A Smile - Coulee Region Women Magazine

Find a sunny place to sit and listen to the waves
breaking on the nearby reef.
according to whim.
Islanders pride themselves on keeping
their village safe and clean while preserving
the natural environment of the island and
resisting large-scale development. There
are no automobiles on the island (with the
exception of fire and police vehicles), and the
streets are paved naturally with beach sand.
Battery-operated golf carts (locally referred
to as cars) and bicycles are the primary
modes of transportation. Both are available
for rent, although you can easily walk the
perimeter of the island after breakfast and
be back in time for lunch.
Because the island is so small (only 2 miles
long and 4 blocks wide), tourists and locals
are integrated, so you will share the streets
with local children on their way to school
and families going to market. The 1,300
people who inhabit the island are extremely
friendly and helpful; they love their island
and are happy to share it with you.
No shoes, no shirt, no problem
Caye Caulker has earned a reputation
as a backpacker island due to the relative
low cost of transportation, lodging and
food. You won’t find a single franchised
restaurant or hotel on the island; all
businesses are locally owned and operated.
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Accommodations can cost less than $20
per day for a modest one-room cabana—
although this option is for the adventurer
since bathrooms are often shared with
other travelers and hot water may not be
available. Expect to pay between $50 and
$150 for hotel rooms and apartments or
homes owned by out-of-town vacationers.
Costs will vary depending on amenities
and proximity to the ocean and village.
There are a variety of open-air dining
options on the island, including Indian
and Italian cuisine. Leave your eveningwear
at home, though; even the upper-scale
restaurants on the island maintain the island
philosophy and welcome barefoot and
casually clad diners. Saltwater seafood such
as lobster (when in season), crab and conch
are island specialties, but Americanized
sandwiches and French fries are also available
for the less adventurous palate.
One great and unassuming dinner
option not to be missed is located on the
beach in the heart of the village. There you
will find Jolly Roger cooking on a large
charcoal grill made from a repurposed
butane tank. His “restaurant” consists of
a cluster of picnic tables on the beach and
a small yellow cabana, where Jolly Roger’s
sister prepares the side dishes. Hands down,
Jolly Roger serves the best barbecued food
on the island.
After dinner, continue down the sandy
lane to the Lazy Lizard at the northernmost
tip of the island. There you will find the
best view on the island and the best place
to catch the sunset. The Lazy Lizard (which
has won the distinctive title of my favorite
place on earth) is cradled on three sides
by the warm Caribbean waters and boasts
the best swimming, the best fishing from
shore and the coldest Belizean brewed beer
on the island.
Set sail for adventure
From Caye Caulker, those who seek
adventure will find an abundance of tour
options. Of course, seafaring opportunities
Buildings on the island are a celebration of light with
vibrant and contrasting colors.
like snorkeling, diving and tropical fishing
abound. You can also take in a wealth of
sites, activities and cultural experiences on
the mainland, including ancient Mayan
ruins, river activities (such as cave tubing,
kayaking and rafting) and jungle wildlife
preserves (think baboons and jaguars). Island
hopping to nearby cayes is yet another way
to see all that Belize has to offer.
While this slow-paced Caribbean island
may not be for everyone, it is a great place to
kick off your shoes and disconnect from the
real world if you don’t mind forgoing luxury.
Caye Caulker has become part of my soul,
inspiring me to slow down and appreciate
the simplicity and beauty of every day. I
welcome you to go slow and find yourself
on the peaceful island of Caye Caulker.
For more information, go to
www.cayecaulkerbelize.net or www.
gocayecaulker.com. You may also e-mail
the author at melhanson@charter.net. To
view a gallery of photos from this delightful
island, visit www.crwmagazine.com D
Melissa Hanson is a freelance writer who is
grateful for the opportunity to combine her
loves of travel, writing and photography.