Hopkin’s Bay & Village
Hopkins Bay is located in the Stann Creek District which is another rich and exotic region of Belize. One of the country’s primary rainforests, Stann Creek lies only 40 miles south of the nation’s capital. You can visit crystalline waterfalls and subterranean caves camouflaged by lush green foliage here. Forest reserves and iridescent lagoons dot the landscape. Wild animals roam free near waterfalls in the lush jungles of the region. Offshore lies’ a string of picture-perfect cayes with intriguing names like Man-o- War, Coco Plum, Tobacco and South Water Caye.
Hopkins is close enough to the Mayflower Bocawina National Park and the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife sanctuary to make the village an excellent base for inland exploration. With the Central Cayes and too many dive sites to count a quick boat ride away, the village is an equally fine base for aquatic adventure. Though still small in size, accommodations are plentiful, ranging from beachside cabanas to rather stylish Bed & Breakfast type guest-houses to luxury resorts.
Hopkins Belize Culture
Hopkins Village stretches along a mile and half of windswept shore. Serene indeed, but anything but mute-especially in the evening, when the sounds of local drummers playing traditional Garifuna beats compete with the gentle beat of waves against the shore. Music is big in Hopkins, and many come to learn drumming and drum-making from local masters. A center of traditional Garifuna culture, Hopkins is also the best place in Belize to enjoy local Garifuna dishes like bundiga and hudut. The vibes is tarnquil and laidback with many mom and pop restaurants, small bars, and gift shops. Over 1000 residents live in Hopkins and work in fishing, farming, and the booming hospitality industry.
Natural Attractions
The western boundary of the Stann Creek District boasts an expansive range of unspoiled land with rugged mountain ranges and primal jungle. The illusive jaguar shares this habitat with ocelots, pumas and other feline beasts within the jungle. The world’s only jaguar preserve is located here. Further inland, towering over the horizon are the Maya Mountains. Crowning the skyline you will see the 3,675 foot Victoria Peak, Belize’s highest mountain.
The exciting upper Sibun River that branches through crystal caves and lush jungles is also located in this area. The majestic Morpho Falls is the highlight of the attractions.
Sittee River, just south of Hopkins is also a good place to visit. It is the habitat for a host of wildlife including, egrets, iguanas, blue herons and a large pack of howler monkeys.
The mangroves located at the mouth of this river are the tallest ever reported for the Caribbean region and among the tallest anywhere in the entire Neotropical realm.
Getting to Hopkins
To reach Hopkins, you can take a Maya Island Air or Tropic Air flight from the Belize International or Municipal Airport to Dangriga, which is just a short 20-minute journey. Once you arrive in Dangriga, you have several options to continue your trip: you can take a shuttle, catch a bus, or drive to Hopkins. Alternatively, you can rent a vehicle at either the International Airport or in Belize City and drive directly to the village. Moreover, along the way, signs on the highways clearly guide you toward Hopkins, making navigation easy.
Tours & Activities
Take a boat ride to the majestic small islands off the coast of Hopkins. Each island boasts its own unique reef system and rich marine ecology, featuring colorful corals and tropical fish. On this tour, your professional guide will take you to stunning spots where you can witness sustainable fish species. What’s more, your guide will also provide all the necessary snorkeling gears and freshly cooked lunch on an island.
Included are:
Boat trip, snorkel gears, park fees, lunch, snacks, bottle water, sunscreen and repellent
$229 Per person. 2 to 3 people
$179 Per person. 4 to 8 people
Get ready for an unforgettable dive adventure at Glovers Reef! As one of Belize’s three stunning atolls, it boasts over 700 patch reefs with vibrant coral formations and teeming with abundant sea life. Furthermore many of the islands in the atoll are exotic sandy islets.
Located about 35 miles offshore, the journey to Glovers Reef takes around 1.5 to 2 hours. Along the way, you can enjoy the shifting hues of blues and greens in the Caribbean, making the trip as scenic as the destination itself.
