One of Belize’s most famous coastal landmarks, The Split on the island of Caye Caulker, has become the center of a growing access dispute that has united local village leaders, residents, and ferry service providers in defense of unrestricted public entry to the beloved site. For decades, The Split has stood as Caye Caulker’s signature public space, drawing thousands of visitors each year and serving as a critical operational hub for local ferry operators that connect the island’s northern and southern shores. In August 2026, local authorities confirmed that unapproved talks had been held to impose access fees exceeding $1,000 on ferry operators that use the docking area adjacent to the Lazy Lizard establishment, triggering widespread concern across the island community.
The Caye Caulker Village Council moved quickly to address the situation, confirming it had launched its own formal discussions with Lazy Lizard management and representatives for the privately held property in question. What has compounded local frustration, village leaders note, is that no local governing body was consulted or notified before the fee negotiations with ferry operators were initiated. As of the latest public update, no ferry operator has complied with the fee demand or agreed to any binding payment terms for access to the area.
To back up its commitment to keeping The Split open to all, the Village Council has cited decades of official property boundary surveys, which clearly show the privately owned parcel does not extend to the outer edges of The Split or the surrounding sea wall. Based on this official mapping, the council has issued a firm public pledge: it will not allow any changes to access rules or restrictions that would block public entry to the iconic coastal space.
The effort to protect public access has gained backing from higher local office, with Area Representative Andre Perez confirming he has joined the advocacy work. Perez announced that a formal negotiating meeting is being arranged between local leaders and the property owners, with the core goal of reaching a peaceful, mutually agreeable resolution that protects the interests of residents, local tourism businesses, visiting guests, and ferry operators that depend on open access to this critical island location.