STANN CREEK DISTRICT - Hopkins
Things To Do
THINGS TO DO - Hopkins
Stann Creek District - Hopkins Hopkins is a fascinating Garifuna village located in the eastern coast of Belize in the Stann Creek District. Surrounded by the Maya Mountains and the Cockscomb Range inland and the Caribbean Sea, Hopkins stands as a vibrant community. It is the cultural Center of the Garifuna population in Belize. Nocturnal Bioluminescence River Adventure - Top Hopkins Area Tour *seasonal tour* (Mid December to May) Head out on the 5-minute boat ride to Anderson Lagoon on the Sittee River. The night sky is UNBELIEVABLE.
Thick with stars all the way down to the tree line. Using high powered flashlights to spot the eyeshine of crocodiles, kinkajou, coatimundi, raccoons, birds, resting iguanas, and much more! Go through the tiny cut to the lagoon and you are surrounded by the giant mangroves and then shoot out into the lagoon which boasts bioluminescent plankton that lights up with any disturbance in the water. It’s pitch black, the guide’s flashlight beam cutting across the lagoon is the only light and then he turns it off, the boat picks up speed and the wake glows to blue light. As the boat picks up more speed, the tiny algae, which settle in the lagoon during the dry season, get agitated and glow. It’s absolutely unbelievable. Our guide will stop the boat and you just stare into the water. Schools of fish or any marine life swimming through the lagoon create a phosphorescent trail which can look like a glowing cloud in the water. Hundreds of jellyfish pulsating in the water. They feed on the algae – it’s all along their edges and inside them. Just moving your hand around in the water is miraculous. You leave aqua blue glowing blue bubbles. A swim in these waters is almost irresistible so we recommend you wear your swimwear and bring along a towel. Xunantunich Adventure - Depart for a day of Mayan historical adventure to see some of the finest Maya Ruins in Belize. The drive through the hummingbird highway and the western villages of Belize is a cultural experience with first-hand views of the Mayan mountains, orchards, colorful homes, schools, and market-places.
Xunantunich is located in the Cayo District across from Benque Viejo Road near the village of San Jose Succotz just a few miles from Belize’s western border with Guatemala. At the village of San Jose Succotz, we cross 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 Mayan ruin, also known as the “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. The site has been largely excavated and has a well-appointed educational museum. Experience an authentic Belizean lunch in the immediate area of the ruins. River Tubing Adventures - Our knowledgeable guides can point out hard-to-spot birds and identify their calls while you sit back and enjoy the ride. We believe in safety first! All participants will be provided a life jacket and helmet.
South Barrier Reef Snorkeling Adventures - Our snorkeling tour takes you on a 30-40 minutes boat ride to the Southern Barrier Reef which offers several different snorkeling sites within the reserve for beginners and experienced snorkelers. Our experienced guides take you on an underwater adventure. Snorkelers often have close encounters with eagle rays, sea turtles, a wide variety of exotic fish, and even dolphins or friendly nurse sharks! Experience a bit of island life on this snorkel adventure as we normally stop at Bread and Butter Caye for some beach-combing.
Reef Fishing Adventure - Travel with an experienced guide as you journey to the worlds largest living barrier reef. Belize’s Southern Reef is an angler’s paradise with an abundance of marine life. Whether reef trolling or perfecting your skills on the flats, you will have unforgettable fishing experience.
Reef Fishing is all about getting some fish on the line! We will take you east from Hopkins Village to the second longest barrier reef in the world! There you have the option of trolling for Barracuda, casting lures in the lagoons, or hand lining for hungry fish off the bottom. Placencia/Hopkins to Tikal Adventure - This trip is a full day adventure to a UNESCO world heritage site that is the largest archaelogical site of pre Columbian day. You will need your passport to cross the border. Our knowledgeable guide will be with you step by step. Tikal is a worthy 1.3 hours drive from Belize border. This package includes lunch, snacks, and water. book today to go back in history. Tikal (/tiˈkɑːl/) (Tik’al in modern Mayan orthography) is the ruin of an ancient city, which was likely to have been called Yax Mutal, found in a rainforest in Guatemala. At Tikal, you might be about to see Five different cats, including Jaguar and Puma, several species of monkeys and anteaters and more than 300 species of birds are among the notable wildlife. The forests comprise more than 200 tree species and over 2000 higher plants have been recorded across the diverse habitats.
Cook Your Catch Adventure - Cook your catch on the beach! What’s better than a full day trip of snorkeling, fishing and beach cooking on a secluded beach in Southern Belize? It’s intimate, fun, tasty and very inexpensive. You are taken out on this adventure trip on one of our boats to the southern barrier reef for snorkeling and fishing.
Your captain will take you to his favorite spot for your chance at catching snapper, grouper, barracuda, lionfish, lobster (seasonal) and conch (seasonal). After snorkeling, you’ll get on board and your guide will whisk you away to a private island where you will be able to cook your fresh catch! Your guide will cook your catch right in front of you on the beach ensuring the freshest & best cooking experience possible. Feast on your freshly grilled catch and delicious sides. After lunch, relax on the beach and enjoy an afternoon swim or snorkel, before heading back to the mainland. You come to the beach, eat, drink and be merry. It’s that simple. Catch & Cook Adventure - Take a relaxing 30-minute ride out to the world’s second largest barrier reef to snorkel in magnificent aqua blue waters with its myriad of fish, corals and stingrays! Your captain will take you to his favorite spot for your chance at catching Snapper, Grouper, and Barracuda. After, your guide will whisk you away to a beautiful island where your fresh catch is prepared!
Cave Tubing & Zip Lining at Jaguar Paw - Belize Cave Tubing and Zipline at Jaguar Paw Jaguar Paw is a beautiful, pristine natural area located near Belmopan in central Belize. Located less than an hour’s drive from Belize City, the Jaguar Paw area contains a section of the rainforest as well as a deep cave with an underground creek running through it.
