Caye Caulker may not offer the beautiful beaches of Ambergris Caye, but it’s casual atmosphere, cheap prices and abundance of bars and restaurants draw numbers of backpackers and tourists who are looking for a break from traveling around Central America. A small island accessed by small plane or water taxi from Belize City, Caye Caulker is not a place for sightseeing, but rather, a place to simply hang out and relax. With only three streets and a mangrove forest, the island can be easily walked.

The most popular activities on Caye Caulker are diving and snorkeling. The island’s closeness to Belize Barrier Reef offers some of the best diving spots in the Caribbean. There are many dive shops on the island, and several dive tours are available to premier spots like Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Turneffe Atoll, Caye Caulker Marine Reserve and the famous Blue Hole. Other things to do include deep-sea fishing, birdwatching, mangrove tours and day trips to a wildlife sanctuary near Belize City. A narrow water canal, called “The Split,” offers a swimming hole and picnic area. Caulker’s three streets are lined with souvenir shops selling a variety of art works and handicrafts.

What Caye Caulker may lack in typical tourist attractions, it makes up for in dining and nightlife. The small island features plenty of cheap eateries, restaurants, bars, discos, clubs and dance halls. Tourists can eat cheap on burgers and fries or splurge on seafood and Italian.