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.

Music By The Night On Caye Caulker

One of the joys of our island is the music that seems be happening every night.  If you are coming on a vacation it is worth planning some of our trip around seeing some of these artists playing.  I thought I might go day by day and just give you some of the stuff you can catch.

I have given my personal choice for each day and then also mentioned other artists playing that you might want to check out.

Monday:

On Monday nights, you want to head down to Oasi Wine Bar and enjoy the acoustic guitar of Tommy.  His music spans from Neil Young to Michael Jackson (yes I know but it works for this guy).  The music starts at about 7:00 pm and it goes to about 9:30 pm.  Oasi is a great place to enjoy a drink and a snack (their bruschetta is amazing) but if you want a full meal you might want to eat early and head to the show.

Also performing on Monday nights:

Luis Amaurys plays at Habaneros.

Tuesday:

On Tuesday night Valentino plays by himself at the Sports Bar.  The show starts at 6:00 pm and goes till 9'ish.  This guitar/vocalist is a local boy who has amazing talent.  A nice way to spend a Saturday evening. 

Also performing on Tuesday nights:

Loubob plays at Habaneros.

Greg Lindland plays at Il Pellicano's

Wednesday:

On Wednesday night Luis Amaurys plays his guitar at Oasi.  Amaurys is a Cuban artist that not only plays the guitar but also builds them.  His show starts at 7:30 pm and goes till about 9:30 pm.  You will usually find a number of the local neighbors (like my wife and I) at the show enjoying a glass of wine and visiting with Lucianna (the owner of Oasi) and Michael (Lucianna's husband).  

Also performing on Wednesday nights:

Loubob plays at Habaneros.

Thursday:

On Thursday night (Starting around 7:00 pm) Greg Lindland plays and sings at Southside Pizza on the island.  This guys voice is a cross between James Taylor and Neil Young.  You can expect smooth, classic rock and roll when this guy is playing and it goes great with the amazing pizza at Southside.

Also performing on Thursday nights:

Friday:

Everybody who is anybody comes to the "Jam" on Friday.  It is unfair to say Friday night because the show starts at 4:00 pm and goes till 7:00.  There is a core band that makes up the jam but everyone is invited to contribute to the show.  We have seen everything from flutes to cellos playing on Friday night and all of them make the show unique.  This is also a great place to come meet the folks that have decided to make this island their home (like us).

Also performing on Friday nights:

Pablo plays at Oasi

Greg Lindland plays at Il Pellicano's

Saturday:

Saturday nights belongs to Tommy and Habaneros.  Let me just say that I think Habaneros is one of the best restaurants on our island and Tommy is one of the best entertainers.  When you put them together on a Saturday night you have a winning combination.  If you're on the island on a Saturday night plan on a great meal and a great show around 7:00 pm, but please make reservations.    

Reggae Band plays at Southside Pizza

Also performing on Saturday nights:

Valentino plays at Sip and Dip

Sunday:

On Sunday afternoon (between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm) Barry and the islanders play at the Lazy Lizard.  These guys play a mixture of reggae and rap.  Not a bad place to spend a Sunday afternoon while you enjoy a beer.

Also performing on Sunday nights:

Greg Lindland plays at Il Pellicano's

Easter In Belize

Easter in the States tends to be a quiet holiday spent with family, focused on kids and involves eating ham.  Let me start by stating this is not your American Easter here in Belize.

In Belize Easter has many faces and all wrap up to a true experience.  Let me give you a Gringo's feel for the Easter holiday here on Caye Caulker and perhaps a recommendation or two if you are planning on visiting Belize during this time of year in the future.

It Is A Religious Holiday!?

Well, at least, Good Friday is.  There is no alcohol sold on Good Friday and the day tends to be very quiet.  For those of us that have been here in previous years, we know this is a calm before a huge damn storm.  Most of the locals get a holiday on Good Friday, and it is very normal for them to spend the time with their families.  

You will find Good Friday also is a day of rest for many restaurant owners.  Some of the best restaurants on the island (Habaneros, Coconut Reef and Caribbean Colors to name a few) close on Friday and remain closed throughout the weekend (to avoid what many feel is chaos).

Like every good Catholic holiday there is always liquor involved. 

A Tale Of Two Islands

The area near the "Split" turns into a huge adult party over Easter weekend.  Latter I will outline some of the things you should know about that, but now let's focus on south of the "Sportsbar".  When you get south of that area Easter on Caye Caulker is completely different.  Activities tend to be aimed at kids and innocent fun.  Many of the companies on the island sponsor events like an Easter Egg hunt, water balloon fights and sack races.  If you're coming to the island over Easter and bringing young kids this is the area you want to hang around.  