Belize Cave Tubing Tour - Cave tubing is a uniquely Belizean activity that refers to floating through underground cave systems on inflatable inner tubes. This tour includes an experienced, professional. Headlamps, life vests, and the inner tubes will be provided. Boarding the inner tubes, participants will be guided by the tranquil currents into the Jaguar Paw Cave. Once inside, the light from the headlamps will reveal a lost world of sparkling stalactites and stalagmites. Floating through this subterranean world is a great way to relax as well as enjoy the beauty and wonder of the complex cave formations. Belize Zipline Tour - After spending a few hours marveling at the majesty of the Jaguar Paw Cave, participants will then enjoy a thrilling adventure, sailing through the rainforest on a series of zip lines. Zip lines are sturdy metal cables that run for hundreds of feet through the jungle canopy. Participants climb to platforms mounted high up in the trees and then attached to secure harnesses that are attached to the cables or zip lines. Participants then launch themselves into the air, sailing at high speed through the rainforest, giving them a bird’s eye view of the plants and animals that call the canopy home. In order to fully enjoy this combination of cave tubing and zip line tour, participants are encouraged to bring their cameras, a change of clothes, a swimsuit, sunscreen, sunglasses, and sturdy hiking shoes. Children can participate in this tour as long as they are at least four feet (1 meter 20 cm) tall. Rivier Tubing-Waterfalls & Chocolate Factory Adventure - This is a combo tour of two various places in southern Belize. Che’il Mayan Chocolate factory is located in Maya Center Village on the Southern Highway. It’s a 25 min ride from Hopkins. Here you will have the opportunity to go on a two-hour tour, which includes a hike at the cacao farm where you can have a taste of the bean and get a chance to see wild birds, flora & fauna. The second leg is the traditional Mayan Chocolate process making and a wonderful ending of eating your personally made chocolate.
The second part of the tour takes you off-road through the rainforest and up into the Maya Center Village hills to the beautiful Maya King Waterfall. Driving right up to the entrance of the fall, it’s a short walk up some stairs to dip into a clear refreshing natural pool. Spend the time relaxing under the falls or just swimming in any of the three pools at the park. Lastly river tubing for 1 hour 30 minutes. ATM/Actun Tunichil Muknal Adventure - The ATM Cave is a wet cave – you swim into the mouth and then wade through ankle to chest high water before climbing to an intricate passageway of dry chambers which lead to the cathedral-like main hall, a towering chamber 350 meters in length and 50mteres wide and filled with artifacts and sacrificial remains.
After this another climb takes you to the stone chamber where the Crystal Maiden lies, this is the skeleton of a teenage girl who was sacrificed and left in the cave. Over thousands of years, her remains have been covered by a layer of diamond-like limestone. The Mayas sacrificed humans in the hopes of appeasing the gods and bringing fertility to the land. This is an extraordinary Belize adventure and a rare opportunity to see ancient Maya ceremonial sites and altars as they were and virtually untouched for centuries. Actun Tunichil Muknal, One of the Top Caves to Visit in Belize When you step across the entrance to the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, you’re beginning a journey into the mysterious underworld of the Maya. The ATM Cave, sometimes called the “Cave of the Stone Sepulchre”, will leave explorers amazed, enlightened, and uplifted.
Rated as the #1 Sacred Cave in the World by National Geographic, the ATM Cave is one of the most important historical sights in the world. Only accessible with a licensed guide, the ATM Cave is an incredibly beautiful underground world filled with glittering stalactites and stalagmites. But it is its position as a Maya artifact that draws in tourists around the world. Deep in its underground labyrinth lie the remains of the Crystal Maiden, a young adult who was sacrificed to the Maya gods more than 1,000 years ago. Near her bones, which have taken on a sparkling shine after having fused with the minerals in the cave, lie the remains of more than a dozen other victims, including very young children. Untame Belize Tours is one of the few companies in Belize to offer authorized guided tours of this cave. Located a short drive from our office in southern Belize, the tour begins with a drive to the ranger post in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. From there, participants must proceed on foot, hiking through the jungle for approximately 45 minutes, crossing three jungle streams along the way. Once at the mouth of the cave, participants must swim across a spring-fed pool, using a rope for guidance. And then the adventure truly begins, wading through the knee-high water until a network of vast tunnels, chambers, and passageways is reached. Only after climbing up and into a remote ledge deep in the rear of the cave will participants reach the sacred chamber once used by Maya priests. The ceremonial chamber still contains pottery, obsidian objects, bowls that once contained food offerings, and the famous skeleton of the Crystal Maiden. It takes approximately three hours to explore everything in this cave. Strict rules in place by the Department of Archeology forbid any cameras inside ATM Cave, but participants will experience a truly remarkable journey into the lost world of the Maya. After exiting the cave, there will be a return hike through the jungle followed by a delicious picnic lunch. Belize Zoo & Tropical Education Center Adventure
The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center were started in 1983, as a last ditch effort to provide a home for a collection of wild animals which had been used in making documentary films about tropical forests. Today, The Belize Zoo and Tropical Education Center have settled upon 29 acres of tropical savanna and exhibits over 150 animals, representing over 45 species, all native to Belize. The zoo keeps animals which were orphaned, rescued, born at the zoo, rehabilitated animals, or sent to The Belize Zoo as donations from other zoological institutions. Cave Tubing & St. Herman's - This is a combination of cave exploration and cave tubing to explore this incredible river cave system. Imagine the excitement as you drift downriver, your body tucked in an inflated inner tube, your fingers trailing in the crisp clear river and up head is the vine-draped opening of a mysterious cave.
With your headlamp at the ready, your body relaxed and your guide leading the way cave tubing offers an exhilarating alternative combination of rainforest and caves experience. The cave tubing takes about 2.5 hours. Belize Maya Chocolate Adventure - Belize Mayan Chocolate Adventure you're probably enjoyed tasty chocolate treats your whole life without ever knowing where it came from. This tour is perfect for chocolate lovers as you’ll get to learn about the traditional Maya method of making chocolate, starting with the cocoa bean and continuing all the way to the finished chocolate bar. This tour starts with learning how cocoa beans are extracted from the pods, fermented, dried, and then prepared for making chocolate. Participants will then be able to eat and enjoy their creations.
