Cayo is quiet, very quiet, unless you live right in town. Living in town, San Ignacio, Santa Elena, or smaller villages like Christo Rey or San Antonio, you would not require a car, but you could be subject to the locals’ love of music, played at high decibels no matter the hour.
If you’ve never heard of Caye Caulker, it’s a very small island near Belize City, in the Gulf of Mexico. A haven for divers and snorkellers due to its proximity to the Barrier Reef, you can actually see the waves breaking on the reef on the horizon. A feast for the eyes, this small island offers stunning views, tropical sea life, snorkeling, and diving excursions and a “go slow” attitude that will charm you into staying.
There is something truly delightful about getting a seaweed shake from The Shak near the point (the very end of the peninsula) and wandering up the sidewalk with my little dog, Beau, in tow.
I had become intrigued with this small central American country after reading articles touting it as a retirement destination. I liked the fact that English was the official language, that it was affordable, warm, and not too far away.
Belize’s charm is hard to put into words, but the best description might include the phrase “rustic paradise.” This is a barefoot nirvana, where you can hitch a ride on a skiff with a local fisherman for a day, then walk into a restaurant and have them cook your catch for you.
Caye Caulker has long been a favored destination for travelers to Belize. People flock to this small island because it has a vintage Caribbean charm all its own—it looks like a postcard. The island has remained a rustic paradise, with candy-colored wooden buildings, sandy roads, and no cars. Happy travelers, locals, and beach dogs lazily stroll and enjoy the warm breeze that comes off the water and ample shade of the palm-fringed streets.
“We’re trying to get better at retiring,” laughs Leslie Sorrell. She and her husband, Will, bought land in the seaside town of Hopkins, Belize, a decade ago with the intent of retiring from their demanding careers.
Placencia and Ambergris Caye are two places in Belize very popular with tourists and expats. You will find countless online debates about which one is better, more-loved, or more livable. As an expat who has lived in both places for five years, I can attest that they offer distinctly different lifestyles.
All beaches in Belize are open to the public, and considered national land or “Queen’s Land” for the first 66 feet from the high-water level. All docks are also open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. regardless of who built them. This gives all segments of the community the feeling of inclusiveness and provides the freedom to roam the ocean’s edge from one end of the island to the other.
A lot has changed since David Santilli first came to Belize in 1996. You'll find a lot more paved roads. Electricity is more reliable and many more tourists are coming. There's cable TV, high-speed internet, and a wide choice of restaurants in expat hotspots.