Caye Caulker vs. San Pedro: Which Belize Island Is Right for You?

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If you’re planning a trip to Belize, chances are you’ve come across the two main island choices: Caye Caulker and San Pedro. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably gone down a rabbit hole of travel forums, Instagram Reels, and YouTube vlogs trying to figure out which one is better. It’s definitely one of those hard choices you have to make when planning your Belize trip, and also a decision that can have a huge impact on your vacation, depending on which island fits your vibe. That’s where I come in!

On my recent trip around Belize, I decided to visit both islands. Now I’m here to help you decide which one suits you best with an honest, experience-based comparison. Personally, I’m firmly on Team Caye Caulker (more on that soon!), but I totally understand the appeal of San Pedro too. So let’s break it down with the pros and cons of each island to help you choose!

What’s the difference between the islands?

So first let me quickly explain some basic information about the two islands. Both islands are part of the 450 cayes that stretch along the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef system in the world (after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef!).

San Pedro – The bigger and more developed island

San Pedro isn’t technically an island but the only town on Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize. It’s much bigger than Caye Caulker, and even within the town itself, you’ll need a golf cart to get around. For example, driving from the center of San Pedro to the famous Secret Beach takes about an hour. The size means more infrastructure, more nightlife, and more people. Expect traffic, golf carts, and a wider variety of restaurants and bars.

Caye Caulker – The small and walkable island

Caye Caulker is a much smaller island with a very laid-back vibe. The island is only 1 km wide and about 8 km long and known for its motto “Go Slow.” The whole island is walkable, and you won’t find any cars here. There are a few golf carts and bikes, but nothing compared to San Pedro. Think sandy streets, reggae beats, colorful buildings, and friendly locals. This is the place to unwind, sip a rum punch, snorkel the reef, and let time slow down.

Chill vibes on Caye Caulker

Which island is right for you?

This depends on a few things. Are you backpacking around Central America (like I was)? Or looking for a family-friendly escape? Do you want luxury or laid-back beach vibes? I will break it down into different topics and compare so you can see what best suits you.

Cost: Is Caye Caulker or San Pedro more budget-friendly?

Belize isn’t the cheapest destination to visit in Central America. After exploring every country in Central America, Belize was the second most expensive country after Costa Rica. That said, Caye Caulker is definitely more budget-friendly.

Caye Caulker has cheaper accommodations and restaurants. You can walk everywhere, so no need to rent a golf cart or pay for expensive taxis.
San Pedro has more Airbnbs and vacation rentals with kitchens, which might help if you want to cook your own meals. It also has large, American-style grocery stores, much more so than Caye Caulker.

Vibe: Laid-back or bustling?

In my opinion this is where the islands differ the most.

Caye Caulker felt like an instant breath of fresh air. I loved it the moment I arrived. After six months exploring Central America, this is still one of my favorite places. It’s calm and relaxing, but there’s still enough to do there to keep you occupied if that’s what you desire.
San Pedro, in contrast, felt kind of stressful. It was busier, noisier, and more spread out. And honestly, it felt very Americanized with lots of restaurants and bars that reminded me of places in the U.S. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s not why I came to Belize.

Caye Caulker vibes

Crowds: Which island feels more crowded?

San Pedro is definitely more populated. More tourists and more locals live there which makes it a lot more busy and noisy. But strangely, I noticed the crowds most when trying to get around, there are just so many golf carts everywhere in San Pedro!
Meanwhile, Caye Caulker felt much more relaxed, even though it was busier than I expected. You will however find that both islands have their calm areas and you will be able to relax at the beach and various swimming spots on both locations.

Relaxing in hammocks all over Caye Caulker

Accommodation: Luxury or Laid-Back?

Both San Pedro and Caye Caulker have more than enough accommodation options to choose from, but there are also differences on what kind of accommodation you will find on each island.

San Pedro has more high-end resorts with pools, beach clubs, and all-inclusive options.
On the other side Caye Caulker leans more toward backpackers and mid-range travelers, but there are still a few boutique and luxury options to choose from.

Food & Drink: Which island has better restaurants?

You will honestly find amazing food and great places to grad a drink on both islands.

San Pedro has more upscale restaurants and variety since it’s a bigger island, but you probably have to drive to and from each of them.
Caye Caulker surprised me with how good (and affordable) the food was. I ate incredibly well there and never got bored. There’s plenty of casual nightlife too.

I didn’t explore the nightlife extensively on either island, but my impression is that you’ll have a fun night out no matter which island you choose.

Loved the chilled back places to eat and drink on Caye Caulker

Things to do: What’s there to see & do on each island?

You can do almost everything from either island. The most popular activities are things like snorkeling, diving, taking a day trip to the Blue Hole, boat tours, and much much more. So if this is the only thing stopping you from choosing an island, there’s no need to worry.

Some things to take into consideration is that the prices for different tours were slightly cheaper from Caye Caulker than San Pedro. It was also easier to just walk around and compare tour operators on Caye Caulker. In San Pedro, you’ll want to book online in advance.

Sunsets: Which island wins?

It may sound minor, but Caye Caulker wins the sunset game hands down. One of my favorite things to do is to end the day watching the sunset with a good drink in hand. So if this is important for your vacation, then Caye Caulker is your spot!

San Pedro is on the wrong side of the island to enjoy the sunsets. You can head out west to Secret beach, but it’s not the same vibe as on Caye Caulker where everyone flocks to the different bars to watch the sunsets.

Both islands do however have amazing sunrises if you’re an early bird!

Sunset and sunrise on Caye Caulker

Final Thoughts: Caye Caulker or San Pedro?

Choose Caye Caulker if you…

Love slow travel and barefoot beach days
Prefer quirky charm over fancy resorts
Want to unplug and feel part of a small island community
Are backpacking or traveling mid-range
Would rather walk than drive a golf cart

Choose San Pedro if you…

Want a big variety of restaurants and bars
Enjoy nightlife and some luxury comforts
Don’t mind some traffic and busyness
Want a “resort island” with lots of amenities

My personal recommendation

If I had to choose just one? It’s Caye Caulker all the way.

There’s just something about that laid-back rhythm that sticks with you. After a few days, it starts to feel like home, barefoot, sun-kissed, and completely content. In my experience, Caye Caulker felt like a place to be, while San Pedro felt like a place to do. I loved my slower mornings, swims at The Split, and cocktails at sunset.

I hope this post helps you plan your Belize adventure!

Got questions about Belize or traveling Central America? Reach out to me on social media, I’d love to help you out.

-Ingrid