Ready to go to Hopkins? - Follow me!


1st Destination: Belize City

Coming from North America it is easiest to take an airplane directly to Belize City International Airport,
though certain flights to Cancun/Mexico might be much cheaper.
This is not as hard as travelling to Belize from e.g. Europe. Flights to Belize City always include
stop-overs somewhere in the United States, most of the times even with an over-night stay.
That speaks more for the option to Cancun/Mexico. From there its easy to catch a bus to Chetumal,
maybe enjoy the Riviera Maya of Yucatan for some days. On the way you'll hit Playa Del Carmen, Tulum
and other interesting and very beautiful places.

We would recommend leaving Cancun airport by taking a bus or collective taxi to Playa Del Carmen.
Since Cancun is a lot of concrete, all-inclusive-tourism and also very expensive, this is not the place
to be if you are more the backpacker, low budget or adventurer type.
Unless you want to visit Isla Mujeres - a very beautiful Island in front of Cancun, then you have to pass
through that city.
However from Playa Del Carmen there are several busses going south to Chetumal, passing through e.g. Tulum
as well.

From Chetumal they have busses crossing the border to Belize. They mostly go through to Belize City, from
where you can reach any bigger town by bus as well.
The Mexican Bus Company ADO is also offering a very convenient night bus (leaving Cancun around 8:00pm /
Playa Del Carmen around 9:00pm) straight to Belize City for about US$40.00 p.p.

As of November 2012 Tropic Air, operating out of Belize, is also flying between Cancun and Belize City.
A nice way also is taking a boat from Chetumal to San Pedro or Caye Caulker. Updated times and rates you can
find in the travel section of GuideToBelize.info
From Caye Caulker or San Pedro catch a water taxi to Belize City, unless you got into the island feeling,
then it is highly recommendable to get on one of the Raggamuffin Boats to Placencia
(about 40 road-miles south of Hopkins), a great way to explore the islands for a few days and soak in
the Caribbean mood!

From Placencia take a bus towards Dangriga to get to the Hopkins Junction.

Next hop: Dangriga/Hopkins Junction

To reach Dangriga there are several options to choose from. The fancy way is through the air again - and it is
an adventure, too. Take a small metal bird and take off
to a flight you won't forget easily. Your destination is Dangriga, about 20 miles north of Hopkins.
The other option is going by bus. If you came to Belize City by airplane, leave Belize City International Airport
by taxi to the main bus terminal (Novellos) near "Downtown" Belize City. Get yourself a ticket for a bus going south
(to Dangriga or Punta Gorda) and jump on.
If your bus ends in Dangriga or you came in by airplane, switch
to a bus to Placencia or Punta Gorda, leave Dangriga behind and jump off at the junction to Hopkins
(16 miles / half an hour after you left Dangriga - make sure the bus driver does not forget!).

There also are two busses per day going from Dangriga directly to Hopkins - at around 11.00am and 5:00pm

The Home Stretch

Hopkins is situated about 4miles off the Southern Highway on the coast. the Hopkins Junction is a known
place to bus and taxi drivers. Hitch hiking into the village is very popular. Arriving in Hopkins turn
right to find us on the beach about half a mile down the road (just passed a big
open public beach).

The transport system in Belize works fine, busses mostly are - not as you would expect, when you know more
about the country - on schedule and go about hourly between the main cities.
Taxis are available everywhere as well. Be sure to ask about the fare before you take off, are you talking US
or BZ dollars and also if it is per person or for the ride!
Taxi fare Dangriga-Hopkins: ~ 45.00 USD

Do remember that schedules and fares are subject to change. This description is to give you a general idea,
please inquire for the exact info before depending on it!!!