For thousands of travelers visiting Belize every year, the islands are the desired destination. Getting to a remote location from the airport might be a daunting or even scary thought. Have no fear! Here is a simple guide to decode traveling to and from Caye Caulker.
By Air
Going from the airport to the beach should be instantaneous, in my opinion. Unfortunately, is it not that quick. If you feel like you need to get to the ocean right away, the quickest way to travel is by air. Caye Caulker has an airstrip that supports two airlines, Tropic Air and Maya Island Air. Both airlines provide multiple flights a day from Philip Goldson International Airport. The one-way price is around $70.00 US and the flight time is 10 minutes. That’s right, only 10 minutes. This is the fastest way to get to Caye Caulker.
The planes are small and hold between six to ten people, including the pilot. You get to see the mainland and also the tiny islands dotting the coast. Even though the flight is short, the views are amazing. Once you land in Caye Caulker you can take a taxi to the Belize island vacation rentals you booked.
By Land
If you are looking for a cheaper option than air travel, you can go by land and sea. Once arriving at the airport, you can travel by taxi. The price is fixed at $25BZ for one person or $50BZ for more than one person. The drive is around 25 minutes to the Belize City waterfront. The taxi drivers are generally friendly and will make you feel relaxed while traveling along the coast.
By Sea
Once you reach Belize City you will have two options for a ferry service to Caye Caulker, San Pedro Belize Express or Ocean Ferry. They have very similar schedules and run from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. If purchasing your tickets in advance makes you less stressed, you can do that on their website. It is not necessary because you can purchase your water taxi tickets when you arrive at the water taxi terminal. They accept US and BZD cash, and Visa and Mastercard for payments.
Once exiting the taxi, they will take your luggage, tag it, and give you a ticket. Keep this ticket. You will need it to claim your luggage when you reach Caye Caulker. The boat will board five to ten minutes before the posted departure time. The vessels are in great condition and always on schedule. When boarding, if you find a seat towards the back of the boat, the ride will be smoother than sitting in the seats upfront.
The ride to Caye Caulker takes 45 minutes to an hour depending on the type and size of the vessel. There is plenty to see and the ride is simply gorgeous. You ride out of the city leaving the urban coast behind, and travel on pristine tropical water, past mangrove islands, and beautiful, remote island homes. Caye Caulker is the first stop, and they will take your luggage off of the boat for you. Congrats! You made it safely to your Caye Caulker vacation rentals and your island home.