Hello -

I'm new to this board. I'm looking to get away from NYC for a week in May and I'm thinking of spending a week on Caye Caulker. This will be my first trip to Belize. I figure Caye Caulker would give me a good base for day trips (I love to snorkel) and would also be a perfect to just kick back and relax (something I sorely need!).

Any tips for a woman traveling alone? Is it safe? Is May a good time to be there? Also - will I be able to rent a bicycle for the week so I can explore?

Sorry to ask so many questions! Caye Caulker sounds wonderful and just the sort of getaway I've been looking for.

Thanks in advance for any help/suggestions you can give me.

I have been to Caye Caulker a couple of times with my husband. It is great. And I would feel perfectly fine (and safe) travelling alone to Caulker. The people are very friendly. More importantly, everyone seems to look out for each other. Do you have any idea where you might try to stay?

May is a beautiful time to go. We were in San Pedro last May for a week and the weather was gorgeous. Sunny, 80s, rained one time and not for long.

And if you need to relax, Caulker is the best place to go!!!!

Thank you so much for your reply, windyw! It's very encouraging to hear such nice things about Caulker and the people. It sounds like the sort of atmosphere I would enjoy.

I was looking at De Real Macaw, but I would love any other suggestions that people might have. I don't need anything fancy - my only requirement is air conditioning (whether I use it or not, I'd love the option! :-) )

If I can't go in May, the other option would be July. But I hear that is the rainy season?

Try CostaMaya Cabanas

www.tsunamiadventures.com

Fi tru USC, great place and ever greater family who owns it!

SIN

You might also want to check out Barefoot Beach:

www.barefootbeachbelize.com

south of town, a bit more private/quiet - but still an easy 5min walk.

My husband and I have walked by DeReal Macaw many times. Nice place and a great location. Not that anything is too far away but DeReal Macaw is close to alot of places to eat, shop and visit. Always seemed to be cared for(at least on the outside), we have not stayed there.

I have not been to Caye Caulker in July, but May was great!!!! We have also been in January and February and had good weather.

Just know that wherever you stay, you will have a great trip.

We were in CC for 2 weeks in March. You might want to check out Blue Wave for accomodations as well. We talked to a young couple that had a small room with A/C that they were VERY impressed with.

No website that I can find, but here's a link to contact info.

http://www.toucantrail.com/Blue-Wave-Guest-House.html

It's close to the North end of town, near The Split.

Have a blast. It's an incredibly relaxing place to be. PM me if you have any questions.

Thank you so much everyone! You've all been incredibly helpful. I'm getting so excited about planning this trip. I'll definitely let everyone know how it went.

Just back from 2 weeks on CC. We stayed at Amandas place, actually next door at Casita Carinosa. Very nice properties, fully fenced, with a friendly guard dog and a pool, located just north of the water taxi pier.

As with any place, be cautious at night, definitely stay on front street if you are alone, we ran into a few inebriated locals that had a little to say to us on middle street one
night...

Enjoy



http://www.cayecaulkerrentals.com

I've been there on my own, it's ok. Just like in every place, as a tourist take care of yourself and watch your stuff. I had a great time!

I'm headed to Caye Caulker April 19 -26 with my daughter. Staying at a cabana through tsunami adventures. I've gotten shots (Hep A & Typhoid) and taking Malaria meds b/c I was warned to be careful of diseases. That's my most dreaded fear. Already in the 90's there. Hope our cabana has a powerful a/c - I hate the heat! I'll let you know how it all turns out! From what I'm hearing, it is safe. I think we should have gone in Feb to avoid the heat! And maybe the bugs would not have been so bad. After all, I hear this is the Mosquito Coast (the Harrison Ford movie filmed here!) Not trying to be negative - just apprehensive.

jalex.
Just out of curiosity. If you hate the heat, why in the world are you going to the tropics?

Because it's where my daughter wants to go! I love the beach - but not the heat! I think we should have gone in February! We'll see.

jalex, you've got a private message waiting for you.

I travelled on my own through Belize and Mexico when I was 18. I loved it so much I came back a few months later and stayed for 7 months. I was suprised at the lack of mosquitos, there are some occasionally in certain areas, certain times of the day and sometimes around when it rains, but there are definately ALOT more mosquitos in Saskatchewan, Canada than in Belize!

jalex,

Sit under a palm tree and do your shopping early or late in the day, with the breeze you get off of the water you will be fine!!

