Caye caulker....I thought it was GROSS

[Travel Angel]

I have refrained from this appaarently "Hot Topic" regarding sewage, drainage, bathrooms, beaches (or lack of), but come on people, we all agree it is a sleepy little fishing town, we all agree that some of their bathroom facilities may be sub standard compared to what we are used to, and who really knows what is coming out of that mysterious pipe some are harping about.... but remember it is NOT A VACATION destination... it's your choice to go there on a shore tour or not !

 

I have stayed there for a couple days while checking out Ambergris Caye and actually enjoyed the local flair including the good food, the friendly people and believe it or not I had no problem finding a restroom that was totally acceptable.

 

Lets focus on the beauty and simplicity Caye Caulker offers to it's visitors and the point of it being an uncommercialized port of call as others in the caribbean have quickly become, instead of this bickering of whos right and who is wrong regarding a beach, sewage, bathrooms etc..! enjoy it for what it really is, IF YOU DESIRE that type of environment !!

 

Just my 2 cents.... FLAME AWAY !!!

[JenDalessan]

when you get to Belize you will be taking the longest tender ride and then you are limited to the normal few hours in port. Caye Caulker was a 30 to 45 minute boat ride away. I think people should be informed of exactly what the place is like so they can make an informed decision.

[Travel Angel]

Yes I am all for being informed,, but to go on and on and on and on about this darn "pipe" is just a waste of time ! Get over it.

[JenDalessan]

Yes I am all for being informed,, but to go on and on and on and on about this darn "pipe" is just a waste of time ! Get over it.

 

Or you could just skip the thread? Trudy and I were talking about it and I found a pic that I did not even realize I had. She provided another answer that I had no knowledge of. I am sorry if we bored you. :rolleyes:

 

Our immune systems are generally adpated to our environments. The average person who lives in CK might be fine with the current amount of (or lack of) sanitation but a visitor very well could end up ill. Swimming in polluted water, drinking water that has not been purified, eating food that has been prepared by a bartender who has not washed their hands....these are real dangers that can ruin a vacation for someone. Just because it did not happen to you doesn't mean that it can't happen.

[ladycaveat]

I have refrained from this appaarently "Hot Topic" regarding sewage, drainage, bathrooms, beaches (or lack of), but come on people, we all agree it is a sleepy little fishing town, we all agree that some of their bathroom facilities may be sub standard compared to what we are used to, and who really knows what is coming out of that mysterious pipe some are harping about.... but remember it is NOT A VACATION destination... it's your choice to go there on a shore tour or not !

 

I have stayed there for a couple days while checking out Ambergris Caye and actually enjoyed the local flair including the good food, the friendly people and believe it or not I had no problem finding a restroom that was totally acceptable.

 

Lets focus on the beauty and simplicity Caye Caulker offers to it's visitors and the point of it being an uncommercialized port of call as others in the caribbean have quickly become, instead of this bickering of whos right and who is wrong regarding a beach, sewage, bathrooms etc..! enjoy it for what it really is, IF YOU DESIRE that type of environment !!

 

Just my 2 cents.... FLAME AWAY !!!

 

You're not getting flamed by me . . . I totally agree with you and I too had a wonderful time on Caye Caulker on my last Western Carribbean cruise in 2006 and plan to vist again next month on my cruise.

[MrsLeo]

"Lets focus on the beauty and simplicity Caye Caulker offers to it's visitors and the point of it being an uncommercialized port of call as others in the caribbean have quickly become, instead of this bickering of whos right and who is wrong regarding a beach, sewage, bathrooms etc..! enjoy it for what it really is, IF YOU DESIRE that type of environment !!

 

Good advice. I enjoy the area immensely and know I'll be back.

[gebo]

We booked a snorkel trip we booked through shore trips in Nov. The snorkeling was the best. The guides actually were able to tell us what we were looking at in the sea (and it wasn't trash). My sister thought the trip was better than the one she went on at the great barrier reef. My elderly mother went with us in a wheel chair and her treatment was exceptional... they bungee corded her wheelchair to deck supports, and she was comfortable. We ordered an OK and affordable lunch at Caye Caulker and had a short while to look around. Cay Calker looked like a beach bum paradise to me. It was rustic to say the least, and reminded me of many 3rd world places I've been. I was an OK stop, but nowhere near luxury. We loved the snorkeling and found the side trip an interestig reminder of how good we had it on HAL, and at home.

Be a traveler.

