Around the World in Reality: Caye Caulker, Belize

Belize had been on my radar for a while. Friends and colleagues always spoke highly of their time there. With my 40th birthday approaching, it felt like the perfect destination to celebrate such a milestone. I decided on Caye Caulker, a small island off the coast, and it couldn’t have been a better choice.

Day 1 – Saturday, May 3

HIGHLIGHTS: The Last Drop Café and Reina’s

We landed in Belize and headed straight to the pier to catch our water taxi. With a bit of time to spare, we grabbed lunch at The Last Drop Café and Bar. We weren’t too hungry, so we split the fried snapper fish fingers and fries. The snapper was perfectly fried and the tartar sauce was some of the best I’ve ever had.

After an hour-long ferry ride to Caye Caulker, we arrived on the small island where everyone gets around on foot, by bike, or golf cart.

The island’s motto, “Go Slow,” could be felt immediately. We took a short 15-minute walk to our hotel, Tree Tops, located on the quiet side of the island. One of the highlights of the hotel was the rooftop, offering beautiful views of both the sunrise and sunset.

Later that evening, we planned to eat at Reina’s, but they weren’t ready to seat guests yet. We took a short stroll and caught a stunning sunset before heading back for dinner.

Back at Reina’s, I started with a blueberry mojito, which was refreshing. For dinner, we had the Tropical Snapper and Mango BBQ Shrimp. Both meals were delicious and incredibly filling. If there’s one thing you won’t be in Belize, it’s hungry.

Day 2 – Sunday, May 4

HIGHLIGHTS: Nina’s Pontiki Cruise and Barefoot Caribe Bar and Grill

I woke up early to watch the sunrise from the rooftop. It was absolutely lovely. This would become part of my morning routine while there.

I took a short walk to Amor y Café for a simple breakfast with an iced coffee. It was a great spot to watch people begin their mornings.

We had a food tour planned that day. While the guide was kind, the conversation drifted too far from Belizean cuisine and culture for my liking, so I won’t name the tour. That said, we really enjoyed the food at each stop:

Caye Breeze Café: Fry jacks, an omelet, and a blended iced coffee.

La Cubana: A panty ripper (coconut rum and pineapple juice) and ceviche.

Boozy Eel Beach Bar: Margarita and seafood curry. This curry was absolutely divine!

Chef Juan’s: The best key lime pie.

We took a rest in the afternoon, then headed out for our sunset cruise with Nina’s Pontiki. We were joined by another traveler from the States who made great company. We sailed along the coast of the north island, enjoyed amazing views, and sipped on the best (and strongest) rum punch we had on the island.

For dinner, we stopped at Barefoot Caribe Bar and Grill. I had shrimp fried rice, and Donnell had a shrimp burrito bowl. Both dishes were delicious.

Day 3 – Monday, May 5

HIGHLIGHTS: Bucket List 7-Stop Snorkel Tour and Pelican Grill

I began my morning with another sunrise, this time from the seaside. It was breathtaking.

Afterward, I walked to Axios Café for breakfast and had fry jacks with eggs. Another filling meal.

Today was our big adventure day. We joined a seven-stop boat tour aboard Mrs. Nicholson and spent the day on the water. Each stop offered an exciting experience.

Tarpon Bay: Watched tarpon leap from the water and spotted a saltwater crocodile nearby.

Snorkel Stop: Saw a sea turtle (my favorite), a nurse shark, and a ray.

Shark Alley: I was definitely nervous but managed to get in the water for five minutes before getting out. The nurse sharks were massive.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve: Swam out to the reef and saw a variety of tropical fish.

Conch Shell Bay: Snorkeled among thousands of conch shells and small fish.

Manatee Spotting: We were lucky to see a beautiful West Indian manatee.

Sunken Boat: By this point, we were tired and chose to stay on the boat.

For dinner, we went to Pelican Sunset Restaurant. With a perfect view of the sunset, I started with a Pelican Punch. For our meals, we both ordered the fish filet with veggies and parmesan potatoes. It was simple and tasty.

Day 4 – Tuesday, May 6

HIGHLIGHTS: Altun Ha and Cave Tubing Tour and Elba’s Little Kitchen

We caught the first ferry back to Belize City for our only mainland excursion. We grabbed some veggie patties upon arrival, although one turned out to be meat-filled by mistake.

Nonetheless, we didn’t let that dampen our day. Our tour guide was fantastic, full of energy and knowledge. He shared a few facts that stood out as we made the drive out of Belize City:

• Belize City is below sea level.
• The country’s population is around 400,000.
• Slavery ended in 1838.
• Independence was gained on September 21, 1981.
• The top industries are tourism and agriculture.

Our first stop was Altun Ha, an impressive ancient Mayan site.

There was a lot of history to take in here. A few facts that stood out to me included the following:

• Jade was used only by royalty.
• The structures were built from limestone.
• The Mayan civilization here thrived from 200 to 700 AD.
• Celebrations followed successful harvests.

Next, we stopped at a roadside stand to try local wines. The sorrel (similar to hibiscus) was my favorite, and I purchased a small bottle. The cashew wine was strong and the cashew fruit had a unique, pleasant taste.

We had lunch at a local restaurant Teaky Tavern, where we had a vegetarian meal with added fish. Then, it was off to cave tubing.

We geared up and began our trek to the cave entrance, crossing a refreshing river three times along the way. The canopy was stunning with palms and mahogany trees. The cave itself was mysterious and beautiful, with light filtering in and crystals glistening. Floating through it was peaceful and unforgettable.

After nearly an hour on the water, we returned to the starting point and caught an earlier ferry back.

That evening, we visited Elba’s Little Kitchen and unknowingly arrived during happy hour. We enjoyed two-for-one drinks while watching the sunset. For dinner, I was indecisive and I asked our server what his favorite meal was. He shared it was the garlic honey butter shrimp with coconut rice, BUT it was not on the menu. I love these moments as I’ve never had a bad recommendation when asking a server what they like. The meal was absolutely delicious. Donnell had the coconut grilled filet, which was also full of flavor. The coconut taste came through perfectly.

Travel Day – Wednesday, May 7

I woke up early to catch one last sunrise. Caye Caulker is one of the only places I’ve visited where you can easily view both sunrise and sunset from the same place.

We packed up and headed to Axios Sun for breakfast. I had a stuffed fry jack with eggs, cheese, and beans and Donnell had avocado toast.

On the ferry back, we even met a couple from Knoxville, and the woman used to work at UT while I was there. What are the odds?!

Final Thoughts

Belize is a magical place. From the warm people and vibrant culture to the delicious food and stunning views, it truly is something special. This trip struck the perfect balance of “going slow” while still making the most of our time on the island. There’s no doubt we’ll return to this slice of heaven on earth.