Where should I stay on Caye Caulker?

So, your want to plan a trip to Caye Caulker? 

One of the first things to consider is where to stay on the island? Do you keep looking at millions of trip advisor reviews? Fear not! I have stayed many times and can give you the best advice. There are wonderful options to stay on our small beautiful island in paradise. 

Where should I stay? 

This is a more complicated question than people may think. Where you stay depends on what you want during your vacation. 

There are a few items I suggest people consider before picking a location.  Depending on the importance you place on these things will determine where I would recommend you stay.

Safety

Caye Caulker (as any other place in the world) has crime.  Most of the crime that occurs on our island home is "Crime of Opportunity."  I have written about the crime of the island before, but summarizing, most criminal issues can be avoided with common sense and picking a popular enough place to stay so as to avoid some issues.

Although this may sound counterintuitive, staying in the village will keep you safer.  

If safety is high on your concerns, then I would recommend you stay in the village.

My recommendation, if you want to stay in the village at a very safe place would be Go Slow Appartments.  This amazing place is right in the heart of the village, convenient to everything on the island and amazingly safe.

Quiet

If you are looking for a quiet escape, I would recommend Oasi Apartments. This great little hotel is owned by Luciana Essenziale and can be found on Back Street.  

The hotel is relatively close to the airport and is a 5-minute bike ride into the main village. This amazing place has a pool and offers bikes for the people that stay with her. These apartments are exceptional for a couple or small families. 

Luciana herself is also great because she can give you great recommendations for any excursions you would like to do while on vacation.

Nightlife

If being able to enjoy a nightlife and easily get back to your bed, I would suggest staying in the village.  Again, Go Slow Appartments is an easy 10-minute walk to all of the party spots on the island, including the Split (the main swimming area on Caye Caulker). 

Now, I know that many people come here with families and this requires more space. I have the best place for this. When my family and I visited a couple of years ago, we stayed at Laura's Look Out and Barbara's Beach House. They share a pool and are right on the beach on the south side of the island. They both have three bedrooms and each sleep six people. These properties are managed by Michael, and he is great! Whatever we needed he was there to help! Would stay here again. 

Is there anywhere I should NOT stay? 

There are a couple of places on the island (the south side) that are off the grid.  There is no internet, air conditioning, and television.  Unless you enjoy this type of environment, I would avoid this area.  It is also very remote from the village, which means it will curtail your utilization of the village infrastructure and events.

How do I book? 

One of the best places to book a place on Caye Caulker is through Airbnb.com. This is one of the leading websites that places on the island are listed, and you get the best reviews here. This is how my family has booked during every vacation. 

That's all folks!

I think it is time to sum this up. If you are going to Caye Caulker, there are many options on where to stay. If you want more peace and quiet, I would stay outside the village. If wanting to stay safer and more integrated stay with activities I would stay in the village at Go Slow Belize Appartments.

The last thing I would like to offer is our help.  If you reach out to us and tell us what you're looking for we can make many suggestions.
 

Beaches on Caye Caulker

So you are planning your vacation to paradise. You are probably picturing yourself sitting on a beach in a lounge chair, under an umbrella, with a rum punch in your hand. Well, this may disappoint you, but this may not be the reality on your vacation to Caye Caulker.

Are there beaches on Caye Caulker? 

For those who don't know, Caye Caulker it an island roughly 45 minutes off the coast of Belize. It is technically two islands (North & South) that were split down the middle by a Hurricane Haiti in 1961. The South Island is where the village and people who vacation typically go. The Island itself is only 5 miles long and 1 mile long.

Due to this size, there are not many "beaches" as we know and love. 

Where do I swim then? 

I do not want you to fear! The water around Caye Caulker is beautiful, and there are still great spots to swim at while you are there. For example, the "Split" is the most common place. This is the section where the North and South islands split, and it has a bar there named the Lazy Lizard. This is where everyone goes to party and swim during the day. The water around the split has a current, but you can definitely get your clear water fix here! 

There is another small spot right next to the Split. Named "Sip & Dip". It is very close to the Split but a little bit more intimate. There is a dock that overlooks the water, and the drinks are a lot cheaper than the split. 

If you have little ones, I would recommend "Sip & Dip" for its family friendly assets.  You will find a beach playground with slides that go into the water and picnic tables for eating. 

If you want a quieter and more relaxing experience, there is one other spot that I would unquestionably recommend on the West side of the island. The "West Side" is the calmer side of Caye Caulker. There is a beach right off backstreet about 100 yards down from the Split. It is right in front of the Sea Dreams Hotel.  You can get our map and see this little gem there.

There is one last place that I would recommend on the East side of the island. It is more south than the rest of the options, so if you are very south of the Split, you don't have to walk as much. This spot is right next door to Godfrey's bar and grill. And while you are hanging out you should try one of his "Blue Hole" drinks! My husband and father had this drink recently and let me say it is an experience! 

The village council (the group that governs the island) started a beach reclamation project a few years ago.  This did add some great areas to hang out on a beach and enjoy the sun and surf.  All of these are on the east side of the island, and a couple are very close to Go slow Apartment.  