Note: All chocolate is grown by local farmers and is certified organic. Ruins of Tikal Adventure - Your tour guide is with you the whole way to fill you in on the history of the area and answer questions. At the border, you will be assisted through all the stamping and fees by your guide. For the next three and a half hours, time will rewind a thousand years.
You’ll hear the howler monkeys echoing off the temples and the spider monkeys swinging tree to tree. Tikal is host to toucans, coatimundi and a million other creatures great and small. Ruins will rise before you as they did in the days of antiquity like a stairway to heaven, as you follow in the footsteps of the ancients. After you leave the park, there will be an opportunity to pick up memorabilia, then it’s back to Belize. Your guide will be there once again to ensure a safe and speedy crossing from Guatemala back into Belize. Bird Watching Adventure - Join us for an early morning hike on the grounds of our rainforest resort and through the Mayflower Bocawina National Park to see and hear dozens of different species of birds. Belize’s tropical location and wide range of pristine habitats attract a remarkable number both native and migrant birds. Over 237 different bird species have been identified in the local area. Our local guides are extremely experienced birders
Monkey River-Manatee Watch-Placencia Visit - You will travel south by boat along the mangroves and up the Monkey River with a Monkey River resident and Licensed Tour Guide leading the walk you will go through a pre-cut trail and have the unique opportunity to see green iguanas, gibnut, crocodiles, and black howler monkeys.
For bird lovers, this is your opportunity to add some exotic species to your list. The trip also includes a visit to the Village of Monkey River and a local style lunch. Monkey River Town is the northernmost village in the Toledo District. This small, sleepy Creole village of 200 people sits on the southern bank of the mouth of the Monkey River. Watch for the Manatee on the return trip. Placencia Visit - Relax like you’ve never relaxed before! Belize is famous for its laid-back attitude, and Placencia is the perfect place to celebrate it. Everything on the peninsula is calm and stress-free, from the breeze in the coconut palms to the waves lazily lapping the shore. Placencia’s beaches are often declared the very best on mainland Belize.
Placencia is only an hour away and it has so much to offer such as local art galleries, gift shops, and restaurant A Fun Fact about Placencia Belize: Placencia’s Main Street sidewalk has earned the distinction as the World’s Narrowest Street in the Guinness Book of World Records! Zip Lining Adventure - Enjoy the incredible views while soaring 400 feet above a valley in the Maya Mountain foothills. The panoramic zip line experience consists of 7 lines and 11 decks, and the longest zip line in Belize!
From January to March, endangered Scarlet Macaws will join you, flying by at the same height as the zip lines. Scared of heights? There’s nothing to fear, the staff at Maya Sky Canopy Tours will walk you through all of the safety precautions and be at your side every step of the way. Space Farm & Botanical Garden Adventure - Spice Farm and Botanical Garden Tour The Belize Spice Farm & Botanical Gardens, located at the foothills of the Maya Mountain in the Toledo District is the result of the inspiration and hard work of Tom and Tessy Mathew.
When vacationing in Belize, the Mathews, originally from Kerala, India, were struck by the fact that the climate and topography of Belize are quite similar to that of Kerala, which is known for its world famous spices, such as Tellicherry Black Pepper, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. So in 1990, they started the Golden Stream Plantation in the Toledo district of Belize to grow cacao and citrus. With the aid of the Belizian Government, they imported seeds and cuttings of spice plants native to their homeland. The farm is now one of the largest black pepper and vanilla farms in the country and is adorned with beautiful teak, mahogany, rosewood, and sandalwood trees, as well as a variety of other magnificent specimens. You will never look at your spice rack in the same way again! This tour is perfect for food lovers. Crystal Cave at St. Herman's Adventure - The steep downward walk that takes you to these caverns takes around one hour. Then, at the mouth of the cave, you’ll follow the same footpaths the Maya shamans and priests once traveled to reach these ceremonial chambers.
Along the way, you’ll marvel at all the Maya artifacts, including pottery, beads, and obsidian knives – even human skeletons that have been calcified in the limestone floor dating back 2,000 years. Our Garifuna Cultural & Culinary Adventure - offers an enriching vacation experience. As our Cultural Guests, you get the beautiful opportunity to:
Garifuna Cultural, Dance & Drumming Adventure - Master the movement of your body induced by the pulsating rhythm of the Garifna drum beats.
Garifuna Cultural Oral Language Adventure - Guests will learn conversational Garifuna, learn common slogans/greetings.
Garifuna Cultural Culinary & Jungle Reserve Adventure - Enjoy the culture and nature-based adventure with this amazing deal. Get to walk through the footsteps of the Garifuna ancestors with our Garifuna Cultural & Culinary Adventure. Followed by a night adventure to spot the majestic Jaguar at the Cockscomb Basin.
Garifuna Cultural Culinary, Kayaking & Fishing Adventure - Enjoy an unforgettable day walking through the steps of the Garifuna Ancestors. While also getting an opportunity to get acquainted with the waterways that once provided sustenance for them. All at a great discounted price. Travelers will begin with a guided kayak tour through the passage way of the ancestors, Fresh Water Creek Lagoon. Observing beautiful and pristine flora & fauna as you embark on a short traditional fishing expedition. Followed by your Garifuna Cultural & Culinary Adventure Tour, where you'll embark on a journey through our history and culture. It begins with a short history lesson with art, artifacts, and literature depicting our history. Then goes into traditional cooking sessions where you learn to cook the 'HUDUT''meal of our dignitaries. Then ends with drumming sessions with our professional instructor, allowing you to dance or catch the beat of our melodious Garifuna drums. A special surprise for your excellent job also awaits you at the end ;)
Che'il Mayan Chocolate Factory - Located in the Stann Creek District of Belize, the Che'il Mayan Chocolate Factory was established in 2010. Their initial objective was fo create an organic cacao beans market. However, there were difficulties in this endeavor as the target market to purchases cacao was further away from the farmers. Needless to say, a lot of the cacao beans were wasted. This led to the birth of the Che'il Mayan Chocolate Factory. "Che'il" is the Mopan Mayan word for "wild Mayan." Today, the factory produces chocolate bars in twelve different flavors and along with other delicacies such as truffles, chocolate wine, cacao tea and cacao nibs. Sound delicious! The factory also gives tours of their cacao farms and demonstrations of the chocolate-making process.
