Top Hopkins Day Trips

Discover one of Belize's best-kept secrets on a day trip to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Preserve and waterfall near Hopkins. Hike through the jungle to a hidden cascade, and then ride natural river waterslides and inner tubes down the South Stann Creek River. After enjoying this natural playground, enjoy a picnic lunch and spot a variety of Belizean wildlife in the surrounding nature reserve that's home to the country's largest number of jaguars.

Head out on an all-day adventure to see some of the greatest Mayan ruins in Belize on this private guided tour. Xunantunich is located in the Cayo District, close to Belize’s western border with Guatemala. You'll cross over the Mopan River via a hand-cranked ferry, then travel a mile (1.6 kilometer) uphill to the largely excavated archaeological site, which can be accessed on foot or in a vehicle. The largest pyramid, El Castillo, offers an impressive panoramic view of the surrounding area.

If you are looking for a private long day experience. This is the trip for you. Discover the stunning 7 miles cave kayaking experience with its extensive and breath taking variety of stalactites and stalagmites. We'll begin our adventure with a 20 minutes drive to the drop in point to the entrance of the cave. Pass through orange orchard with high chances to spot wildlife, then prepare to navigate through 5 different caves enjoying impressive chambers filled with amazing formations. It has a fair number of small rapids that can even beginner paddlers can navigate the river safely during the dry season. During our trip we will stop for a relaxing lunch, taking in the magnificent mountain and cave entrance view, with an opportunity to swim in the clear water of our beautiful river.

Xunantunich Maya Ruins is one of Belize’s most famous archaeological sites, which can mean buses that travel there get crowded. Instead of looking up public transport schedules, enjoy this small-group tour instead. Travel seamlessly from Hopkins Bay to Xunantunich, explore the ruins with a guide, and then continue the trip to St. Herman’s Cave. Here you can try out cave tubing, with all required equipment provided for extra convenience.

Visit Xunantunich, located in the heart of the Cayo District, and cross the Mopan River on a charming hand-cranked ferry to explore the captivating Maya ruins. Witness the architectural marvels, decipher the stories etched in stone, and gain a deeper appreciation for the intricate culture that once thrived within these sacred grounds. But the adventure doesn't end there. After a delightful lunch, we'll take you to St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park. The centerpiece of the park is the stunning Blue Hole, a magnificent sapphire-colored body of water that is a natural sinkhole. It plunges to a depth of 25 feet (eight meters) and is continually nourished by a crystal-clear natural spring. Take a refreshing swim to beat the heat or savor a leisurely picnic amid the splendor of nature on a warm day. Don't miss this unique opportunity to experience the beauty and history of Belize. Book your trip today and embark on a journey of a lifetime.

Discover the ancient Maya site of Tikal, which is located in Guatemala across the western border of Belize, on this all-day tour from Hopkins. These ancient ruins, including temples and pyramids, illustrate the story of Mayan culture and history. Navigate immigration and customs at the Guatemala border with the help of a guide.

Enjoy a relaxing float through Belize’s Jaguar Paw Cave and admire the subterranean world on this outdoor adventure in Belize. Join a small group and float along the Caves Branch River with your headlamps to see geological formations including stalagmites and stalactites. Then, get your adrenaline pumping on a series of ziplines that wind through the rain forest. Hotel pickup is included for convenience.

Venture out on this half-day horseback riding excursion that’s suitable for all ages at a private ranch in Hopkins. Ride the well-trained horses through orange groves and into the rainforest, plus head to the river for a refreshing swim with the horses. The working farm is home to sheep, cows, goats, and more.

Hike through tropical jungle to explore Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM Cave) on an adventurous, small-group tour to the important Maya archeological site. Following a 45-minute hike to the cave entrance, you’ll swim and wade to reach a network of passageways, tunnels, and chambers used by the ancient Maya people. Round-trip, climate-controlled transport ensures a comfortable trip to the remote location, where you’ll enjoy a picnic lunch after visiting the cave.

Book this unforgettable Mayan Cultural experience combining culture, adventure, and nature in one incredible day. Travel from Hopkins along the scenic Southern Highway into the heart of the jungle for an immersive cultural visit with the Indian Creek Maya Women's Group, where you’ll experience traditional Maya cooking, cacao and corn grinding, basket weaving, dance, and storytelling. Continue your journey to the stunning Maya King Waterfall for a refreshing swim in crystal-clear pools surrounded by lush rainforest and the beauty of the Maya Mountains. This tour is the perfect blend of culture, connection, and natural beauty -ideal for travelers seeking an authentic Belize experience. Book now and make memories that last a lifetime.