Do I miss "the beach" when I visit? 

Most people ask me this when I explain what Caye Caulker is like. I have to say; I am someone who finds the beauty in the water and the calmness of it much more important than sitting on a beach. 

Plus, the great thing about Caye Caulker is that there is always a bar within a stone throw distance; therefore, if you want to dry off and enjoy a drink, you just pop in with nothing but a swimsuit on! 

No shoes, no shirt, no problem! 

Let's Finish This Up!

So, to sum this up, no, there are few if any, true "beaches" on Caye Caulker as you would think of them in Florida or Dominican Republic.

However, there are some great spots to swim and drink the day away. Some of these spots being: The Split, by Godfrey's, Sip and Dip and near Go Slow Apartment.

If you want more of a party scene, I would recommend The Split; however, if you are more into a family environment, then I would hit up Sip n Dip or the area by Godfrey's.   If you want to stay with Go Slow Apartment then the beach is just about 100 feet away.

And finally no worries, where ever you choose to swim, a drink is only a short walk away!
 

Visiting the Mayan Ruins in Belize

You may be wondering if visiting the Mayan Ruins is something worthwhile if visiting Belize. I am here to tell you that you are missing out if you do not. When my husband and I visited Belize last spring, we went to see the ruins at Lamanai. This was a recommendation by our dear friend Luciana on Caye Caulker. 

Why did we visit Lamanai? 

Luciana is a friend on Caye Caulker who rents a couple of apartments on Back Street. This ruin and the journey to get there was the most beautiful in her opinion. I can attest to that. Once we got to the site all became well worth it. The site had multiple Mayan sites with a tour guide that gave us the historical aspect of each one. Now before you book this tour, be aware that it is an all day event. 

How did we get there? 

Now, this is the part that may very well put you off. To get to these ruins, we had quite a journey. Before I tell you about it, you should know that getting to any ruins from Caye Caulker is going to be a trip. Most of the ruins are far from the beach. This one, in particular, is very far. 

First, we took the 7:30 am water taxi from Caye Caulker to Belize City. We were met there by a guide who drove us to the Belize New River. This ride was probably the least interesting part of our trip. This ride was about an hour and a half one way. 

Our next step was a boat ride along the river for roughly another hour and a half. This part of the trip (while long), was beautiful. There was tons of greenery and wildlife to see, including a female alligator and her babies.  Our driver was very professional and answered any questions we had along the way about Mayan culture and the sites we saw. Furthermore, there are many Mennonite communities along the river that were interesting to see. Quite a journey, but one that was well worth it. 

Was the journey worth it? 

Yes, yes and yes! The trip to the site may have been long, but if you are someone who enjoys adventure, it is well worth it. The river was beautiful, and the ruins were amazing. We saw various Mayan Temples and what history thinks is a residence for a ruler in that area. We were also able to climb atop one of the temples that not only gave you a beautiful view of the landscape around but is something that you could not do back in the States or Canada. 

Along the trail of the ruins, there was wildlife, including monkeys and many different types of birds. After we had explored the ruins, our guides cooked us a homemade Mayan meal of beans, rice, and chicken. They also had fresh fruit, juice, and water served. It was one of the best meals we had on our trip. 

Any negatives? 

When my husband and I went to the ruins, we went with my Mom and Dad. You may be wondering if kids are an option to bring. I would have to say it is not impossible, but probably not the best choice. This trip becomes quite a long day with a long car ride, boat ride and walking involved. 

If your kids are older, then I think you are fine, but for the little ones, it may be too much. 

The boat ride may also be a point of concern. I have mentioned before that my sister gets motion sickness. This boat ride would have been awful for her, and there are Mayan Ruin options that are accessible by land and not water. 

What should I pack?

Although we packed many items, there were more than a few items that we wished we had brought with, so I want to encourage you to not forget these.  

Water

Although drinks are included at lunch we took our water for the ride, and it was a great decision.  

I am a big fan of using reusable containers like the Klean Kanteen.  

Simply put, when you live on an island the environment stops being a distant concept and becomes plastic on the beach.  

With that in mind I highly recommend buying one of these bottles.  They will keep your drink icy cold all day during your travel to the ruins.

Klean Kanteen Wide Mouth Bottle with Stainless Loop Cap Buy on Amazon

Sunblock

  You do not want to take this boat ride without sunblock.  Bring plenty and apply it often.

We learned on our boat ride that there was no cover.  This quickly turns into an endurance test without a couple of items to protect your skin from turning a dark red.

So avoid being called "Lobster Man" for the rest of your vacation and make sure you order a sunblock lotion that is sport active (so you don't sweat it off) and SPF 50 or better.

NO-AD Sport Active Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 16 oz Buy on Amazon

Hat

  Ok, let me start by saying I believe that a great hat is probably the most important travel tool you can buy.  Lets just review a few of the basic needs it solves.

Keep the rain off.  I am amazed how much walking, riding and working in the rain is tolerable when you have a hat on to keep the water out of your eyes.

