For me, there is no happier feeling than being surrounded by Caribbean people, fully immersed in the Caribbean vibe! A contagious atmosphere, filled with smiles, laughter and reggae beats.. Spend your days filling up on fresh seafood and jerk chicken, snorkel in the crystal blue waters and buy into the locals laid-back way of life!
However, this happiness does come at a price, and that is why we only stayed in the country for just under a week.. Belize is an expensive country, and especially for backpackers but, on a budget it can still be explored and adored! There is so much to see and do in this small piece of paradise.
If you are coming from Mexico, your first stop will more than likely be Belize City, as major cities go, this isn't one that stands out as a must see! However, every place deserves a chance, so explore for a few hours if you like, but like most people this will only be used as a jumping off point to the paradise that is Caye Caulker.
We absolutely loved our time on Caye Caulker and fully bought into the tiny islands motto of "Go Slow". An island that doesn't get out of first gear, people strolling by at their own place without a care in the world! It's the place to chill out in a hammock, eat jerk chicken, snorkel & scuba dive the beautiful reefs with sharks, stingrays & sea turtles! If you're lucky enough, try to visit the scuba divers dream, The Blue Hole! Then finish the day off by sipping a couple of beers at the split while watching the sun set on another day in paradise.. Make sure you check out our 'must visit place in Belize' because Caye Caulker has one hidden gem that beats the lot!
Once you have pulled yourself away from Caye Caulker, you have another island close by called Ambergris Caye, which is the biggest island in Belize. The next backpacker destination is San Ignacio to see the ATM caves and to do some tubing. Sitting just before the Guatemala border, this small town is a perfect stop off before heading to the north of Guatemala.
If you are wanting to see more of Belize and more of the Caribbean vibe, then you can work your way south to Hopkins and Placencia to get some more beach time. Before then heading further south to pass through Punta Gorda to then take the boat heading for Guatemala.
You have two different boat options to get to Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye from Belize City, which are either San Pedro Water Taxi or Ocean Ferry Belize. On the main land, you will have lots of options to book transportation from Belize City to your next stop, for us it was Flores in Guatemala. I would say the best option would be to ask in the local travel agents or in your hostel/hotel or if you are comfortable with it, then I would go to the local bus station and buy directly from them to find the best offer.
The only bus company we used here was Mundo Maya.
- Capital City: Belmopan
- Time Difference: GMT minus seven hours.
-- Language Spoken: The official language spoken here is actually English with Belize being a former British colony! Although Spanish is also widely spoken here, as well as Creole.
- Local Cuisine: A Belizeans main staple is rice and beans and a slab of meat, not the most adventurous of meals I know but just add some of Marie Sharp's hot sauce and it works! As well as this, Belize has the legendary jerk chicken which is cooked to perfection all over the country and has some of the most incredibly fresh seafood, think lobsters, crab basically anything from the days catch.
- Local Beers & Drink: The most common beers you will find here are Belikin & Lighthouse! You must also try the 1 Barrel Rum!
- Visa - Generally not required for stays less than 30 days.
- Entrance & Exit Fee: No entrance fee but there is a $20 USD exit fee.
- Proof of Onward Travel: Not necessary.
- Currency & Exchange rate (Aug 2018): Belizean Dollar (BZD) £1 = $2.60 BZD / $1 = $2 BZD, the USD is also accepted throughout the country.
- Useful prices to note;
- 1 night in a hostel (Dorm Bed) = $18 - $26 BZD / £7 - £10 / $9 - $12.90
(Private Double Room) = $50 - $130 BZD / £19 - £50 / $24.50 - $65
- 1 litre of local beer = $3 BZD / £1.20 / $1.50
- A typical meal for one (Rice, Beans & Meat) = $10 - $12 BZD / £3.80 - $4.60 / $5 - $6
- Average cost for a bus journey (Belize City to Flores, Guatemala) = $25 USD
- Average cost of boat ferry (Belize City to Caye Caulker) = $20 USD return
Belizean Dollar (BZD) / British Pound (£) / US Dollar (USD)
This has to be KOKO KING! A short boat ride from CAYE CAULKER to the north side of the island, which is otherwise not passable since the earthquake that caused the split, is Koko King a newly built (or still in construction when we were there) resort like complex with its own beach, sunbeds, pool and a bar with a DJ. Filled with mainly locals and people in the know, it is the best place to chill out during the day and then as soon as the sun goes down, Koko King lights up the beach and the party begins.