Get ready for an exciting eco-adventure in Southern Belize! Your journey begins with an hour's drive from Hopkins Village to Placencia. Once there, you will embark on a scenic boat ride along the breathtaking coastline, followed by a trek into the lush mangroves and winding waterways of the Monkey River—a true haven for wildlife and natural beauty. As you cruise upriver, your knowledgeable local guide will point out fascinating sights, including manatees, crocodiles, iguanas, exotic birds, and, of course, the howler monkeys that give this tour its name. Their deep, echoing calls will surround you as you venture deeper into the jungle. After your Monkey River tour, you'll have the opportunity to explore Placencia before returning to Hopkins Village.

Instead of setting off to the Actun Tunic Hil Munal Cave on your own, this tour guides you and provides all of the necessary safety equipment for your convenience. With your helmet, headlamp, and life jacket if needed, hike, wade, and swim through this Maya underworld. The journey includes three river crossings, a 30-minute hike to an hourglass entrance, and a journey through a cave system with stalactites, stalagmites, boulders, and freshwater streams.

This guide-led experience brings travelers together for a well-paced look at the places and activities in the itinerary. The tour begins from Hopkins. At Xunantunich, walk through the ceremonial plazas, learn how the ancient city developed, and take in the wide Cayo District views around El Castillo. At the Inland Blue Hole, enjoy the forest setting and time at the natural freshwater pool—a refreshing break during the day. Allow about 6 hours for the full experience. This is a shared experience with a listed maximum of 15 travelers. transportation, entrance fees, guide service, lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice are included. The experience is not wheelchair accessible. It is not recommended for pregnant travelers, travelers with back problems, and travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions.

Catch your own seafood meal on this fun guided excursion in Southern Belize. Head out with an experienced skipper and try your hand at catching snapper, grouper, barracuda, lionfish, and if you’re lucky, lobster and conch. Then, head to a private island and grill your catch on the beach before enjoy a relaxing afternoon of eating, swimming, snorkeling, and kicking back by the water.

Step into the soul of Belize with this authentic Garifuna and Maya Cultural Foodie Tour from Hopkins. Begin your day on Kalipuna Cultural Heritage Island, home to the vibrant Garifuna people. Learn about their deep ancestral heritage, participate in interactive storytelling, drumming and join local cooks to prepare a traditional Garifuna dish made from fresh, organic island ingredients. Feel the rhythm, taste the flavors, and soak in the island’s serene atmosphere. Afterward, travel inland to a Maya community, where you’ll take part in a hands-on chocolate-making session — from a visit to an organic cacao farm, roasting cacao beans to grinding them on a traditional stone metate. Learn about the cultural and spiritual importance of cacao to the Maya civilization and enjoy your own rich, hand-crafted chocolate treat.

Venture deep into the lush Maya mountains to discover the marvels of Belize's ancient heritage on this full-day excursion. Explore the majestic Xunantunich Mayan ruin, renowned as the "Maiden of the Rock," and learn about the ancient archaeological site. Then, dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Hole National Park, formed by the collapse of an underground limestone cave.

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.

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.

Venture into the heart of Belize's jungle to explore St. Herman's Cave on an exciting tubing excursion. Begin with a jungle walk, unraveling the secrets of the cave and the geology of the Maya Mountains. Then head inside the cave system, and experience the thrill of floating on inner tubes with only your headlamp illuminating the way.

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.

Visit one of the most impressive Ancient Mayan temples on a day trip combined with a refreshing cave tubing experience at St. Herman's cave. This is an all-inclusive package that includes transportation from/to Hopkins, guided tours, drinking water, lunch, park admissions, and a stop for a swim at the Inland Blue Hole. Climb to the top of these high temples learn about this Ancient civilization, and look for local animals including birds, coatimundi, spiders, and howler monkeys. After visiting the Mayan temples, drive to the cave tubing area. Float relaxed inside these dark chambers on this full-day adventure away from the visiting cruise passengers to Belize.

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.

Most visitors see Xunantunich or St. Herman's Cave — not both. This tour combines Belize's two most rewarding inland experiences into a single day, with a local guide who connects the dots between ancient Maya culture and the natural landscape they called home. No big tourist buses, no rushed timelines — just genuine exploration with a company that knows Belize from the inside out.