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In this article, we’ll discuss whether you should go to Caye Caulker or San Pedro during your trip to Belize. Each has something different and unique to offer. We’ll discuss the main differences and similarities between each place to help you make your choice.

You’re heading to Belize and trying to figure out if you rather include Caye Caulker or San Pedro in your itinerary. Both ‘islands’ have something unique to offer, yet can sometimes seem similar. We’ve spent time in both places and can say that they are quite distinct.

With limited time in Belize, you want to be sure you’re making the right choice. Most people will spend 2 weeks in Belize, but some spend even less, either a week or a few days. For Americans or Europeans looking for a long-weekend getaway, Belize is the perfect destination. Their currency goes a long way, and everyone here speaks English. Plus, with only a few days here, both Caye Caulker and San Pedro are close enough to Belize City, the only international airport, so they are great options to get a small taste of Belize.

So let’s get into the different details about each place so you can make your choice a little easier.

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About Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker is a little island located near the Belize coast. It’s tiny – about 8 km long and 1 km wide. The island is super laid back and the best way to get around is by foot (many people are barefoot) or by bike. Some people choose to get around by golf cart, but it’s not necessary. The island is small enough that you can walk around quite easily.

For fans of water activities, Caye Caulker is home to some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving sites, as it’s very close to the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world. Here, you can see some amazing corals, plenty of fish and other marine life like manatees, stingrays and sharks! You can also learn to windsurf or kiteboard, which is pretty awesome. But more on that later!

You can get to Caye Caulker by ferry – it’s only a 45-minute ride there. You can also fly in from Belize City, but the 5-minute flight is not worth the environmental impact.

The motto of Caye Caulker is “Go Slow” and people take it to heart. If you’re looking for laid-back vibes, this is the place to be. We have a full article covering the best things to do in Caye Caulker, whether you want to go slow or not, so we recommend you take a look if Caye Caulker is calling your name.

About San Pedro

San Pedro, or Ambergris Caye, is a bigger sibling to Caye Caulker. It’s not actually an island, although it bears the name of Caye… Ambergris Caye is actually a peninsula and is attached to Mexico.

The majority of people call Ambergris Caye ‘San Pedro’ because it’s the only city on the Caye. You can get here by boat (the same ferry that goes to Caye Caulker continues onto San Pedro). The ferry takes about 1.5 hours. Or you can take a flight here too, although we don’t recommend it.

The best way to get around San Pedro is by golf cart. The peninsula and the town are much bigger than Caye Caulker. You could walk around if you’re located in a central location, but it’s not the most efficient mode of transportation, especially if you want to check out some of the best things to do in San Pedro.

Being a bigger place than Caye Caulker, there’s a ton to do in San Pedro – from beautiful beaches, the Barrier Reef, water activities (snorkeling, scuba diving, and more), tons of entertainment (restaurants, bars, clubs and more) and even some cultural attractions like the San Pedro House of Culture, shops, cafes and art galleries.

Which Belize island is better: San Pedro or Caye Caulker?

Truth is, there is no better island… it all depends on what you’re looking to do. Some people will prefer what Caye Caulker will offer, while others will have a preference for the San Pedro vibes. Either way, we’ll go over the key points so you can make the best decision for you.

However, if you’re looking for clear blue Caribbean waters, plenty of beach bars with strong run drinks, and island vibes, both will have that to offer, at the bare minimum. After that, you’ll need to see which vibes, crowds and activities you’re more into.

So let’s get into the comparatives for San Pedro vs Caye Caulker, and hopefully, this will help make your choice much easier! Just know that both are amazing places to visit in Belize, so no choice is wrong.

Are the vibes better in San Pedro or Caye Caulker?

San Pedro is a beautiful place. It’s not a very big city, but it has more of a hustle-bustle going than Caye Caulker. The fact that most people get around by golf cart is an indication enough that things go at a faster pace here.

You still have the chill “island vibes” you’re looking for on vacation, but because San Pedro is much larger than Caye Caulker, you’ll have a lot more action here. In fact, San Pedro is known to have a more lively nightlife than Caye Caulker, and it’s a lot more lively in general. Seeing as it’s bigger, you have a lot more people coming here than to Caye Caulker. So it really depends on what you’re looking to do during your time in Belize.

As for Caye Caulker, we already mentioned its motto is “Go Slow”. And that’s precisely the vibes you’ll get if you choose to come to Caye Caulker instead of San Pedro. Seeing as most people get around either walking around barefoot or by bike, the vibe here is very laid-back. Everything goes at a much slower pace and no one is in a real rush to get anywhere.

We would describe Caye Caulker as a sleepy beach town – most people spend their time chilling at the beach bars, hanging out in the water with a drink.

Choose San Pedro if you’re looking for more hustle and bustle, more vibrant vibes. Choose Caye Caulker if you’re looking to take it easy, chill out and have more laid-back vibes.

How are the crowds different on Caye Caulker vs San Pedro?

Seeing as the vibes are quite different on these islands, the crowds are also very different.

