Caye Caulker?
 

We were all set to go to Caye Caulker, which looks so charming in web photos.However, I just found very unsettling chat on the tripadvisor website saying that it was filthy & that the beaches were awful. Should I cancel?!! Anyone been there recently? Is this true for Ambergris Caye as well?
Lan, any thoughts?

i have been there three times. Caye Caulker IS NOT filthy. not even close. but. it is true- it does not have nice beaches,,, some sand here and there and a nice spot to swim at the "split" where a hurricane tore the island two, ... if you want beaches then,,,go to Saint Johns, US Virgin islands! .... what Caye Caulker has, is a really laid back aproach to island life...with lots of good food and laid back atmosphere...if yoy are a rich american and want to be pampered...go some place else// if you are a traveler and want to park yourself on an island that is in the closest proximity to the 2'd largest reef in the world (and endangered manetees) (and you enjoy snorkling or diving) and day trips to Myan temples...then go to Caye Caulker....

Geared for budget travelers. One inn on the caye now has a pool and more and more have a/c. Look at neighboring Ambergris for more options. For better beaches, look at Placencia.

I was just in Belize a couple weeks ago, staying on Ambergris Caye, and took a day trip to Caye Caulker. Definitely not filthy. But, all dirt streets. Nothing at all fancy about the place. I like it there, but personally prefer Ambergris Caye. I agree with Mitty, if you're looking for drop dead gorgeous beaches, this isn't the place.

Gosh, no, not filthy though you might see a bit of garbage here or there.

As others have noted, it's more geared to the budget or backpacker traveler, but overall less commercial than San Pedro. There's only one hotel on the island with a swimming pool, and many don't have A/C (or if they do charge extra for it).

It's a friendly, laidback, low-key place.

The beaches aren't very good on Caulker, but if world-class beaches are your main interest, you shouldn't be going to Belize. Instead, go to the --yechh-- Mayan Riviera or the hoity-toity islands of the main Caribbean such as Anguilla.

--Lan Sluder
www.belizefirst.com