You will enjoy snacks and lunch in between the first two dives on one of the exotic islands then head back to the dive shop after the third dive.
Includes:
- Boat, PADI dive master, mask, fins, tanks, and weights
- Juice, water, snacks and lunch
- Taxes and marine park fees
Not included:
Equipment rental & gratuities
$270 Per person. 2 People minimum
Immerse yourself in an unforgettable adventure at the stunning Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary! As you step into this natural paradise, lush jungles and breathtaking waterfalls await you, offering a perfect escape into nature’s embrace.
Furthermore, you can explore winding trails teeming with vibrant wildlife, including the elusive jaguar, colorful toucans, and playful howler monkeys. Whether you’re hiking, birdwatching, or cooling off in the crystal-clear streams, every moment becomes an opportunity to connect with the extraordinary beauty and serenity of this tropical haven.
Includes
- Transportation & licensed tour guide
- Park entrance fee, bottle water, snacks
- Taxes & park fees
- Binoculars and camera
- Bathing suits and towels
- Sunscreen, insect repellant & hat
$100 Per person. 2 People mimimum
Experience an exciting day on a Garifuna Cassava Farm Tour, where tradition and culture come to life. You’ll witness the hardworking Garifuna farmers tending vast cassava beds and harvesting this remarkable crop. A staple in their diet for generations, cassava has sustained the Garifuna people through their journey across the Caribbean, thanks to its longevity and versatility.
During the tour, you’ll also learn and participate in the making of cassava bread, from plant to final product. What’s more, you will sample delightful treats like the mouthwatering cassava pudding.
Includes:
Transfers, lunch, water, snacks & park feesWhat to bring?
Repellant & sunscreen
$179 per person. 2 People minimum
$149 per person. 3 to 8 people
Take a journey through the scenic Hummingbird and Western Highways on a day tour to explore one of Belize’s most spectacular Maya sites.
Located in the Cayo District of Western Belize, Xunantunich is just a few miles from the border with Guatemala, across from Benque Viejo Town. On the way to the site, you will be taken over the Mopan River using a hand-cranked ferry. From the other side of the river, it’s a mile uphill to the site, which can be accessed on foot or in a vehicle.
Xunantunich (Maiden of the Rock) is the second tallest Mayan ruin in Belize. The largest pyramid, El Castillo stands 130 feet high above the main plaza and offers an impressive panoramic view of the Cayo District, Guatemala, and the Mopan River. Moreover, the site is well-excavated and includes an educational museum.
Includes:
Guide, transfers, authentic Belizean lunch , water & park feesWhat to bring?
Beverages or water, hat, repellant & sunscreen
$140 per person. 2 to 3 people
$120 per person. 4 to 6 people
Experience the breathtaking thrill of Cave Kayaking as you journey through a mesmerizing 7-mile underground cave system. With top-quality pack-able kayaks and advanced outdoor gear, comfort is ensured throughout the adventure.
Starting at Hummingbird Highway and then transitioning to the Nohoch Che’en Archaeological Reserve, you’ll move from darkness to the vibrant greenery of the jungle. Along the way, immerse yourself in Xibalba’s submerged world, capturing breathtaking views of turquoise waters and majestic cave entrances.
You will pass through multiple cave entrances and exits, enhanced by natural daylight “windows” formed by cenotes. Surrounded by the sounds of wildlife, this adventure promises thrilling moments and lasting memories.
Includes:
Transportation, lead and backup guides, lunch & taxesWhat to bring?
- 2 Liters of water (eco-friendly water bottles preferably)
- Tennis/keens/water shoes (participants will get wet, toes and feet must be protected)
- Swimwear with shorts and shirt (quick dry preferably)
- Eco-friendly insect repellent
- Towel & Change of clothes that stays in the pick up vehicle
- Waterproof Cameras w/hand straps or floatable attachment
$254 per person. 4 People minimum
$225 per person. 7 to 9 people