On Caye Caulker, the crowd was more eclectic. We found there to be many more backpackers from all over the world – mainly Americans and Europeans. It was a younger, more go-with-the-flow crowd that often walked around barefoot, unsure of what they were going to do today, tomorrow, or any day, for that matter. They all just chose to go slow and see where the wind would take them… usually to a bar!

Although we did see a few families and older travelers, this was not the norm. Caye Caulker is very small and you don’t have the same level of comfort with larger amenities and accommodations, so it deters those who prefer to travel in comfort.

The crowd in San Pedro was a bit more homogenous. We found it was a much older crowd – from American retirees who have made San Pedro their home for the winter months, to families with young children or teenagers. Although there were some backpackers, they were few and far between.

Go to Caye Caulker if you’re looking for a younger, more backpack-friendly crowd. Choose San Pedro if you’re looking for a more mature but party crowd.

Which Belize island has the best beaches between San Pedro and Caye Caulker?

We’re going to be honest with you, as always – both islands didn’t live up to our Caribbean beach dreams. If you’re looking for some of the most beautiful beaches in Central America, there are many other places in Belize that offer them.

The beaches on Caye Caulker and San Pedro are not necessarily the best places to go but are still some good options for hanging in the water.

On San Pedro, the most famous beach is Secret beach. Located on the western side of San Pedro, it’s a secluded beach that is not a secret, as the name suggests, as you’ll run into plenty of people there. It does have crystal clear water, soft white sand and beach chairs, umbrellas kayaks and more. You can also find Boca Del Rio Beach, the main beach in San Pedro, on the eastern side of town. It’s a popular place for swimming, catching some rays and people-watching.

Mar De Tumbo Beach is a long and wide beach located on the northern side of San Pedro. It’s popular for walking and jogging but has plenty of bars and restaurants too. Playa Blanca Beach is a small and secluded beach on the southern end of Ambergris Caye. It’s a great spot for swimming and sunbathing, but it’s accessible only by boat.

You do have quite a few places that have private beaches (like Ramon’s beach) and pool bars (like Coco Loco), which seems to be what most people opt for in San Pedro, as some of the beaches can get quite crowded, or are really hard to get to.

As for Caye Caulker, you have 2 small beaches to choose from. Our favorite was the old Koko King beach club (Northside beach) located on the north island. It used to be closed but has since reopened. It’s a quiet beach that not too many people know about, and the perfect place to watch the sunset.

There is also the beach at the Iguana Reef inn where you can watch the sunset, see the stingrays and the seahorses. This beach is quieter during the day but gets quite busy around sunset. With plenty of lounge chairs and couches, it’s a great place to grab a beer and chill out.

On Caye Caulker, you also have the ‘beach bars’ like the Lazy Lizard and the Sip N Dip. They offer seating in the water, so grab a drink and chill out.

If you’re looking for better beaches, San Pedro has more options for you.

Between Caye Caulker and San Pedro, where are the larger accommodations?

Caye Caulker is a much smaller island than San Pedro, so the selection of places, and the level of amenities, will be much smaller than San Pedro. If you’re looking for established resorts and larger accommodations with pools and all the bells and whistles you look for when you travel, Caye Caulker will surely disappoint you. Although there are quite comfortable places, they are few and far between.

While on Caye Caulker, we stayed at El Ben Cabanas. Located on the North Island, they offer amazing cabanas in a variety of variations – 2 double beds, a single double, beachfront or poolfront, deluxe king and more. They have 2 pools, a full restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as bike rental, free kayaks and paddleboards and more.

On San Pedro, you have a much bigger selection of resorts and larger hotels. There are sure to be some bigger brand places that you recognize and know for the amenities they offer. More families and retirees choose San Pedro because they know they have all the amenities and comforts they want available to them.

While in San Pedro, we stayed at the newly renovated and opened The Watermark Belize. Located just north of the beach, this hotel has all the comforts you expect from a hotel of this caliber. They offer a variety of accommodations, from studios to 2-bedroom apartments. They also have a restaurant, rooftop bar and a rooftop pool that is the perfect place to watch the sunset.

If you’re looking for cozy accommodations, more boutique and homey, Caye Caulker is great for you. If you look for more amenities and larger hotels, San Pedro is the place for you.

Where do they have better amenities, Caye Caulker or San Pedro?

On both islands, you’ll find markets and stores where they sell all sorts of food and snacks. Caye Caulker is smaller, so you won’t have very big stores here. Instead, you’ll find some supermarkets, which are not as big as the ones we have back home, but they get the job done.

You also don’t have a ton of selection when it comes to food. But you’ll still have enough to be able to cook a decent meal at home.

In San Pedro, because there are many more tourists and families that come here, the supermarkets are much larger and offer much more selection here. However, the prices you’ll pay in San Pedro are much high than in Caye Caulker, but also back home. For certain items, expect to pay 2x what you’re used to paying back home.

As with most tropical destinations, we recommend you purchase your sunscreen, aftersun and insect repellant back home. You’ll get much more bang for your buck, and you’ll also have access to reef-safe alternatives.

Overall, San Pedro has much better amenities than Caye Caulker, although both have enough to satisfy your needs during your vacation.

