Discover the magic of Belize, a hidden gem in Central America that perfectly blends ancient Mayan history with vibrant modern culture. From the towering ruins of Xunantunich to the rhythmic beats of Garifuna drumming in Hopkins, this 8-day adventure offers an unforgettable journey through lush jungles, mysterious caves, and pristine river landscapes.
Whether you are seeking the thrill of cave tubing at St. Herman’s, the wildlife wonders of the Monkey River, or the authentic flavors of a traditional chocolate and cooking class, our curated itinerary ensures you experience the very heart of Belizean hospitality and natural beauty.
Xunantunich
Your horseback riding tour begins at the stable where you get the best suitable horse for you. The ride starts on the savannah where you can observe the farm animals or the daily life of the farmers. A well-maintained trail which will lead us to the river bank. We will ride on the river trail which heads to the village of San Jose Succotz. At the village, we will ride a hand cranked ferry across the river and ride up to the site of Xunantunich. Here you will dismount and let your horses rest while we visit the site of Xunantunich. Home to the second largest Mayan pyramid in Belize, Xunantunich is one of the most impressive Mayan sites in Belize. Xunantunich was a major ceremonial center during the classic period. Xunatunich (Maiden of the rock) is composed of six major plazas surrounded by more than 25 temples and palaces. The large pyramid, “El Castillo”, is well known for the frieze or band of stucco decoration which at one time extended around the entire temple. El Castillo rises 130 feet above the main plaza and offers an impressive panoramic view over the Mopan River valley.
Chocolate and Cooking Class
Spend time with a master chocolate maker who offers two-hour farm-to-factory tours including a trip to the cacao plantation. The full process is explained right through to the finished bar of dark chocolate. There's a shop selling cacao products and a separate Maya cultural museum. The Garifuna Indigenous Cultural and Cooking Class is guaranteed to be highly educational, entertaining and interactive. Share the tremendous cultural value of the coconut trees engaging you in the interactive process of coconut harvesting, husking, tasting, grating and milk extraction. Enter our traditional Garifuna Kitchen where we share with you our cassava baking process and share many of our antique collection of artifacts with you. These cooking lessons is a unique signature experience where you get to prepare your own (HUDUT) traditional meal that is served for Lunch or Dinner. Culminate your Garifuna Immersion with sensational drum rolls learning the basic techniques of Garifuna drumming and Music, revitalizing your souls.
St Hermans Cave
St. Herman’s cave is an hour’s drive from Hopkins and less than two hours from Placencia. Cave tubing at St. Herman’s Caves starts with a 10-minute walk from the park to the cave entrance before you embark on your two-hour float in the cave. The experienced, licensed tour guide will provide interesting facts on the geology of the formations, the cave history as well as the importance of caves in Maya history and culture. At the end of the cave tubing, you will walk back upstream, where once again you get a chance to see the cave and its spectacular formations. Before returning back to Hopkins, we can stop to visit the inland Blue Hole.
Monkey River Tour
A Monkey River tour, takes travelers deep into the land of Howler Monkeys, primates so loud, they could never hide from predators without giving themselves away. To visit their neighborhood, you’ll first have to journey from Placencia (if you are vacationing in Placencia Peninsula) to Monkey River Village by boat, passing mangrove swamp and other exotic scenery that includes wild flowers, scaly critters and (if you’re lucky) manatees, since these gentle marine mammals make their homes here among mangrove-filled estuaries. This one-of-a-kind excursion is fascinating and fun for people of all ages. Learn more about life along a river bank that explodes with color and sounds: birds, animals and plants, all of which co-exist nicely here in southern Belize. Learn about medicinal plants and take a refreshing swim during your tour.
Exploring Hopkins
This quiet, unassuming beach town of Hopkins in southern Belize, has in recent years become a must-visit place for visitors to the country. There are many reasons for this growth in popularity, from its ideal location to many southern mainland tours, highly rated resorts, and authentic culture, to its proximity to Sittee River. Hopkins is a small, authentic Central American village that is warm and welcoming to visitors. There is a large percentage of Garifuna settlers here, who have maintained their cultural traditions, such as drumming, which is a must-do in Hopkins. Directly adjacent to Hopkins is the Sittee River and “resort row”.
Book your Belize and Hopkins Adventure here!
