Shaka Caye

Be ready for sand flies and strong sun on the island. They’re awful, though they don’t bite on windy days. Bring plenty of bug spray, extra-strength anti-itch cream and Benadryl. My husband and daughter had mild bites, but my son and I got dozens and dozens, much worse than mosquito bites. Bring the highest-SPF waterproof sunscreen you can find, too. The island is close to the equator, and we Americans aren’t used to that sun. These things aren’t the resort’s fault, and despite them, I rate Shaka Cay 10 out of 10. We felt pampered even though we’re not demanding. The whole family loved the very fresh, locally sourced food, prepared with care, and the resort accommodated my 15-year-old son with alternative meal choices. The staff seemed to enjoy looking after guests, learned everyone’s names, and gave consistently professional, attentive service. The ladies cleaning our villa did an excellent job each day, and the resort paid attention to little details. The photos don’t do this stunning place justice. We loved how tiny the resort and island are, and I really can’t say enough good things about Shaka Caye.

The resort’s all-inclusive alcohol selection was quite limited, so we brought our own bottles to the island. To their credit, the staff served them graciously. If drinking is part of your vacation, I’d recommend bringing your own. The beautiful, intimate setting didn’t quite match the premium price, and the beverage options could be improved to fit the cost of the stay. The hospitality and food were outstanding. Every staff member went out of their way to make us comfortable, and each meal was fresh, well prepared, and consistently enjoyable. Enjoy your trip!

I left my birthday stay at Shaka Caye Private Island Resort with very mixed feelings. I was there from December 5 to December 9, 2025. The island is gorgeous: white sand, calm clear turquoise water, and mangrove forests. It felt secluded and peaceful, and unlike many Caribbean spots, there were no vendors or aggressive beach solicitors bothering me. The well-maintained cabins were clean and organized, and housekeeping and general upkeep were excellent. The housekeeping team especially went above and beyond. The on-site employees I dealt with, apart from management, were friendly, polite, professional, and timely. I had no concerns about them, and appreciated being upgraded to a cabin with a better view. The resort is fairly close to the airport and provides complimentary transportation both ways, a nice perk. The problems started before I got there. After booking through Expedia, I received a flood of emails and automated texts asking me to fill in forms. It felt excessive, and I’ve never had to do so much beforehand. More troubling, they asked for my full credit card number even though Expedia had already been paid in full. Management first said the details were required, then later said they didn’t actually need my card. They also tried to charge an extra $245 "resort fee" that hadn’t been disclosed on Expedia when I booked. I had to escalate it to Expedia’s executive management team to resolve. It was eventually corrected, but the stressful process left a bad impression before the vacation began. The resort also advertises itself on Expedia and other booking sites as “all-inclusive,” but to me it was really full board, with a limited fixed menu. Having stayed at true all-inclusive resorts around the world, I found this very different. You get what’s prepared, with little choice or flexibility. Portions were small even by European standards, and definitely by North American expectations. I often had to ask for larger servings to feel satisfied. The alcoholic options were even more limited, basically a few simple rum choices and one local beer. Anything beyond that came at an extra charge. That’s not what most travelers expect from a place sold as “all-inclusive.” I’ve had stellar all-inclusive stays in southern Europe with dozens of complimentary drinks and menu choices, and resorts in the Middle Eastern Gulf offer even more variety. The island is beautiful, the accommodations are decent, and the staff on the ground are wonderful. Still, the management practices, misleading marketing, attempted extra fee, and hassles before arrival seriously harmed the experience. Given the premium price and the effort and stress it took to protect myself as a customer, I personally wouldn’t return.

Everything was AMAZING, from the food and accommodations to the staff. I’ve just come home from a week in paradise, and this was my second trip to the island. I can’t wait to go back again. Thank you to everyone at Shaka Caye. God bless you all!