Keep the sun of your face, head and neck.  I love my Tilley hat because its wide brim does a great job of keeping the sun from frying my neck, forehead and ears.

Tilley Endurables LTM6 Airflo Hat,Khaki/Olive,7.375 Buy on Amazon

Insect Spray

  We use an essential oil that is produced on the island.  You can find the lady who produces it on our map.  It is safer and more effective than the Deet stuff you buy.  As a bonus, it also has natural sunblock properties.

I prefer to use the spray version of this because it works well with the sunblock lotion I mentioned above.  

There are also a couple of other products out there that combine sunblock and insect repellent but frankly we have not had much success with them so I don't feel comfortable recommending them.

I also want to point out that we usually use a natural oil that can be bought on the island for insect repellent.  You can find the location for the oil on our map.  

There are a couple of reasons we prefer the oil over commercial products.

It is all natural.  I am not a natural nut but Deet for prolonged uses does scare me a bit.

It works well with No See Ums.  Frankly, Deet does nothing for these little blood suckers so we only use commercial repellents when we know the primary attack will be mosquitoes.  

Last, the natural oil lasts longer.  You put it on in the morning and reapply it a couple of times a day.

Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Natural Insect Repellent, 4-Ounce Pump Spray Buy on Amazon

Hiking Shoes

You will be walking so take shoes that will be comfortable.

During most of our lives on Caye Caulker we wear flipflops. 

On this trip I used my Merrell Hiking Shoes and man was I glad I had them.

The rocks on the trails as we walked around the ruins would have given me blisters and a twisted ankle or two if I had stuck with my reliable sandals.

Merrell Men's Moab Ventilator Hiking Shoe,Walnut,11 M US Buy on Amazon

A Buff

Let me start by saying that while in a tropical environment I use one of my Buffs (I have three) every day.

When snorkeling I put it on my head to keep the top of my head from getting burned.

When boating I put it around my neck and up over my nose to protect that area.  I learned this trick from some of the local ferry captains.  They use these things daily.

Buff Original Headband, Earl Grey Buy on Amazon

What about cost? 

For this excursion, we paid roughly 75$ US per person (not including the water taxi). Let's break this down for you in what is included: 

1.5-hour drive to the river (and return trip). 
A 1.5-hour boat ride along the river with a guide (and return trip).
1-hour long exploration of the ruins with guided tour who talked about Mayan history and present day culture.
Homemade lunch and drinks included. 

All in all, this is not a bad price for all that you get on this excursion. 

Other Mayan Ruin options? 

If you are not interested in such a long excursion, there are other options: 

Altun Ha, which is just 30 miles north of Belize and the easiest site to get to, it completely accessible by land. 
Caracol and Cahal Pech, both located near San Ignacio are also land accessible. 
Cerros is also a great option that is located right off the coast of Belize and easier to reach. 

I will note though that Lamanai is the Belize favorite and noted to be the most beautiful site. 

Time to finish!

So, all in all, the Mayan Ruins are something worth seeing while in Belize. When we went, we saw Lanai, and it was beautiful. It is a full day trip though so don’t make any other plans! 

There is so much to see there, and drinks and lunch are included for just 75$ US. However, I realize that some of you may want to not spend a full day, or have children and want to see the Mayan ruins without ruining their day. Altun Ha is a great option that is completely accessible by land and is just 30 miles north of Belize City.

And finally yes, that is me and my husband picking the nose of the Mayan Ruin above!

Bugs In Belize

I Hate Bugs!

Have you ever had a mosquito bite that you scratch and scratch with no relief? I don't know about you guys but I have! Like every tropical environment, Caye Caulker has a "bug season". But have no fear! I am here to tell you how to combat that!

When is the Bug Season?

Bug season in Caye Caulker goes from September to the end of October. This is also known as the "slow season". During this time the mosquitos come out more than just at dawn and dusk.

The rest of the year you can find mosquitos and sand fleas, but usually during the evening.  

What do the locals do to help tourists?

While this is the "slow season" of Caye Caulker, the locals still do what they can to protect everyone from bugs. Most restaurants have smoke machines that they turn on at dusk and there is a smoke truck that drives through the main streets multiple times a week.

You can ask any restaurant to light a “fish coil” for you and that will keep those nasty critters away.

How can I protect myself?

My husband Clint and I stayed on Caye Caulker in October of 2014. The minute we got off of the Tropical Airplane, we were each bitten by tons of mosquitos. Both of us had been on the island before and were shocked. My husband, seemingly having the sweetest blood known to man continued to complain of mosquitos for roughly 2 hours before I couldn't deal with it anymore.

We immediately went into town and asked a local what bug spray they recommended. Shocked or not, they handed us the Off Bug Spray brand. After one application, both of us had immediate relief.

Many locals use the natural oil that is made on the island.  You can get this at Red Flower Gallery.  The owner is a chemical engineer and has put this natural oil recipe together and it works great.  If you want to find your way there just check out our online map!

Lets Wrap This Up!

