Top Hopkins Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Xunantunich is one of the largest ancient Maya cities ever built, the rulers of Xunantunich clashes with other powerful rivals in the area, including Tikal. In 2016, the largest Maya royal tomb ever discovered was excavated in Xunantunich, and the site remains an impressive display of pyramids, palaces, and other grandiose buildings.

Depart for a day of Mayan historical adventure to see some of the finest Maya Ruins in Belize. Xunantunich is located in the Cayo District across from Benque Viejo Road near the village of San Jose Succotz just a few miles from Belize’s western border with Guatemala. At the village of San Jose Succotz, we cross over the Mopan River using a hand-cranked ferry. From the other side of the river, it’s a mile uphill to the site, which can be accessed on foot or in a vehicle. Xunantunich Mayan ruin, also known as the “Maiden of the Rock” is the second tallest Mayan ruin in Belize. The largest pyramid, El Castillo stands 130 feet high above the main plaza and offers an impressive panoramic view of the Cayo District, Guatemala, and the Mopan River. The site has been largely excavated and has a well-appointed educational museum. Experience an authentic Belizean lunch in the immediate area of the ruins.

Cruise on the Monkey River and spot Howler monkeys, toucans, manatees, giant iguanas, crocodiles, and other species that call this river their home. Also witness the local residents participating in traditional fishing and other daily tasks. Top this off with an authentic meal.

Hike up to witness the Cockscomb Waterfalls and ride inner tubes down the South Stann Creek River along with a chance to spot a wide variety of wildlife at a nature reserve in Belize. You will be greeted by magnificent landscapes and vegetation during your hike here.

Cruise on the Monkey River and spot Howler monkeys, toucans, manatees, giant iguanas, crocodiles, and other species that call this river their home. Also witness the local residents participating in traditional fishing and other daily tasks. Top this off with an authentic meal.

Check out the most famous ancient Maya site ever discovered - Tikal which is located just across the western border of Belize in Guatemala. This collection of ancient ruins (temples, pyramids) will let know the story about the Mayan Empire!

The ATM Cave is one of the most historical sights in the world. It is an incredibly beautiful underground world filled with glittering stalactites and stalagmites.

Depart for a day of Mayan historical adventure to see one of the finest Maya Ruins in Belize. Xunantunich Mayan ruin, also known as the “Maiden of the Rock” is the second tallest Mayan ruin in Belize. The largest pyramid, El Castillo stands 130 feet high above the main plaza and offers an impressive panoramic view of the Cayo District, Guatemala, and the Mopan River. The site has been largely excavated and has a well-appointed educational museum. Experience an authentic Belizean lunch in the immediate area of the ruins. Now we make our way to Cave Tubing @ St. Herman's Cave. This is a combination of cave exploration and cave tubing to explore this incredible river cave system. Imagine the excitement as you drift downriver, your body tucked in an inflated inner tube, your fingers trailing in the crisp clear river and up head is the vine-draped opening of mysterious cave.

There’s no need to brave the supposedly haunted Xunantunich archaeological site alone; instead, visit these popular Belizean ruins as part of a guided excursion from Hopkins and learn more about the region’s history. Don’t worry about making your own way there either, as round-trip transportation and the ferry ride are included for ease.

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary established in 1990 is world renowned for being the first jaguar reserve.Besides being the home to Belize's largest cat, the sanctuary protects the headwaters of two major river systems and supports an abundance of hardwood vegetation and a diverse faunal assemblage.Over 128,000 acres of lush jungle are ringed by the spectacular Cockscomb Mountains.Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is home to all five (5) of Belize's cats: Jaguar, Puma, Margay, Jaguarundi, and Ocelot. It is estimated that over 80 resident Jaguars are in the area. Belize's national animal, the endangered Baird's Tapir also inhabits the Basin and over 290 different species of birds have been recorded.This tour is ideal for nature lovers and intrepid travelers. Get a chance to be up close and personal with the majestic jaguar.

Going on this adventure with us means you will experience an amazing tractor ride through the Belize rainforest. Along the way, you will experience 8 river crossings and be surrounded by an amazing landscape. After the tractor ride, an arduous hike through the rainforest awaits you before you get to see Davis Falls.Second only to Thousand-Foot Falls, Davis falls is one of the largest waterfalls in Belize with a height of around 500 ft (120 meters). You get to choose between swimming in the cool and refreshing waters of the waterfall or relaxing on the rocks enjoying the magnificent view of the waterfall, or you can do both as you engrave the wonderful scenery into your minds and hearts.