Chocolate Making Adventure - Experience the traditional Mayan way of making chocolate from bean to bar. Cacao Beans are grown by local farmers in Maya Center Village and is certified Organic.
Take a short walk to the cacao farm to learn about how cacao trees are cultivated. The trained farmer will give you a detailed explanation and process of how the beans are extracted from the pods and then fermented and finally dried and ready to be processed into chocolate. You will roast your own cacao beans on the clay griddle, just like how the Mayans did. Making chocolate on the Mayan grinding stone is a lot of fun! The cacao beans being ground on the grinding stone gets magical as you witness your chocolate beginning to unfold. What is more exciting is that you get to eat your own chocolate! The tour is very educational and hands on. Catch & Cook - Take a relaxing 30-minute ride out to the world’s second largest barrier reef to snorkel in magnificent aqua blue waters with its myriad of fish, corals and stingrays! Your captain will take you to his favorite spot for your chance at catching Snapper, Grouper, and Barracuda. After, your guide will whisk you away to a beautiful island where your fresh catch is prepared!
Garifuna Cultural Culinary & Cockscomb Adventure - Enjoy a combination of nature and culture at a low cost. Enjoy the refreshing waters of the waterfalls and river at Cockscomb Wildlife Sanctuary. Followed by a cultural adventure through the footsteps of the Garifuna ancestor. Surely unforgettable.
Garifuna Cultural Culinary & Bio Luminescent Adventure - Enjoy an unforgettable day walking through the steps of the Garifuna Ancestors. While also getting an opportunity to get acquainted with the waterways that once
provided sustenance for them. All at a great discounted price. Travelers will begin with Garifuna Cultural & Culinary Adventure Tour @2:30 PM, where you'll embark on a journey through our history and culture. It begins with a short history lesson with art, artifacts, and literature depicting our history. Then goes into traditional cooking sessions where you learn to cook the 'HUDUT''meal of our dignitaries. Then ends with drumming sessions with our professional instructor, allowing you to dance or catch the beat of our melodious Garifuna drums. A special surprise for your excellent job also awaits you at the end ;). Followed by a relaxing cruise through the calm, otherworldly waters of the bio-luminescent Fresh Water Creek Lagoon 6:00 PM. Observe the beautiful scenery as the night seemingly leads you to another planet with fishes, crocodiles and stingrays darting pass in a glowing green hue as you touch the stars when your hands pass through the water. Surely to leave you with an unforgettable memory as you leave the docking area @9:00 PM. Garifuna Cultural Culinary & Romantic Sunset Cruise - Travelers will begin with Garifuna Cultural & Culinary Adventure Tour @1:00 PM, where you'll embark on a journey through our history and culture. It begins with a short history lesson with art, artifacts, and literature depicting our history. Then goes into traditional cooking sessions where you learn to cook the 'HUDUT''meal of our dignitaries. Followed by a Romantic cruise through the calm waters of Fresh Water Creek Lagoon 5:00 PM. Observe the most beautiful sunset you'll ever witness as the sun finds a blanket behind the majestic Maya mountains forming a mesmerizing hue of oranges, reds, and blues. While our professional drummers serenade you with melodious Garifuna music. Surely a moment you'll never forget.
Belize Barrier Reef Snorkeling & Fresh Water Creek Bio-luminescent Tour Combo
Enjoy Belize's magnificent waterways to explore the turquoise waters of the largest living barrier in the world. Snorkeling through the refreshing waters witnessing an endless array of aquatic flora and fauna. Then go home to take a break before we head on an otherworldly adventure through the bioluminescent Fresh Water Creek Lagoon. Hold the stars in your hand as the water glitters of your skin, while aquatic fauna dart passes you with a green glow. All this at an amazing combo deal that will leave you with unforgettable memories. Freshwater Romantic Culinary Sunset Cruise
Garifuna Cultural Sunset Experience: Larabachu Weyu!!! Enjoy an amazing romantic sunset cruise with your loved one in southern Belize. This tour starts on the beach and sails through calm sparkling blue waters of the Caribbean and leads into the still emerald green water of the Freshwater Creek Lagoon, revealing the sun beginning its journey to rest behind our majestic Maya Mountains. Cultural cuisine included for dinner including non alcoholic or alcoholic drinks are also served as you and your loved one cherish a view that is only equally enchanting as each other while entertained by the pulsating beat of our Garifuna drums. Freshwater Kayaking , Fishing & Culinary Tour
Explore the enchanting ecosphere of Freshwater Creek Lagoon - the Garifuna Way beginning at 7:30 AM!!! Palmento Grove Cultural & Fishing Lodge sits along the Fresh Water Creek Lagoon offering a remarkable experience that includes kayaking, fishing & cultural food exploration. Discover all of its marvels- the lagoon's history and its beauty! Grab a paddle and glide along the cool and calm waterways with your family while being guided by an indigenous fisher-folk. Explore the splendor of this ecologically important watershed and its breathtaking views of the Maya Mountains & the Caribbean Sea. Relax on the beach or at the lodge where the catch of the day is grilled and served with the best of cultural starch & dessert, fresh vegetable salad, and fresh fruit juice or cultural Drink. Barrier Reef Food & Snorkeling
Southern Belize provides easy access to the magnificent Belize Barrier Reef, one of the largest and most impressive coral reefs in the world. Snorkeling in Belize is a unique experience due to the fact the Belize Barrier Reef is home to a plethora of tropical fishes and corals. On this snorkeling tour, your professional guide will bring you to amazing snorkeling spots where you will be able to witness a plethora of specimens from sustainable species of fish, your guide will provide you with all necessary snorkeling gear so you can explore the wonderful and amazing marine life that live under Belize's turquoise waters. The boat departs at 8:00 AM from Palmento Grove Arrival at the largest living barrier reef in the world at between 8:30 & 8:45 Guided snorkel in the shimmering turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea around the Barrier Reef Cookout of Freshly caught fish Departure at 2:00 PM Arrival between 2:30 & 2:45 The Ultimate Maya Immersion Tour
