Go slow is the motto of this 5-mile-long island that sits just a mile west of the Belize Barrier Reef. Caye Caulker is one of Belize’s more than 200 islands in the clear blue Caribbean Sea. Known as a laid-back, secluded tourist destination where the uniform of the day is T-shirts, shorts and barefoot.
Caye Caulker has a long maritime history as a place for the ships of Spanish explorers, pirates and the British Navy to replenish their freshwater supplies. Year-round settlement began during the caste wars of the 1800s, which forced many people to flee the mainland and settle on islands off the coast. Boat building and fishing were the main source of income until the early 1970s, since then tourism has taken over and provides income for the island’s 1,300 full-time residents.
Visitors will find excellent opportunities for snorkeling, scuba diving, and fishing. You have a selection of over 50 accommodation units to choose from that feature modern conveniences such as air conditioning. There is no formal city on the island, but the southern tip of the island is populated with colorful houses and resorts. The northern end of the island is separated by a narrow channel and features a forest and marine reserve. Many unique forms of wildlife and marine species can be observed there.
You can reach Caye Caulker by water taxi from Belize City and San Pedro Belize or by commercial air via the small east-west airstrip located on the southern tip of the island. Round trip to the mainland by water taxi is less than $20 US.
Caye Caulker is a unique and secluded vacation destination that provides the perfect place to slow down your life. If you have a Type A personality that needs intense and constant stimulation, we suggest you seriously look elsewhere. Many people consider moving to Belize after just one visit to this vast tropical paradise.