So, Caye Caulker (while beautiful) has a bug season. Usually, September through October is the peak season. Fear not, though, cause there are things you can do to combat this. Definitely bring bug spray and apply generously. Also, know that the locals on the island will help out as much as they can.  No reason to fear your vacation being bad because of a few mosquitos!

How To Grill Lobster On Caye Caulker

One of the delicious things about staying here on Caye Caulker Belize is enjoying some of the amazing (and affordable) seafood that is caught just a couple hundred feet from our front door.  

Here at our apartments, we have an amazing grill designed to easily cook enough lobsters to feed a small army and more than once we have done just that.

On any given weekend during season, you might find Basilio at the grill working on his favorite seafood while Rosie is in the kitchen preparing rice and beans with homemade cole slaw.  If this sounds like the way you want to enjoy a dinner during your stay on Caye Caulker, let me walk you through the steps.

Grilling on Caye Caulker

Not all places you choose to stay will have a grill.  Although there are some great restaurants on the island that grill up seafood and chickens, we highly recommend you stay somewhere that has a grill for you to use.  This will really help you save money and give you a great chance to test out some of your grilling chops.

Try to pick a place that has a locally produced grill.  These grills are made from propane and oxygen tank and not only help recycle something but also are a unique island experience to use.

Finding Lobster on Caye Caulker

Lobster season in Belize runs from June to February.  During that time of year you can find fresh lobster at almost every restaurant and buy lobster from the Co-Op on the back of the island (see our map here).  If you are here outside of lobster season you can get fresh fish and conch at all the restaurants and the Co-Op also.

The best way to make sure there is lobster for the night you need is to put in a request a day before you plan on grilling.  Just head down to the Co-Op during the afternoon (after 3:00 pm) and talk to the fishermen that make their living from the sea.  You will find them all wonderful to chat with and also it is a great way to make a connection that may sometime in the future take you out to catch your own.  

A typical whole lobster (over four pounds) will cost you about $10-$15 dollars at the Co-Op.  If you need help getting the best deal just ask us and we will be happy to help.

Get all the Fixings

Now that you have secured your lobster you will need the side dishes and ingredients to make a great meal.  

For fresh vegetables and fruits, we recommend the fruit stand on Front Street.  This stand can be found right across the street from the basketball court (see our map).  

While there grab lime, cabbage, carrots and don’t forget fresh squeezed juice.  This will give you all the vegetables you need to make your coleslaw that should be served with your lobster.  

This is also a great place to grab some zucchini and squash to grill up with the lobster.

Next, you're off to the grocery store on Back street.  While there grab some mayonnaise for the coleslaw, fresh garlic, butter, All Seasoning and charcoal.

Time to Grill

Split the lobster in half.  And clean with water and lime.

Season the lobster with All Seasoning and put it on the grill a hot grill till it turns a red color.

Coat with garlic butter (which is made by combining the butter and garlic you got at the store), and serve.

Let’s Sum This Up!

Fresh grilled lobster is plentiful, cheap and wonderful here on the island.  If you stay with us there is a grill here just waiting for you to use.  If you have any questions please feel free to leave a comment below.

Snorkeling in Belize

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Why should I snorkel in Belize?

Did you know that Belize has the second largest living barrier reef in the world (second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia)? Have you ever wanted to swim with nurse sharks? Sea turtles? Lobsters? Of course you do. Who wouldn’t want to see the natural beauty of the reef and the millions of fish that live around it. I myself have been snorkeling on the reef a half a dozen times and still see new life every time. 

What company should I use to snorkel the reef?

If you are thinking of snorkeling in Belize, the best guide is Carlos who owns Carlos Tours on the island of Caye Caulker. 

Carlos tours has been around for over 15 years. He is a free diver who takes his tour groups to three places: Hol Chan, Shark/Ray Alley, and the Coral Gardens. Two our of three spots he gets in the water and does a guided tour with the group and educates them on the wildlife down below. I have been out with sea turtles, manatee, nurse sharks, sting-rays, eels and more fish than I can count (or name).   Luckily for me, Carlos can name them all, and find them all for you to enjoy.

How to reserve a snorkel trip with Carlos?

Many people try to schedule a snorkel trip from their couch.  This is really a bad idea.  Frankly, weather, sea conditions and wind can really screw up the best-laid plans of mice and men here in Belize.  I recommend you wait to reserve your time until you're on the island.  

Signing up for a trip is very “old school” but also extremely easy.  Stop by Carlos Tours on Front street (check out our map) and you will find a signup form on the front door of the office.  You simply sign up for the day you want to snorkel and you are good to go.

When should I schedule my snorkel trip with Carlos?

I know you will be surprised but I have an opinion on this also.  Schedule your trip out on the reef early during your vacation stay.  There are a couple of reasons I recommend this.

If any natural problems require a snorkel trip to be canceled you will have time to reschedule for later during your vacation.
More guests than I can count have decided to go out on another trip with Carlos after the first.  He is simply that good!
What Next?