The Farm In this tour, you will take a one hour hike at our farm. While you are there you will see where cacao trees flourish, and you will get your mind blown away with genuine facts about cacao. You will get to see varieties, more than just cacao trees. In a diverse jungle, plants, and animals, we will show you our medicinal plants and our vegetable garden. We then complete the tour by making your own fresh sugar Cane juice... Yum! For this tour you will need: Insect repellant · Sunscreen · Hiking boots · Outdoor clothing such as; long pants, long sleeve shirt and/or a hat. · Water bottle (we will provide refills) · Camera and Binoculars for unexpected Birds or Monkey Surprises! The Chocolate Making Session Back to the chocolate facility, here you will be greeted by the exotic aroma of chocolate heaven. As you make your way to chocolate heaven, where a table awaits you, to indulge in a hot cup of hot chocolate, sample some of our naturally flavored chocolate and make your own chocolate using our stone tools. The Chocolate Lunch Immediately after making your chocolate we take a look at our processing facility and our gift shop. After which lunch is served by the one and only Chocolate Queen, “Abelina Cho”. For an unforgettable, Maya cuisine. Like everyone says” sauce is boss”, if you have heard of the chocolate Queen then you’ve heard of the CHOCOLATE CHICKEN! Yes, that’s right IXCACAO is the home of the original chocolate chicken made with our very own dark chocolate. This lunch will give you the energy of a lifetime. Antelope Falls Rappelling
Climb to the top of the 1,000 foot falls through lush rainforest learning about the flora and fauna on the way. End the challenging hike with a refreshing swim in the emerald pools and take in the breathtaking view of the Tropical Rain Forest & Caribbean Sea. Take the exhilarating 250ft rappel in two rappels with our licensed guides. This really is a tour to remember. San Ignacio to Hopkins - Get to know Belize Adventures
Get to Know Belize Adventure Tours is a locally owned and operated tour company in Belize. We provide visitors to Belize with the most personalized vacation travel experiences possible. $ 200 / Person Hopkins to Belize City/PGIA - Get to know Belize Adventures Get to Know Belize Adventure Tours is a locally owned and operated tour company in Belize. We provide visitors to Belize with the most personalized vacation travel experiences possible. Provider: Get To Know Belize Adventures Garifuna Cultural Immersion Tour
Learn about the many magical and beneficial properties of coconuts and the art of the traditional coconut milk extraction. Master the heat of traditional kitchen preparing a Garifuna meal over an open fire hearth rewarded by dinner and enjoying the labor of love! Delicious hudut! Culminate your Garifuna Cultural Tour with a sensational drum roll- drumming, dancing and singing revitalizing your soul. |
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Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve Hike
Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve is also known for its spectacular waterfalls, mountain views, nature trails, and rich diversity of over 290 species of birds. The tracks of wildcats, tapir, deer, and other wildlife are often seen on hiking trails. As jaguars and other cats are nocturnal, it is unlikely that you will see them, but you can spot fresh tracks.
The trip begins with a stop at the traditional village of Maya Center which is at the entrance of the preserve. Here, you will find Mayan arts and crafts are for sale.
The park offers a wide variety of hikes of varying lengths and difficulty, including to Ben’s Bluff, which has a spectacular view of the entire Basin, and to a waterfall where you can enjoy a refreshing swim.
Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve is also known for its spectacular waterfalls, mountain views, nature trails, and rich diversity of over 290 species of birds. The tracks of wildcats, tapir, deer, and other wildlife are often seen on hiking trails. As jaguars and other cats are nocturnal, it is unlikely that you will see them, but you can spot fresh tracks.
The trip begins with a stop at the traditional village of Maya Center which is at the entrance of the preserve. Here, you will find Mayan arts and crafts are for sale.
The park offers a wide variety of hikes of varying lengths and difficulty, including to Ben’s Bluff, which has a spectacular view of the entire Basin, and to a waterfall where you can enjoy a refreshing swim.
$
65
/ Person
Bird Watching Tour
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This tour begins just before daybreak with a drive through Sittee River where the lush vegetation attracts many species of birds in Belize. Be sure to keep your eyes open and your binoculars handy as you are bound to encounter spectacular plumage, stirring calls, and the steady drumming of a hummingbird’s wings.
Some of the tropical birds often spotted in the area are keel-billed toucans, fork-tailed flycatchers, tropical kingbirds, and Amazon kingfishers, blue crowed mot-mot and harpy eagle.
Garifuna Cultural Activities - Culinary Tour
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Most Popular
Our Garifuna Cultural & Culinary Adventure Tour: offers an enriching vacation experience. As our Cultural Guests, you get the beautiful opportunity to:
Dress in our Garifuna Traditional handmade & uniquely designed clothing that is best for the subtropical climate for the duration of your Garifuna Experience.
Explore the rich legacy of the Garifuna People via our Cultural Display Centres furnished with historical art pieces some of which are over 100 years old.
Get to uplift your spirit with the enchanting paintings of Isiah Nicholas as you explore our Spiritual Centre. We are blessed to house his largest art collection depicting a varying aspect of the Garifuna Cultural inclusive of the historical journey of our Garifuna People, our spirituality, music, and many of our indigenous art forms, all displayed in their rich & vibrant colors.
Learn about the many magical & beneficial properties of coconut trees & coconuts and the art of traditional coconut harvesting, husking, grating & milk extraction.
Master the heat in our traditional kitchen preparing a Garifuna meal over an open fire-heart. Your great reward will be the labor of your culinary love - Delicious HUDUT which is our coconut base chuddar/ broth flavored with fresh herbs & sea fish of the day with pounded plantains & well flavourful seasoned fried fish; or any other Garifuna Dish of choice based on dietary preference!
