Caye Caulker at Christmas 2013
Iguana Reef Inn

Our daughter Jesse and Granddaughter Jade came down to Belize to spend the holidays. This year they wanted to spend some time on Caye Caulker so we booked a flight over and found rooms available at the Iguana Reef Inn.

When we arrived at the Corozal airport for our flight, we were told that there was no reservation and besides, there was no flight at that time anyway. I explained that I had called Maya Island Air two days earlier to book the flights and was told my flight was confirmed. Now this was not their fault, apparently I neglected to mention that I wanted to depart from Corozal and the confirmed reservations were for a Belize City departure. The agent called the dispatcher and a special flight direct to Caye Caulker was arranged. Total wait was less then an hour and there was no extra charge. Great service from Maya Island Air!

So off we went to spend Christmas on the Island. Miss Jade was elected co-pilot and the rest of us climbed in the back. The flight was smooth and uneventful, with the pilot making a perfect cross wind landing at Caye Caulker. `


Upon arrival, we hailed a taxi, a glorified gulf cart, and headed for Iguana Reef Inn. We have been hearing Caye Caulker was suffering from the same lack of road maintenance that has plagued most of Belize during this extended rainy season, but we were shocked at the street conditions. We arrived safely, if a little jostled, a few minutes later.

Iguana Reef Inn is one of the most upscale hotels on the island. This is not our normal preference, but it was all that was available, so we suffered through it. The rooms were elegant, for an island in Belize, the grounds manicured, the pool clean and refreshing, the food excellent and the drinks plentiful. No complaints! The Inn is on the lee side of the island, with calm waters and a lovely view of the sunset visible from the clean, raked beach and adjoining dock. Most evenings several guests would gather on the dock to sip a cocktail and enjoy the spectacular sunsets.

Caye Caulker is what most tourists want from a Tropical Island. No large hotels usurping the beach front or blocking the view, lots of wonderful food from any of an abundance of restaurants and easy access to world class Diving and Snorkeling. There is no lack of vendors selling native arts and crafts or home cooked pastries, even dogs were for sale along the "strip". I've been to this quaint island several time but this was the first time no one offered to sell me anything illegal.

Iguana Reef Inn offered a specially cooked lobster dish for Christmas dinner, but we somehow negelicted to sign up, so we headed into town to see what we could find. We had a wonderful meal and interesting time at Bamboozal's Restaurant and Bar. Even Santa dropped in for a drink! We were greeted with an enthusiastic "Merry Christmas al-la-lu-ja" by one of the local bush doctors. All in all it was a very unique Christmas Dinner.

All good things must come to an end, so we headed home on Boxing Day to spend a few quiet days in Consejo Shores before venturing down to Hopkins for a few days on the beach and some Zip Lining at Mama Noots - Bocawina Adventures & Eco Tours.