After you sign up, just meet at Carlos’s place at 10 the morning of (grab breakfast before), and you will be given your snorkel mask, breathing tube and fins.   No need to pack any of that stuff!

Then away on Carlos’s boat to the reef!  Depending on which tour you sign up for you will be on his catamaran sailing boat or his dive boat.  Both of these vessels are in perfect condition and stocked with everything you will need including safety equipment you probably won't need.

First stop is Hol Chan where you will be guided by Carlos to see the beautiful marine life.   Here we often see turtles, manatees and stingrays.

Next is Shark/Ray Alley where you swim with nurse sharks and stingrays. There is even an opportunity to get up close and personal with the sharks and stingrays as Carlos often picks one up for each person to see and touch.  Nothing better than getting a selfie with a shark!

 After the first two stops, it is on to San Pedro (another island just north of Caye Caulker) where you are given 1-1.5 hours for lunch (on your own).  This is a great opportunity to see what the “bigger” island is like.  

After lunch, we are off to the last stop. This spot is self-guided due to the fact that Carlos will be busy cutting up fresh fruit, juice and rum for those who wish to partake. Typically this tour ends and you are back safely on Caye Caulker between 4 and 4:30 pm. 

So how much does all this cost?

Now here is the real ringer: this is all included for $65.00 American ($110 BZ) per person!  For an additional $10 the crew will take amazing photos and burn you a CD or put them on your own thumb drive.  Yep, that is right, the selfie with the shark does not require you to hold the camera.

How big of a group will I be with?

Most of the trips I have been out on have been smaller than 10 people.  If you have a large group that you want to take out just sign-up with all the names and Carlos will use the catamaran that will accommodate large groups and families.

Is this a kid friendly activity?

My niece (4 years old) and nephew (2 years old) have already been out snorkeling with Carlos multiple times and loved it!  If you want to visit with Carlos just go by his shop around 4:30 pm and he is there most days.

I am nervous in the water or not a strong swimmer.

If you have concerns about your swimming skills or you are nervous in the water then I would not go with ANYONE except Carlos.  The group is always small, he has at least two staff on each boat and he will provide you with a flotation device to make your swimming easy.  He is the best shop for helping people who need extra attention.

Let's sum this up!

Going to Caye Caulker (or Belize) and not snorkeling should be a sin. If you have a desire to do it, Carlos is your guy. Beyond his comfort and knowledge of Marine life, he takes wonderful pictures that will help you remember the beauty that is the Barrier Reef. 

Safety On Caye Caulker

Recently we had a guest of ours burglarized, and they lost many things including their passport.  Although this was a terrible incident, I felt an obligation to discuss this on our blog and do my best to help future guests to avoid a similar situation.

The popular type of crimes in Belize changes based on where you visit.  In Belize City, you will hear and read about a shooting once a month but here on Caye Caulker that type of crime is so rare that you will never hear about such a situation.

The crimes here on the island are much more "crimes of opportunity" and with the number of visitors that come to this little piece of paradise, there are opportunities.  

Try to remember that a local here in Belize averages $400 per month.  With incomes like that, it is not surprising crimes of opportunity occurs.

So let me go over the crimes we see the most here on Caye Caulker

Bicycle's Stolen

The best form of transportation on Caye Caulker is the bicycle.  Everyone in our family has a bike here on the island, and we supply a bike to each guest that stay with us.  

Bikes are so popular because a 10-minute ride can get you anywhere on the island you want to go.  Although many people use a golf cart, we have found (for many reasons) that there is no purpose to own one and many reasons to own a bike.  

Since we moved here (a year ago) we have had three bikes stolen.  These have been a mixture of our own and guests.  All bikes that were taken were left unlocked, hence the opportunity.

There have also been many bikes stolen from restaurants and bars on the island.  Again in every occurrence the bikes were left unlocked.  

Do you see a pattern?

We tell all of our guests a simple rule we live by...

If your but is not on the bike, then it should be locked.

Door Checks

There has been a rash of door checks on the island over the last few months.  The bad guy comes up to a house/hotel/restaurant and checks all the doors.  If they find, one of the doors unlocked they slip in and take anything handy.

These thieves are looking for cash, but they often end up grabbing passports and credit cards also.  Sometimes the identification can be recovered (the bad guys really can't do much with those) but often it ends up in a trash can somewhere on the island.

Again, we tell all of our guests that all doors should be locked if they are in bed or if they are out.  We also have some general rules we suggest.

Never give your key to anyone - We've had guests give their key's to non-guests before and next thing you know stuff is missing.  

Lock your ID and passports up in the safe we provide in the rooms - Once you are on the island, you would only need an ID or passport if you wanted to rent a golf cart.  

Keep your jewelry in the safe - Staying low-key is always a good idea when you travel and here is no exception.

Don't flash too much cash - We have never heard of anyone being mugged on the island (it just isn't that kind of place) but why run the risk?  Carry with you a $100 in Belize cash and leave the rest back in your room's safe.

The last thing we suggest is to use common sense.  I know it is easy to forget (when you visit paradise) that there are bad guys but try to remember that those people are everywhere.  