Culminate your Garifuna Cultural & Culinary Tour with sensational drum rolls learning the basic techniques of Garifuna drumming & Music & revitalizing your souls ultimately earning your delicious cultural dessert by way of participating in 45 minutes mesmerizing drum session.
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Most Popular
Our Garifuna Cultural & Culinary Adventure Tour: offers an enriching vacation experience. As our Cultural Guests, you get the beautiful opportunity to:
Dress in our Garifuna Traditional handmade & uniquely designed clothing that is best for the subtropical climate for the duration of your Garifuna Experience.
Explore the rich legacy of the Garifuna People via our Cultural Display Centres furnished with historical art pieces some of which are over 100 years old.
Get to uplift your spirit with the enchanting paintings of Isiah Nicholas as you explore our Spiritual Centre. We are blessed to house his largest art collection depicting a varying aspect of the Garifuna Cultural inclusive of the historical journey of our Garifuna People, our spirituality, music, and many of our indigenous art forms, all displayed in their rich & vibrant colors.
Learn about the many magical & beneficial properties of coconut trees & coconuts and the art of traditional coconut harvesting, husking, grating & milk extraction.
Master the heat in our traditional kitchen preparing a Garifuna meal over an open fire-heart. Your great reward will be the labor of your culinary love - Delicious HUDUT which is our coconut base chuddar/ broth flavored with fresh herbs & sea fish of the day with pounded plantains & well flavourful seasoned fried fish; or any other Garifuna Dish of choice based on dietary preference!
Culminate your Garifuna Cultural & Culinary Tour with sensational drum rolls learning the basic techniques of Garifuna drumming & Music & revitalizing your souls ultimately earning your delicious cultural dessert by way of participating in 45 minutes mesmerizing drum session.
Garifuna Cultural Activities - Traditional Fishing
Traditional Early Morning Fishing: Southern Belize provides easy access to the magnificent Belize Barrier Reef, one of the largest and most impressive coral reefs in the world.Some of the offshore deep-water species that you are more likely to catch on a fishing tour: Blue Marlin or White Marlin Sailfish Tuna, Wahoo, Dorado, Kingfish, and Sharks, while in the shore, these species abound: Barracuda, Kingfish, Cero, Spanish Mackerel, Groupers, Dog snappers, Mutton snappers, Cubera snappers, Yellowtail Snapper, Bonito, Bar and Horse Eye Jacks, and Rainbow Runners.Fishing in Belize is a unique experience due to the fact the the Belize Barrier Reef is home to a plethora of tropical fishesOn this fishing and snorkeling tour, your professional guide will bring you to amazing fishing spots where you will be able to reel in tasty specimens from a sustainable fishing method.
Traditional Early Morning Fishing: Southern Belize provides easy access to the magnificent Belize Barrier Reef, one of the largest and most impressive coral reefs in the world.Some of the offshore deep-water species that you are more likely to catch on a fishing tour: Blue Marlin or White Marlin Sailfish Tuna, Wahoo, Dorado, Kingfish, and Sharks, while in the shore, these species abound: Barracuda, Kingfish, Cero, Spanish Mackerel, Groupers, Dog snappers, Mutton snappers, Cubera snappers, Yellowtail Snapper, Bonito, Bar and Horse Eye Jacks, and Rainbow Runners.Fishing in Belize is a unique experience due to the fact the the Belize Barrier Reef is home to a plethora of tropical fishesOn this fishing and snorkeling tour, your professional guide will bring you to amazing fishing spots where you will be able to reel in tasty specimens from a sustainable fishing method.
Garifuna Cultural Activities - Language Oral Teaching
Guests will learn conversational Garifuna, learn common slogans/greetings.
Guests will learn conversational Garifuna, learn common slogans/greetings.
$
25-
$
50
/ Person
Garifuna Cultural Activities - Drumming & Dancing
Master the movement of your body induced by the pulsating rhythm of the Garifna drum beats.
Garifuna Cultural Activities - Drumming & Singing
Fascinated by the pulsating rhythms of the Garifuna Drums. We are pleased to share in the fulfillment of your quest to learn to play the drums and become a member of our drummers club. Guests are taught the different Garifuna Rhythms and some folkloric songs.
Fascinated by the pulsating rhythms of the Garifuna Drums. We are pleased to share in the fulfillment of your quest to learn to play the drums and become a member of our drummers club. Guests are taught the different Garifuna Rhythms and some folkloric songs.
Monkey River/Manatee Watch Tour & Placencia Visit
You will travel south by boat along the mangroves and up the Monkey River with a Monkey River resident and Licensed Tour Guide leading the walk you will go through a pre-cut trail and have the unique opportunity to see green iguanas, gibnut, crocodiles, and black howler monkeys.
For bird lovers, this is your opportunity to add some exotic species to your list. The trip also includes a visit to the Village of Monkey River and a local style lunch.
Monkey River Town is the northernmost village in the Toledo District. This small, sleepy Creole village of 200 people sits on the southern bank of the mouth of the Monkey River.
You will travel south by boat along the mangroves and up the Monkey River with a Monkey River resident and Licensed Tour Guide leading the walk you will go through a pre-cut trail and have the unique opportunity to see green iguanas, gibnut, crocodiles, and black howler monkeys.
For bird lovers, this is your opportunity to add some exotic species to your list. The trip also includes a visit to the Village of Monkey River and a local style lunch.
Monkey River Town is the northernmost village in the Toledo District. This small, sleepy Creole village of 200 people sits on the southern bank of the mouth of the Monkey River.
Cook Your Catch
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Cook your catch on the beach! What’s better than a full day trip of snorkeling, fishing and beach cooking on a secluded beach in Southern Belize? It’s intimate, fun, tasty and very inexpensive.
You are taken out on this adventure trip on one of our boats to the southern barrier reef for snorkeling and fishing.
