Navigating Paradise: Your Ultimate 7-Day Belize Itinerary from Caye Caulker to Ambergris Caye

Embarking on a journey to Belize promises an enchanting blend of Caribbean beauty, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences. Moreover, for travelers seeking a Belizean beach adventure, exploring the contrasting charms of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye is a must. In this Belize guide, we’ll outline the perfect 7-day itinerary to help you make the most of your time in these two stunning destinations with family. Additionally, discover the best things to do whether you’re on Caye Caulker or in San Pedro. From choosing the best accommodations to uncovering the unique attractions of each island, get ready to go on an unforgettable journey through Belize’s tropical paradise.

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Caye Caulker vs. Ambergris Caye: Choosing the Right Destination

Caye Caulker

While both Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye offer stunning beaches, vibrant culture, and exciting activities, each island has its own unique charm. Caye Caulker is known for its laid-back atmosphere and slower pace of life, making it ideal for travelers seeking relaxation and tranquility. “Go Slow” is the motto on Caye Caulker, so don’t forget reading material. Spend your days lounging on pristine beaches, snorkeling among vibrant coral reefs, and sampling delicious seafood at local eateries. The big hang out on Caye Caulker is The Split, a natural channel that divides the island and offers stunning sunset views. When it comes to accommodations, Caye Caulker boasts a range of options to suit every budget, from cozy guest houses to beachfront resorts. Even though Caye Caulker is a slow-paced island, there is still many things to do for the family and an excellent vacation choice in Belize.

Ambergris Caye

On the other hand, Ambergris Caye boasts a more bustling and cosmopolitan vibe, with a wider range of dining, shopping, and nightlife options. It is often referred to as the “jewel of Belize.” Furthermore, Ambergris Caye offers a vibrant blend of natural beauty and cultural attractions. Spend your days exploring the charming streets of San Pedro, where colorful buildings, lively markets, and waterfront restaurants await. Don’t miss the chance to snorkel or dive at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, where you can swim alongside exotic marine life. Additionally, the family will love Secret Beach and The Truck Stop, as these are some of the more popular things to do in San Pedro, Belize. When thinking of accommodations, Ambergris Caye offers a range of options, from luxury resorts to boutique hotels to unique rentals, ensuring a comfortable and memorable stay. Above all, the choice between Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye will depend on your preferences and travel style. In this Belize itinerary, I will go over great places to stay with your family.

For our Belize trip, we decided to split our itinerary with time on Caye Caulker and San Pedro with our family. We are so happy we did that, as we loved both experiences and really got a good feel for both the islands. San Pedro and Caye Caulker offered more than enough things to do to keep our kids busy.

One Week in Belize – Days 1-3: All Things Caye Caulker

Let’s begin with Getting to Caye Caulker

Before you can “go slow” in the beauty of Caye Caulker, you’ll need to know how to get there. The island is accessible via short boat ride from Belize City or small airplane. Hence, the cheapest way of getting to Caye Caulker is by water taxi. Water taxi’s operate regularly between Belize City, Caye Caulker, and San Pedro, offering a scenic journey across the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea. If you chose to go this route, then you will take a 40 minute taxi ride to the water taxi port. After you get your luggage and buy your duty free liquor (it’s cheaper at the airport), there are taxi’s lined up and waiting for you to hire them to take you to the water taxi port. Additionally, this is about a 40 minute taxi ride and will take cost you around $35-$40 USD. The water taxi is about $21/pp USD. Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the water taxi terminal.

The Water Taxi

Alternatively, the other way of getting to Caye Caulker is via flight. This is the route we took. It is more expensive, quicker and convenient. So often convenience comes at a cost. I did not pre-book this flight because I was worried about delays and how long customs would take. Instead, I went with the mindset that we would book it after we were through customs and if we couldn’t get the flight, we would grab a taxi and go the water taxi route. The timing worked out well and we did get a flight through Tropic Air. Our one way flight was just under $100/pp USD. Tropic Air and Maya Air are the two main puddle jumpers of choice. The flight was maybe 10 minutes and we enjoyed BEAUTIFUL views of the islands and Caribbean.

