Belize for Backpackers: Exploring Caye Caulker & San Pedro
- Hisham Ibrahim
- Feb 3
- 5 min read
We decided to embark on our first Central America trip, and after much consideration, we chose Guatemala and Belize as our destinations. This was a boy's trip during the New Year's break, making it the perfect opportunity to explore, unwind, and celebrate the holiday season in an exciting new environment. These two countries offer an ideal blend of adventure and relaxation, with breathtaking mountains, stunning beaches, rich history, and vibrant nature.
In this blog, I will take you through our detailed itinerary for the Belize portion of our trip, sharing insights on what to do, where to stay, and how to get around. I will cover our experiences in Guatemala in a separate article !
Belize / Guatemala trip
Guatemala & Belize Travel Map To help visualize our journey, I’ve included a map highlighting all the incredible places we visited across Guatemala and Belize. This map serves as a guide for anyone planning a similar adventure and a reference of all the places I refer in my article.
Arrival to Belize
Most travelers arrive in Belize either by flying into Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport or by taking a boat from Mexico, a popular route among many backpackers we met. If you land at the airport, you’ll need to take a taxi to the Belize Water Taxi Terminal, where ferries depart to the islands.
Taxi to the port: $35 USD
For those on a backpacking trip, we highly recommend staying on Caye Caulker rather than San Pedro. While San Pedro is known for its luxury American-style resorts, it lacks the budget-friendly and social atmosphere that backpackers often seek. Caye Caulker, on the other hand, offers a vibrant backpacking scene, with plenty of hostels, local eateries, and a laid-back Caribbean vibe.
Choosing the Right Boat Service
Once you arrive at the port, tell your taxi driver to drop you off at the Belize Water Taxi instead of the Caribbean Sprinter. Both companies operate boats to the same destinations, but we found Belize Water Taxi - run by a Chinese company - to have better, more comfortable boats, and their prices were a few dollars cheaper.
TIP : If you’re planning a round trip back to Belize City, be sure to let them know in advance, as you can often get a better deal on the fare.
TIP : You don’t need to book online! There will always be space, even if you arrive just 30 minutes before departure. Booking online usually incurs extra fees, so it’s best to buy your ticket in person at the terminal.
Currency in Belize
Belize is quite different from Guatemala and is much more Americanized. English is widely spoken, making communication easy. The official currency is the Belizean Dollar (BZD), which has a fixed exchange rate of 2 BZD to 1 USD.
For example, $5 USD equals $10 BZD.
You can pay with USD everywhere without needing to exchange money, but be aware that you may receive change in BZD. Make sure to use any BZD cash before leaving the country, as it will be difficult to exchange it elsewhere.
TIP : If you are leaving Belize to Guatemala by Land, you can keep up to 40 BZD, you will need to pay it as departure fees.
How to Travel Around Caye Caulker
Since the island is very small, you can explore it by walking or by using a golf cart service, which is essentially a fancier version of a tuk-tuk. However, I highly recommend renting a bike. It’s the best way to get around quickly while enjoying the island’s relaxed atmosphere.
Where to Stay in Caye Caulker
One of the best accommodations for backpackers on Caye Caulker is Travellers Palm Hostel. This cozy and social hostel is where we met fellow travelers from around the world, making it an ideal base for exploring the island.
Activities to Do in Caye Caulker
1. Snorkeling & Diving in the Coral Reef
Belize is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, making snorkeling and diving must-do activities. While we expected this to be the highlight of our trip, we found the marine life slightly underwhelming compared to Aruba. However, if you don’t have a diving license, we strongly recommend opting for snorkeling instead, as it offers a more immersive experience, especially in Hol Chan Marine Reserve. My friend went snorkeling while I went diving, and he ended up seeing far more marine life than I did!
TIP : For a better experience, book a tour through your hostel rather than a commercial dive shop. Hostel-organized trips tend to be more flexible, affordable, and often include food and drinks.
Snorkeling 5-stop trip: ~$90 USD
2. Visit The Split
One of the most popular gathering spots on the island is The Split, a natural channel dividing Caye Caulker. Here, you can enjoy a drink by the water, savor delicious Jamaican street food, browse local souvenir shops, and even dive off a platform into the sea. It’s a great place to unwind and experience the island’s lively social scene. It's also where we spent New Year's Eve - a DJ played music until 2 AM, and the bars served cheap drinks. While it wasn't the kind of grand celebration you might expect back home, it was a fun and memorable way to ring in the new year!
3. Sunset at Bliss Beach
For an unforgettable sunset experience, rent a bike and take the ferry to the other side of the island to Bliss Beach, a secluded area connected to an upcoming hotel. While entry is free, you’ll be expected to buy a drink at the beach bar. The views here are breathtaking, making it a perfect spot to relax as the sun dips below the horizon. Just be sure to apply sunscreen and insect repellant generously—the mosquitoes here are relentless!
Going to San Pedro
If you still decide to go to San Pedro, here are some tips and tricks. Stay at Sandbar Beachfront Hostel, one of the few hostels available on the island. San Pedro has more dive shops to choose from, and we went with Chuck and Robbie’s because of their lower prices. However, we didn’t particularly enjoy their tour—it felt very brief, and the dive instructor didn’t seem eager to show us much.
Other than diving, you can enjoy San Pedro’s nightlife. If you walk deeper into the town, you’ll find hidden bars, cafés, and even rooftop nightclubs that come alive at night.
A famous attraction is Secret Beach. It’s a laid-back beach with a bar in the water, allowing you to sip cocktails while enjoying the refreshing sea. Unfortunately, getting there is a hassle—you either need to rent a golf cart (the official mode of transportation) or take a taxi, both of which can be expensive. We saw some people biking there, but based on what locals told us about the terrain, it didn’t seem worth the effort. If you plan on renting a golf cart, book it well in advance, as availability is limited and they get reserved quickly. Prices start at around $50 per day.
For a more low-key experience, head to Ramon’s Village Resort, where you can swim or even jump into crystal-clear water in a protected area without coral.
Belize was a fantastic start to our adventure, and in a separate article, I’ll take you through our journey into the heart of Guatemala.
Budget
Type | Budget |
Accommodation (3 Nights) | 60 $ |
Transport (taxi, water ferry) | 120 $ |
Food | 100 $ |
Activity | 100 $ |
Total | 380 $ USD / Person / 3 Nights |
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