Your captain will take you to his favorite spot for your chance at catching snapper, grouper, barracuda, lionfish, lobster (seasonal) and conch (seasonal). After snorkeling, you’ll get on board and your guide will whisk you away to a private island where you will be able to cook your fresh catch! Your guide will cook your catch right in front of you on the beach ensuring the freshest & best cooking experience possible. Feast on your freshly grilled catch and delicious sides. After lunch, relax on the beach and enjoy an afternoon swim or snorkel, before heading back to the mainland.
You come to the beach, eat, drink and be merry. It’s that simple.show less
Provider:
Get To Know Belize Adventures
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Cook your catch on the beach! What’s better than a full day trip of snorkeling, fishing and beach cooking on a secluded beach in Southern Belize? It’s intimate, fun, tasty and very inexpensive.
You are taken out on this adventure trip on one of our boats to the southern barrier reef for snorkeling and fishing.
Your captain will take you to his favorite spot for your chance at catching snapper, grouper, barracuda, lionfish, lobster (seasonal) and conch (seasonal). After snorkeling, you’ll get on board and your guide will whisk you away to a private island where you will be able to cook your fresh catch! Your guide will cook your catch right in front of you on the beach ensuring the freshest & best cooking experience possible. Feast on your freshly grilled catch and delicious sides. After lunch, relax on the beach and enjoy an afternoon swim or snorkel, before heading back to the mainland.
You come to the beach, eat, drink and be merry. It’s that simple.
Provider:
Get To Know Belize Adventures
Nocturnal Bioluminescence River Tour (SEASONAL) Mid Dec- May
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Most Popular
Top Hopkins Area Tour *seasonal tour* (Mid December to May) Head out on the 5-minute boat ride to Anderson Lagoon on the Sittee River. The night sky is UNBELIEVABLE.
Thick with stars all the way down to the tree line. Using high powered flashlights to spot the eyeshine of crocodiles, kinkajou, coatimundi, raccoons, birds, resting iguanas, and much more!
Go through the tiny cut to the lagoon and you are surrounded by the giant mangroves and then shoot out into the lagoon which boasts bioluminescent plankton that lights up with any disturbance in the water.
It’s pitch black, the guide’s flashlight beam cutting across the lagoon is the only light and then he turns it off, the boat picks up speed and the wake glows to blue light. As the boat picks up more speed, the tiny algae, which settle in the lagoon during the dry season, get agitated and glow. It’s absolutely unbelievable.
Our guide will stop the boat and you just stare into the water. Schools of fish or any marine life swimming through the lagoon create a phosphorescent trail which can look like a glowing cloud in the water. Hundreds of jellyfish pulsating in the water. They feed on the algae – it’s all along their edges and inside them.
Just moving your hand around in the water is miraculous. You leave aqua blue glowing blue bubbles.
A swim in these waters is almost irresistible so we recommend you wear your swimwear and bring along a towel.
(7)
Most Popular
Top Hopkins Area Tour *seasonal tour* (Mid December to May) Head out on the 5-minute boat ride to Anderson Lagoon on the Sittee River. The night sky is UNBELIEVABLE.
Thick with stars all the way down to the tree line. Using high powered flashlights to spot the eyeshine of crocodiles, kinkajou, coatimundi, raccoons, birds, resting iguanas, and much more!
Go through the tiny cut to the lagoon and you are surrounded by the giant mangroves and then shoot out into the lagoon which boasts bioluminescent plankton that lights up with any disturbance in the water.
It’s pitch black, the guide’s flashlight beam cutting across the lagoon is the only light and then he turns it off, the boat picks up speed and the wake glows to blue light. As the boat picks up more speed, the tiny algae, which settle in the lagoon during the dry season, get agitated and glow. It’s absolutely unbelievable.
Our guide will stop the boat and you just stare into the water. Schools of fish or any marine life swimming through the lagoon create a phosphorescent trail which can look like a glowing cloud in the water. Hundreds of jellyfish pulsating in the water. They feed on the algae – it’s all along their edges and inside them.
Just moving your hand around in the water is miraculous. You leave aqua blue glowing blue bubbles.
A swim in these waters is almost irresistible so we recommend you wear your swimwear and bring along a towel.
Fly Fishing Tour
Our friendly and knowledgeable guides will transport you to calm turquoise water about 35 minutes away around South Water Caye and it features a large seagrass lagoon, teeming with coral shoals and pristine flats. Whether you are an avid, intermediate, or novice fisherman, our local guide is ready to take you on the trip of a lifetime where they can be as hands-on or as relaxed as you need.
Huge schools of bonefish spread out over the lagoon. Tailing these large bonefish schools will provide hours of fly rod action at your own pace.
When the tide is just right, your guide will take you to cast on neighboring mangrove flats, home to permit up to ten pounds in size. Try your hand at snook and tarpon. Tarpon often reaches 75 pounds in the inner channel of southern Belize.
Our friendly and knowledgeable guides will transport you to calm turquoise water about 35 minutes away around South Water Caye and it features a large seagrass lagoon, teeming with coral shoals and pristine flats. Whether you are an avid, intermediate, or novice fisherman, our local guide is ready to take you on the trip of a lifetime where they can be as hands-on or as relaxed as you need.
Huge schools of bonefish spread out over the lagoon. Tailing these large bonefish schools will provide hours of fly rod action at your own pace.
When the tide is just right, your guide will take you to cast on neighboring mangrove flats, home to permit up to ten pounds in size. Try your hand at snook and tarpon. Tarpon often reaches 75 pounds in the inner channel of southern Belize.
Belize ATM Cave Tour
The ATM Cave is a wet cave – you swim into the mouth and then wade through ankle to chest high water before climbing to an intricate passageway of dry chambers which lead to the cathedral-like main hall, a towering chamber 350 meters in length and 50mteres wide and filled with artifacts and sacrificial remains.
After this another climb takes you to the stone chamber where the Crystal Maiden lies, this is the skeleton of a teenage girl who was sacrificed and left in the cave. Over thousands of years, her remains have been covered by a layer of diamond-like limestone. The Mayas sacrificed humans in the hopes of appeasing the gods and bringing fertility to the land.
