Caye Caulker v Hopkins v Atolls

Hi Ayla,
Well, Since you have enough time to do 3 or 4 things (places) you will be able to find out for yourself the differences. Caye Caulker is easy to get to, has tons of modest accomodations, restaurants and is really close to the barrier reef and not too far from two of the atolls. Not a great beach but lots of places to hang out near the water. The local trips are really cheap, like $30BZ for a local snorkel trip with your own equipment. Plus, the island has a beautiful view of the barrier reef. Hopkins has a big long beach but not that white sand in the pictures. There is no snorkeling from shore and the reef is farther away. It was a busy little town when we were there in February with lots of traffic. There are reasonable accomidations there if you look around a bit. Yes, there are trips to the atolls but it is more difficult to find one going out when you are. Tobacco Caye is easy to get to from Dangriga, once again has modest accomodations which include 3 meals and is right on the barrier reef so you can snorkel from your room and also go on diving trips from there. There are some small beaches and it is fun for 3 or maybe 4 days. The Jungle itself can be accessed from Hopkins with a day trip but not really from the others so conveniently. There you have the jist of it! Have a good time!

Edited by: Greggo

I think Greg summed it up really well. Both Hopkins and Caulker have a lot of appeal, but in balance probably more people would be happy in Caulker, due to the restaurants, proximity to reef and lower costs for diving and snorkeling. Plus Caye Caulker village is just a cool, laidback place that nearly everybody loves.

As to being on the reef, Tobacco Caye does have shore snorkeling, but it's tiny and a little funky. Southwater Caye is terrific, but not cheap. The atolls are fabulous but expensive to get to and also expensive to stay at, with the exception of Glover's Reef "Resort."

Why does everyone seem to go straight to Caye Caulker (other than ease of access) if they can be at the beach in Hopkins and closer to the atolls?

You've partly answered tour own question -- ease of access. Caye Caulker is easy to get to quickly & cheaply by water taxi. To get to Hopkins & the southern cayes, there's a long bus ride or flight, boat to the islands.

I find there is a bit more on CC -- restaurants, shops, bars -- there's just a bit more to do and it still has a small village, laidback atmosphere. I found Hopkins a lot quieter than CC -- there's nothing negative about that, but different travellers prefer different places.

We've enjoyed both Hopkins and Caulker and if you're doing beach twice you could visit both - they're really different. Caulker is a great place to end a trip - nice vibe and easy to get to the airport for your departing international flight. Have a great trip, whatever you decide!

take raggamuffins 2 night sailing trip from CC and you get nights on Rendezvous & Tobacco cayes, then on to Placencia, from which one may embark on jungle trips. Exercise caution walking at night.

Interesting....Caye Caulker sounds fun How far is that from Ambergris Caye where we'll be staying? Can we vsisit it easily? Also, staying in Ambergris Caye, what is the easiest way to shop for groceries (we have a full kitche, and plan to eat in a bit...so we need meat, chicken or fish, dairy like eggs and milk, fruits and veggies. Thanks.

Trina

San Pedro is a bustling little town on Ambergris Caye. There are gocery stores and markets where you can buy all the items you listed.

Caye Caulker is about a 30 minute (or less) boat ride away. There are water taxi services with several boats per day between the two islands...

a) Caye Caulker Water Taxi Association:
http://www.cayecaulkerwatertaxi.com

b) San Pedro – Belize Express Water Taxi
http://www.belizewatertaxi.com/

c) San Pedro Water Jets Express:
http://www.sanpedrowatertaxi.com/index.html

ambergris is a waxy biliary secretion of whales, expelled via vomiting or with feces. the word has a pretty ring to it, a fact which was exploited by madison avenue advertising executives, as a euphemism for the place's original name, douchebag cayes . It originally consisted of two cayes connected by a shoal, which has since been built up by the accretion of douchebags discarded from the windows of generations of residents, and eventually covered with sand, shells and coral. it worked, as evidenced by the throngs of people it attracts.

misterbee: Thanks for the info...much appreciated. Once I have the groceries...do I take a water taxi, or golf cart back to the place I'm staying? Sound like the only way is the water taxi, huh? Or does one not need to take the water taxi to San Pedro? Is it walking/biking/golf cart ride distance?

Thanks