Top Hopkins Day Trips - page 2

Soar through the rain forest canopy on a series of thrilling ziplines, and get a bird’s-eye view of the tropical ecosystem. Hotel pickup and round-trip transfers from Placencia, Hopkins Bay, and the airport make it easy to reach Bocawina Zipline’s location within Mayflower Bocawina National Park. That means more time to explore the rain forest, home to wildlife including tapir, jaguars, howler monkeys, and more.

Rappel down the Actun Loch Tunich Cave (also known as the Black Hole Drop) on this all-day tour from Hopkins. See the massive rainforest canopy surrounding the cave, which was formed from a sinkhole, as you travel down about 300 feet (91 meters) to the bottom. Also, enjoy a picnic lunch before your return hike. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.

Prepare for a day filled with adventure on this guided tour from Hopkins. First, head to Xunantunich, located close to Belize’s western border. Here, catch panoramic views of the Cayo District and nearby Guatemala from atop El Castillo, the main temple of the archeological site. From there, travel to Caves Branch Archaeological Reserve for a cave tubing and ziplining adventure.

One of the best Mayan sites in Belize, Caracol, is deep in the heart of the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. The reserve is located at the base of the Maya Mountains in the Cayo District in Western Belize. Covering an area of nearly 25,000 acres, Caracol is one of the largest Mayan sites. Impressive not only in size, it also has an immense agricultural field system and elaborate city planning. Caracol is one of the most pristine and well-kept Maya sites in Belize. If you want to see an incredible piece of our history, head to Caracol in Belize. Numerous carved monuments establish that Caracol was a major player in the geopolitics of the Maya civilization. Caracol was an ally of Calakmul in Campeche, Mexico and engaged in several wars with neighboring polities, such as Tikal, Naranjo and Ucanal in Guatemala.

Descend into Actun Tunichil Muknal, the only place in Belize where you can walk among intact Maya ceremonial remains left exactly where they were placed over a thousand years ago. Pickup from your Hopkins Village hotel or rental at 7:00 am, then inland through the Maya Mountains. You hike 45 minutes through broadleaf rainforest, crossing the Roaring River three times on foot, before swimming a short stretch into the cave mouth. Inside, your licensed guide leads you past calcite formations, ceramic vessels and ritual offerings, up into the Cathedral where the skeletal remains known as the Crystal Maiden rest in place. This is an active archaeological site under government protection, and access is restricted to certified guides only. Please note: cameras and phones are strictly prohibited inside the cave, and this is enforced. Bring socks, closed-toe shoes you don't mind soaking, swimwear under your clothes, and dry clothes for the drive home.

Discover the heart of the Maya World, just a 2 hour drive from Belize’s western border. Covered in thick jungle and discovered in the 1900’s, Tikal represents one of the most fascinating Mayan archaeological sites of the Mundo Maya. It was considered one of largest and most powerful cities of the Classic Period, until it was suddenly abandoned over 1000 years ago and the jungle outgrew the massive temples and structures there. Your tour guide is with you the whole way to fill you in on the history of the area and answer questions. At the border, you will be assisted through all the stamping and fees by your guide. For the next three and a half hours, time will rewind a thousand years. After you leave the park, there will be an opportunity to pick up memorabilia, then it’s back to Belize. Your guide will be there once again to ensure a safe and speedy crossing from Guatemala back into Belize.