This is an extraordinary Belize adventure and a rare opportunity to see ancient Maya ceremonial sites and altars as they were and virtually untouched for centuries.
The ATM Cave is a wet cave – you swim into the mouth and then wade through ankle to chest high water before climbing to an intricate passageway of dry chambers which lead to the cathedral-like main hall, a towering chamber 350 meters in length and 50mteres wide and filled with artifacts and sacrificial remains.
After this another climb takes you to the stone chamber where the Crystal Maiden lies, this is the skeleton of a teenage girl who was sacrificed and left in the cave. Over thousands of years, her remains have been covered by a layer of diamond-like limestone. The Mayas sacrificed humans in the hopes of appeasing the gods and bringing fertility to the land.
This is an extraordinary Belize adventure and a rare opportunity to see ancient Maya ceremonial sites and altars as they were and virtually untouched for centuries.
BELIZE GARIFUNA CULTURAL TOUR
Belize Garifuna Cultural Tour The Garifuna make up just 8% of Belize’s population, but their unique culture has been recognized by the United Nation for its language, music, and dance. Originally from the island of St. Vincent, the Garifuna are a mixture of enslaved Africans who intermarried with indigenous islanders. After a failed uprising against the British, the Garifuna fled to the shores of Belize.
This tour takes participants to the village of Hopkins situated on the beautiful Caribbean coast of southeastern Belize. Participants will don traditional Garifuna clothing while learning about life in this traditional village and the history of the Garifuna people.
Participants will also work together to gather the ingredients and then cook a traditional Garifuna dish known as hudut. Hudut is the Garifuna variant of a coconut fish stew, cooking local fish in a creamy coconut milk mixture and then served with a side of delicious boiled plantains.
Following the meal, participants will enjoy a performance of Garifuna drumming and then learn to play several traditional Garifuna rhythms.
Belize Garifuna Cultural Tour The Garifuna make up just 8% of Belize’s population, but their unique culture has been recognized by the United Nation for its language, music, and dance. Originally from the island of St. Vincent, the Garifuna are a mixture of enslaved Africans who intermarried with indigenous islanders. After a failed uprising against the British, the Garifuna fled to the shores of Belize.
This tour takes participants to the village of Hopkins situated on the beautiful Caribbean coast of southeastern Belize. Participants will don traditional Garifuna clothing while learning about life in this traditional village and the history of the Garifuna people.
Participants will also work together to gather the ingredients and then cook a traditional Garifuna dish known as hudut. Hudut is the Garifuna variant of a coconut fish stew, cooking local fish in a creamy coconut milk mixture and then served with a side of delicious boiled plantains.
Following the meal, participants will enjoy a performance of Garifuna drumming and then learn to play several traditional Garifuna rhythms.
Placencia - Located at the southern tip of the Placencia Peninsula of the Stann Creek District, Placencia is a seacoast village where you can enjoy the best beaches in Belize. Visit the Placencia Lagoon where it is home to the manatees and saltwater crocodiles. You can relax on the seashore or travel a short distance to nearby archaeological sites, nature reserves and marine life.
Dangriga Town - The Culture Captial of Belize! Dangriga Town in the largest town in southern Belize and is considered as the spiritual capital of Belize's Garifuna population. Fomerly known as "Stann Creek Town," Dangriga Town proudly represents and celebrates the Garifuna heritage through music, dance and food. Take a trip to the southern coast of Belize and experience the Garifuna culture! Taste the delicious cuisines from the locals or learn how to beat to the rythm of the drums!
Hopkins - Hopkins is a fascinating Garifuna village located in the eastern coast of Belize in the Stann Creek District. Surrounded by the Maya Mountains and the Cockscomb Range inland and the Caribbean Sea, Hopkins stands as a vibrant community. It is the cultural Center of the Garifuna population in Belize.
Palemnto Grove & Fishing Lodge - Palemnto Grove & Fishing Lodge is owned and operated by a local Garifuna Family in Hopkins Village, Belize. They offer amazing and enriching cultural and fishing experiences including: Garifuna Culinary, Drumming & Music Tours.
Independence (Mango Creek) Village - Quiet and Tranquil. Independence is exactly portrayed in it's name. In this quaint little village, you will feel liberated from the busy bustling and hustling of the go-go-life. Being the main hub to other smaller, nearby villages, Independence is the home of the Big Creek Water Port and the Banana Growers Association at the port. The Big Creek Water Port serves as the main point of entry and departure for the fruit and oil industries. Surely there is much to learn here as you visit the banana farms or take a stroll down the streets of Independence.
Sittee River & Point Village - Sittee Point is a small community where high-end beachfront resorts and a few interesting independent restaurants gather. It is located about one and a half miles south of Hopkins. The actual Sittee Point is about three miles further south at the mouth of the Sittee River, while the marina is about one and a halfmiles south. Sittee River is the name for both the beautiful river and the village that is situated on its banks. Sittee River is famous for having the tallest mangrove trees in the country of Belize. The river is composed of a combination of freshwater and sedimates originating in the uplands of western Belize. This makes the river an ideal ecosystem for mangrove forests to grow. The Sittee Village is a Garifuna village that promotes the Garifuna culture and lifestyle.
Seine Bight Village - Kick back and relax on the sea side. Seine Bight is a charming Garifuna village two and a half miles south of the Maya Beach on the Placencia Peninsula. The little village of Seine Bight is sustained by fishing, hunting and small-scale farmng. Over the tall coconut trees, be sure to take a hammock to tie up and enjoy the sea breeze! Apart from the relaxing seaside, be sure to try the tasty little food shacks in the village
Red Bank Village - Red Bank is a remote Maya village just south of the Placencia turnoff on the Southern Highway. Red Bank Village is the perfect place to spot a scarlet macaw. Around the months of January to March, and sometimes as early as December, scarlet macaws would gather in the trees surrounding the village to feast on the fruits that grow in the village. If you explore the village enough, you can explore the nearby jungles that are filled with rivers, swimming holes and brooks. Take a hike through this jungle and witness the other unique animals that inhabit the area, including tapirs, jaguars, gibnuts and agoutis.