Welcome To Spring Break!

The local kids (Belizean students) all have the week before and after Easter off for their spring break.  This means that locals from Belize City often take a vacation during this time of year and the easiest place to enjoy the sun and water is here on the Cayes.    You will see a crowd of locals enjoying the "Split" here on Caye Caulker.

Why Do You Call It "The Breakin"?

Many local homeowners call this weekend "The Breakin."  This is a bit of joke but also there is some truth in it.  We all are much more security aware during this weekend, and many of the local inn operators become very careful about who they will rent to.  If you are going to come here, I highly suggest you make sure your doors are locked at the end of the day or if you're away from your room.  Also, many of the rentals on the island offer an in-room safe and I would suggest you look for places that do.

Consider Staying Away From The Split!

If you are going to come for Easter Weekend, consider booking a place on the south side of the island.  Anything north of the Airport and south of the school would put you in an area that is pretty quiet at night but close enough that a five-minute bike ride gets you to the split.

Book Early!

Our one-bedroom apartment we rent out was rented six months before the holiday.  Making a list minute decision to come to the island is possible, but you probably will have limited choices on where you will get to stay.  If you want help finding a place just drop us a line and we can give you some suggestions based on what you are looking for.  

This year it was easier to get on and off the island.  The water taxi companies did a great job, so that means if you wait too long you could book a room in Belize City and come to the island. 

I Want A Taxi!

Some of the taxi drivers stop running after 9:00 pm.  The ones that continue will probably charge you a "late-night" fee that is double the normal fare.  If you plan ahead, however, you can often make a relationship with a local taxi driver and be assured you will get that ride home you want.  If you are coming to the island and need help with that just let us know and we will introduce you to our favorite taxi driver Peter.

The Split Is Loud

You will find the music is blasting as you near the split.  There are three to four different companies playing music and all are trying to compete for your ears.  This year there was also a concert on "North Caye" and it really brought the crowds in.  There were water taxi's running back to Belize City late into the night (4:00 am)

Monday Is Recovery Day

Monday is a holiday for many and most of the locals use it as a day of recovery.  You will find many of the restaurants are still closed and it may be harder to find a tour operating.  Don't get me wrong there is still plenty to do on our island but you are still not seeing it at its best.

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover!

If you decide to spend Easter here on the island, please don't judge our little piece of paradise by this weekend.  Usually, this is a very simple and quite place but on Easter weekend, it is an entirely different situation.  

Renting A Car In Belize

Ok it isn't as bad as the picture portrays but it is pretty different from renting with Avis in the States.  This past weekend we rented a mini-van in Belize City and drove down to Punta Gorda to enjoy the Mayan Day Festival.  It was a real treat and I will write about it on another day but I thought today I would focus on the vehicle rental process.  

I want to preface this conversation by explaining that we have rented vehicles (both of them vans) from the two local Belizean companies in Belize City.  We have seen that companies like Budget and Avis are starting to do some business in Belize City but their inventory is very small and appears (at least at this point) to be limited to only cars.  So, all of the following suggestions are based on renting from either Crystal Auto Rental and AQ Belize Car Rental.

Start Online

Start by comparing costs online.  Both of these companies have decent websites(by Belize standards).  You can shop what is currently in stock, get an idea of pricing and even reserve a vehicle.

Call

Even if you plan to reserve one of their vehicles online, or find the site says they are out of stock, I would suggest you call the company.  Remember this is Belize and not everything runs like first world.  A call seems to get many things done that online can't quite make out.

Let Them Know Your Shopping

When you call let them know your shopping.  If you prefer one of the companies to the other let them know you found a better price on the other and often they will match the lower price.  You may find the first person you talk with (a customer rep) can't approve a lower price but if you ask for a manager things change.

Follow Up Via Phone After You Reserve

After you reserve a vehicle online there will be a confirmation email sent to you.  At this time you may think you are done, but if you read it carefully there is a link to a PDF form you must download, fill out and email back.  I know it is insane but welcome to Belize where no job is complete without enough paperwork to require three workers.  You can avoid this form, and verify your vehicle is being reserved, by calling the company at this point.  

Don't Take A Taxi

If you're arriving via plane then you have little problem getting to the rental cars.  They both have an office just across the parking lot of the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport.  Here is a little secret if you're coming in via water taxi.  Both of these companies will pick you up at the water taxi for free and bring you to their office to rent your vehicle. 

Insurance

Ok, lots of points here about insurance.  The odds are very good that your auto insurance from the states will not cover you here in Belize.  I have a rider on my policy, and usually I do not buy the insurance from a car rental place, but luckily for me I reached out to my agent before I drove off.  Turns out (according to State Farm) very few companies will cover a person in Belize so they HIGHLY suggested I take the insurance from the rental firm.