Sick On Caye Caulker

Even when you live (or visit) paradise you can end up catching a sickness or stub a toe.  Traveling on a plane puts a person in a closed environment with perhaps more possible illness than a doctor waiting room.  

My wife (Sherry) and I went to the states in April (for a week) and came back with a nasty bug.  I managed to kick mine but for some reason, she just couldn't seem to get past the upper respiratory infection.  This gave us a great opportunity to experience the medical system here on Caye Caulker, and I thought you might also find it interesting.

After coughing and hacking for a few days, my wife went to the local doctor here on the island (Dr. Sansorez).  Dr. Sansorez has been on the island for years.  He is a doctor who went to medical school in Cuba and had set up his practice on our small island.  

The visit to the doctor took about an hour with no wait.  Dr. Sansorez will spend as much time with you as you like.  The doctors English skill is amazing.  It would not be fair to say he has no accent, but it is so minor that anyone could easily communicate with him.

During the visit, the doctor did a full physical, determined that my wife was suffering from bronchitis and recommended the following treatment (all of which we did).

1. Go to Belize City (we did so the next day) and get a chest x-ray to confirm the bronchitis diagnosis.  
2. He gave my wife two injections.  One was an antibiotic and the other steroid.  The shots were both options; he was willing to write a prescription for the medication to be taken orally but the injection is a much faster solution.
3. He also gave my wife three different prescriptions.   These were additional antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and a cough expectorant.  

After the appointment, Sherry went to the pharmacy on the island to fill her prescriptions while I called the hospital and made her appointment for the next morning.  Both of us were successful in just a few minutes.  

The next morning my wife and I got on the water taxi to Belize City.  We were met there by our preferred taxi driver (Charles) and off we went to the private hospital to get the chest x-ray.

Our appointment was scheduled for 10:30 am and we arrived at the hospital at 10:15 am.  When we checked in the nice person behind the counter asked Sherry a couple of questions and then charged us for the x-rays.  

Now, let me pause here for a moment and respond to the question you have running around in your mind at this point.  

"How much is all this stuff costing?"

Well, fear not, at the end of this story I will be sharing with you the cost of every item in our adventure and the total.

Back to our story!

At 10:30 am, on the nose, we were taken back for the three x-rays.  I was allowed to go with my wife and stand behind the screen with the technician.  The entire procedure took 15 minutes and after we were directed to wait back in the reception area while the technician developed the film and the hospital doctor reviewed them.

After a ten minute wait out came our package carried by the friendly technician that took the pictures.  Inside were the three x-rays and the diagnosis by the hospital doctor.  We have a winner, bronchitis.  

While in Belize City, we decided to do a little shopping (the injections were making Sherry feel much better) and eat lunch at our favorite Chinese restaurant.  After our stops, Charles took us back to the water taxi to ride back to our island.

We got back on the island too late to get the film to Dr. Sansorez (it was a Saturday), so we were pausing on our medical adventure for a couple of days.

Monday morning Sherry went to the doctors office to drop off the pictures.  

He reviewed them and was happy to see he was correct.  Sherry was there about 30 minutes while he reminded her how to take the medication he had prescribed.

As I write this, my wife is doing much better.  The coughing has subsided, and her energy is returning.  So, let's go over the cost.

All of the following charges came out of our pockets because we do not have medical insurance down here.  Also, we went to the private hospital in Belize City, so that increased the cost substantially, and remember that all the following are in US dollars (we did the conversion for you).

• Initial doctor appointment (including the injections): $75
• Filling all four prescriptions here on the island: $22
• Water Taxi round trip to Belize City: $12 per person
• Taxi (Charles) driving us around Belize City half a day: $30
• X-rays: $25
• Follow up appointment with doctor: Free
• Total out of pocket for this adventure (without any insurance): $176

I think this is a really good example of how the medical system works here in Belize and perhaps a contrast, showing how screwed up the medical system in the USA is.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask them in the comments below. 

Caye Caulker Seven-Day Itinerary

Recently we got a letter from some folks coming to the island this summer.  They are planning on being on the island for seven days and asked for my advice for things to do.  I started a reply back and realized it was a great story to share with everyone so I decided to share it with everyone.  

This itinerary is designed to let a group (or couple) alternate between busy days and down days to relax.  You could always add stuff on those down days but remember the sun down here can really burn you and wear you out so I would suggest considering my suggestions before making many changes.

As you review these suggestions keep in mind that music happens on the Caye Caulker every night so try to take advantage of that.

Day 1:

It is hard to get on the island before 2:00 pm, especially if you are going to take a water taxi. For that reason alone I would not try to plan any type of serious activity for this day.  There are a couple of things that I would get taken care of on day one.

After you check in I would suggest you rent a bike for your week (if your hotel doesn't supply you one for free and many do). Bike is the best way to get around on the island on a daily basis.  You can rent a bike for about $10 a day which also makes this form of transportation very affordable.

