Islands of Belize: Caye Caulker vs Ambergris Caye

Two of the most exciting island destinations in the world are just off the coast of Belize: Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. But which one is best for your adventure? Learn about each isle’s unique characteristics in this side-by-side comparison guide.

What’s The Best Caye In Belize?

Ambergris Caye, also known as San Pedro Caye, is the largest island in Belize. It’s also one of the most popular destinations. Whether you’re into swimming in the reef, Belize’s grandest Carnival celebration, sacred cave tours, or Mayan culinary adventures, Ambergris Caye has a lot to offer.

Caye Caulker is a bit quieter than Ambergris Caye, but it’s just as intriguing. Visitors might fish or sunbathe in The Split, explore the serene mangrove forest, or join a Garifuna drumming circle. And, both islands offer much in the way of sailing, wildlife, and mainland day trips.

So, which one is the best Caye in Belize? To find out, let’s put on some snorkel gear and dive in.

Caye Caulker Vs. Ambergris Caye: Side-By-Side Comparison

How do the two most popular islands of Belize compare? See how they fare in a face-off.

Discover the winner in three comparison rounds: culture, water activities, and unique experiences.

Best Local Culture & Events

Local culture forms the texture of a trip. Which island’s local culture is better?

Ambergris Caye

Thousands of years ago, Ambergris Caye was settled by the ancient Maya, and their impact on the culture is still felt today. Visitors enjoy exploring the limestone ruins of the Marco Gonzalez Maya Site, and many praise those spaces dedicated to preserving that unique cultural heritage.

One of the most popular cultural expressions are traditional Maya cooking classes, where guests learn how to prepare a bold, festive brunch using ancient techniques—from mutate grinding cacao to marinating ceviche.

Beyond Maya-centered activities, San Pedro Caye offers exciting cultural opportunities:

  • Carnival: La Fiesta de San Pedro is one of the largest Carnival celebrations in Belize, filled with music, dance, and the ceremonial burning of Juan Carnival
  • Belizean Arts Gallery in San Pedro Town highlights vibrant local artists, as well as works from across the Caribbean
  • Black & White Cultural Entertainment Center hosts live Belizean cultural music and serves authentic traditional food

Caye Caulker

The most popular event in Caye Caulker is the Annual Lobster Fest. Every year in July, the island celebrates with games, dances, lobster fishing competitions, and serving up plenty of fresh-caught lobster in wildly diverse styles.

Visitors also enjoy self-guided Belizean food journeys on the island, partaking in the numerous examples of traditional and fusion cuisine. Other cultural experiences include:

  • The Red Flower Gallery, an intriguing art gallery on the island
  • Front Street and The Split in downtown Caye Caulker offer dance music and nightlife
  • The Caye Caulker Front Street Mural depicts beautiful ocean scenes

Winner: Ambergris Caye

From ancient history to food to festivals, San Pedro Island is the best Caye for cultural experiences.

Best Water Activities

Both islands offer popular beachside activities, including family-friendly swimming areas, parasailing, tubing, and surfing. Both offer options to rent paddle boards, gear, and kayaks.

Ambergris Caye

Visitors love the unique ocean experiences Ambergris Caye offers—like snorkeling with sharks in Shark Ray Alley! Leaving from San Pedro harbor, the trip out to the nurse-shark-filled portion of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve is less than 15 minutes. Even beginners can participate with the help of expert guides.

Other seaside highlights include:

  • The San Pedro Lagoon-Reef Eco Challenge, an international, 40+ mile kayak race
  • Sea turtle nesting grounds on the north side of the island
  • Swimming in clear water shallows at Secret Beach

Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is known for its beautiful marine wildlife. Visitors are drawn to experiences like exploring Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary, where you might see manatees migrating, or birds-eye marine reef tours in the seat of a parasail.

Most water activities at Caye Caulker are laid back, with lagoon fishing and relaxed-paced estuary tours garnering five-star reviews. That said, more adventurous visitors enjoy:

  • SCUBA diving from Caye Caulker into the Great Blue Hole of Belize
  • Windsurfing on lagoons
  • Crocodile spotting

Winner: Caye Caulker

From kayak racing to swimming with sharks, the oceanic experiences of Ambergris Caye are hard to beat! But for those seeking a more relaxing trip, Caye Caulker’s unique marinas win out.

Best Unique Experiences

Unique experiences are destinations and activities unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else.

Ambergris Caye

Two Ambergris Caye experiences stand out from the pack.

The first is the opportunity to take an unforgettable dive into the underground caves (cenotes) beneath the island. Divers explore sunken Maya artifacts and treasures, rare fauna, and surreal cave formations. However, cenote diving isn’t easy or safe for beginners. Only skilled divers should take on this adventure.

Fortunately, the second stand-out adventure requires zero prior experience: The Belize Chocolate Company in San Pedro. Visitors love tasting the local, bean-to-bar blends of chocolate, with desserts as diverse as cocoas, truffles, bars, tortes, and teas. Guests can even take chocolate-making classes hosted by the gourmet chocolatier.

Caye Caulker

Like Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker also offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience to highly skilled divers. Certified divers can explore the sprawling underwater cave system beneath Caye Caulker, including Giant Cave and Winter Wonderland. The latter is named for the fine, snow-like white silt settled on the cave’s formations.

Non-divers can also experience a unique tour of the Belize Barrier Reef. Local guides offer in-depth, 3-hour snorkeling tours of the Belize Barrier Reef, starting from the Caye. If snorkeling is too much, visitors can also enjoy the reef from above the surface on a kayak.

Winner: Ambergris Caye

While both islands offer a unique, unforgettable experience to divers with advanced skills, underwater cave exploration isn’t safe for most travelers. Fortunately, the Belize Chocolate Company tour in San Pedro is a rare treat anyone can enjoy!

Other Considerations: Day Trips, Language, Lodging, and Cost

The most popular day trips from San Pedro are to Belize City and mainland destinations, including tubing adventures in the Belize Cave System, exploration of ancient ruins, and zip line tours through the rainforest canopy.

Highly-rated day trips from Caye Caulker are those to the Hol Chan Marine Reservation, island-hopping wildlife tours, and excursions to visit the Altun Ha ruins.

English is a primary language in both Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye.

Both islands offer a range of resorts, hotels, and hostels. The popular spots in San Pedro tend to fill up fast, so it’s important to book your stay a few months in advance. In contrast, Caye Caulker’s hotels draw fewer guests, so you can often book a room at the last minute.

While visitors could plan a trip on a budget to either island, Caye Caulker’s lodgings and activities typically cost a bit less on average.

Discover Ambergris Caye On Caravan’s All-Inclusive Belize Tikal Tour

Ambergris Caye is the winner of our Belize island face-off! And visiting has never been easier.

One of the best ways to save money when traveling to Belize—and also skip the stress—is to book a spot on Caravan’s all-inclusive Tour of Belize & Tikal. Our travel experts curate everything, from dining to lodging to shark adventures, and reserve space far in advance. That way, our guests never have to stress! On a Caravan trip, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy.

If you’d like to join in, or just want more information, we invite you to call us toll-free at 1-800-CARAVAN or 1-800-312-321-9800.

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