If you plan on using your credit cards insurance benefit you might want to read the fine print.  In my case I used my American Express Card (which offers liability insurance) but found out if I did not decline the rental company's insurance then I would not be covered by American Express.  Also I learned that if I did not use my Amex to reserve and pay for the car the American Express insurance would not cover me.

There is a $1000 deductible on the insurance offered by the rental companies.  Yep that means you're on the hook for that first grand if something happens.  

Sorry You Are Over Your Limit

Be warned, when you rent a vehicle in Belize they charge you for the full amount and then put a hold on your credit card for up to $5,000.  Yep you read that right (it is why I put the comma in there so you would really pay attention.  When you call them to confirm your reservation (remember earlier when I suggested doing this) and you're talking to the manager to get your discount (by this point you should catch on) make sure you ask about this amount and request it be lower.

Walk The Car

After you do all the paperwork in the rental office they will give you a chance to walk the car with them and mark down all defects.  Take your time with this.  Especially brush off dirt and look for dents (yes the vehicle will have dirt on it, again welcome to Belize).  If you see ANY marks on the windshield mention this and get it on the report.  We have heard stories of people being charged for new windshields if there is a chip.

Take The Phone

Both of the rental companies offer a cheap flip phone as part of their service. If you do not have a local phone then take it.  The phone comes in handy for scheduling excursions, ordering pizza and (probably best of all) calling for roadside assistance if the vehicle breaks down.

This Is A Rental?

The vehicle you rent in Belize will not be anything like one you would rent in the states.  We have never seen one that didn't have close or over 100,000 miles.  (see why I said take the phone?)  Don't be too worried, the mechanics have taken pretty good care of these but don't be surprised when you get in and there is a rip on the driver's seat.

Fill It Up

Before you return the vehicle make sure you fill it up with gas.  The penalty they can charge is pretty steep and you don't want to find that charge latter on your card.

Don't Be Late

Unlike the States weird things happen if you return the vehicle late.  Most important is your insurance lapses on the day you are suppose to return the vehicle, so from that day forward you are financially responsible for this bad boy!

Get Your Waiver

When you return the vehicle request a written waiver for that huge hold they put on your card.  With it the hold may take three or five days to come off, without it....

Sleeping Police

One last item (but I think the most important).  There are not police monitoring the speed on Belizean roads.  Instead there are HUGE speed bumps (called Sleeping Police down here) randomly located along each road.  These puppies will destroy your vehicle and bounce everyone in the car to the roof.  Keep your eye's open because it is easy to miss them and many (most) are unmarked. 

I hope these tips will help you on your next trip when you rent a vehicle.  Please don't feel intimidated, it really isn't too bad and Belize is a great country to enjoy from a car.  

Crime On Caye Caulker

When a new guest comes to our little place, we like to spend a couple of minutes to talk about crime and safety.  It dosesn't take long because we live in such a safe place, but it is always a point of interest for our guests.  

With that in mind let me go over the most common crimes we see here on the island and how you can avoid them.

5:  Beach Robbery

I listed this as the least as the least likely crime for a reason.  In the last hear one person has been dropped on the beach, and the rumor on the island is that the victim and culprit might have known each other.

It is rare, in the extreme, that anything would happen to you at night here on Caye Caulker.  My wife and I have walked the island many times at all hours of the day and night without incident.  

Use common sense here.  Don't walk at night alone, stay with friends.  Avoid getting so drunk that you can't be sure where you are.  Lastly, take a cab!  The taxi drivers on the island are very affordable ($5 per person to go anywhere on the island).

4:  Property Fraud

As you wander down Front Street, you will find some realtors mixed in with tour companies, restaurants and bars.  A sceptic (like me) would probably assume that tourists find the idea of buying property as interesting as snorkeling the reef, and such a sceptic would be correct.

The number of tourists that consider buying property without spending any time on the island (other than a week) is quite amazing.  I would love to be on high and say those folks are silly, but frankly, my wife and I looked at a couple of properties during a vacation.

Be careful here if you decide to include reality in your vacation.  More than one person has spent money looking at the property only to find out the individual showing them does not own the plot in question.

This doesn't often happen because the realtors on the island do a good job of overshadowing the individuals trying to run this scam but just be aware.

3:  Boat Engines: 

There has been a rash of small boat motors being stolen here on the island recently.  Surprisingly, many have been recovered and more often than not they are found back in Belize City on the mainland.

If you bring a dingy or another small boat to the island, please invest in a boat security system.  When you think about the cost of the boat and motor, this is a very affordable investment to make.