Please remember to lock your bikes any time you're not riding them.  Bike's are the number one item stolen on the island and always because the bike was left unlocked.

Day 2:

  This is the day I would explore the island and get in the water.  I would highly recommend taking Peter's island tour.  Peter is a local taxi driver that is just wonderful.  His father is a Mayan Shaman, and Peter knows everything about everything.  The tour lasts an hour and during the trip, he can give you some pointers on things to do and people to use.  The trip costs $10 per person, and I think it is the best way to get an overview of our little place.

During Peter's tour, there will be a few things you will find to do including a great place on the lee side to swim.  I would suggest getting in the ocean but be careful to keep the sunblock on so you don't start your trip with a sunburn that hurts for days.

Today is also a great day also to spend some time at the split and have a few drinks.  The kids will love the split, especially the teenagers who will find a crowd of backpackers hanging out there to visit with.

While your on Peter's tour I would set up a snorkel trip. Peter can help you do that and get the "local" price at the same time.  I would snorkel the reef on day 3 if you can because after doing it once you might realize (like we did) that once is not enough and want to do it again before you leave.

If you feel up for it (and your budget allows), I would eat at Habaneros on Sunday night.  Habaneros has a very eclectic menu (not Mexican food like the name implies) and includes seafood.  They are the most expensive place to eat on the island (probably $25 per person for a good meal).  On Sunday night an amazing Cuban guitarist (Amaurys) plays starting at 7:00 and it makes for a great way to end the perfect day.

Day 3:

This is the day I would do the snorkel trip.  You will start around 9:30 am and will go till about 4:30.  You will stop at three or four locations and see stuff like sea turtles, stingrays, sharks, eels and so much more.  On one of the stops, you will swim with sharks and rays and it will be an experience your kids will talk about forever (so will you).

Don't forget to take sun block with you and I suggest an extra shirt each that you can swim in just in case your back needs a break from the sun later in the day.

During the trip, you will also stop for lunch at San Pedro.  This will give you a little feel of the island and help you decide if you want to invest one of your days hanging out there.  

After you get back, I would go to dinner at Rainbow Grill.  It is right on the water (on Front Street), great breeze and mid-range prices.  I usually get whatever their special is for the day (I have never been disappointed).

Day 4:

Depending on energy level (and the amount of sun you have gotten) you might want to take it easy today.  This may be a good day to travel around the island on your bikes and take pictures. If you decide to do this stop by our place (by the airport) and say hello during your travels.

For lunch, I would eat at one of the beach vendors.  They are all amazing although we love Otis if he is cooking.

At the end of the day, I would go out on the sunset inner tube tour.  "Anda wata" does this tour.  It is about 90 minutes where they pull you around the island as you lounge in inner tubes and drink rum cocktails.  Take a waterproof camera if you have one (if not stop by our place and borrow ours to take with).

Day 5:

This is the perfect day to do a mainland tour.  I would suggest a Mayan ruin, Zipline and/or Cave Tubing tour.  We have used Randy Jones with Ras Tours and just had a blast.  You can reach him via email randy@rastoursbelize.com  Chat with him and he can put together any kind of tour for you.  

Getting to the tour and back will all happen via the Water Taxi which is an adventure all itself.

Day 6:

I like leaving this day open to experience something you never expected.  For me it is a second day to snorkel on the reef.  For you it might be the perfect day to visit Ambergris Caye and check out San Pedro.  If you decide to do this then I suggest renting a golf cart on that island for a few hours.  It is way to big to explore on foot or bike.

Another possibility is to rent a Kayak and explore the island from the water around it.  Kayaks are very affordable and are great to use.

Day 7:

Your last day and there are a few things you need to do.

Get up early and take some great pictures using the morning light.  Our island is amazing in first thing in the morning and a great way to take some pics.

Remember to return your bikes so you don't have an unexpected charge waiting for you when you get home.

10 Reason To Live On Caye Caulker

Why do we live here on Caye Caulker?

My family and I meet many people here on the island and the conversation starts the same way usually.

Us:  Where are you all from?

Them: Toronto (or some other wonderful place in the world).

Us:  How long are you here for?

Them: One week (or some other very short time).

Us:  Well you should try this, or go there or enjoy that while you're here.

Them: Thanks, where are you from?

Us: We live here on Caye Caulker.

Them:  What?  How?!?!?

We then start a conversation about how we got here and when but really deep down they want to know why we choose to live here.  I got us all together tonight and asked everyone to chime in on a reason to live here on Caye Caulker, in Belize.

1: Small Town Feel!  When I was a kid my family and I knew all of our neighbors and they knew us.  We looked out for each other, rarely with judgment.  As I have grown to adulthood that community desire has really changed and often today a person doesn't even know the name of their neighbors.    For some people that ns a choice but for us, we wanted to live in a place where everyone looked out after each other and here on Caye Caulker that is the norm.

2:  Variety Of People!  I know this sounds contradictive to my first point but here on Caye Caulker it is very true.  We are a tourist location here and that means there is a constant flow of new and exciting people coming to our island.  We have met amazing and friendly people from just about every country on the planet.  Want to meet an Italian, Canadian, German, Australian, Russian and/or Rastafarian? Just walk down Front street!

