Back from another fantastic trip.
My boyfriend and I ventured over to Caye Caulker, Belize for five days and had the best time!
Lovely people, beautiful island and some great food.
I’m here to tell you about all the shenanigans from the trip. If you’re interested in how much the trip cost, you can click here and find out.
Saturday, April 27th
Today we had a nice morning flight with WestJet, leaving behind some shitty weather in Toronto.
The flight is only 4hrs-ish to get to Belize City and you will have a lovely view of the Mexican coastline on the way there.
For those of you who have CARICOM passports, bring those with you to Belize. You have your own line, unlike the rest of us. We waited in a pretty lengthy line for almost 45 minutes to get through customs. Boooerns.
Our AirBnB host had arranged a taxi driver to come pick us up at the airport and take us to the ferry port. Shout out to Francisco, lovely dude. Even stopped at a grocery store for us so we could pick up snacks, sunscreen and of course – alcohol.
When you get to the ferry, make sure you get in the line quickly as you will want to have your pick of seats. Trust me. We sat at the front and it was great, the breeze was amazing on such a hot day with so many people on the boat. Our AirBnB host had also pre-arranged our ferry tickets for us. Seamless arrival. The ferry takes one hour to get to Caye Caulker and another 30 minutes if you’re going to San Pedro.
We arrived on Caye Caulker and walked the 10 minutes or so over to our AirBnB. What a beautiful little island. The ferry over and the arrival will have you smiling ear to ear. The views and the warmth.
Our AirBnB host, Chila, was outside waiting for us. She let us into the AirBnB. Very simple space but had everything we needed: bed, air conditioning and shower. I don’t need much else. The location was also amazing for accessing anything and anywhere on the island. The only thing we didn’t like was the actual bed – as we are two big people and we were worried every single time we laid down that the bed would end up on the floor.
If you want the information for the AirBnB, click here.
We were both hungry so we ended up walking around for a bit. The island is really small, so you can pretty much hit up anything you’d like within a 20-minute walk. We love walking, this island is great for that. Also, if you like biking, there are lots of bikes and you can rent a golf cart. No cars.
The Sip n Dip was where we chose to have our first meal. This was really close to our AirBnB and I had read a lot about if before the trip. You can even sit in the water at this restaurant and the waitstaff will bring you the food and drinks there. We didn’t go for that option, but it IS an option.
Happy Hour was in full swing and rum was aplenty. My kind of vibes. I got the wedges and some conch + shrimp ceviche for my meal. Love ceviche. My boyfriend got the wings and he said they were good. I thought Sip N Dip was a great place for hanging out and meeting people. Music was loud and everyone was friendly. Good place to hang.
Because I am old, it was time for a nap.
We had big plans for the evening. It is a Saturday, of course we were going out at night.
First we went to Bambooze, where they had a DJ playing top 40 songs and $5.00 rum punch. Outstanding. Oh, and free shots. Yes.
FYI – when I say how much things cost in this post it will be in Belizean Dollar. We used USD the entire time on the island, as the math was way easier because $1 USD = $2.00 Belizean. So whatever number you see, divide by two for US currency, and then do whatever math to get to Canadian.
After Bamooze we went to I & I Reggae Bar. I don’t understand the name of this bar at all. This island has soca and dancehall playing EVERYWHERE, except the place with REGGAE in the name? Why the fuck were we hearing Kesha? The DJ played Sandstorm. Totally lame. We stayed for two hours hoping it would change but the only good thing we heard was Belizean soca. That was really good. But otherwise? Hell no.
We walked over from I &I to a place named Las Vibras and the second we entered? VIBES. This place is smaller, but the DJ’s were killing it. If you want to hear good dancehall, go here. Thank goodness this place saved the night. I’d tell you how much alcohol cost, but I truly don’t remember. Too busy dancing.
At one point we walked back to I & I hoping that maybe it had changed to the actual music we expected, and, we were wrong. Now it was some Spanish music. I understand that too, as this is in Central America. But again, why the hell is REGGAE in your name if you aren’t playing that?
Time to go to sleep.
Sunday, April 28th
I’d like to say we ‘went for breakfast’ today, but it was definitely lunch time. We got up at like noon.
First stop was Barefoot Caribe Restaurant.
If you get NOTHING else on your trip to Caye Caulker, just make sure you get the conch fritters and the chicken burrito here. Hoooooly. The conch fritters were perfect and the chicken burrito was the best I have ever tasted. It was actually my boyfriend that ordered the burrito, I took many bites of it. Yes.
Our server from Barefoot suggested we get desserts over from Chef Juan’s Kitchen & Pastries, so we walked over to them after. My boyfriend got the key lime pie, which he said was really good. I got the carrot cake and it was so moist and the icing was perfect. Great lunch.
Guess what we did? You bet, took another nap. The night before had taken its toll on our bodies, and livers. Needed to nap again.
Big plans today!
Once we woke up we walked over to Bella’s Backpackers to participate in Sunday Funday.
Let me tell you about the awesomeness that is Sunday Funday on Caye Caulker. For $55.00 USD you get to basically party all day, and then go on a catamaran and party in the middle of the sea. Oh, and it includes unlimited rum punch. If this doesn’t sound like a ME activity, not sure what else could be.
Liquor? Party? Boat? Yes. Count me in.
We got to the party at 4pm because, again, hungover and sleepy. It ended up being the perfect time to arrive because we got to hang out on the beach with the other party people, listen to the DJ and get some drinks in. At 5pm the boats began to leave.
The boats will take you to an area that isn’t too far from land, that is shallow! So you can totally walk there, with drink in hand. Now, I say this as someone who 5’9. You little people? Probably not. Either learn to swim, stay on the boat or use a floatie.
