Where To Stay In Caye Caulker For First Timers (With Map)

Planning a trip to Belize and not sure where to stay in Caye Caulker?

While it's a tiny caye, there are a variety of different accommodations to choose from. There are three main areas: the main center, south side, and the north side.

As a local, I personally prefer staying in the town center since it's close to everything and also has easy access to the Split — a popular swimming area.

I've carefully filtered down to the best accommodations (over 100 registered hotels), so you don't have to spend travel time looking for rates or reading a huge wall of comments to see if the hotel has a kitchenette.

Fancy images and descriptions don't give tell the full story, so I'll give you a peek under the hood to see the real experience looks like at these accommodations.

Here's the lowdown on the best places to stay regardless of budget.

In a rush and need to book ASAP? Here are my top lodging picks for Caye Caulker 👇

More About Caye Caulker

Best Areas To Stay In Caye Caulker

So let's start off with the lay of the land. Caye Caulker is tiny! It's only 5 miles (8km) long and 1 mile (1.6km) wide. Finding a nice place to explore the rest of the island shouldn't be too hard right?

As a local, I prefer being in the village center which is perfect for solo travelers and couples. The main center is where all the action is at. You get access to food, people watching and some decent chill spots.

Here's a quick summary of the three areas in Caye Caulker.

Budget Stays

You might have heard that Caye Caulker is a backpacker island. While it's definitely cheaper than the bigger brother San Pedro, it can be tough to find budget stays. I found the top hostels and guest houses to help you enjoy local island life just the way locals do.

Best hostel on the island

Travellers Palm Hostel

Price

$17.00 USD

Location

Main Island Center

Amenities

Wifi, free drinking water, security lockers, AC rooms, rooftop communal space

It’s rare to find a budget stay that delivers on location, comfort, and vibe, but Travellers Palm Hostel nails it. Tucked just a short walk from the heart of Caye Caulker, this laid-back hostel offers clean, AC dorms at an unbeatable price.

The real star is the rooftop kitchen and lounge, which gets raving reviews for some of the best views for sunset dinners or morning coffee. The staff is also an exemplary example of true Belizean Island hospitality.

The only downside is not being able to book on popular booking sites like Booking or Hostelworld but their Whatsapp works. Actually, during high season when the island is packed, this might be an advantage since this hostel might have available rooms!

Quiet guest house with perfect location

Sophie’s Guest Rooms

Price

$48.00 USD

Location

Main Island Center

Amenities

Wifi, parking, hammock, lounge chairs, beachfront

Tucked away in the quiet part of the island, Sophie's Guest Rooms can be a blessing for those not looking for a party scene. The location is literally in the same block as the famous swimming area, The Split. The property is also in front of the beach side that doesn't get sargassum.

The downside of staying at this guest room is that the space is advertised as a private room but the bathroom is shared. When the guest house is full, there can be 2 bathrooms to 10 people. The bathrooms have the toilet/shower combo.

Another downside is that the rooms don't come with air conditioning. In fact, an extra $15.00 USD is charged per night to use it in one of the private rooms. While all this sounds like a deal breaker, the location and view makes up for these setbacks.

Best bang for buck Airbnb

Vista Del Mar Guest House

Price

$46.00 USD

Location

Main Island Center

Amenities

Wifi, TV, AC, hot water, beachfront, kitchenette, hammocks

Centrally located, Vista Del Mar Guest House is quite possibly the best bang for buck. The property is only bookable on Airbnb and caters to travelers that are looking for longer stays. The apartment-style rooms are small but cozy with a beachfront view.

Because it's smack in the middle of the island, you can spend hours just people-watching from the balcony. By the way, vista del mar literally means sea view in English.

Mid-range Stays

If you have a bit more flexibility with your budget, island life can start looking good. Hotels in the mid-range category can start to have beachfront views and some rustic-chic cabañas start becoming some options at Caye Caulker. These accommodations are mostly located further down the tiny caye — still very accessible.

Locally owned gem

Jan's Hotel

Price

$115 USD

Location

Main Island Center

Amenities

Wifi, AC rooms, mini-fridge/kitchenette, flat-screen with streaming, private balconies, rooftop terrace, luggage storage, tour assistance, shuttle available

If you're looking for a nice private space that's locally owned, Jan's Hostel is perfect. It's family-run spot and located in the island center — literally. You’re steps from the restaurants, shops, and The Split, and the rooftop terrace is perfect for sun or sunset views.

The rooms feel like a home away from home with kitchenettes, balconies, and modern comforts. Now that we're in the mid-range category, it's a little pricier, but if you value comfort, it's a no-brainer.

