Sea Dreams Hotel and Guest Houses (Hattie St., tel. 501/226-0602, www.seadreamsbelize.com, US$90 and up) is in a great location beside the split. There are five rooms, three apartments, and a private cabana. The rooms have air-conditioning, wireless Internet, TV, coffeemakers, and continental breakfast; the larger accommodations include full kitchens. Complimentary bikes, use of a canoe, and access to a rooftop deck and sunset pier make this an excellent choice.

De Real Macaw (Front St., tel. 501/226-0459, www.derealmacaw.biz, US$50–70 rooms) is a small, pet-friendly place whose eight units have private baths, mini-kitchens, TV, spacious verandas, and quality beds; US$130 for condo-apartment and beach house.

Tina’s Blue Moon Hotel (on the beach near the dock, tel. 501/206-0091, www.bluemoonhotelbelize.blogspot.com, US$75) has a handful of beach suites that sleep up to six for US$75 (or US$850/month); the suites have various amenities and offer excellent value, especially for small groups and families. Divers who stay here get a discount at Frenchie’s.

Popeye’s Beach Resort (right on the beach near the dock, tel. 501/226-0032, www.popeyesbeachresort.com, US$55–75) is quiet and family friendly and has four cabanas and three family rooms (with two double beds); all rooms have private baths, hot and cold water, and air-conditioning. There is a small beach bar with hammocks (8 a.m.–6 p.m.). Popeye’s has an on-site travel agent for Tropic Air and bus tickets.

The Jaguar Morning Star Guest House (tel. 501/626-4538, www.jaguarmorningstar.com, US$53) is a big white building with a jungle mural, across from the Catholic church and primary school. It is an excellent bargain, with two modern top-floor rooms each with private bath, fridge, coffeemaker, and TV. There is a shared deck with a great ocean view and breeze. The owners planted many tropical trees and flowers to create a lovely garden.

The southernmost beachfront option on Caye Caulker consists of the five cabins at Shirley’s Guest House (on the south end of the beach, tel. 501/226-0145 or 501/600-0069, www.shirleysguesthouse.com, US$50–90, adults only), built with beautiful tropical woods. They are clean, quiet, and comfortable, with a range of amenities.

You’ll find six bright and colorful accommodations at the front and seven at the back of Barefoot Beach Resort Belize (on the beach, tel. 501/226-0161, www.barefootcariberesort.com, US$69–89), all clustered on the beach; a few bigger suites go for US$129–145. The quaint, cozy rooms have comfortable queen or king beds, ceiling fans, sitting areas, small refrigerators, private baths with hot showers, and air-conditioning, plus their own deck or patio with seating and access to a sunning dock.

The Tree Tops Hotel (tel. 501/226-0240, www.treetopsbelize.com, US$55–140) is tucked back from the water near Tom’s Hotel, and is a luxurious little gem in a tall white building. The owner has created a nice ambience with colorful ceramics and thematically decorated rooms—including two suites (the Sunrise and Sunset) that have private balconies, TV, fridge, and hot and cold water bathrooms. Two cheaper rooms share a bath and each has TV, fan, and fridge.

Oasi (tel. 501/226-0384, www.holidaybelize.com, US$70–80) is outside the main buzz of town, toward the airstrip. There are four self-contained, homey, quiet apartments with air-conditioning and ceiling fan, hot and cold rainwater shower, equipped kitchen, and wireless Internet. The entrance is a tropical garden with fountain. Your hosts, Luciana Essenziale and Michael Joseph, will help plan your days; complimentary bikes make the five-minute ride to town easy. There are a few other similarly priced and equipped apartments and rooms for rent in this area, including Picololo (tel. 501/226-0371, US$75) and Maxapan Cabañas (tel. 501/226-0118, US$60).