It’s going to be an eventful day so be sure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. This tour will start with a journey from your Hopkins accommodation. Our guides will be waiting on-site for you before heading off in air-conditioned transport to Xunantunich. Xunantunich is a national treasure that fills its visitors with a sense of time travel. It sits close to Belize’s western border and is a must-visit. Local souvenirs, hammocks, and blankets are available from the many vendors waiting alongside the river at the entrance to the hand-cranked ferry that has carried many thousands to and from the calm beauty of this Maya Temple.

Head out into the Anderson Lagoon to see enchanting bioluminescent plankton light up the water with this Sittee River trip. Your guide will take you into the mangroves by boat, where you'll get to see this enchanting natural phenomenon up close and personal. You can even put your hand in the water and swish it around to see how agitated plankton immediately illuminate.

Belize Premier Black Indigenous Cultural & Cooking Classes guaranteed to be highly educational, entertaining and interactive.  Come journey with us through our historical stories.  We are glad to share the tremendous cultural value of our 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.   Cooking Class in Hopkins Belize is always fun time.   Earn your bragging rights by over coming the heat in the kitchen.  Fireheart 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 & Music & revitalizing your souls earning your delicious cultural dessert.

We head down to the waterfalls to take a rejuvenating waterfall shower and chill pool side at the refreshing natural waterfall pool . It's truly an amazing experience as u enjoy your fresh fruit and juice snacks by the refreshing waterfall pool. You'll also have the option of ordering a delicious meal from the nearby rustic and comfy restaurant. Enjoy the pristine scenery and the company of our certified and experienced guides.

Rappel down the Actun Loch Tunich also known as the Mother of all Caves, which was initially formed from a sinkhole. Enjoy this unforgettable experience and see the massive rainforest canopy growing of this sinkhole, on your way down.

A must-visit, even when on the shortest stays in our beautiful country. Xunantunich is a national treasure that fills its visitors with a sense of time travel.. You'll know you're arriving when you spot the little falls of the Mopan River winding alongside the road through the village of San Jose Succotz. You're hit with how green and lush everything is. Some visitors will get to see a group of women doing laundry in the river while their children swim nearby. After a couple hours of exploring, you’ll head off to the Inland Blue Hole for a dip. Not to be confused with Belize’s iconic Blue Hole in the Caribbean Sea, this woodland natural pool offers a lovely and refreshing stop on the Hummingbird Highway.Once at the bottom, the jungle opens up to the sky’s canvas revealing limestone rock walls and vegetation, forming an attractive 25-foot (8-m) deep swimming hole. The water in the Blue Hole is part of an underground cave system that flows into the Sibun River.

Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) is one of the most popular and impressive Maya ceremonial caves ever found. ATM was in use during the early classic period, which dates to around 300-600AD. The caving part of the tour, takes you through a subterranean river, over (and under) more than a few rocks and into the main chamber. The ATM Cave is a wet cave – you swim into the mouth and then wade through ankle to chest high water before climbing to a intricate passageways of dry chambers which lead to the cathedral-like main hall, a towering chamber 350 metres in length and 50mteres wide and filled with artefacts and sacrificial remains. After this another climb takes you to the stone chamber where the Crystal Maiden lies, this is the skeleton of a teenage girl who was sacrificed and left in the cave. Over thousands of years her remains have been covered by a layer of diamond like limestone. The Mayas sacrificed humans in the hopes of appeasing the gods and bringing fertility to the land.

Take an air conditioned van on a beautiful ride through the jungles of the Maya mountains on your way to the ruins. After the tour of the site, you can shop for cultural gifts and souvenirs at "The Orange Gallery". Then a stop at one of our favorite local restaurants for authentic Mayan cuisine before a stop at the Blue Hole for a swim in crystal clear waters. (Not the Blue Hole that Scuba divers visit in the ocean)

Head to Bocawina, home to Belize’s longest zipline. Extending 2 ½ miles across the Mayflower Bocawina National Park, you can observe the rain forest from a bird’s eye view along with rappelling down waterfalls.

Plan this exciting fun cave tubing and ziplining activity at Jaguar Paw, a beautiful, pristine natural area located in central Belize. You will be mesmerized by the cave formations and also witness the forest's canopy from a bird's eye view.

Embark on a horseback riding tour at a private ranch which even children can enjoy. These trained horses will take through the groves in the rainforest and to the river for a swim.

The tour starts with a 10 minute walk through the jungle as you get an informative talk on cave archaeology and the geology of the Maya Mountains. You then get to spend about two hours inside the cave system. Enter the exciting world of rivers disappearing into the “underworld” as you float on inner tubes with only your head lamp to light your way.

Head to Bocawina, home to Belize’s longest zipline. Extending 2 ½ miles across the Mayflower Bocawina National Park, you can observe the rain forest from a bird’s eye view.