception.
Eating Out – Lots of options. Lots of seafood. See here.
Electricity - Same as in the US, 110 volts. Accommodation includes blow dryer and iron.
Getting here – It’s easy. See the “about us” tab.
Getting around – Barefoot mostly but bike and golf buggy hire are available.
Health – There is a good local medical centre and private physician (tel. 501-226-0166)
Kit - Passport, shorts, swimsuits, sunglasses, plenty of sunscreen lotion, cool shirts and for extra sun protection on trips, lightweight cotton trousers and long shirts.
Language – English is the official language.
Money – The Belize dollar fixed at $2 Belize to $1 U.S. Dollar. US cash, Visa, MasterCard and travellers checks widely accepted. Local bank has an ATM for foreign-issued ATM cards.
Politics – Stable democracy. Member of the British Commonwealth.
Population – Under 1,500 even when Caye Caulker hotels are full
Shops - Good range of small local craft and grocery stores
Visas – Valid passport needed but no visa required from US, Canada, UK and most of Europe.
Weather – Tropical with 350 days of sunshine a year!
Links:
Caye Caulker Village site
Caye Caulker Belize Tourism Association site
Belize Tourist Board site
Private site on Caye Caulker hotels, activities etc
More reasons why…
Caye Caulker ranked amongst the world’s top 10 Sexiest Islands by Concierge.com, online home of Condé Nast Traveler, the world's premier travel magazine in November 2008. It said:The scene: This tiny spray of an island ten miles off the coast of Belize will bring to mind the music and ultra -easygoing spirit of another island - Jamaica. Most locals speak Creole-accented English peppered with "hey, mon," and the sounds of reggae often float in the air. The vibe is totally appropriate: The pace is molasses-slow, and a pleasant breeze continually blows through the brightly painted stilt houses. There are no cars on Caye Caulker, just golf carts and bicycles, and it doesn't take long to hoof it anywhere. Which leaves the rest of the day open for drinking Belikin beers under a coconut tree next to the pebbly shore. Time slows waaay down. Bohemian, easy, and very sexy.
Don't miss: Belize's barrier reef, one of the largest in the world. It's a very short boat ride from Caye Caulker to Shark Ray Alley and its thickets of colorful fish and friendly manta rays. Snorkeling trips are dirt cheap, and guests gather conch shells as they dive. The captain of the boat will pry out the delicious meat and prepare it right on the boat for a sumptuous - and crazily fresh - lunch.
Between the sheets: Saying that Caye Caulker accommodation is modest is pure understatement, but the lack of pretension is one of the island's greatest charms. [Our comment – cayereef however is now open and these luxury Caye Caulker condos raise the standard for Caye Caulker hotels and accommodations!] See the full article here.
The Fisherman Story
An American businessman assessing Caye Caulker hotels was hanging out mid-morning on a pier when a small boat with a lone fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large lobsters, and a slew of red and yellow snapper. The visitor complimented the Belizean on the quality of his catch and asked how long it took to bring it in.
The Belizean replied “only a little while”.
The American then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish and lobster?
The fisherman said, "I get up early and watch the sun rise, then I fish a little, come home and relax, play with my children, have a big lunch and take a rest with my wife. In the evening I stroll into the village where I sip cashew wine and play music and sing with my friends. I have a full and busy life."
The American scoffed, "I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave Belize and move to Mexico, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise."
The Belizean asked, "But how much time will all this take?"
To which the American replied, "15-20 years."
"What then, my friend?" asked the fisherman
The American laughed and said, "Well that's the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO, sell your company and become very rich. You would make millions of dollars."
"Millions? Then what?"
The American said, "Then you would retire. Move back to a caye in Belize, where you would get up early and watch the sun rise, then fish a little, play with your grandkids, have a big lunch and take a rest with your wife. In the evenings you could stroll to the village where you could sip cashew wine and play music and sing with your friends."
Remember, life's a journey not a destination, so enjoy what you are doing and try and steer yourself over here on your travels.