# 1  Tourist tax into Belize

Be prepared to pay a tourist entry tax into Belize. I have read up on this and many information sites and blogs inform the tax is incorporated in your flight or is not applicable. That being said, everyone I have spoken to recently has had to pay about 20 USD to enter. If you come assuming you need to pay this and with some notes on you, it will be a much more seamless process for all concerned. So many people were red in the face trying to argue their point and in the end had to pay it anyway.

# 2  No need for tuk-tuks

Don’t be fooled into getting a tuk tuk to your accomodation once you arrive on Caye Caulker. The island is tiny and everywhere is walkable. It is very easy to fall into this trap after a long day of travelling and the pleading voices of the locals are trying to pull you in, but it is absolutely not necessary.

# 3  KoKo Beach is worth exploring

Take a ferry to KoKo King beach for the day, located on the northern tip of Caye Caulker. The boat ride over is free as long as you promise to buy a drink at the bar. Easy. There are day beds, chairs, restaurant and kayaks for hire. A perfect way to pass time on this little island.

# 4  Sailing the Caribbean with Raggamuffin Tours

I can’t recommend Raggamuffin Tours enough! The sail was an incredible experience and a brilliant way to explore Caribbean waters, meet interesting people and learn about the culture of the locals here. The 3 day sail departs every Tuesday and Saturday and will set you back about $500 USD. With all meals, alcohol, accomodation, snorkelling gear and transport included, it is worth every cent!

# 5  Swim with Nurse Sharks

Snorkelling with Nurse Sharks seemed to be everyones number 1 experience here, but something we didn’t end up signing up for (mainly because coldsore Mel needed to be confined to indoors). Apparently the “pet sharks” love swimming around the excitable tourists who are able to shove go pros in their faces without the bottom-dwellers being too concerened.

# 6  Ice & Beans – best smoothies in town

The best place to find fresh smoothies and scrumptious granola is Ice & Beans. The friendly, beach sand bar has great atmosphere, swinging chairs, brightly coloured decor and reggae music blaring from its speakers. Walking here became the morning ritual and the only way to start the day!

# 7  Bondi Bar – outdoor movie theatre

Bondi Bar offers simple tacos and an outdoor cinema should you be needing something to do in the evening. For any long term traveller, the prospect of movie night is always thrilling, and what a better way to do it then under a canopy of stars, warmed by the Caribbean breeze.

# 8  Watching the sunset

Our favourite evening was spent watching the magnificent sky explode with the colours of the sunset while enjoying a takeaway pizza. Head to the quiet side of the island and find a deserted jetty to perch on for the show. There are a lot of pizza places around town but just be warned they all seem to produce MASSIVE sized pizzas. Making the mistake of ordering two medium’s we could hardly get through one and had to give out the rest to local kids running around the streets.

# 9  Cheapest pharmacy around

The pharmacy on the island seems to be the cheapest one I have found so far. If you need to stock up on basics like sunscreen, cold and flu or cold sore pills, this is the place to do it!