Watching the sunset in the middle of the water, with drink in hand….. awesome experience. If you come to Caye Caulker, make sure you partake in this on a Sunday. The age range was also from 18 all the way to people in their 60s. Having an absolute ball.
Once the boats returned to Bella’s, they continued to party on the beach but we were hungry so we left.
Luckily, Chef Juan’ Dinner’s was right around the corner. They had this nice chicken, potato salad, rice and beans meal. Hit the spot. Hit every spot. It was very necessary.
I think we fell asleep at about 930pm and woke up at 130am to go out, again. I don’t know why at 37 we both think we are young party people, but, alas, outside we go.
We knew there would be parties on this specific Sunday because Monday was a holiday. Labour Day in Belize. Las Vibras was where we head back to and it was PACKED. We stayed dancing in the club until 330am. Fake young people.
Something cool that happened after the club is we made some local friends, Big Sexy and Viv. They were courteous enough to take us on a little drive through Caye Caulker in the back of a golf cart. What an experience. 4am on an island, riding in the back of a golf cart as music plays. Ahh. Happy memories that will stay in my head for the rest of my life.
Monday, April 29th
Another day of waking up way past breakfast.
Happy Labour Day!
We walked over to Ice N Beans Cafe for our lunch today.
If you are someone that is working abroad, this is the place you’d want to hang with your laptop for the day. There was so many people on their computers in hammocks. Very chill. Beautiful location by the water and good food.
I got the soursop and pineapple smoothie to drink and then a bubble waffle with apple and Nutella on it. Now I bet that sounds kind of random right? Well, because everything has to be imported onto the island via those ferries we took, I guess because of the long weekend, supplies were short. In this case, no bananas. They had run out. So I said apple. Still good, but very random with Nutella, I know.
We walked off our lunch by seeing a bit more of the island. There are all these small pockets you can turn down, from the three main streets.
In the evening we walked over to Tapper’s Dive Bar to catch some NBA playoffs. The Denver Nuggets were playing the Lakers.
Interesting thing about this bar – there is a whole Toronto section? The area we sat in had a bunch of Leafs jerseys and people from Toronto had signed the ceiling. Pretty cool.
I got some more rum and then were was the free shots of lizard juice. I don’t know what the heck they put in these lizard shots, but I could have a whole bottle of it. So yummy.
We got nachos, conch fritters and a whole snapper with rice and peas. Out of all three, the only thing I can recommend is the snapper. The conch fritters were not as good as the ones at Barefoot and the nachos were just weird. Some white sauce all over them, not sour cream. I don’t know, but we didn’t like it.
This is 10000% a dive bar. Imagine everything you’d see at most diver bars, you’ll see here. Experience it yourself. Also, Nuggets won. Good times.
Tuesday, April 30th
I think on this day we woke up at a decent time. Before the trip I read about this one place on the island that was supposed to have the BEST fryjacks. Something popular to eat here. I walked over and, they were out of eggs. Just my luck.
We ended up choosing Happy Lobster Restaurant & Bar for breakfast instead.
I got some fryjacks here and they were yummy! Reminded me a lot of the puff puff I had in Nigeria. Also, they had eggs. Win.
Then we walked around the island some more.
Took another nap and then went to check out Chef Kareem at his outdoor BBQ. Unfortunately during this time of year, lobster isn’t in season. I read that when it is lobster season, all these BBQ places are lined up with lots of lobster to be had. Guess I’ll have to come back to experience that.
I got the conch on the skewer and my boyfriend got some jerk chicken. Both were perfectly seasoned and charred. Definitely check Chef Kareem.
Naturally, had to get some dessert after,
Connected to our AirBnB is an ice cream place named The Creamery Ice Cream Shop. Get the Nutella and Belizean fudge. You won’t be disappointed.
Some people had mentioned that we should go to Coral View Hotel & Resort for drinks and for the best view of Caye Caulker.
They were right.
The view from their rooftop, especially at sunset? Unbeatable.
We got some rum and cokes and took in the 360 views of Caye Caulker. Also, made some friends who had retired and moved to the island. Pretty cool hearing from them about how the island had changed from the 80s and 90s when they initially came to Caye Caulker.
I was hungry again, of course.
Luckily walking back from Coral View we came across Roy’s Blue Water Grill.
I ordered the shrimp pasta, with some garlic bread. After all the rum and cokes (and tequila shots) on the rooftop, this was perfect. Lots and lots of carbs to fill up my tummy.
On May 1st we just pretty much walked to the ferry and headed back to Belize City and the airport to get home. Make sure you eat whilst still on Caye Caulker because the pizza at the Belizean airport is disgusting and overpriced. I will never forgive myself for not waking up earlier and indulging one last time in the local island food.
Also, I’m warning you about the jump scare with the departure tax. If you flew with WestJet (like we did) – don’t worry, it is included in the price of your ticket.
I’d tell everyone who wants to go relax to visit Caye Caulker. I heard Ambergys Caye is the livelier island, but I am so happy we chose Caye Caulker instead. The only thing that was a little disappointing was the lack of swimming we were able to do because 1) there isn’t a REAL big beach/sand to do that on and 2) the areas with some sand were covered in sargassum. I only swam a couple of times and that makes me a little sad. Probably should have taken the smaller boats over to the North Side of the island where I heard there was a beach to use, but, ah well.
Could we have done more on this trip? Yeah. We sure took a lot of naps. For as many hours as my boyfriend and I work, we needed the rest and relaxation though. Obviously, with some rum and dancing included.
See you next trip!
- Mirna