Hopkins Village

Hopkins is a small, welcoming seaside village on Belize’s central coast, in Stann Creek District, widely considered the cultural heart of Belize’s Garifuna community. With a long, quiet beach, sandy village lanes, and a slower pace of life, Hopkins offers a more intimate, authentic alternative to Belize’s larger tourist hubs.

Local History

Hopkins was founded in the early 1900s after a hurricane destroyed the original Garifuna settlement at Newtown (near Commerce Bight), prompting residents to relocate to the current site. The Garifuna people themselves trace their roots to a fusion of West African, Carib, and Arawak ancestry, formed in the 17th and 18th centuries on the island of St. Vincent. Following conflict with British forces, the Garifuna were exiled in 1797 and eventually settled along the Caribbean coast of Central America, including present-day Belize, Honduras, and Guatemala. Hopkins remains one of the most prominent Garifuna communities in Belize, with strong ties to this heritage still visible in daily village life.

Culture

Garifuna culture is central to Hopkins’ identity, expressed through drumming, punta music and dance, storytelling, and cuisine. Traditional Garifuna drums, carved from hollowed hardwood and deerskin, are central to celebrations and are still made and played locally. Cassava — grown, processed, and baked into bread using traditional methods — remains a staple food, alongside seafood dishes like hudut (fish in coconut broth with mashed plantain). Many families in Hopkins offer community-based tourism experiences, including drumming lessons, cooking classes, and cultural tours, giving visitors direct engagement with Garifuna traditions.

Tour Destinations & Things to Do

Explore the full range of guided tours and excursions available at thebelizecollection.com/activities.

  • Garifuna drumming lessons and cultural tours hosted by local families and cultural centers.
  • Mayflower Bocawina National Park — Waterfalls, jungle hiking, and Central America’s longest zip-line canopy tour, a short drive from the village.
  • Sittee River tours — Manatee watching, birdwatching, and river tubing.
  • Snorkeling and diving day trips to South Water Caye, Tobacco Caye, and Glover’s Reef Atoll — all easily accessed from Hopkins.
  • Cacao farm tours highlighting Belize’s chocolate-making traditions.
  • Fishing charters for reef, flats, and deep-sea fishing.
  • Beach cycling along the village’s flat, sandy main road.

Environment & Weather

Hopkins sits directly on the Caribbean Sea, with a long stretch of sandy beach shaded by coconut palms and sea grape trees. The Sittee River and surrounding mangrove and lagoon systems just south of the village support rich birdlife and marine habitats, and the barrier reef lies a short boat ride offshore.

  • Dry season: February to May — the driest, sunniest stretch of the year.
  • Wet season: June to November — warm and humid with periodic heavy rain; this period overlaps with the Atlantic hurricane season.
  • Temperatures: Consistently warm year-round, typically in the 75–90°F (24–32°C) range, moderated by steady coastal breezes.

Where to Stay

Hopkins offers a mix of beachfront and boutique accommodations along its quiet coastline.

  • The Lodge at Jaguar Reef — Sits directly on the beach, offering easy access to the village and nearby reef and river excursions.
  • The Resort at Almond Beach — A relaxed beachfront setting well suited for travelers looking to enjoy Hopkins’ laid-back pace alongside its cultural and outdoor offerings.