Birthday Paradise: A Barefoot Birthday in Caye Caulker, Belize
What's better than a birthday? A birthday celebrated on a Caribbean Island with your favorite travel partner, endless seafood, and a whole lot of rum balls! My boyfriend whisked me away to Caye Caulker, Belize, where we discovered that "Go Slow" isn't just a motto – it's a way of life that I'm now completely obsessed with.
Pack Light, Live Free
Let me start with the best travel tip I've ever shared: Leave your "fancy" at home. Seriously. I could have fit everything I needed in a large backpack (note to self for next time). No makeup? No problem. The island glow is all the highlight you need. The dress code is gloriously simple: swimsuits, cover-ups, and whatever feels comfortable. I watched my unused sundresses and makeup bag collect dust most of the trip while living my best life in flip-flops and beach hair.
Pro tip: The only footwear you really need is a pair of sturdy sandals or water shoes – I saw more bare feet than shoes on this island!
The Adventure Begins (Even in the Rain!)
Mother Nature decided to kick off my birthday trip with a proper welcome (rain) shower during our ferry ride from Belize City to Caye Caulker. But hey, a little rain never hurt anybody, especially when you're headed to paradise! We checked into our King Bungalow at Weezie's (our little slice of heaven) and made a beeline for La Cubana, where the jerk chicken had me doing a little birthday dance in my seat.
Pro tip: Their chips and salsa are not your average tortilla chip situation – they're a whole vibe.
Birthday Vibes in Full Swing.
Nothing says "birthday week" quite like starting your day with yoga, followed by what I'm now calling the Breakfast of Champions at Ice & Beans – rum balls, a bag of mini donuts, and a coffee. Yes, you read that right. Rum balls FOR BREAKFAST. It's my birthday, and I'll rum ball if I want to!
Fair warning: these mini donuts are addictive, and the coffee make this cute spot a must-visit morning destination.
The Split and its famous Lazy Lizard bar became our go-to spot for maximum island chillin'. Picture this: Paloma (or rum & coke) in hand, feet dangling over crystal-clear water, and not a care in the world. It's the ultimate beach bar experience with the best sunset views on the island. Lunch at Bambooze was a seafood extravaganza – their popcorn lobster should be illegal it's so good, and don't even get me started on their tangy coconut shrimp. We closed out the day at Reina's, where the pineapple jerk porkchop and the shrimp-stuffed snapper were game-changers.
Indiana Jones Meets Island Time.
Trading our beach vibes for some ancient Maya action, we explored Altun Ha Ruins with the legendary Mr. Jose. The only time we needed actual shoes! Back on the island, Roy's served up a birthday dinner that dreams are made of – I mean, grilled shrimp-stuffed lobster? Come on! Pair it with their lobster and shrimp ceviche for the ultimate seafood feast. The night ended with karaoke at Enjoy's Bar & Lounge, where I had a blast singing along to Taylor Swift, Whitney Houston, and Backstreet Boys (but don’t worry, I never had the microphone). This place is the heart of nightlife on the island, where locals and tourists mix and mingle like old friends.
North Island Shenanigans.
The North Island became our personal playground for the next few days. A whopping $5 BZE water taxi ride (bargain of the century) took us to this quieter side of paradise. Between lazy days at the Lazy Lizard (sensing a theme here?), catching the Commanders game at The Dive Bar (because when your team makes it to the NFC Championship for the first time since the 1991 Season, you watch the game), and discovering the life-changing lobster burger at Blu Zen, we mastered the art of doing nothing and loving every second of it.
Speaking of Blu Zen – this North Island gem deserves its own shoutout. (We debated between staying at Blu Zen or Weezie’s, and though it’s definitely paradise, it was a little too far from all the fun for our liking.) But their lobster burger will ruin all other burgers for you, and the shrimp ceviche is perfect for a light lunch. Trust me, it's worth the water taxi ride alone.
We also discovered Maggie's, serving up classic island cuisine that feels like a warm hug from a local grandmother, and the Boozy Eel, where you'll end up making friends with everyone at the bar – because that's just how Caye Caulker rolls.
The Grand Finale.
For our journey home, we splurged on a 17-minute scenic flight from Caye Caulker to Belize International Airport. Let me tell you, seeing the island from above was the cherry on top of my birthday cake. Speaking of cake – who needs it when you have endless rum balls and grilled lobster every day?!
Birthday Wisdom to Share.
Here's what I learned from celebrating my birthday in Caye Caulker:
- Pack light, REALLY light – you need way less than you think
- Leave the makeup bag at home – salt water and sun are all the beauty routine you need
- "Go Slow" is not just a suggestion – it's a lifestyle upgrade
- The best birthday presents come with sand, sea, and someone special to share them with
Packing Tips for Fellow Island Adventurers:
- Swimsuits (basically your daily uniform)
- A few light cover-ups
- One pair of sturdy sandals
- Sunscreen (lots of it!)
- A hat for sun protection
- Cash for the North Island ferry (and extra for more rum balls)
- Your sense of adventure
- And that's honestly about it!
Who needs birthday cake when you can have fresh seafood, island vibes, and endless adventures? Caye Caulker, you've ruined all future birthdays for me – in the best possible way. Now, excuse me while I figure out how to convince my favorite travel partner that this needs to become an annual tradition! 🌴🦞🎉
P.S. To all my over-packers out there: Trust me on this one. The beauty of Caye Caulker is that no one cares what you're wearing, and you'll probably spend 90% of your time in a swimsuit anyway. It's liberating in the best possible way!
