Is Caye Caulker A Party Island? Backpacker Guide 2023

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So, is Caye Caulker a party island? Well, not necessarily, but there are still some places to have a great night out.

Caye Caulker is exceptionally small, so everyone tends to go to the same places in the evenings (including the locals; we recognised everyone in every bar!)

There are some places to party, but not many. In this post, you’ll find out the best places to party in Caye Caulker, whether it’s a party island or not, and if Caye Caulker is suited to backpackers.

Other Belize posts:

• Snorkeling in Caye Caulker: BEST Company
• Shark Ray Alley Caye Caulker: Complete Guide
• Does Caye Caulker Have ATMs? Exact Locations
• Best Hostels In Caye Caulker For Backpackers

Is Caye Caulker A Party Island? A Summary

As previously mentioned, Caye Caulker isn’t necessarily a party island. If you want big party venues and clubs, you’ll need to visit San Pedro, the island next to Caye Caulker.

However, Caye Caulker is better suited to backpackers. San Pedro is full of big resorts and fancy hotels, whereas Caye Caulker has laid-back hostels and a few bars for us to be entertained in the evenings.

Most backpackers skip San Pedro entirely and just enjoy the simplicity Caye Caulker has to offer.

So, how do you party in Caye Caulker? There are a few different ways. If you’re staying in a hostel like Go Slow or Bella’s, you’ll likely start drinking there. Sometimes the hostel will host a pre-party (depending on the time of year), or you can organise pre-drinks yourself. Some of the hostels even run sunset booze cruises, which really gets the party started!

If you’re a backpacker in Caye Caulker, the party venues consist mainly of:

Day time (closes just after sunset):

• The Lazy Lizard (has a 20ft diving platform and is similar to a beach club, without the beach)
• Sip and Dip (has tables in the water to drink your cocktails in the sea!)

Night time:

• Swings (perfect for pre-drinks)
• Sports Bar (dance floor and DJ past 9pm)
• I and I Reggae Bar (late night partying, after midnight)

Let’s discuss them in more detail!

Related post: 29 AMAZING Things To Do In Caye Caulker Belize

The Lazy Lizard (day)

The Lazy Lizard was our favourite place to drink during the day. Think loud music, clear Caribbean waters and the most chilled vibes. It’s located right on the Split, so make sure you’re wearing your swimwear to enjoy your cocktails in the sea!

There’s also a 20ft diving platform that faces the ocean, which is always fun! We also saw lots of wildlife here, from fish to stingrays and pelicans – some have even seen manatees!

However, The Lazy Lizard isn’t cheap (we found it to be the most expensive place on the island) so you may want to have a few beers at your hostel first. They also serve food, but again, it’s quite expensive.

Sip and Dip (day)

Sip and Dip is right next to the Lazy Lizard, and has a similar vibe (it’s just a bit smaller). It has more tables in the sea, so most people sit and drink their beer in the ocean.

We really loved the vibe of Sip and Dip, and enjoyed the reggae vibes next to the clear blue water. It’s the perfect place if you want some casual day drinks.

Swings Bar (night)

When you’re ready to head out of the hostel, most backpackers head to Swings first. It’s a small bar with decently priced food and a strong rum punch. There isn’t a dance floor, just large tables good for socialising and a few swings around the bar.

Swings also serves food until late – everything from hamburgers and chips to BBQ chicken. It’s a good place to eat if you’re on a budget, as the prices aren’t as high as some of the other restaurants on the island.

After Swings, you can either finish your night or move to the Sports Bar (just opposite Swings).

Sports Bar (night)

A word of warning – Sports Bar isn’t the cleanest or prettiest, but it does the job if you’re looking to party!

It’s a typical dive bar, with cheap drinks, loud music and an even louder crowd! Every night the Sports Bar hosts different events, such as Trivia, karaoke and NFL games.

Before 9pm, it’s mainly older American tourists in the Sports Bar, and then past this time, the tables are moved and the whole place becomes a dancefloor with a small smoking area on the beach; packed full of backpackers.

The best thing about the Sports Bar is the prices – you won’t find alcohol any cheaper anywhere on the island. A rum punch is just 5 BZ dollars (£2/$2.50) and a beer is 6 BZ dollars (£2.40/$3). The rum punch isn’t the strongest, but it’s cheap enough to buy a few and get you tipsy!

After the event of the night (karaoke, live music, trivia etc), a DJ starts playing around 9pm. This is when the Sports Bar really takes off, and most backpackers can be found on the dancefloor with tequila being poured down their throats. Yep, it’s that kind of place!

If you want to experience it but don’t want the chaos of the dancefloor, there are some tables in the beer garden to take it a bit slower. It’s also a great place to make new friends and meet other backpackers. We loved it!

I and I Reggae Bar (night)

After Sports Bar, most people either head home (it closes at midnight), or walk further south of the island to the Reggae Bar. 

The Reggae Bar is the only place on Caye Caulker that is open past midnight. It’s more of a club than anywhere else on the island, so if you’re not into overcrowded dance floors, head home at midnight!

Other bars in Caye Caulker

There are lots of other bars in Caye Caulker that are worth visiting, such as:

• Iguana Reef Hotel: visit at sunset to see the stingrays!
• Enjoy Lounge and Restaurant: hosts karaoke and reggae nights
• Tappers: an American sports bar

Can you get food after midnight on Caye Caulker?

Not easily! Most places in Caye Caulker close a lot earlier than midnight. If you’ve been partying, this is not what you want to hear!

