The Easiest Way to Get to Caye Caulker, Belize
Caye Caulker has a relaxed and slow-paced lifestyle, with many coming to escape the hustle and stress of everyday life.
Chill by water, see some amazing fishies and coral reefs, and eat some good food… What more could you ask for?
Read on for the best and easiest way to get to Caye Caulker, Belize and start enjoying the sea and the sun!
To find out more about staying on Caye Caulker, read this complete guide!
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Best Way to Get to Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker is a small island located off the coast of Belize in Central America. It is famous for its laid-back Caribbean vibe, beautiful turquoise waters, and abundance of marine life.
The island is only about five miles long and half a mile wide, making it a popular destination for those seeking a relaxed atmosphere and easy access to water activities.
Enjoy stunning sunsets, live music, and beach bonfires while sipping on tropical drinks; it’s a perfect place for a laid-back tropical getaway.
Find out more about what it’s like to digital nomad in Caye Caulker.
Belize City
The easiest and most common way travelers get to Caye Caulker is through Belize City. There are several water taxi companies that operate regular services between Belize City and Caye Caulker, with the journey taking around 45 minutes to an hour.
Here are the most common ways to get to Belize City:
Fly
Belize City is home to the county’s largest international airport.
You can get direct flights to Belize City from most major US cities and even Canada! Other Central American cities fly direct to Belize City as well, such as San Salvador, Panama City, Guatemala City, Cancun.
If you are coming from most other parts of Central America, flying is probably the quickest. We decided to fly from Guatemala City to Belize City so we could maximize our time in Antigua. The one-way ticket was about $215 per person (plus $50 to check a bag).
Learn more: The Best Cities to Digital Nomad in Central America
The main airport most people will be coming and going from is Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport, which is 45 minutes from the water taxi terminals.
When glancing at the map of Belize City, you may notice an airport conveniently located not far from the water taxi terminals. However this is a small airport and most likely not where you’ll land.
Shuttle
From Flores, Guatemala you can actually take my favorite mode of transportation in Central America: shuttle vans. There is a quick and easy shuttle across the border to Belize City which takes less than 3 hours.
Book a shuttle from Flores to Belize City.
Although Flores is a popular tourist destination, there are no direct buses between the two cities.
When in Belize City
Although I don’t recommend spending too much time in Belize City, you might find yourself there before or after travel days.
Belkin Brewery
Visiting the famous Belkin Brewery is a great way to spend the evening the day before your flight, especially because it’s not far from the airport.
Our hotel actually drove us to the brewery and back.
Xunantunich Mayan Ruins
Xunantunich Mayan Ruins is an ancient Maya archaeological site located in western Belize, near the border with Guatemala. The name Xunantunich means “Stone Woman” in the local Maya language and refers to a ghostly apparition that is said to haunt the site. Spooky.
The most prominent structure is the massive El Castillo pyramid, which rises high above the surrounding jungle and offers stunning views of the valley. Explore the well-preserved plazas, temples, and ball courts and learn about the history and culture of the ancient Maya civilization.
Book this Xunantunich Mayan Ruin & Cave Tubing Combo from Belize City.
Water Taxi
Once you’ve made it to your first destination, Belize City, you still need to get to the island. This is where you will need to get a water taxi.
It took us quite a while to get through customs once we arrived in Belize City. You most likely wont get to the water taxi terminal until several hours after your plane lands, so plan accordingly.
You can easily catch a (land) taxi at the airport for about $30 USD. The taxis waiting at the airport all seemed to be driving boxy, tan vehicles from the 90s, so they are easy to spot.
The drive to the terminals is roughly 45 minutes, and make sure they drop you off at the correct company (if you bought tickets ahead of time).
There are several different companies operating from different docks and you don’t want to be hauling your luggage around all over the place looking for the right one.
You can also add an airport shuttle to your water taxi reservation. However, they will only wait for so long at the airport, so if your flight is delayed or you accidentally missed it (oops), book this inexpensive airport shuttle instead.
From the Belize City water taxi terminal, it’s another 45 minute boat ride to Caye Caulker ($19 USD a person). You can purchase this ticket online ahead of time, but be warned you must present a physical print-out of the booking to get your water taxi tickets. If you don’t have access to a printer, you can also purchase tickets once you get there.
The reservation time on the reserved tickets doesn’t actually matter, so don’t worry about it selling out by waiting to purchase the ticket in-person.
Also, when purchasing your water taxi tickets, it is most cost effective to purchase roundtrip tickets, but again don’t worry about the exact time on the ticket. You can return on any boat you want.
Once the water taxi arrives in Caye Caulker, you will be on the north east side of the island near most of the restaurants.
Depending on where your accommodation is, you can either walk, or get a ride from a golf cart taxi. If you have any large bags or suitcases with wheels, I highly recommend a taxi since all the roads are dirt and gravel.
I learned that the hard way.
Domestic Flight
Another option is to take a domestic flight from Belize City to Caye Caulker. There are several airlines that offer regular flights between the two destinations, with the journey taking around 15-20 minutes.
You can also fly from Belize City to other islands such as San Pedro or Roatan (Honduras).
It’s worth noting that while Caye Caulker does have a small airstrip, it is only suitable for small planes and private charters, so most visitors arrive by boat or water taxi.
Island Hop
Visitors can also reach Caye Caulker by boat from other islands in Belize, such as San Pedro and Ambergris Caye. There are several boat operators that offer regular services to Caye Caulker, with journey times varying depending on the starting point.
For example, the journey between San Pedro and Caye Caulker takes roughly 45 minutes by water taxi. From San Pedro, there is also a ferry to Chetumal, Mexico which is a cool way to begin or end your journey!
How to Get to Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker may be a tiny island off the coast of Belize, but there are plenty of ways to get there. Deciding how to get to Caye Caulker really comes down to the rest of your itinerary and how much of Belize you want to experience.
The three best ways to get to Caye Caulker:
- Fly into Belize City and take a water taxi.
- Take a domestic flight.
- Take a boat from other parts of Belize.
This dreamy Caribbean island is the perfect place to slow down, de-stress, and enjoy life. We spend a week working and living on the island and it definitely wasn’t enough! Read more about our digital nomad experience on Caye Caulker.
