When the weather starts to get colder and you can feel that chill in the air, the average North American start to think about getting away for the winter. He/she begins collecting travel brochures and searching for a deal on someplace warm. This year why not consider something off the beaten path?
Caye Caulker, Belize
If it is Caribbean sunshine and beaches you are looking for, how about Caye Caulker, Belize. A short boat ride from Ambergris Caye, also known as the original Temptation Island, or Belize City, Caye Caulker is less developed and much more laid back yet still offers all the amenities of its neighbor for a fraction of the price.
Caye Caulker has 57 hotels and 25 restaurants that offer fish and seafood, international cuisine, Belizean beef, fresh fruit and vegetables as well as home made bread. All the businesses are locally owned, golf carts roam the streets and the hotels are all small, no large resorts here.
A 10 minute boat ride will get you to the Belize Barrier Reef, a heaven for divers and snorkelers alike. Dive trips with qualified guides are available to the outer atolls and the famous Blue Hole. Snorkelers can visit the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley and the Coral Gardens. Sport fishermen can take a half or full day deep fishing tour. Other water sports available include swimming, sailing, kayaking and windsurfing.
The Caye is a bird watchers paradise, with over 190 species of birds that frequent the island. Guided bird tours are available to help you spot some of the rarer birds that can be found on the Caye such as the Caribbean Elaenia and the rufousnecked woodrail.
If you like to shop, Caye Caulker has nearly two dozen gift shops offering a selection of t-shirts, clothes, souvenirs and gifts for you to take home.
Caye Caulker is easily accessed from Belize City. There are water taxis that run several times a day to the caye. Fares start at $15 US round trip to Belize City. Or you can fly from either the Belize City international airport (from $109 US return plus taxes) or the Belize municipal Airport (from $60.50 US return plus taxes). The flight takes 12 minutes.
Caye Caulker is as close to paradise as you can get. A laid back Caribbean island that makes you feel like you are in a Jimmy Buffet song. Cozy accommodations, good food, reasonable prices and plenty to do; diving, snorkeling, bird watching, fishing or just enjoying the sunshine and warm water what more could you ask for.
For more information about Caye Caulker:
http://www.gocayecaulker.com/
http://www.cayecaulkerbelize.net/
Getting there:
Fly to Belize City and then take either a water taxi or Tropic Air flight to the Caye.
Water Taxi
http://www.gocayecaulker.com/members/ccwta.HTML
Tropic Air: For reservations call 1-800-422-3435
http://www.tropicair.com/
Where to stay:
http://www.cayecaulkerbelize.net/where_directory.PHP
http://www.cayecaulkeraccommodations.com/
http://lazyiguana.net/?gclid=CNiQt4Oj8Y4CFQ6vQAodMSlSMQ
NOTE: Hotels/resorts charge a 9% hotel tax on all accommodations.
Activities (diving, snorkeling, fishing, birdwatching, etc)
http://www.gocayecaulker.com/act.HTML
To read about snorkeling at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley:
http://www.lestout.com/article/travel/adventure-travel/belize-snorkeling-ambergiescaye-sharks-stingrays-turtles-holchanmarinereserve.HTML
