A few years ago, we stayed on Ambergris Caye in Belize for a week, where we obtained our PADI scuba certification. This time around, we stayed on Caye Caulker, another island in the Caribbean. Caye Caulker is more quaint than Ambergris Caye. The only mode of transport are golf carts and bicycles, everybody knows everybody, and the island’s motto is “Go Slow.”
Getting to Caye Caulker was an adventure. We left Tulum in a private bus for four hours until we reached the Mexico-Belize border. We then paid our way through the border and hopped on a local bus for the next four hours to Belize City. The local buses are old U.S. school buses painted over in bright colors. More and more people get on at each stop, squeezing multiple people to a seat, and filling the standing room. From Belize City, we took a water taxi over to the island.
The food was outstanding. We tried a traditional Belizian fry jack, a large piece of fried bread cut in half and filled with toppings like beans and cheese. We had some of the best pasta we have ever tasted at a local trattoria and had a “catch of the day” meal of fresh lobster. Our first night on the island, we watched the sunset at Iguana Reef with pina coladas in hand and a beautiful view. The second night, we watched the sunset from The Split. The Split gets its name from the fact that the island was all connected before a hurricane literally split the island in two.
The highlight was our day at sea on a catamaran. We snorkeled in Coral Garden, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and Shark and Ray Alley. We SAW A MANATEE! One of our travel mates had a go pro, thankfully, and provided some great footage from our snorkel adventures. The videos are hilarious. You can hear everyone squealing with delight when we see the different marine creatures.
Swimming with wildlife is the BEST! Love the photos.