I was in communication with the resort we stayed at prior to arrival. They were extremely fast to respond and helpful. Furthermore, they had a taxi waiting for us at the Caye Caulker airport, ready to help us with our luggage to our house rental.

Where to stay on Caye Caulker

This tiny island, just five miles long, is a haven for those seeking sun, sea, and relaxation. Moreover, with its laid-back atmosphere, stunning coral reefs, and vibrant marine life, Caye Caulker is a dream destination for travelers from around the world. Nevertheless, with several accommodation options available, choosing where to stay can be overwhelming. But, fear not, as I have compiled a guide to help you with finding the perfect place to call home for your family on this amazing trip to Belize.

Where we stayed – A Belize Getaway with Family

Firstly, I will start off by sharing where we decided to stay on the first half of our Belize itinerary, which we would give a high-rating review to. We booked through VRBO, and our choice was Sandy’s Secret at Palmetto Beach. Sandy’s Secret receives a high rating from us. Our two-bedroom duplex was oceanfront, clean, and comfortable. Additionally, the pool was located behind the house, and the kids absolutely loved it. It provided a refreshing escape after a warm day in the salt, sand, and sun.

The staff and front desk are very helpful, always ready to assist guests with any needs. Additionally, they will help schedule excursions if you’d like. Moreover, guests can rent stand-up paddleboards or kayaks for free, providing an excellent opportunity to explore the surrounding waters. Furthermore, you can also rent golf carts and bikes for the day, offering flexibility in transportation options. During our stay, we opted to rent a golf cart for one day and bikes for the other, allowing us to explore the island at our own pace.

The dock is shared with guests at Weezie’s, which is right next door, offering a convenient amenity for both properties. I loved sipping my morning coffee on the dock, enjoying the tranquil views of the water, while my son delighted in casting a line off the dock. Fishing is just one of the many enjoyable activities to do on Caye Caulker, adding to the island’s charm and appeal.

We brought along my son’s traveling fishing pole and some lures, both conveniently found on Amazon. This pole can be folded in and fits nicely in its case, nonetheless, making it an ideal choice for travel. It is small enough and light enough to bring with us in our luggage, becoming a staple item for our family trips to Belize.

What type of lures, hooks and bait should you bring?

I get asked what he used to catch fish in Belize, so here it goes. We met a really nice guide in Caye Caulker who gave him a Calissa Crank Bait (seen below) to catch Barracuda off the dock. It worked! It is the lure that was used on in the video below. He also used a steel circle hook with a sardine on it to catch the shark. The steel circle hook will dissolve in salt water eventually, so when we cut the line, the shark will be fine. With Sardines used as bait, he also caught Snapper and Bone Fish off the dock. For his line, he used a 30 pound braided line with flourocarbon leader.

Now onto other Caye Caulker accommodations!

For those who want to be where all the action is:

Jan’s Hotel is a quick walk to the split. Enjoy the beachside loungers, rooftop terrace, and the convenience of being within walking distance to some of Caye Caulker’s best restaurants. Furthermore, these amenities offer the perfect blend of relaxation and accessibility, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the island experience.

You will get free continental breakfast at The Caye Hotel. This hotel is also close to all the action.

If you’re looking to spend a little more or have a bigger party, Velento Penthouse # 1 would be worth looking into. Moreover, it boasts a beautiful pool, dock, and house. If you are traveling with a large family to Belize, this could be a great option for your itinerary.

Things to do on Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker, Belize, with its laid-back vibe and stunning natural beauty, offers a variety of activities for you family itinerary. Here are some popular things to do on the island:

Snorkeling and Diving:

Caye Caulker is surrounded by Belize’s Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef system in the world. Snorkeling and diving opportunities abound, with several tour operators offering trips to nearby snorkeling and diving sites such as Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley, and the Blue Hole. We did some snorkeling around our dock and near the split while on Caye Caulker. Our trip to the reef can be found under the Ambergris Caye section. In addition, if you come to Belize with your family, don’t forget to add the reef to your itinerary.

We brought along our snorkeling gear because if you go to Belize with family, this is a popular activity to have on your itinarary.

