After my trip to Guatemala, it was time to visit Belize to close off a wonderful 3-week trip. With this Hopkins Travel Guide, I welcome you to Belize! Hopkins is a hidden gem on the Caribbean coast known for its vibrant Garifuna culture, beaches and relaxed atmosphere. Especially from Rio Dulce in Guatemala, Hopkins is the perfect stop before continuing to the famous Caye Caulker. This Hopkins travel guide will help you explore the best of Hopkins, including the best restaurants and bars. Ultimately, I also guide you in the best hotels and accommodations in Hopkins.
A travel guide to Caye Caulker, another Belize gem is coming soon!
Hopkins is about 135 kilometres south of Belize City. The most convenient way to get to Belize City is by local bus. From the Hopkins Junction, buses depart regularly to Belize City, in some cases with a stopover in Dangriga. The drive takes around 3 hours. You can find the latest schedules here or consult your hotel for the latest travel updates.
If you are travelling from Rio Dulce, you can first take the boat to Livingston. From Livingston, there is a direct boat to Punta Gorda in Belize. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes; however, it is relatively expensive (around €50). We booked our boat trip at Happy Fish Travel in Livingston. From Punta Gorda, we took a direct bus to Livingston Junction, where we bought a ticket upon arrival at the bus station. We had to wait around 1,5 hours for the next bus and had lunch at Grace’s restaurant. Also, make sure to get some cash! From Punta Gorda, there is a direct bus to the Hopkins junction (this takes ~2,5 – 3 hours). Of course, quickly let the bus driver know where you want to get off. At the Hopkins Junction, we waited for a taxi to Hopkins town. Several taxi drivers will go to the junction when a bus arrives. Alternatively, you can hitchhike. A taxi ride to town costs around €10 per person (unfortunately as much as the total bus ride..).
Note: Boats from Guatemala to Belize don’t run at the weekends, so plan your travels accordingly.
Hopkins is a small village, and most places are easily accessible on foot. However, your accommodation has to be in the Northern part of Hopkins, as that is where you find all the restaurants and bars. Alternatively, many accommodations offer bike rentals. Furthermore, taxis are available and can be called from hotels and restaurants. Lastly, hitchhiking is a popular means of transport. Also, we were happy one night when the staff of the restaurant drove us back to our hotel, as no taxi driver was available anymore after 9 pm. To avoid additional hassle, as mentioned before, I would highly recommend accommodation in the North of Hopkins.
The best time to visit Hopkins is during the dry season, which runs from late November to mid-April. During this period, you can expect warmer temperatures and minimal rainfall. Furthermore, restaurants and bars will be opened. The wet season, from June to October, sees more rain, but it is a good time to visit if you want to experience more of the lush and green landscape. September and October are peak months for hurricanes, and therewith, the best to avoid them.
Initially, we booked 3 nights in Hopkins, leaving 2 days to explore. However, when we realised no boats were running to Belize on the weekend, we had to shorten our stay to 2 nights. However, as we mainly visited Hopkins for the beach and culture, 2 nights was enough. We spent the morning strolling around town, spent the day at Big Dock and enjoyed drinks at multiple bars, where we also managed to enjoy a local drumming performance. If you want to explore the jungle around Hopkins as well, then I would advise 3 nights.
When you buy through links in this blogpost, I may earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost. Thanks for your support.
Immerse yourself in the rich Garifuna heritage in Hopkins, and don’t miss the chance to watch a live drum performance, including traditional drumming and dance. These performances offer a glimpse into the vibrant music and dance traditions of the Garifuna people. When walking on the beach, we ran into a small performance near Semiti Graffiti, where we stopped for a beer and enjoyed the experience. Alternatively, Driftwood Beach Bar offers almost daily performances.
When travelling to Belize, many tourists will only visit Caye Caulker, a wonderful island known for its relaxed “Go Slow” vibes. Even though Hopkins also attracts many visitors, you can still experience the local life. Especially in the morning, when the kids go to school and the market stalls are open, it is great to get a hint of local life by strolling around Northern Hopkins.
Big Dock is a popular spot for both locals and tourists and is the perfect place to spend a relaxing day. You can swing into the clear waters, soak up the sun and enjoy the laid-back vibe of Hopkins. Big Dock is a bar/restaurant (on the more expensive end), so you can also enjoy some food and drinks.
Just a 30-minute drive from Hopkins, you can find Bocawina National Park, the perfect place if you want to explore the Hopkins region and not only focus on the town and beach. The park is home to lush rainforests and stunning waterfalls. Furthermore, it is the perfect place if you seek some activity, as there are multiple hiking trails available, ancient Mayan ruins can be found in the park (in case you haven’t visited Guatemala), OR you can go zip-lining.
Book your zipline adventure in Bocawine here.
Semiti Giffiti – If you want to enjoy a local dinner and experience the unique flavours of Garifuna cuisine, Semiti Giffiti is the place to be. We had a wonderful evening here, including fresh fish and a drumming performance.
Driftwood Beach Bar – This pizza place is a favourite among locals and tourists. With a wide range of – small, American-like – pizzas and a variety of drinks, this is the perfect place to enjoy an evening out. Driftwood also hosts live music and is located right on the beach.
Thongs Beach Cafe – This was my favourite place for brunch! They offer amazing meals for brunch and lunch to be enjoyed with ocean views.
Ella’s Restaurant / Ella’s Cool Spot – If you want to experience Belizean cuisine and traditional dishes, Ella’s Cool Spot is a good choice. However, the place is also known as a ‘party’ place with, for example, karaoke during some evenings. We have enjoyed some cocktails after dinner at Ella’s.
J&J Cool Spot – J&J Cool Spot is a great place to relax with a cold drink and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of Hopkins. They also serve dinner.
Nice Cream – A pretty popular place in Hopkins is Nice Cream. This place offers a variety of homemade ice creams that are perfect to cool down during a hot day.
Roast Coffeehouse – Start your day with a visit to Roast Coffeehouse, where you can enjoy freshly brewed coffee and delicious pastries in a cosy setting. Roast Coffeehouse is located on the southern end of Hopkins, next to the souvenir shop.
Maximo’s Bar & Grill – Maximo’s offers a great selection of local and international dishes. It’s a fantastic spot to enjoy a meal and drinks with friends. This place was unfortunately closed during the days we were in Hopkins but was recommended by multiple locals.
Hopkins Smokey Grill – Another grill that is known for its barbecue and grilled seafood. A great place to enjoy a meal after a day on the beach.
Hopkins is divided into a Northern and Southern part. While in the South, you will find the main resorts and fancy places such as Big Dock, the North is home to most bars and restaurants and local life. As the North and South are separated by a long (and dark) road, and taxis in Belize are very expensive due to the high gas prices, I would highly recommend staying in the North if you want to explore Hopkins. If you are seeking more comfort and resorts, the South might be the better place to stay.
Located south of Hopkins (the resort area), Cosmopolitan Guesthouse is where I stayed when in Hopkins. The rooms are great, and the host is friendly. Also, there is a (small) pool available on the property. However, the location is quite far from the hustle and bustle of Hopkins town. Rooms start at €80 a night.
Looking for a sea view? This is the place to be! These beautiful bungalows offer a private beach and rooms, including all important facilities. Furthermore, the Inn at White Horse Guesthouse is centrally located near restaurants in the northern part of Hopkins. Roms start at €90 a night.
Seeking to meet other travellers? Crash Pad Adventure Hostel is one of the most popular places to stay among backpackers. The rooms are small but decent, with a place to sit and, in some cases, a balcony. Furthermore, this place offers amazing value for money, with rooms starting from €55 a night.
Are you willing to treat yourself? Coconut Row Boutique Hotel is the place to be! The accommodation offers sea-view bungalows, a private beach and a swimming pool. Next to that, the rooms have a luxury design, some including a balcony. Rooms start at €270 per night.