[boomer9x]

I wish people would not get so defensive when someone gives their opinion of someplace they visited. I personally appreciate people telling the truth about their experience so I can take that information as well as everyone elses opinion and make a decision on where to go. Most people will not use 1 source to make a decision about an excursion or place to visit, so if you love someplace that someone else doesn't like, start your own post and rave about how wonderful it is. For example, I think NCL was the worst cruise line in the world and would not recommend anyone choose one of their cruises. I have heard other people say they like NCL and guess what? Neither of us is right or wrong! Regardless I would be upset if someone didn't share their story of the horrible service, terrible smells, and less than exciting entertainment.

 

With all of that being said, we are on a cruise stopping in Belize in April and we haven't decided where to go but will see what people that have been there have to say before deciding. Thank you for your info JenDalessan, I appreciate it.

[TwinMom7]

We spent a couple of hours on Caye Caulker as part of our snorkeling excursion. Actually thought the little island was a sleepy, little fishing village. Didn't use a restroom, but did eat there - and things seemed fairly clean. The attached photo was taken as we approached....

 

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2406330830030311051ExxoWC?vhost=good-times

[bound4somewhere]

Okay, okay...my $.02 cents here. I went on a snorkeling excursion that stopped for a quick visit and lunch on Caye Caulker and I loved what I saw. Enough that I would love to visit again! Beliken beer was great too:)

I think the difference may be that "travelers" will appreciate and enjoy the Cayes off of Belize and then again "tourists" may find it boring and lacking commercialism. Those of us that are "travelers" know exactly what I mean;)

 

Enjoy...

[poptart]

 

 

beautiful. Looks like a post card!!

[wadethegringo]

Just like advertisements, these pictures are just one moment of the whole experience. in no way should anyone believe that every moment will mimic these pictures. I spent three days in puerto Rico looking for the "post cards" I have seen. saw a few, had a great time, But it was not what I had envisioned. Remember the good things and let the bad fade away but dont stop exploring.

[*Mach*]

Just like advertisements, these pictures are just one moment of the whole experience. in no way should anyone believe that every moment will mimic these pictures. I spent three days in puerto Rico looking for the "post cards" I have seen. saw a few, had a great time, But it was not what I had envisioned. Remember the good things and let the bad fade away but dont stop exploring.

 

 

Excellent advice that anyone should heed... anywhere... anytime...

Thanks.

[MrsLeo]

I'll drink to that! Good advice!

[driftwood]

Also you will NOT be there to see Caye Caulker at sunset--postcard or no postcard--unless of course you manage to miss the last water taxi to Belize City. CHECK THAT WATER TAXI SCHEDULE, AND REMEMBER THAT YOU MAY NOT BE THE ONLY PERSON WHO WANTS TO CATCH HIS SHIP BEFORE IT SAILS! Hanging about until the last minute--ESPECIALLY ON CAYE CAULKER--is NOT recommended! :eek:

[OttoCal]

So back to that bathroom that started this original thread- I have seen it, I was also very grossed out by that bathroom. I believe I have even mentioned it in other Caye Caulker threads- if you poke around, you might find it.

 

And here's the big but... it wasn't the yuckiest bathroom I saw in Belize (horrors!). And I still like Caye Caulker. I found it to be very laid back. Plus, I liked the little shops. One of my favorite parts was the lack of mosquitoes that plagued me in the jungles and mainland beaches (where we did indeed find 'real' sandy beaches).

 

Caye Caulker is really not for everyone. You have to be almost as mellow as jello to enjoy it there. If you have to ask yopurself if you are that laid back, you probably aren't. And I probably would have had a completely different opinion of the Caye if I had visited it on my first day to Belize instead of my last. Those mosquitoes sucked out much of my will to live and many of my 'high maintenance' issues, leaving me possibly more mellow than jello, and able to overlook the micro-beach (we just laughed), gross bathroom (hey, you could hear the satellite radio in there through the speaker), and hit or miss food (we got great lobster nachos. Everything else was eh.)

 

Also, remember that this is popular with the backpacker traveling crowd. If you haven't encountered them, think students traveling on a mini-budget. Typically, those who can afford it will go straight to Ambergris Caye. Caye Caulker is cheaper. And yep, you get what you pay for, even in Belize.

 

I'd still go back to CC. I'll just plan my bathroom breaks a little better. ;)

[Happy5804]

My trip to Caye Caulker left me feeling very much like the OP. It's a cute little place but I will not spend another port day there. I went after reading many rave reviews right here on this site. I was so disappointed but I was afraid to post my feelings here.

 

It seems that JenDalessan had the courage to post her feelings and she was then attacked. It's too bad that people feel the need to attack anyone who has a different opinion.