Finding paradise

A perfect vacation means different things to different people. We all have difference tastes and dislikes. Myself? There are two things i tend to strongly dislike when travelling, beaches and backpackers. To me, each on their own is bad enough, but a combination of the two can be horrid. There are times though that beaches don't have to be overpriced with unbelievably uncomfortable heat accompanied by a constant badgering from vendors and tour operators. And from time to time, not even backpackers can ruin a place. The Belizean island of Caye Caulker is one of those places that has defied the laws of mass tourism and retained something pretty cool.

Don't misunderstand. It's not like Caye caulker is some hidden isolated jewel in the middle of nowhere. On the contrary, it's likely one of the most visited places in the entire country. But a welcoming sign to the island, reminding visitors of the dangers of glass bottles to bare feet, sets the tone immediately. Life here is beyond super chilled out. There really isn't much to do other than chillax. But this isn't some photoshopped postcard. By saying there are beaches on the island is bit of an exaggeration. Imagine swapping a beach for a dock. There aren't really beaches, more like small sandy patches of land next to the sea. And the swimming ain't the best due to all the sea grass. So people take to hanging out on the docks like some sort of tribute to the sea lions at Pier 39 in San Francisco. Many of the hotels have cleared away seagrass making for the better swimming on the island.

But it's not like there's nothing to do. There are half day and full day snorkelling and dive trips. For around B$50 boats take you out to the reef almost visible from shore for half a day. B$80/90 will take you a little further away and get you lunch and occupy you for the whole day. And the snorkelling's quite good. Plenty of attention craved starlets fill the reef. A great come back after some serious damage in previous Hurricanes. And i have even mention diving one of the word's most famous dive sites, the Blue Hole(B$370). There's also kayaking and sailing, but nothing loud. This is a pretty peaceful place. There aren't even any cars on the island. Just golf carts, bikes and bare feet.

Getting here's here, leaving here is a pain. And i mean that emotionally, not logistically. There are ferries that leave Belize City almost every hour (B$20 one way). Alternatively, there are ferries from either Corozal in north Belize, or the Mexican border town of Chetumal (B$45). It's the same story to leave. Even when combining backpackers and beaches, my 2 least favourite travel elements, i have to say that Caye Caulker is one of my favourite places I've been in a long while, and maybe one of my top 15 in the world. It was the right place at the right time and i really liked it.