Where are there more activities and things to do, San Pedro vs Caye Caulker?

Considering the vibe is more laid-back in Caye Caulker, it’s natural to assume that there is less to do here, but you’d be wrong. In fact, there is plenty to do in Caye Caulker, whether you want to go slow or get more active. From snorkeling to scuba diving, flights over the Great Blue Hole, hiking trails, local markets and much more. There is so much to do here.

Same goes for San Pedro, there are so many things to do on the island and around it. You can hang out on the beach or go to the Hol Chan Marine reserve which is closer to San Pedro. There are sailing tours, scuba diving, trips and so much more.

Basically, you have pretty much the same amount of things to do on either island, but you’ll find much more selection of providers and more price selection in San Pedro vs Caye Caulker.

Is the nightlife better in Caye Caulker or in San Pedro?

Although you may think that the older crowds in San Pedro and the backpackers in Caye Caulker would mean more parties in Caye Caulker, that is not the case! In fact, San Pedro is more known for its lively nightlife. From bars to clubs, nightly entertainment and more, you’ll have much more selection in San Pedro. The bigger crowds mean larger parties and later parties.

As for Caye Caulker, truth is, the party never goes past 9 pm. During the day, the beach bars are full of people chilling and drinking, but these bars rarely stay open past 9 pm, and crowds clear out much earlier than that! And as you can imagine, with a place whose motto is Go Slow, Caye Caulker isn’t really the place you expect to party, Instead, it’s more of a place to go hammock surfing and day drinking.

So if you’re looking for lively nightlife, ladies nights and happy hour, San Pedro is a much better destination than Caye Caulker.

Is the food better on San Pedro or Caye Caulker?

If you’re the type of person who wants to eat at a different restaurant at every meal, try a different type of cuisine or have more variety in terms of food, San Pedro is the place for you. You’ll find all sorts of different restaurants in San Pedro – we found places that had Mexican food, sushi, Thai, and Chinese options. You have all sorts of options, whether you’re on a budget or not.

If you have food restrictions like being vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free, you’ll have much more success and more fun eating out in San Pedro. In fact, San Pedro was probably the only place in Belize we found tofu on the menu. They had a few places that offered vegan options openly on their menu. A welcome change from the places we visited before in Belize. Our favorite was Juice Dive where they had so much vegan variety for every meal of the day! The Truck Stop was also a great place, especially if you’re looking for variety and nightly entertainment.

Of course, Caye Caulker also has some great restaurants, and most were more budget-friendly than in San Pedro. But if its variety you’re looking for, this is not where you’ll find it. Whether you’re vegan like Carine, or not, it seemed like most restaurants in Caye Caulker offered the same type of meals, with slight variations. You’ll find plenty of Belizean food, the typical rice & beans, fry jacks, and grilled seafood. There are a few Italian restaurants, Pasta per Caso being a great option, but that’s about it!

So if you’re looking to eat really well, have some variety and enjoy all sorts of cuisine, San Pedro is the place for you!

Is Caye Caulker or San Pedro more budget-friendly?

At this point, it should be no surprise that Caye Caulker is more budget-friendly. However, it’s not a huge difference in price. Caye Caulker and San Pedro have grown in popularity over the last few years. And although Caye Caulker attracts more backpackers, it’s still one of the most expensive places to visit in Belize.

Where you’ll see a slight difference in pricing is when it comes to accommodations – similar accommodations will be more affordable in Caye Caulker than in San Pedro. Food prices will also be more budget-friendly in Caye Caulker vs in San Pedro. However, that’s about it.

When it comes to activities, rentals and things like that, you’ll find that prices are pretty similar in both places. However, Caye Caulker is the place to go if you’re looking to save a few pennies. The fact that you don’t need a golf cart to get around will already save you a few hundred dollars on your trip. And with daily costs like accommodations and food being slightly cheaper, you’ll be able to spend less overall.

Overall, where is a better destination, Caye Caulker or San Pedro?

With all of these comparisons, you might still be unsure where to go. Let’s reassure you by saying that both islands are great destinations. They both have something unique to offer and will satisfy your Caribbean vacation dreams.

If you want more laid-back, more prevalent Caribbean vibes with a younger crowd and more chilling, Caye Caulker is the place for you. We absolutely loved our time in Caye Caulker. We got to hang out and meet some amazing locals. Some of our favorite things to do in Caye Caulker were to watch the locals play basketball or soccer and we got to talk to some amazing people.

If you’re looking for more action, more nightlife, more hustle and bustle, and more amenities and choices overall, San Pedro is the place for you! We enjoyed our time there but felt like it wasn’t our vibe so much. The fact that everything is so much more spread out and the commotion caused by the golf carts were less our style than walking around on the dirt roads of Caye Caulker.

But ultimately, the choice is yours. You know what you’re looking for in this Belize island vacation, so you can pick which island will best answer those needs!

We hope that these comparisons and notes will help you make a clearer decision when choosing between Caye Caulker and San Pedro.

Let us know in the comments which place seems to be more of your style. Where would you rather go? Do you have other questions about these places? Is there anything we should add to our list

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