Fishing:

The waters around Caye Caulker are teeming with marine life, making it an excellent destination for fishing enthusiasts. Additionally, visitors can join fishing charters or hire local guides for a day of reef fishing, fly fishing, or deep-sea fishing. Moreover, my son fished daily from the dock, catching barracuda and even a 6-foot nurse shark!

Not exactly fishing, but one of the funner things to do on Caye Caulker, Belize if you’re there with family, is feeding the Tarpon! This is just a thrill the kids are sure to love. The Tarpon can get pretty big and they will jump out of the water for the bait. There is a Tarpon feeding dock on the west side of the island.

Swimming and Relaxing:

The island boasts beautiful sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Additionally, The Split, a natural channel that divides the island in two, is a popular spot for swimming and relaxing. Furthermore, visitors can also rent beach chairs or hammocks from local vendors to enjoy a lazy day by the sea.

Relax and “Go Slow” should take top-priority on your Belize itinerary.

My big travel hint is, I always bring along my waterproof phone case on vacations like this. It is perfect for water activities and sandy beaches. I took plenty of pictures underwater with it, which is fun. I don’t keep it submerged for long periods, but my husband had his phone in his pocket (underwater) most of the time at the beach, and it never leaked through the case!

Kayaking and Paddle Boarding:

Exploring the coastline of Caye Caulker by kayak or paddle board is a popular activity to add to your Belize itinerary. Additionally, rental shops on the island offer kayaks and paddle boards for hourly or daily rates, allowing visitors to explore the island’s mangroves, lagoons, and secluded beaches at their own pace.

Island Hopping:

Caye Caulker serves as a convenient base for exploring other nearby islands and attractions. Visitors can take day trips to neighboring islands like Ambergris Caye or visit mainland destinations such as Belize City or the Mayan ruins of Altun Ha. Exploring islands is a popular activity for any Belize itinerary.

Biking and Golf Cart Rentals:

No Caye Caulker, Belize itinerary is complete without a bike ride. With no cars on the island, biking and golf cart rentals are popular ways to get around. Additionally, visitors can rent bicycles or golf carts from local shops to explore Caye Caulker’s sandy streets, colorful houses, and hidden gems at their leisure. We never looked into rental elsewhere, since we had bike rentals available with the property in which we stayed.

Where to eat?

Trust me when I say, “we did not starve”. There were too many great restaurants on Caye Caulker, we obviously didn’t have the time (or the stomach space) for them all. You will find amazing meals with some staples being seafood (of course), rice and beans, stew chicken and fry jacks. I sampled all of them. Here is a review of where and what we ate.

Fantasy Dining

To start with, we had ceviche almost everywhere we went. It is one of our weak points, and we couldn’t resist indulging in this delicious dish wherever we found it! But ceviche with fresh fish, shrimp, conch or lobster is to die for. At Fantasy Dining, I sampled the Belize staple of stew chicken. The flavor was fantastic and it just fell off the bone. 10/10, I would recommend.

Lazy Lizard

We ate at the Lazy Lizard for one meal. They are known for their world famous Lazy Lizard Juice. Naturally, I had to try it. It was good, however I don’t always like sweet drinks, so one was enough for me.

Barrier Reef Bar and Grill

Barrier Reef Sports Bar & Grill is located right next to the water taxi. A great place to chill and have a bite to eat, especially if you’re waiting for a departure. Additionally, some of the tables are swings, which the kids love.

La Cubana

We are suckers for a good Cuban Sandwich, and La Cubana did not disappoint. Moreover, we sat in stools facing the waterfront. Notably, La Cubana is located kiddy corner to the water taxi, offering both convenience and scenic views. This cuban sandwich is worth adding to your Belize itinerary.

RP’s Roadside Grill

As we all know, some of the best food, is street food, am I right? That is why we stopped here for a late snack/dessert. We enjoyed Impossible Cake and sausage with rice and beans. It was all amazingly good. In fact, this stand is located right by Palmetto Beach and Weezie’s, so it made for an easy stop for us.

