Hello everyone,
First of all, I want to say what a great source of info this message board is. Thanks to everyone who takes time from their day to provide their answers.
Anyways, the reason I'm writing, is that my wife and I are heading down to Caye Caulker from the 30th of March to the 7th of April and as it is our first time, I would really appreciate some help with accomodation. We have a list of the places that we are considering and would love some feedback on them. In no particular order they are:
Tropical Paradise,
Ocean Pearl,
Seashell Suites,
Caye Caulker Apartments
Lee side Rooms
Maxhapan
Any info at all would be appreciated (i.e. if any of the places are located next door to late-night bars, or if any area of the Caye is preferable to another)
We are really looking forward to our trip, (We're from the Canadian Rockies and are in the middle of a heavy snowfall warning) and hope to soon be relaxing in the laid back atmosphere of Caye Caulker.

Thanks for your help
Jon and Kayla Zabloski

P.S. I've read that you can get a case of the local beer for around $15 U.S. In Canada we consider 12 beer to be a case but I know in some areas 24 beer is a case. What's the defintion down there??

The list is all in the same area of the village within three blocks except Caye Caulker Apts. which is in a calm area on past the school.
Most locals have never stayed in your hotel list.Perhaps travellers who post here can help.
A case is 24 down here.

We just got back and stayed at Dianes
Beach house. It was great, but one of the pricier places on the island. They are
starting construction on a building behind
Dianes , which is located nest to the
Sailwinds and Auxillou Suites as well
as Tinas Hostel. If you stay there you should
ask about this.
Didn't see any of the rooms but would have
considered Seaside Cabanas (if it matters some don't really face the sea) or possibly
Caye Caulker Condos...but the condos
are within shouting disatnce of the Lazy
Iguana bar at the split and they have loud music Sunday nights (a DJ) but fairly quiet
most of the week.
SeeBeez looked interesting from the outside
as well.
We met a couple of people staying at TreeTops
and from their experience I would never
stay there.
We originally wanted to stay at the Iguana
Reef Inn but couldn't get rooms that faced
the bay, its on the west side of the island
and their price included breakfast, but
mostly we bought fruit etc because we had a full kitchen.
Hope this helps.
Oh one more thing. Not sure if the Iguana
Reef is located close enough to the power
plant to be affected by the noise but again
find out.
Best of luck, we loved the island and its people, had a great time.

My husband and I enjoyed staying at Morningstar Guesthouse. It is a little off the beaten path, but well within walking distance of everything Caye Caulker has to offer. Nice and quiet, very clean, affordable, and the hosts, Al and Joanne, are wonderful.
http://www.jaguarmorningstar.com/

We've also stayed at De Real Macaw and Vega Apartments. They were on the main strip but a little noisier.

Enjoy your stay!

Forgot to mention that Morningstar also has bicycles available to make it super easy to get around!

You may also want to check out www.cayecaulkerbelize.net This is the official Village COuncil website and has a comprehensive listing of all properties in Caye Caulker :-)

Thanks to everyone who has responded so far, It's great to have such quick responses.
A couple more questions now,
I am really looking forward to do some fishing while I'm there and I probably won't be able to afford an a guided trip. I was wondering what my chances are of catching fish from the caye. I'm not picky about what I'm catching, just looking for a little bit of fun.
Also, is bait the best way to go? if so could I just use a regular jighead or is their some special setup I should use?
Is it expensive to purchase tackle there?

thanx everyone

You can purchase line, sinkers and hooks
on the island. I brought 3 rods and
all the terminal tackle and lures I could
carry. I suggest you do the same. Ask
around and you can buy "sardines"
for bait. They work for pretty much
everything. Tight lines

From the list of hotels you provided, it seems you were leaning more towards a specific price range than location. In which case, you might also want to consider: Peach on the Beach - it is moderately priced, is located on the beach, in the village proper and offers in room amenities such as microwave, coffee maker, fridge & cable TV....

Jon,
I will be on Caye Caulker Apr.2-9 and will also try to get some fishing in. Drop me an email if you like, we can compare note on shore fishing and maybe share a charter.

I see nobody answered your case of beer question...I have no idea...but it would be nice if the price is $15USD per 24.

Over the past 15 years we have stayed at a variety of places on the island. We have stayed at Tropical Paradise a few times and its really nice - quiet and not alot of activity as it is on the quieter end of town. We have also stayed at the Iguana Reef a couple times and we also enjoyed that alot. It is quiet with no noticable noise from the power plant. We will be staying at Diane's when we arrive in two weeks. We have also taken a number of fishing charters with alot of different people and all have been great. Pernall, Piggy, Raul and others work to make the trip successful. We will no doubt be hooking up with them again when we arrive. Fishing from the split can be iffy - just depends on the fish - but we have seen tarpon literally jumping out of the water at times. Let me know if you have other questions - We have come to know and love the island and have become friends with alot of the people from the island. As you will find out, this place really is a paradise.

Case is 24 and costs US$19 to have delivered wholesale to your place according to Micheals Windsurfing.
All over the world surfers are considered well informed on the price of cheap beer.

[This message has been edited by keycocker (edited 03-20-2005).]

You can pick up cold cases of beer at the Beliken distributor for 24 belize dollars plus deposit. It's just down the side street that the water taxi terminal is on.

I would also like some recommendations. I will be visiting Caye Caulker early June for a wedding/honeymoon trip with my fiance.

We are considering the Tree Tops Luxury suites or the Lazy Iguana Inn.

I have heard some people do not care for the caretakers of the Tree Tops while others think they are great. I would like more feedback so we do not have a bad experience.

Thanks!

We were in CC for for about 9 days this
month. We stayed at Dianes Beach house
and our friends stayed at Tree Tops.
Everything I am telling you is second hand
but reliable.
The owners , especially the woman was
nasty if not nuts. My friend received a
fax and the owner went nuts because of the
cost of ink in the three page fax she received. One day we were there and our friends left the door open, screen door
shut. We were sitting 5 feet away from the
entrance and received a stern lecture about
security. I know this may seem petty but it
was story after story on a daily basis.
I have read similar stories on other travel
sites. I don't want to mention the names of the locals who are their neighbors but I can
tell you they are not liked in the local
community. They made remarks about Belizeans
to my friends. Quite honestly from all I heard I don't know why they are on the island.

Explain a little better please... were both places run by crazed people? or only one of the two... not sure from your note.

Tree Tops was run by the wackos. Dianes
was great. Sorry for the confusion.

Okay thanks for the input. Doesn't sound like the place I'd want to stay - wouldn't want to take the chance.

On another note, I heard they are doubling the price of Belekin beer. Does anyone know if this is true and if so - why???

We stayed at the Vega Inn apartments which are on Front Street across from the Sand Box, but the yard is lovely and huge, so it's like a little hideway. The apartments are rustic, but come with a refrigerator and mini kitchen, 2 bedrooms, indoor bathroom with shower (with real hot water and good pressure), daily maid service. It was very comfortable. The Vega's also have their place where they rent rooms, that has a large yard on the beach with hammocks, etc that you can use if you stay at the apartments. We thought it was great and very conveniently close to everything. The 2 bedroom apartment is $200/week US + tax so that works out to be about $30/night. http://www.vega.com.bz