Hopkins in Belize is well known for its vibrant Garifuna culture. You will find plenty of exciting activities for kids here!
Your children will gain valuable insight into another culture by visiting Maya ruins, hiking the rainforest or visiting San Ignacio’s Green Iguana Conservation Project – all activities that offer endless fun!
1. Explore the Maya Ruins
No matter your child’s interests – mathematics, history or just an adventurous spirit – Mayan ruins are an incredible family adventure! From majestic pyramids to entire communities, these captivating structures will open your child’s imagination while teaching them about a civilization that was far more advanced than we often give credit for.
Lubantun’s impressive and safe ruins for kids to climb are particularly memorable, while those at Xunantunich are particularly sought-after as visitors can ascend all the way up to its main pyramid. If possible, take advantage of a guided tour offered by local guides who will share information about its history while answering any queries from both you and your kids.
Cave tubing offers an exciting new adventure for you and your children, often ending with a refreshing swim in a river or natural pool at its conclusion. Ian Anderson’s Caves Branch in Belize provides one of the longest cave tubing floats available and makes an excellent choice for families.
Hopkins is an authentic cultural village that remains less developed for tourism than other beach destinations in the country but still offers much. It’s the ideal spot for your children to experience Garifuna culture while you enjoy a more tranquil pace of life here.
2. Snorkel
If you’re visiting Belize for a tropical escape, make sure you take some time to visit the remarkable Barrier Reef. Situated nearby, this three-square mile marine reserve is home to vibrant marine life such as fish, coral, stingrays and sharks – giving all visitors an amazing underwater adventure!
Glover’s Reef offers some of the finest snorkel tours available in Hopkins, Dangriga and Placencia; for an unforgettable experience we suggest visiting Glover’s Reef as it boasts some of the clearest waters and abundant marine life. Although a longer drive may be involved, Glover’s Reef’s unparalleled marine life makes the journey well worthwhile.
On Garifuna Settlement Day, Hopkins residents may rise early and watch sunrise over the beach and docks. It’s truly special watching this unique show of canoe arrival reenactments from Garifuna families arriving by canoe.
Hopkins offers visitors a taste of Garifuna culture through the Lebeha Drumming Center and the restaurants in town. Be sure to try some traditional Garifuna dishes when eating out – try Lebeha Drumming Center’s dance lessons or find authentic Garifuna food at one of Hopkins’ restaurants! Additionally, cave tubing is another non-snorkel adventure popular in Belize’s limestone caves, which Mayans believed led directly into their underworld known as Xibalba; therefore they were used frequently as ceremonial sites during ceremonies involving Maya ceremonies held inside these caves by ceremonial sites of ceremony sites that could only enter through these entrances Xibalba!
3. Go on a River Cruise
River cruises provide a fun way for the whole family to discover Belize’s lush tropical forests, tranquil lagoons and abundant bird species. Children especially will delight in learning the history and indigenous inhabitants from your guide as well as taking the chance to swim through cascades and tube natural lazy rivers.
Hopkins Belize is well-known for its vibrant Garifuna culture, serving as one of the main centers for this lively ethnicity in Belize. You can take part in drumming lessons at Lebeha Drumming Center if you want to gain more insight into Garifuna music and history. On November 19 each year – when Garifuna Settlement Day is observed – watch an impressive reenactment of when Garifuna first arrived from Honduras’ Caribbean Coast into Belize via boat.
Other family-friendly activities include horseback riding, mountain biking, fishing and visiting a nature reserve. Explore jungle trails to discover unexplored Mayan ruins or take a boat ride out to one of over 500 bird species found at an oasis for birds!
Other popular activities in Belize are kayaking and sailing or exploring the remarkable Barrier Reef. If you dare, venture out at night snorkeling to catch a glimpse of bioluminescence; this trip won’t soon be forgotten!
4. Go Kayaking
If your family enjoys spending time outdoors, consider incorporating kayaking into your next outdoor excursion. This exciting activity can lead you to offshore cayes with beautiful beaches and abundant marine life to explore while kayaking; coastal resorts typically provide one-day tours while professional outfitters can lead multiday expeditions into remote rainforest canyons and Mayan villages.
Belize boasts the second-largest barrier reef, making it an excellent location for water activities such as snorkeling or scuba diving for full or half days, or visiting Hol Chan Marine Reserve to witness coral gardens and marine animals up close.
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary provides visitors with an unforgettable wildlife adventure: you may spot jaguars in their natural environment! Although their numbers have decreased drastically over the years, this nature reserve remains popular with families as an opportunity to witness one in person is something many cannot get enough of!
Although large resorts with full-fledged children’s programs can be hard to come by in Hopkins, there are still a variety of accommodations and activities for families with young children. One such establishment is Jaguar Reef Lodge which features elegant oceanfront suites complete with private overhang patios and swim-up Tiki bar; kids will adore its children’s pool and beach access while adults will appreciate spacious suites offering breathtaking sea views and quick beach access; this resort also provides easy driving distance to Victoria Peak and Dangriga town center – all things parents need when traveling with kids!
5. Go Fishing
Belize is well-renowned for its fantastic fishing – both saltwater fly fishing and traditional spin fishing. From inland rivers, mangrove flats or barrier reef, Belize provides great opportunities for anglers. No matter which method of fishing you choose – canoe or kayak with children, or sea fishing as part of family, Belize guarantees an epic fishing adventure! With one of the hemisphere’s richest reef systems awaiting discovery here.
While in Hopkins, why not spend some time exploring the Garifuna community. One of Belize’s premier cultural spots, they are famous for their music, cuisine and culture – take a stroll along the beach and witness their simple lifestyles before signing up for drumming lessons or cooking classes – the Lebeha Drumming Center offers great options!
Hopkins offers many exciting day trips that make the perfect ending to any vacation, such as visiting Mayan ruins at Xunantunich or exploring St Herman’s Blue Hole National Park’s Inland Blue Hole; taking a chocolate tour; ziplining/river tubing along South Stann Creek River and much more!
6. Visit a Maya Family
Traveling with kids provides an ideal way to introduce them to different cultures while creating memories they will look back upon fondly for years to come. Belize boasts Maya ruins which will provide your children with insight into its rich history while reminding them that all humans share similar foundational characteristics regardless of cultural differences.
Hopkins Village is home to many Garifuna families, making spending time with them an educational and delightful experience. Their warm and friendly people can teach you about their culture at Lebeha Drumming Center or witness its annual celebration of Garifuna Settlement Day at sunrise with drummers and dancers parading through Hopkins streets each November 19th.
If you want a truly immersive cultural experience, take a day trip from Hopkins to the Cayo District Mayan ruins for an uplifting and educational cultural immersion. A visit to Xunantich and other sites will show your children that other cultures can still be beautiful and fascinating while giving them an appreciation of Maya country’s pristine jungle and imposing ruins. After that visit Cockscomb Basin Preserve for an adventure filled with hiking through tropical forests, swimming under waterfalls, tubing down natural lazy rivers…