Sip N’Dip

Eating in the water is what Caye Caulker is all about and one our families favorite things to do. At Sip N’ Dip, grab yourself a spot and enjoy the marine life as you dine. This meal took about 1.5 hours to get to us, as it was quite busy when we got there. I wouldn’t want that wait anywhere but here. While we sipped on a Belikin, the kids explored the area by snorkeling. My little environmentalist picked up the garbage he found while snorkeling to be thrown away (see 7th photo). Sip N’ Dip is a perfect place to add to your Belize itinerary, not to mention a fun hangout with family.

Weezie’s Cafe

Since Weezie’s Cafe was right next door to us, we had to give it a try. In addition to being served great food, we loved the quaint atmosphere. It was a lovely meal.

Erolyn’s House of Fry Jack’s

Now, don’t forget about Fry Jack’s. Specifically, we picked up our Fry Jack’s from Erolyn’s House of Fry Jack’s. These delectable treats are stuffed with what you choose. What a phenomenal breakfast! Don’t leave Caye Caulker without trying these.

This concludes our Caye Caulker stay, but luckily for us, we still have Ambergris Caye to explore! We decided to take the water taxi to San Pedro. This was around $20/pp and took around 30 minutes to get there. The Caribbean is such a beautiful sea, so it was a nice ride there.

One Week in Belize – Days 4-7 Ambergris Caye

To begin with the next part of our Belize itinerary, let’s explore the more bustling island of Ambergris Caye, often referred to as the “jewel of Belize.” Moreover, Ambergris Caye offers a vibrant blend of natural beauty and cultural attractions. Spend your days exploring the charming streets of San Pedro, where colorful buildings, lively markets, and waterfront restaurants await. Furthermore, don’t miss the chance to snorkel or dive at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley, where you can swim alongside exotic marine life. Additionally, as for accommodations, Ambergris Caye offers a range of options, from luxury resorts to boutique hotels, ensuring a comfortable and memorable stay.

How did we get to our rental?

From the water taxi, there are taxi’s (golf carts) accessible that you can hire to get you to your destination. We, however, rented our golf cart ahead of time through Aviz and part of their agreement is they will help us to our VRBO rental. Our agent met us at the water taxi terminal, holding a sign with my name. He brought us our rental cart, so we drove that and he used his cart for the luggage.

Golf cart is the main mode of transportation on the island. Additionally, there are some things to know when renting. For instance, Avis rentals cover the bridge toll. Therefore, you will want to check that your rental has that coverage, if you’re planning on crossing the bridge on the north side of San Pedro. For example, if you go to Secret Beach, you will cross it. Furthermore, golf carts can be stolen. Hence, it’s important to always lock it with the lock bar on the cart.

Where to stay on Ambergris Caye

First, I will start with where we stayed – Casa Redonda

We chose to stay south of San Pedro, approximately 3 miles away, which ends up being about a 15-minute golf cart ride into the city. This may not be for everyone, but it is our jam. Firstly, we don’t like hotels or resorts that much. Instead, I prefer a kitchen, private pool, and peace at the end of our busy day. The house we chose was everything we could ask for, and some. A perfect Belize escape with our family. Here is a full review, if you want more details.

The house itself is actually an 8 bedroom home. We rented the bottom half only (4 bedrooms). The whole property was ours, but since we didn’t rent the whole house, we did not have access to the upstairs.

The outdoor area was incredible. We could have spent all day everyday here. The infinity pool overlooks the oceanfront. There is a small beach, too. The dock is shared with another home, but we never had company while we were out there. Of course, my son got some fishing in.

Just a few more to show the relaxing cabana, beach front and dock. Bliss.

Where else can you stay in San Pedro?

There are so many great accommodations on this island. When trying to decide where you want to stay, figure out if you want to be in the city where you can walk to all the restaurants, enjoy a lively nightlife, etc. Or if you’d prefer to be outside, where it’s a little quieter. We chose the south side of San Pedro. There are many nice beach houses and resorts to the south. We also found plenty of excellent restaurants we enjoyed. Here are some other south side accommodations.

Click on each picture to see the rental. These three are right next to Casa Redonda. They go in order from lowest to highest in price range.

Popular south side hotel options:

If you really want to be in the heart of the city and a walkable distance to so many things, check out Ramon’s Village. Ramon’s Village Resort is a renowned beachfront property located in San Pedro. Set amongst lush tropical gardens, this resort offers luxurious thatched-roof cabanas inspired by traditional Mayan architecture.

