7 Things to Do in Caye Caulker, Belize: Seahorses to Fry Jacks

Courtesy of Shutterstock: Go Slow Motto at Caye Caulker in Belize

With its motto “Go Slow,” Caye Caulker takes island time to an entirely new level.

It instantly reminded us of La Digue in the Seychelles, where bikes rule the roads. When we stayed there at the charming boutique hotel Le Nautique, we fell in love with that same unhurried pace that Caye Caulker captures too.  

Locals are serious about this relaxed pace, so much so that you’ll spot signs reminding visitors, “We have two cemeteries but no hospital.”

Cars are nonexistent here.

Getting around means walking barefoot along sandy roads or pedaling a bike from one end of the island to the other.

Rentals are easy to find, costing about $7.50 USD per day or $30 for the week. Every now and then, you might see a golf cart roll by, but that’s about as fast as it gets.

We just grabbed the water taxi from San Pedro to Caye Caulker. 30 minutes, easy, done. It couldn’t have been simpler.

Buuut… if you’ve got the time, the way cooler option is to do a sailing trip with a local guide. You hit all the best spots on Caye Caulker and get two snorkeling stops (yes, including Shark Ray Alley).

Oh, and did I mention there’s an all-day open bar? Yep. Open. Bar. That’s basically the definition of “Go Slow.”

Shark Ray Alley in Belize

You’re literally vacationing right next to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, so… yeah, you gotta get in the water.

While staying on Ambergris Caye, my husband and I booked a trip with Under Da Sea Adventures, a local crew we can’t recommend enough. Here’s our full snorkeling review!

Their Shark Ray Alley tour was hands-down one of the best snorkeling experiences we’ve ever had, and we’ve snorkeled all over the world from Bonaire to Moorea and the Maldives!

The water was crystal-clear, the reef was alive with color, and the marine life was just unreal.

We swam alongside friendly nurse sharks (aka the puppy dogs of the sea), graceful turtles, stingrays, and more schools of fish than we could possibly count. If you do a full-day tour, you’ll also get to explore spots like Chatos and even a small shipwreck.

Sometimes you even get lucky and see manatees or seahorses.

If you’re based in Caye Caulker for a few nights, you’ll find plenty of local operators offering trips to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley.

Salt Life Eco Tours is one of the top-rated options for making it happen.

Courtesy of Shutterstock: manatee at Caye Caulker

Courtesy of Shutterstock: The Split at Caye Caulker Belize

The Split is literally where Caye Caulker is… well, split in half.

There are a bunch of stories floating around about how it happened.

The most popular one? Fishermen dug out a little channel so they could get their boats through, and then Hurricane Hattie in 1961 came along and really opened it up. Now it’s basically the island’s hangout central.

You can swim, rent a kayak or paddleboard, chill to reggae beats, and grab a drink at the iconic Lazy Lizard Bar.

The must-try? Their neon-green, frozen “Lazy Lizard Juice.” People say it sneaks up on you like a Long Island Iced Tea. I didn’t try it myself, but I’m curious… anyone here been brave enough?

The Split at Caye Caulker in Belize

Seahorse at Caye Caulker outside of Iguana Reef Inn (sorry for the bad quality photo … this was the best I could get)

I’m obsessed with seahorses, so when my husband and I went to Caye Caulker, I was determined to finally see one in the wild.

The Seahorse Ranch Reserve is right on the beach next to the dock area outside Iguana Reef Inn, a 5-minute walk from the water taxi.

The thing is… spotting them is hard. They’re tiny and blend in perfectly with their surroundings.

A super friendly local tipped me off to check under the pier.

So there I am, shimmying my way under the wooden boards (being small finally worked in my favor 😂). Once my eyes adjusted, boom, there it was! The cutest little seahorse, just hanging onto a rope with its tail, swaying with the current like it didn’t have a care in the world.

Errolyn’s House of Fry Jacks at Caye Caulker in Belize

Who doesn’t love fried dough?

Every country seems to have its own take—we’ve had koesisters in Cape Town, funnel cakes at county fairs in the U.S., and picarones in Peru.

In Belize, the must-try version is the fry jack, and the best place to get one on Caye Caulker is Errolyn’s House.

Order yours stuffed with your favorite combo: ham, cheese, egg, beans, or chicken are all on the menu.

They’re cheap (BZD $1.50–$5.50 depending on the filling), absolutely delicious, and massive.

Seriously, one per person is plenty.

Eating a fry jack at Errolyn’s House in Caye Caulker in Belize 

Grab a fresh juice from the fruit stand next door to go with it.

Fry jacks are made with tortilla dough and are usually eaten for breakfast, but they’re just as popular for lunch or as a midday snack. Their half-moon shape even reminded us of the empanadas we had in Argentina.

To fully appreciate them, eat them piping hot.

And one last thing. Last we checked, they’re closed on Mondays, so confirm the hours before you go.

Local lunch at Reina’s in Caye Caulker

With just a handful of tables set right on the sandy floor, Reina’s is as unpretentious as it gets.

It’s a true one-man operation. Elvis was our bartender, waiter, and chef all in one.

We’ve had a few unforgettable one-person dining experiences before, like Sawada in Japan, and this was right up there. The intimate interaction, the friendly service, and the sense that you’re in someone’s home kitchen make it special.

The chalkboard menu keeps things simple but tempting.

Think ceviche, chicken (BBQ, curry, garlic, or mango), and shrimp (garlic, curry, or shrimp creole). Everything was fresh, flavorful, and fairly priced.

There’s something about seeing the pride and love a chef pours into each dish that makes the food taste even better.

Local island lunch at Reina’s in Caye Caulker in Belize

We didn’t get to try them, but Reina’s is also known for its meat pies.

Word is they sell out early in the morning, so if they’re on your list, get there fast.

We didn’t stay overnight. Ambergris Caye is more our speed.

But we loved visiting Caye Caulker as part of our fantastic one-week Ambergris Caye itinerary.

Snorkel, sail, slow down, and savor some authentic local food… that’s pretty much a perfect day in my book!

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