If you’re hungry, the only places still serving food past midnight on Caye Caulker are the street food vans opposite the Reggae Bar. 

You can get hotdogs, burgers and nachos for under £5, so even if you’re not continuing the party, you can stop off for some food!

Is Caye Caulker safe for solo female travellers?

Yes, Caye Caulker is a safe place for solo female travellers to visit. Throughout the entire time I spent in Caye Caulker, I felt safe. This includes on my own during the day and at night.

The locals were kind, welcoming and friendly. Yes, you do get a bit of heckling and asking whether you’d like a rum or other suspicious items, but it’s nothing harmful.

In fact, Caye Caulker was where I felt safest throughout our Central American travels.

But everyone’s experiences of Caye Caulker are different. What might feel safe to me, might not feel safe for you. But in general, I found there to be no issues or problems in Caye Caulker, no immediate threat of danger and most importantly, the people were kind!

As always, make sure you have travel insurance to have extra peace of mind. As a previous solo female traveller myself, I always use SafetyWing for insurance. They have the best cover for backpackers, and signing up is easy! You can check out their cover here.

Related post: 29 AMAZING Things To Do In Caye Caulker Belize

What city in Belize has the best nightlife?

San Pedro has some of the best nightlife in Belize. From Jaguar’s Temple to beach bars like the Sunset Lounge, it’s the place to party if you want a wild night out.

San Pedro is not typically on the backpacker trail, but if you have some spare time and like beach towns, give it a try! It’s a world away from the laid-back vibes of Caye Caulker, so if you want something a bit faster-paced, head to San Pedro.

Already on Caye Caulker? Check out my guide: How To Get From Caye Caulker To San Pedro (2023).

Where to stay in Caye Caulker as a backpacker

As I previously mentioned, Caye Caulker is small. Really, really small. So everyone gets to know everyone, regardless of what hostel you’re at.

There’s also a lot of talk about the hostels, and what makes them great (or not so great). If you’ve done your research, you will have heard about Bella’s Backpackers. Well, yes, it might be known as the ‘party’ hostel, but it doesn’t receive the best reviews (in person and online).

I’ve met people who have mixed reviews about Bella’s. Some have loved it, whilst some have checked out early. Do your research and read the reviews, so you know exactly what you’re letting yourself in for! You can read some of the helpful reviews here.

If you’d rather avoid the chaos of Bella’s, I highly recommend:

• Go Slow Hostel: we stayed here for over a week and it was perfect. Clean, comfortable, and in the best location on the island (it’s actually on the street next to Bella’s). There’s a large area to socialise and meet other backpackers, which we loved. The wifi is a little hit-and-miss, but it’s worth it!
• Sophie’s Guestrooms: If you want a quieter stay. This hostel only has 5 rooms and has a real homey vibe to it.
• Tropical Oasis: for basic dorms but a good party and social vibe. Right next to Go Slow Hostel.

Is Caye Caulker touristy?

Caye Caulker is a good mix of tourists and locals. You can either surround yourself with other backpackers and tourists or branch out and mingle with the locals. It is so small that everyone goes to the same places, and you’ll begin to recognise people in the bars and restaurants the longer you stay!

We met some really kind locals that we shared drinks with in the Sports Bar, as well as other backpackers!

Can you walk around Caye Caulker?

Yes, Caye Caulker is walkable. The island is less than 1 mile wide (east to west) and only 5 miles north to south. Most of the tourist attractions and areas are all in the centre, and most visitors will not need to leave this area (or want to!)

However, you can hire a bike and explore the north island. You’ll need to board the Split to Split ferry at The Split (which is north of the south island) which will take you across the water to the north island.

If you do need help with luggage or a more than 5-minute walk (seriously, most things are within 5 minutes of each other), you can grab a golf cart taxi. These taxis are around throughout the day and you can hail them from the side of the road.

Best backpacker travel insurance for Central America

If you’re visiting Central America as a backpacker, or even for a short vacation, it is so important to have travel insurance. And if you ended up on a post that’s called ‘epic party tips’, you know (just as well as I do) that you definitely need travel insurance.

Personally, I recommend SafetyWing. As a digital nomad and world traveller myself, I can confirm it is the best travel insurance out there. And one of the cheapest – they have deals that start at just $42 USD per month.

I know, I know, you’re thinking ‘but I can’t afford that!’. I was the same! It’s tough to fork out $42 a month on something ‘you might not need’. But what if something DOES happen? That extra Mezcal shot results in you falling down the stairs, or you eat something dodgy from a street food van.

If you need medical help at any point whilst in Central America, you need travel insurance.

With SafetyWing, you’re covered on travel emergencies, basic medical costs and medical expenses throughout your trip, so you can travel without worry (at a backpacker’s price!)

Don’t even think twice about getting travel insurance for Central America. Trust me, I have heard enough horror stories about backpackers who haven’t had insurance and have ended up in a lot of debt. Don’t be that person!

If you’ve been putting the job off because it takes a lot of time and effort to research the best travel insurance companies, I understand. That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Sign up for SafetyWing, and the job is done!

Is Caye Caulker A Party Island?: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about Caye Caulker being a party island!

When you’re planning a trip to Belize, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t come across my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently backpacking Central America with my boyfriend (read more here!), whilst creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Belize content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

Other Belize posts:

• Snorkeling in Caye Caulker: BEST Company
• Shark Ray Alley Caye Caulker: Complete Guide
• Best Hostels In Caye Caulker For Backpackers