Relax and enjoy!!! Wish I were going back soon.

How was it to travel in Belize when you were 18? We are sending a group of 18 year olds to Ambergris Caye in June and concerned about their safety

Is it really necessary to get all those shots to go to CC or AC? Where did you get that idea that you needed those?

NHtopcat - there are a lot of threads about innoculations/immunizations. What I have gathered is MOST folks going to AC and CC opt to not have all the shots. The suggestions is; if you are going to spend a lot if time inland in the jungley areas it would be more beneficial for the shots. I would recommend having the kids take baby oil for in the early am and pm for the sand fleas can be bad. Baby oil REALLY helps. A local San Pedrano told us about this little trick and it worked really well. Don't forget the sunscreen and bug repellent too.

Is it really necessary to get all those shots to go to CC or AC?

An ounce of prevention etc. Is it that difficult to get your shots? What is the trade-off? Wouldn't you rather be safe than sorry? Even if you don't need it, it doesn't hurt to have. I am a Belizean and I get all my shots and boosters.

An update... I just made a reservation to stay at Maxhapan Cabanas as I had read some very nice reviews. Anyone have any feedback? I'm getting very excited about the trip and I thank you for all your advice.

I was on CC the first part of April, and walked alone about the island while my BF was off diving. You many get some attention from some of the local men, but they are, for the most part, relatively respectful.

I would, of course, be aware when walking about at night. But one should be aware of surrounding when walking about at night anywhere in the world. I think CC is a whole lot safer than Belize City or any of the bigger cities.However,don't get too worried or be too paranoid about it. Use common sense , like any woman should. Ask the locals, ask whomever is running the place you stay at, ask the friendly bartender where or what is safe or not safe.

I live in NYC, so I'm very aware of my surroundings at all times, but it's definitely good to know other people's experiences. Some times you let your guard down when you shouldn't. Better safe than sorry, right? I'm getting very excited about my trip!

Hi There,

I have been to Caye Caulker on my own a few times and its fine. You'll find you'll make lots of friends anyway. It really is a quiet place with not a great deal to do so your wise to get a decent room where you can chill out. I stayed in the Tropics Hotel which really wasn't that great - i would recommend the Blue Wave instead. take lots of bug spray and suntan lotion. If you fancy some retail therapy catch the water Taxi to San Pedro where they're are some lovey (air conditioned!) shops.

I've been lucky enough to stay all over Belize so if you ahve any more questions please feel free to ask!

Thanks

;)I'm the one who was so apprehensive about going to CC. Let me tell you, we had THE BEST TIME OF OUR LIVES and we will be back! We stayed at Costa Maya. The best par twas that you could walk right out and onto the beach. However, as with everything on that side of the island, there's all this sea grass so you have to basically go to The Split to do your swimming. There's a constant breeze on that side of the Island. On the other side, where the Iguana Reef is, and where the most beautiful spot is for watching sunsets. That's where you will need mosquito spray and down on the side of the island where the air strip is. There are projects there and we had a guided tour on a golf cart by a local. That was a little scary but certainly you won't be going to those parts at night. Eat at Don Corleone's and Agave for some upscale dining. Jose is the most attentive bartender (at The Iguana Reef). A nice place to stay is Caye Caulker Inn (very close to The Split). Always someone trying to sell you something so you must be firm if you are not interested and tell them so or they will hound you the entire time you are there. Shots are not needed nor are malaria meds. The water smells really bad when taking a shower. People are friendly. Just don't leave anything out over night. I left my brand new Teva sandals on a picnic table and they were gone the next morning. Get yourself a "meet and greet" at the airport so that you don't have to worry about hailing taxis. Sail with Ragga Muffin. They have the best guides. FEMI's - don't miss FEMI's - on the beach - smoothies and fruit drinks you don't want to miss. Keep an ear out for the guy peddling the fresh squeezed fruit juices. For sure, we won't have scurvy as we ate so much fruit! Have fun. You will want to buy property there like we do now, too!

Some folks we met on the water taxi ride back to Belize City stayed there and were very impressed with Maxaphan. Can you give me a link to them. We are considering staying there on our next trip back there.
THanks

Glad to hear you had such a nice time, Jalex.

Here's the link I have for Maxhapan:

http://www.toucantrail.com/Maxhapan-Cabins.html