Let’s not forget about the north end of San Pedro. Here, there are many fabulous resorts to choose from. Moreover, on the north end, you are closer to Secret Beach and The Truck Stop, which is a bonus for those hoping to spend time at those places.

Things to do and Places to Eat in San Pedro

The bustling island of Ambergris Caye, Belize has no shortage of things to keep your family busy with all the activites. In this section, I will highlight our favorite restaurants and activities. Certainly, one thing is for certain: you will not be bored in San Pedro, Belize.

Secret Beach

Let’s start with the ever-popular Secret Beach! Tucked away on the western side of Ambergris Caye lies Secret Beach, a hidden gem known for its tranquil waters and pristine sands. Moreover, take a leisurely golf cart ride to this secluded paradise, where you can relax in beachfront hammocks, sip on tropical cocktails, and indulge in fresh seafood at local bars and restaurants.

You will hear many people calling Secret Beach another “tourist trap”, and yes, that is pretty much the case. But we found it to be a great trap. Our kids absolutely loved it. We got there nice and early (around 10 am). It is advised to get there by 11 am, if you want a table in the water. We were the first ones there and had the beach to ourselves for a while, giving us first pick of the table and loungers we wanted! **Helpful hint** Sunday’s are usually the busiest days to be at Secret Beach. If you’re aim is to avoid the crowds, chose a different day.

If you are not with kids, and want more of the music atmosphere, then steer to all the way to the left, towards the Blue Bayou. We went all the way to the right, where the ever-so-popular Secret Beach Waterpark awaits. Like I said, we were the first people there. Our kids had the inflatable waterpark to themselves for 30 minutes to an hour.

Bring extra cash if you’re into shopping! There are vendors scattered about Secret Beach. We bought a few things from some of them to take home with us.

The Truck Stop

I loved The Truck Stop.

The Truck Stop is the perfect hangout for family, friends, and anyone, really. Moreover, there is a mix of food vendors in shipping containers with delicious entrees and ice cream waiting for you. Additionally, you can relax by the pool, play a variety of games, or hang out in the beer garden and watch the big screens. This unique hangout has it all!

The Food Options:

Snorkeling and Fishing

Probably the most popular itinerary activity and a must-do if you stay in Belize is snorkeling and fishing. Get out on the water; you won’t be disappointed! Fishing, coupled with snorkeling, was a combined tour we took with Nestor of Fishing King Belize. I highly recommend Nestor on your next trip to Belize. Our day consisted of reef fishing, snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, swimming with sharks at Shark and Ray Alley, picnic lunch, Turtle Island, and the Iguana Eco Sanctuary.

Nestor and his crew picked us up, right from our dock. We then went out to catch fresh live bait, Sardines.

Of course, there was a lot of action with reef fishing, mostly caught Snapper. Here are some photos shot by our Captain, Nestor Cerpa.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve

Snorkeling at Hol Chan was nothing short of amazing. We got to see Spotted Eagle Rays, which swam so fluently. In addition to Spotted Eagle Rays, we saw a variety of coral and fish, and even encountered a sea turtle who had lost a leg from a shark attack.

Shark Ray Alley

Our next stop was Shark and Ray Alley. This is not for the faint of heart! Here is another shot, thanks to Nestor’s drone, of the family snorkeling with sharks… Notice how I’m in the boat! I jumped in, with all the confidence that I could do this, and started swimming to the floatation device behind the boat. I looked to my left, with my snorkeling gear on, and saw about a 10 foot shark (or so it seemed) swim next to me. And I was like, “Nope! Not happening”. I don’t know if I ever swam that fast out of a body of water before.

For those brave enough to go for it, swimming with the sharks and rays is an amazing and humbling experience. Moreover, the video we captured from our GoPro was incredible. The kids loved it and now have a tale to tell.

GroPro Hero 11 – We use this on many adventures and it takes excellent underwater video.

For those who don’t know, these are nurse sharks. They are bottom feeders and have a very strong suction. They are mostly harmless to humans, but could probably take your hand, if you’re not careful.