3:  No McDonalds!  This is my wife's favorite reason.  The food here isn't all good for you but none of it is processed to oblivion.  Eating healthy has never been so easy because of the variety of fresh food that is available here on the island.

4:  No Cars (or very few)!  We don't own a car here on the island.  Many folks own a golf cart but frankly, as many just own bikes (we are part of the later).  If you ride a bike every day to the village and back multiple times you will by default become healthier.  Don't even get me started on the cost savings of having no automobile.

5:  Vitamin D!  It is rare we don't see (and enjoy) the sun.  We do have rain here but it is rare that we have a storm go more than a couple of days.  Truth be told, it usually rains at night and we get to enjoy the sunshine during the day.

6:  Fresh Seafood!  There is a fishing co-op here on the island and a fresh catch comes in every day.  We get to enjoy lobster, conch, snapper and lionfish that were caught the very day.  This also makes the seafood very affordable, but that is for another discussion.

7:  Streets Belong To Pedestrians:  When you stay here for very long you realize that although there are some vehicles on this island the streets primarily are designed for pedestrians and bikes.   In any place in the " States" you hear of people being hurt or killed in auto accidents every day.  Here if two bikes run into each other it is a funny story, not a tragic one.

8:  Artist Concentration:  I know that in almost any place in the world you can find artists in the community, but here on Caye Caulker there is an unfair concentration.  For such a small island I am always amazed at the music.  I can go listen to live music almost every night somewhere on this island.  If you walk down Front Street you will see an artist producing and selling their wares every 50 feet.

9:  Diversity!  My friends here on the island run the ethnic gambit.  Every color and creed you can imagine and on a daily basis I forget to notice that an individual is not the same color as me.  My granddaughter's best friend is Philip.  He is a little Mayan boy who has grown up on the island.  Tonight I asked her to describe Philip and his family and nowhere in the conversation did the color of their skin enter her description.  My granddaughter is growing up color blind, how cool is that?

10:  Random Acts Of Conversation!  The island has an amazing power to let you talk to any stranger.  Sitting at a restaurant or just walking down the street we are often stopped and asked if we are from Kansas City (because we wear our Royals gear in the summer and Chiefs stuff during the winter).   The small vacation setting makes it easy to start that conversation and that tends to lead to amazing friendships.

Bonus Reason:  The Reef!  We live in eyesight of the second largest barrier reef in the world.  It is literally our back yard and we get to enjoy it.  When I snorkel the reef here is is almost a religious experience.  I quickly realize that this earth is special and we must take care of it.

Well, those are some of the reasons we live here and would recommend it to many.  Ever want to talk about it?  Come by our place and we can enjoy a beer, watch a sunset and experience the reasons to live here!

Coffee on Caye Caulker

Coffee in Belize can be a real dice roll.  There is a couple of reasons why coffee can be great or awful here on our little island and those reasons are elevation and politics.  

Let's start with the easy one to understand, elevation:

The elevation that a coffee bean is grown at really affects how the brew will taste.  A simple overview is as follows:

• below 2,500 feet will be soft, mild, simple, and bland
• around 3,000 feet will be sweet and smooth
• around 4,000 feet may have citrus, vanilla, chocolate, or nutty notes
• above 5,000 feet might be spicy, floral, or fruity

At the end of the day if you can grow coffee above 4,000 feet it will taste more complex and rich than coffee made below that level.  I know what you're thinking now; Why?

Well it turns out coffee like wine and humans is affected by the old saying "whatever doesn't kill us will make us stronger", or in this case better.

When coffee beans are grown at elevation the cooler temperature slows down the maturation of the berry and this "stress" helps the coffee develop some amazing taste.  

With all this said you must remember that the highest point in Belize is Doyle's Delight which is only 3,668 feet tall.  As you see in the picture the mountain is very sparse and not many coffee beans are grown there.

So the effect of Belize coffee is many people feel it is weak and bland.  We tend to agree.  Arguably the best place in the immediate area to get coffee grown at elevation is Guatemala.  This leads into our next issue with coffee in Belize.

Politics:

In a nutshell Guatemala has considered Belize part of their country since the 1700's and lets just say Belize does not agree.  This conflict has meant trade between the countries is not as smooth as it could be.  

So...... Coffee from Guatemala is hard to find in Belize and even harder to find here on Caye Caulker.

Now to the important section of our little tour, where to find great coffee on Caye Caulker!

First is my house.  We order coffee from Guatemala and have it flown in by the case.  I know this sounds nuts but it isn't as bad in price as you might think.  Coffee this way costs less than $12 per pound and flying a case in costs us about $10 total.  

Second is Ice and Beans.  This little store on Front Street (see our map) gets it coffee from the same place we do and sells amazing drinks including espresso and latte's.  

So, if you're coming to our island consider Ice and Beans or stopping by our place and enjoying a cup of coffee on our roof.