USEFUL STUFF TO KNOW ABOUT VISITING CAYE CAULKER

Climate

Caye Caulker is typically a tropical lowland climate, with rainforest to the south and west of the lowlands. Island temperatures drop in the winter months with an average mid/late 70's in the day and dropping about 10 degrees at night. Summer months are hotter and much more humid. The temps still drop by about 10 degrees at night, and average daily temps are around 85 - 90's. The islands usually have a sea breeze that can feel like air-conditioning when the rest of the country is sweltering! The rainy season is supposed to start after Easter sometime and carry on till Oct. This has not been the case in recent years and we are seeing more rain later in the year. Usually great thunderstorms with massive lightening shows in the late afternoon or at night. Climate around the world is changing - so no promises!

Language

English is the official language but you will hear other languages spoken too. Spanish, Mayan, Garifuna and Creole to name but a few.

Money

We have the Belize Dollar. BZD$. It is pegged to the US dollar at 2BZD:1USD. There is one ATM here, which Visa & Master Card. The bank (Atlantic Bank Ltd) will also provide cash advances with credit/debit cards and charges $10BZD commission however large the transaction (need to show your passport). US currency is widely accepted and your change will come back in BZD dollars. Travelers checks are a good idea and you can spend them as 'cash' at most places and also change them at the bank ($IBZ per check). Again your change will be in local currency. Remember large notes are always a problem for smaller vendors.

Water
Yuma’s House is on the Village Water System (reverse osmosis purified water), please try to conserve use, as it is very expensive water to purchase. Maybe take shorter showers.  To flush the toilets we use well-water.

Recycling

There is no official recycling here, but we do a number of things as responsible foreigners that may help at least! Glass bottles like beer, sodas are returnable. When buying drinks, try to use the glass bottles instead of the plastic. Leave them next to the trash for the kids to take back and make some pocket money. Plastic bottles we reuse in the guise of the fruit lady and her juices. Keep them separate too.

What To Pack

• Flip flops and closed toe shoes for trekking if you plan to do that.
• Beach Towel / Sarong
• Sunglasses - always a good idea
• Hat - same
• Small Flashlight
• Alarm Clock
• Rain proof gear - if you don't it WILL rain on you
• Insect Repellant - can get it here, but expensive
• Sun Block - as above
• Mask / Snorkel - especially if you have had problems getting a good fitting one before
• Jacket / Sweater - for planes, boats and cooler temps

Beaches

The beaches here on the Caye tend to be soft & weedy due to the fact the reef protects us from the Caribbean surf and does not allow it to scour the sand free of growth. This allows the island to survive, as wave action would eventually wear the Caye completely away. It also contributes to a vibrant ecosystem, which encourages sea life to flourish.

Swimming on the Caye is usually done off piers or at The Split, where the island is divided into its 2 separate parts. The Split offers sand, clear water and an abundance of small fish to observe. There is current from time to time but it is easily read and overcome.

Supplies & Provisions

Most everything you would need to supply your kitchen with staples is available on the Caye. We have 2 larger (relative term) grocery stores and numerous smaller suppliers as well. You will find that prices are surprisingly high for some items but keep in mind that everything comes to the Caye by boat or barge.

Fresh Fruits, Vegetables & Local Fish

There are several fruit & vegetable stands in the village that will have whatever is in season. Stock will ebb and flow with barge deliveries, so Thursday and Saturday mornings are the best time to purchase perishables.

Local fresh fish can be purchased on the front beach (east side of the cay) between 1pm and 4pm in the afternoon. Watch for the frigate birds circling down low. You will know someone is cleaning fish. You will pay between $10 & $12BZ for fillet. Lobster will also be available from time to time, but please be careful not to buy undersized. The tail should be at least 4 inches in length.

Getting Around

There are no cars here. For the most part Caye Caulker is small and walking is possible all over the place. Bike rental is available along front street.

Post Office

We do have a Post Office here on the Caye for any snail mail you would like to send. The service is notoriously slow, but usually reliable.

Laundry Services

There are a number of laundry services on the Caye, where you can have your laundry done for you at a reasonable cost and there is one coin operated laundromat where you can do it yourself.