Hopkins Belize is an ideal coastal town from which to experience both ocean and rainforest adventures, and also an intriguing cultural hub known for its vibrant Garifuna culture, which you can experience through food, markets, or drumming at nearby bars.
Discover the Belize Barrier Reef through snorkel or scuba dive tours designed to spot turtles, sting rays, and more. Cave tubing tours or horseback riding options also allow for exploration.
Placencia
Hopkins and Placencia in southern Belize is an increasingly popular beach destination for travelers visiting Belize. This sleepy peninsula features top-rated hotels and resorts as well as access to the unspoiled Belize Barrier Reef and Cayes; making it an ideal location for family vacations or romantic escapes alike.
While beaches may be the primary draw, this region of Belize offers much more. From hiking or horseback riding through jungle terrain to snorkeling and diving adventures and cultural immersion experiences involving Garifuna culture, there’s something here for everyone!
One of the best ways to enjoy a jungle adventure is by kayaking down the South Stann Creek River. This exhilarating activity offers you an unrivaled opportunity to see all that the region has to offer in terms of wildlife and flora firsthand.
Cave tubing offers an exciting alternative way to discover the rainforest, offering you an easy and relaxing way to discover it. This activity involves drifting downriver in an inflatable inner tube illuminated by headlamps while taking in its stunning limestone cave walls with amazing stalactites and stalagmites adorning them.
Hiking through the Belize jungle offers an exciting, unforgettable experience, with waterfalls, medicinal plants, exotic birds, and other animals all around you in their natural environments. When your adventure is done you can cool off by swimming in its soothing blue sinkhole!
If you can’t decide between Hopkins or Placencia, why not stay at both? Many delighted travelers opt to spend their vacation at both places simultaneously – staying at both Belizean Dreams Resort in Hopkins and Laru Beya Resort in Placencia offers travelers the best of both worlds! Both locations are close to all the top attractions in Belize so this will enable them to immerse themselves in its culture, wildlife and beautiful beaches for a truly memorable vacation experience.
Dangriga
Hopkins is a small Garifuna beach village situated along Belize’s southeast coast and serves as an access point to breathtaking water and jungle tours, as well as offering an intimate look into Garifuna culture and 12 miles of pristine beaches. From luxurious beach resorts such as Hamanasi or more budget-minded Buttonwood Guest House, you can take day trips out into Belize Barrier Reef territory and other exciting locations nearby.
If you want to gain more insight into Garifuna culture, take a guided cultural tour or cooking class. Or enjoy hiking through the rainforest or visiting ancient Maya ruins; for adventure travelers add zipline tours or cave tubing trips. Hopkins has something special in store for every traveler!
Most visitors to Hopkins come for the sunshine and ocean waters of Hopkins Bay. But there’s much more to experience here! Take a day trip to Belize Barrier Reef and learn to snorkel, or join the Cook Your Catch tour where you’ll cook up your catch on an island beach; or head on a river and wildlife tour and encounter howler monkeys – some of Belize’s loudest primates!
Experience an unforgettable journey by making plans to visit the Great Blue Hole, one of nature’s greatest natural marvels and an iconic destination for both scuba divers and snorkelers alike. Kayaking or snorkel tours provide additional ways to explore this underwater treasure, which boasts limestone caverns.
To reach Hopkins from Belize City, the best way is to fly into Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City and then take either a domestic flight to Dangriga or a taxi/shuttle service. Alternatively, rent a car from the airport or book an all-inclusive package from one of Hopkins’ resorts – Untame Belize can arrange customized packages which include luxury accommodations, meals, and unlimited Belize tours that fit within your preferences and budget!
Bocawina National Park
Mayflower Bocawina National Park lies 17 miles from Dangriga and 12 miles from Hopkins, covering over 7000 acres of rainforest and featuring breathtaking waterfalls as well as evidence of ancient Mayan cities. A guided hiking tour is an excellent way to learn about all of the diverse plant and animal species found within its boundaries; among its popular treks is Antelope Falls’ challenging trail leading uphill, as well as Bocawina Falls’ easy route downhill.
The park also offers other activities like wildlife spotting and hiking to scenic overlooks, providing nature lovers with an idyllic escape teeming with over 200 bird species to be found there as well as other animals such as crocodiles, snakes, spider monkeys, and iguanas – making this park truly one to enjoy!
Bocawina Rainforest Resort and Adventures are conveniently situated within Mayflower Bocawina National Park, making exploration easy for visitors. Offering adventure tours suitable for any budget and accommodations to meet every need, they feature accommodations made up of local ingredients with organic produce as well as a restaurant serving delicious meals that feature them.
One of the area’s main draws is a Garifuna Cooking Class. Visitors will learn how to make traditional Garifuna dishes such as plantains with coconut fish curry and tasty desserts while experiencing their culture and tradition accompanied by delicious food and drumming from this unique people.
An excursion from Belize City to Hopkins can provide the perfect way to discover more of its natural beauty and taste local cuisine while visiting Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is another wonderful way to gain up-close encounters with exotic species.
Experienced travelers looking for a relaxing vacation should consider Hopkins, where “laxness” has become an art form and tourist attractions are plentiful yet not overrun with tourists. This coastal village is a hidden gem where they can experience an authentic Belizean lifestyle.
Xunantunich
Located in Belize’s Cayo District in western Belize, Xunantunich Mayan Ruins are among its finest monuments. Just a short drive from Hopkins Village, these ancient Mayan structures offer visitors a wonderful glimpse into ancient Mayan civilization – they even allow visitors to climb to the top of El Castillo pyramid for breathtaking aerial views from its peak!
During the day, you can explore nearby Belize Caves – natural marvels teeming with crystal-clear waters and mysterious formations – via guided excursions or by swimming under waterfalls on inner tubes. Even better is combining both these experiences with visiting Xunantunich for an exciting full day of discovery!
Hopkins offers an abundance of outdoor activities, from jungle hiking and scuba diving to snorkeling and fishing. If you want a cultural experience, why not attend one of the Garifuna cooking classes or learn chocolate making from Mayans? Hopkins also boasts excellent birding spots as well as history lessons at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.
If you’re seeking something a bit more adrenaline-driven, try zip-lining over jungle treetops or rappelling down waterfalls. River tubing tours also allow visitors to discover the Belizean rainforest while experiencing both Class 2 rapids and natural lazy rivers as they float past.
Are You an Outdoor Enthusiast? Hiking through Tropical Forests and Exploring Mayan Ruins Xunantunich and Bocawina National Parks offer fantastic opportunities for viewing exotic birds and wildlife as well as offering plenty of hiking trails; Additionally, why not book a Tour to Belize Blue Hole, one of the world’s leading snorkeling locations and an absolute must see for all nature enthusiasts.