2:  Bike Theft:

The top item stolen on Caye Caulker is bicycles.  In the last year, we have personally had three bikes stolen and although it 's hard to admit they could have all been avoided with little effort on our part.  

If your but is not on your bikes seat, it should be locked.  A simple lock avoids every stolen bike story we have ever heard.  There are so many unlocked bikes on the island that the would-be thief simply goes down the street.

I must say that often the person stealing bikes does not even know they are committing a crime.  More than one bike has been taken from a bar because the "thief" is drunk and the bike is unlocked.

1:  Scamming:

I list this one as the number one crime because it happens every day on the island and nobody does much to stop it.  There is a person on Front Street who asks people to help with the "Boys Athletic Program".  Let me say that my wife and I have fallen for this ourselves, but after living here, we have realized the truth.  There has never been a program run by this person, and it is just a simple scam.  If you're approached by someone talking about this program simply say no thanks and move on or if you like me, tell him you donated to the other guy yesterday (that will make him start wondering who else on the island is trying his scam).

So to sum up, most issues here on the island can be avoided with a little common sense.  Don't be afraid, this is one of the safest places we have ever been to, but be aware of your surroundings and if you have a question just reach out.

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!

Money, ATM's and Credit Cards.....Oh My!

Every guest that comes to our little island has a question or two about money.

How much cash will I need?

Should I use traveler checks?

Are there ATM machines I can use?

Will most places accept credit cards?

What credit card should I use?

In many ways coming to Belize is like stepping back in time 15 years and money is no different.  The banking system feels very 1970's even to the physical looks when you walk into the lobby and there are three security guards standing around.  

Let's start answering the questions from the bottom.

What credit card should I use?

Visa and Mastercard are accepted throughout Belize and on Caye Caulker.  You will find very few places (I only know of two) that will accept your American Express card.  This is because the local banks only issue the "Big Two".  You can also bring and use your debit cards but be warned that some places (car rental and hotels) will put a security hold on your card and this can put you in a bind on some debit cards.

Will most places accept credit cards?

You will find that most of the restaurants, bars and stores on Front street will accept your credit/debit cards.  Many, however, will charge a fee to it you (3% usually) to take your card.  There are a couple of reasons they charge you this fee.  Banks charge a hefty fee for credit card transactions and even more importantly almost every business in Belize runs two sets of books (a real set and the ones they pay taxes based on).  Let me say that not every cash transaction seems to make it in the "taxes" version, so this fee is to encourage you to pay cash.

Many (half) of the excursion companies on Front street will only accept cash.  I am sure for the same reasons I mentioned above.  If you are going to go on a full day snorkel trip you can assume you will need to pay about $70US per person in cash although many of them will give you time to go to the bank and take the cash out. 

As you move towards the back of the island on to Middle street you will find fewer places will accept credit cards.  Some restaurants (Syd's) will and some businesses like golf cart rental companies will but it gets harder to find a place to use your plastic.  On the bright side, the bank is on Middle street so it is quicker to get cash.

By the time you reach Back street plastic currency is rarely accepted.  Visit the barber or Little Kitchen and you will need to bring cash.

Are there ATM machines I can use?

ATM's are few and far between here on the island.  Each ATM is privately owned and the owner must fill it with cash as needed.   This means that more often than not, the ATMs are empty and not working.  With that being said I have marked them all on our interactive map.

The most reliable ATM are the two at Atlantic Bank.  It is rare to find these units out of money except on an occasional Sunday or holiday.  Be aware that the ATM's will only give out Belize currency.

Should I use traveler checks?

I have never seen traveler checks used on the island.  I would highly recommend you avoid using them.

How much cash will I need?

This is the hardest question to answer because it depends on your spending habits.  You can easily get by on less than $50US per day (not including hotel) but if you eat at some of the more expensive places and/or do a number of excursions that number could go way up.  I would suggest you use a debit card that does not charge you international fee's, but if that is not a choice consider bringing $100US per person per day and then you should be in good shape  

Bonus Questions:

What is the best Credit card and ATM card to use?

Ok, this one is completely based on my experience.  I would use the Chase Saphire Card as a credit card (it has amazing travel benefits) and for my ATM we use Charles Schwab.  There are no international fee's and the ATM here on the island (in the bank) does not charge a fee to get cash through Charles Schwab.

How do I protect my money when I am in Belize?

There is little crime that occurs here on the island, except crime of opportunity.  For that reason we highly suggest you reduce the opportunities that criminals get.  A simple way to do that is to keep cash and credit cards in a concealed pouch.  While you're at it why not get a pouch that is waterproof to keep your stuff dry.  This is our recommendation based on our time here on the island. 

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I hope this answers some of your questions but if you have a question I can help with just ask in the comments below.

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.