Solo trip to Belize in May...good idea or bad idea?

1) Am I going to feel out of place as a "solo backpacker"?

We do get plenty of solo backpackers, but in May, I think the overall tourist numbers will be low. The peak season is November to April. Then there's a low period before numbers rise again in June with students on summer holidays.

Caye Caulker is probably the number 1 destination for the backpack crowd. Ambergris Caye probably gets more families than CC.

Yuma's is a popular place -- better reserve now.

2) Since it's the tail end of the dry season, is the weather still nice in May?

The end of May is LIKELY to be dry -- clear blue skies & hot! Last year, we had a few days of rain in mid-May, but that's rare. The probability of rain increases with the onset of the wet season on 1 June.

Another option for great diving is Bay Islands Honduras, I was in Roatan and Utila last May for my Advanced and had a fine time, though not a lot of backpackers compared to Jun to Aug when school is out, which was fine with me, most were twenty and 30 somethings, and then me the solo old man...had a fine time.

Quite a few single travelers in Belize, but due to the perceived cost (not that much more than in Mexico and neighboring CA countries, but perception is everything) and to the relative lack of true hostels (the Belize Tourism Board has never liked hostels because it wants mostly high end travel to Belize) you may be a bit of a fish out of water, especially in May -- which is as noted before the summer college and European crowd arrives. You'll be okay on Caulker and perhaps in Placencia village, Hopkins village and San Ignacio town, but don't expect many young backpackers elsewhere.

--Lan Sluder

I'll be in Caye Caulker from May 21-28 with my fiancé. From what I've heard is the weather is still amazing and prices drop since we will be there outside of the "high" season.

I didn't care for caye caulker at all. There is no real beach there. Stayed for a night at Yuma's, which has changed names and ownership. The new owner is very high strung and very detail oriented, which is not a good match for a backpacker hostel. Nice location, but couldn't wait to check out.

Bella's Backpackers is the other hostel choice on CC -- I hear it's more of a party hostel.

I was at Caye Caulker a little over a month ago. I stayed at Yumas House for 4 nights and I loved it. I loved laying in the hammocks out on the dock in front of yumas. The ones on land were smaller and I always felt like I was going to fall out. After reading reviews I thought the "strict german lady" running the place might be a problem but she was great. The security guy comes in at 11 and anyone hanging out in the common areas have to either be very quiet or go hangout somewhere else. The sports bar about 100 feet down had the UFC fights which was awesome and I met some cool people staying there. Make sure you make reservations. I saw tons of people showing up randomly to see if there was a bed and alot of them were turned away.

In San Ignacio I stayed at Tropicool which was right in the middle of town on the main street. I def. didn't get the same vibe here. I didn't really talk to any other travelers here because well I didn't really see many. I ended up hanging out on the streets with the rastas after they kept trying to get me to buy things I figured I would join them and watch them haggle other tourist. So i drank some rum in warm milk with them and tried selling their jewerlly for them. ATM caves were cool. Make sure you wear black socks because they will get ruined after walking around on dirty rocks with white socks.

There's alot of tourists traveling solo here in Belize. I suggest to go to Placencia, where you'll meet other solo travelers. If you'll like some help getting around Belize, my husband and I are Americans residing here. He's a tour guide. We are also in our late twenties. Placencia is a better place to lounge around at than Caye Caulker and is close to two Mayan Ruins worth seeing. May would be a fine time to visit, as Belize won't be as congested as it usually is during the busy season. Need info, contact me.