Private beachfront hotel with pool

Weezie's Ocean Front Hotel

Price

$122 USD

Location

South Side

Amenities

Wifi, private beach, AC rooms, lap pool, TV, café & bar, paddle boards, kayaks, private beach, parking, kitchenette, bikes for rent

The further down south of Caye Caulker you go, the more boutique the accommodations become. Weezie's is a boutique hotel located just a block away from the airport. This hotel is for those that want to enjoy a quiet vacation with on a private beach or dock with a view.

With an on-site café, bar and even a pool, there's practically no reason to leave the compound. And if you want to do water activities, free kayaks and paddle boards are included in your stay.

Highly sought after cabañas

Colinda Cabañas

Price

$119 USD

Location

South Side

Amenities

Beachfront view, cushioned beach chairs, 2 bicycles per room, AC rooms, TV, coffee maker, on-site security, drinkable water in room

Standing out as one of the top stays in Caye Caulker, this beachfront property features 14 colorful cabañas in their iconic yellow & blue colors. Guests get access to complimentary bikes, kayaks and snorkeling gear.

Mid-range stays come with the full experience to enjoy island life both on land and in the water. There's also something called hammocking here where you literally lay down on your cabaña hammock and just watch the day pass away doing and thinking about absolutely nothing.

Boutique B&B that supports locals

Sea Dreams Hotel

Price

$91 USD

Location

Main Island Center

Amenities

Free breakfast, free bicycles, canoes/paddle boards, rooftop lounge, hotel dock, wifi, AC rooms, mini-fridge, TV, coffee machine

Some hotels stand out not because of their architecture but because of their mission and history. This family-run boutique hotel is literally right next to the split. While the owners aren't locals, they sure act like locals supporting local artisans in their woodwork and giving back by funding scholarship for students on the island.

Actually, the owner founded the first high school — Ocean Academy in 2008. Can you believe there was no highschool prior to this? I personally enjoy hearing stories like that and especially when businesses give back to the community.

With all that said, it's worth mentioning that this boutique hotel has the best location of all hotels being right next to the popular swimming area — The Split.

Luxury Stays

If budget is not a problem, luxury stays are easy to find on the island. Boutique hotels and resorts are perfect choices for romantic getaways and family vacations. These resort-style accommodations include on-site pool, restaurants, and even spa services. The North Side of the island is a popular area for most of these higher-end stays. Don't worry, most of these resorts offer complimentary boat runs to to the South Side.

Rustic cabañas for romantic getaways

El Ben Cabañas

Price

$239 USD

Location

North Side

Amenities

AC rooms, electric bike rental, complimentary boat rides, beachfront view, restaurant & bar, outdoor pools, wifi, parking, water sports

For a more private, quiet and manicured experience in Caye Caulker, El Ben checks all the boxes. Located in the North Side of the island, this boutique hotel is the perfect choice for romantic getaways and family vacations.

The resort-style property is equipped with two pools, beach bars, lush guarden and top-notch staff. And being based in the North Side doesn't mean you miss out on Caye Caulker. The property has it's own private boats offering complimentary transport.

Most luxurious place on the island

Blu Zen

Price

$200 USD

Location

North Side

Amenities

3 pools including large deck pool & infinite pool, spa services, gym, multiple restaurants & bars, full kitchen, AC rooms, balconies with sea views, Wifi, parking, bike, kayaks, 24-hour security, shuttle service

Blu Zen is the island’s most upscale resort-style option. Located on the north side, it offers luxury condos, full kitchen and amenities like infinity pools, spa service, gym and easy access to water activities.

This resort is a top choice for families or couples wanting pampering, privacy and top tier comforts. While the North Side location is a bit isolated, they resort offers free water shuttle pickup and drop off to the South Side.

Hidden gem with true Belizean hospitality

Island Magic Beach Resort

Price

$224 USD

Location

Main Island Center

Amenities

Beachfront, pool, private dock, restaurant & bar, AC rooms, family suites

Island Magic is a boutique, family-owned resort offering beachfront views in the center of Caye Caulker. The resort receives raving reviews for the impeccable service, friendly staff and the pool swim-up bar. It's also centrally located only a block away from the water taxi terminal.

The selling point of this resort is a boutique & family experience with all the perks of a big resort. It can be a perfect place for a honeymoon and family getaway. As a bonus, you can also visit the sister property, Island Magic Villas located on the North Side of the island. They have a pool and restaurant.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it — the lowdown on the best places to stay in Caye Caulker for first-timers. While I haven't gotten the change to stay at every spot on this list, I've either personally visited them or researched them to oblivion to recommend them.

From the budget-friendly hostels like Traveller's Palm to the luxurious beachfront of Blue Zen, there's something on the list for every traveler. The "Go Slow" slogan is more than just a slogan. It's a mantra for relaxation — island style.

If you've enjoyed this guide on the best stays, you can start looking at experiences on the island.

About Author

Everything written on this blog is based on first-hand experience or knowledge as a local living in Belize. No fluff, just honest information.