Lunch on the Beach

Your next stop is usually Caye Caulker for lunch, but since we stayed on Caye Caulker the first half of our trip, Nestor took us to an Ambergris Caye beach only accessible by boat.

While we explored the beach, the captain and his crew prepared and AMAZING lunch!

Our spread of food was delicious, as I mentioned. It was comprised fresh fish that we caught and homemade tortillas, which we used for our fish tacos. Lucky for us, we started with fresh fish ceviche. It was so good that I think we inhaled it. Moreover, the creamy potatoes were excellent; I’m pretty sure my daughter could have eaten the whole pan by herself.

Turtle Island and Iguana Eco Sanctuary

Lastly, our final two stops of the day were Turtle Island and Iguana Eco Sanctuary. Turtle Island is where we looked for turtles in the their turtle sanctuary, took a bathroom break, and jumped into the pool at the Turtle Island Resort. Not to mention, if you’re looking for a more secluded stay, look into this beautiful island paradise, only accessible by boat.

Even though I highly recommend Fishing King Belize, if you chose to go a different route, here are other options:

Hangout and Relax

I mean, you’re on vacation. Why not kick up your feet a relax a little. We had an excellent house, so we spent a full day enjoying it. Snorkeling at the beach, swimming in the pool, fishing off the dock. Whether you’re at a resort or a private house, there is no shame in just sitting back and enjoying the time with the people you love.

Don’t forget your traveling speaker! Naturally, we had our tunes on while we were poolside!

Drink and Drive Golf

If you’re still looking for things to do in San Pedro, here is a fun place we stopped. We enjoy a good game of golf, so why not polish up our swing and have sip at Drink and Drive Golf. This place is located just south of the city of San Pedro and is on the list of fun things my kids like to do in Belize.

Restaurant Highlights:

Happy’s Tequilaria – Quaint and delicious. We were one of the only people in this joint and we had a fabulous meal. We took dessert home with us.

Someplace South: This one was a close favorite. We loved the outdoor and relaxing atmosphere. We got to enjoy live music while dining.

Toast: Toast was probably one of my families favorite restaurants we went to in Caye Caulker, Belize. To emphasize, the food was amazing and we really liked the beach atmosphere. Along with a great beach vibes, the family will love the outdoor games at this Belize restaurant, offering even more things to do in San Pedro.

The Black Orchid: The cuisine at Black Orchid was fantastic. We had a lovely meal.

Additionally, some extra info for your Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and/or Belize itinerary:

Plug-ins: Belize uses the same outlets that the US uses. So if you’re traveling from the US, no adapter or converter is needed.

Speed bumps: Known in Belize as “sleeping policemen”, have a sign that might make you chuckle, depending on your maturity level.

Money: USD is widely accepted. Furthermore, we used USD or credit. We would often get change in Belizean, which we would spend or keep. We like to go home with some foreign money, just for keeps. The exchange rate is 2 BZD : 1 USD. This made the math easy, but if something doesn’t specify if it is USD or BZD, it is good to ask. Additionally, how much should you bring? We went with a family of 4 to Belize and decided to bring $1000 USD to have for purchases, tips, etc.

Bugs: We actually had very little issue with bugs on the islands. Collectively, we had a few bites here or there on our legs, probably sand flies. We also had a few sea lice (sea roaches) while at secret beach (maybe 3 or 4 total). They were a non-issue. We used no preventative measure for bugs, but I hear coconut oil works well, if sea lice is an issue and a bug spray with DEET for sand flies. People also swear by Skin So Soft by Avon.

Be Kind: I love this reminder and saw these signs sprinkled all around Ambergris Caye. Don’t forget to add “being kind” to your Belize itinerary.

Conclusion to our Belize Itinerary

In conclusion, our 7-day adventure of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye comes to an end. We decided to fly out of Ambergris Caye to BZE, but another (and less expensive) option is to use the water taxi. Our one week itinerary in Belize was truly amazing a memorable with endless things to do in San Pedro and Caye Caulker. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, adventure, or cultural immersion, these two stunning destinations are sure to leave you enchanted and longing to return again and again. So pack your bags, leave your worries behind, and get ready to explore the beauty and charm of Belize’s tropical paradise with your family using this itinerary.

Find your Belize packing guide here: