Belize: Hostels and hammocks in Hopkins

I visited Hopkins during my off-time while undertaking an internship in bird banding at the Toucan Ridge. I went with my fellow intern and friend, but traveling to Hopkins can probably be done solo if you take your own precautions. Always check your national advice on traveling to certain countries for potential travel warnings. Conditions may have changed in this area since my visit in 2018.

We visited Hopkins in the off-season in September 2018, thus there was very quiet in town. Many backpackers visit Hopkins on their way from Guatemala or Honduras and are disappointed by Belize right away. I’d say that Hopkins was the least exciting place I visited, so don’t judge the country from just this one place.

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Where to stay in Hopkins, Belize (on a budget)

We stayed at the lovely hostel, The Funky Dodo, which is closest to the bus station. My friend and I stayed in a small private room, but there are cheaper bunk beds if you are on a tight budget. There was well-functioning kitchen, and across the street you can do grocery shopping in a market that sells just about anything you might need. Down the road to the south, you can find a small stand selling fresh vegetables grown by local farmers.

You can sense the laid back and cozy atmosphere at the Funky Dodo

Things to do around Hopkins

We happened to visit Hopkins during Belize’s Independence Day, and most of the restaurants were closed. It was however a nice surprise to participate in the celebration and watch the parade!

Beaches in Hopkins, Belize

In 2018, the public beach in the city center was extremely polluted by plastic. This might be seasonal since the whole coastline of Mexico and Belize received a lot of dead seaweed, which lies on the beach to rot and smell.

We wanted a day on the beach, and knowing that the city center beach was polluted we hiked a few kilometers south to the Lodge at Jaguar Reef, hoping the beach had been cleaned.

We had heard that if we bought lunch at the Jaguar Reef (which was bit expensive, but you get what you pay for..) we could use their beach for free! The seaweed had been removed from the beach, and we could use their sunbeds and comfy hammocks.

Delicious homemade pizza at the Lodge at Jaguar Reef

A cloudy but beautiful and relaxed day at the beach

Souvenirs and shopping in Hopkins

On the way to the Jaguar Reef or back you can stop by a big souvenir shop selling all from local artwork to soaps and beads. Hopkins is a great place to buy local souvenirs.

How to get to Hopkins in Belize with public transport (+ places to visit near Hopkins!)

Getting to Hopkins is not the easiest, because the Punta Gorda bus (heading south, if you’re coming from Caye Caulker or San Ignacio) doesn’t stop in Hopkins. But you can get off the bus at the Hopkins junction, where you can catch a taxi that drives you to town. It’s not a cheap option if you’re all alone though (I believe a taxi was ~20 BZD from the junction to Hopkins). You can also choose to walk the rest of the way, which is a few kilometers along a paved road with little, but you walk along an interesting wetland teeming with birds.

Getting from Hopkins is easier, but be aware that there are few departures each day, especially Sunday is a bad day for leaving Hopkins. On weekdays buses run more often, and from Hopkins you can continue your travels south to Punta Gorda or north to Belmopan and onward to Caye Caulker, Mexico or Guatemala.

Itinerary recommendations for southern Belize

If you have an extra day to spare, I can really recommend a visit to the impressive Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary! If you travel with a companion I recommend hiking and fun river tubing. You can also stay overnight and have a guided tour to see some wildlife.

If you need more inspiration for places to visit in Belize, head to my Belize itinerary post here.

Conclusion

Overall, Hopkins was a very quiet and authentic town with several idyllic little spots. There’s places to stay in Hopkins for every budget, and you can have a relaxing day at the beach. The town was surrounded by beautiful wetlands ideal for birdwatching. You can easily spend a few days in Hopkins for a relaxed vacation or weekend!