Tobacco Caye Day 1

Down by Riverside Cafe, the speedboats come and go, taking people to Tobacco Caye. Belize is rich in islands, known as Cayes. From Dangriga, you can hop on a boat to Tobacco Caye and Glovers Reef, among others. Tobacco is a tiny island, measuring about 150 meters by 75 meters. It only takes a minute to walk from one end to the other. A boat ride costs between 30 and 35 Belize dollars and takes about 30 minutes. The people in Belize genuinely try to keep their country clean. They collect trash, but then suddenly a hurricane comes along, lifts everything up, and spreads it all around again... hmm. On one side of Tobacco, about 20 meters out in the water, a dead coral reef sticks up above the surface. Even though it doesn’t look beautiful underwater anymore, it still plays a vital role. It protects the island from the big waves coming in from the sea. It also prevents debris from the ocean from washing ashore. That’s why Tobacco is incredibly clean and well-maintained. Every morning, the locals "sweep" the island, raking the sand nicely. For the same reason, walking on the coral reef is forbidden, as the weight of people would crush it and eventually destroy it. There are several different cabins and rooms to choose from. What they all have in common is that they include three meals. Prices vary, and since the island is small, it’s a good idea to check out all the options before making a decision. Lana's is known for having the best food on the island. However, the rooms don’t have a sea view, and they are quite small and worn. A double room with three meals costs 40 USD per person. Barbara’s has lovely, colorful cabins. A cabin costs 45 USD, including three meals per person, and you can expect to get lobster as well. We chose Paradise, which is the only place where the cabins are right at the water's edge. They are nice and well-kept. In fact, Paradise is located at the prettiest end of the island. From here, you can enjoy the sunrise directly from your hammock on your little terrace. A cabin costs 35 USD, including three meals per person. You can also snorkel right from the island. Renting gear for half a day costs 10 Belize dollars per person.