Hopkins
Hopkins is a Garifuna village on Belize’s Stann Creek coast, south of Dangriga. It suits travelers looking for a small coastal base with access to rainforest and waterfall outings inland.
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Hopkins is a Garifuna village on the coast of Belize’s Stann Creek District, south of Dangriga. Garifuna culture is part of daily life here, with music, drumming and dance rooted in the community’s traditions. The village also makes a base for day trips inland to places such as Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Mayflower Bocawina National Park.
Choose Hopkins if you want a quieter coastal stay alongside time in the rainforest. It is a different base from Placencia, where reef and beach activities are a bigger part of many trips. Plan a few days for the village, the coast and an inland outing; add time if you want to visit both park areas. Hopkins is a less suitable choice if your trip centers on a large resort or busy nightlife.
Hopkins in five
- Fly to Dangriga or ride the Southern HighwayMaya Island Air lists Dangriga (Hopkins) with five daily flights from Belize City, Placencia and Punta Gorda, and Tropic Air also serves Dangriga and Hopkins. Ask your lodging how the last stretch is covered.Airport to water taxi and flights
- Plan around Garifuna Settlement Day19 November is a public and bank holiday, a Thursday in 2026. Dangriga is described as the cultural center of the Garifuna people, so ask your lodging what is planned in Hopkins and book early if your dates include it.Government of Belize holidays
- Hike to the falls at Mayflower BocawinaWaterfall trails lie inland from the Southern Highway in Mayflower Bocawina National Park. Ask your lodging or the park for current hours and the entry fee before you go, and arrange transport in advance.
- Take Cockscomb as a day tripThe sanctuary is off the Southern Highway, about 20 miles south of Dangriga, and works as a long day trip by road. The Southern Belize guide has the hours, the fee and the unpaved last stretch.Southern Belize
- Look at the sargassum forecast firstThe Belize Tourism Board lists Hopkins among five places with municipal sargassum clean-up. The National Meteorological Service issues the forecasts, so check them in the days before a beach-first trip.BTB sargassum resource
Need to know
- Airport
- Dangriga (Hopkins) airstrip, served by Maya Island Air and Tropic Air
- Getting there
- Small plane to Dangriga then a transfer, or the Southern Highway all the way
- Getting around
- Walk the village; arrange taxis or a rental car for the parks
- Best base
- The village itself; Placencia suits reef trips better
- Time needed
- 2–4 days with Cockscomb and Mayflower Bocawina
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain16 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Dry, busyJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 112 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
- FebruaryRain16 rainy daysHigh28°Low19°Dry seasonFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry season
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh31°Low20°Dry, warmMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh33°Low22°Dry, hotAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- MayRain15 rainy daysHigh33°Low23°Last dry monthMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 95 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Last dry month
- JuneRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Rains buildJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 211 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains build
- JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Wet, humidJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 154 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, humid
- AugustRain24 rainy daysHigh32°Low23°Wet, humidAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 181 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, humid
- SeptemberRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Storm watchSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 185 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm watch
- OctoberRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Storm watchOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 261 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Storm watch
- NovemberRain19 rainy daysHigh28°Low20°Garifuna Day Nov 19NovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 231 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Garifuna Day Nov 19
- DecemberRain20 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Drier, holidaysDecemberRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 148 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, holidays
Average daily high and low in Hopkins, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Hopkins
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 71%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 76%
Hopkins
03:14 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today29°22°76%Monday: Rain. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Tue29°22°41%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Wed30°23°27%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Thu30°23°33%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Fri30°23°55%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Sat29°23°53%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Sun29°23°53%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 53%.
Updated 11:26 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 2 BZD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Mayflower Bocawina National Parkinland from the Southern HighwayForest trails and waterfalls; confirm hours and the entry fee with the park.
- Cockscomb Basinoff the Southern Highway at Maya CenterA jaguar reserve with trails, waterfalls and river tubing.Read the guide
- Dangriganearby on the Southern HighwayThe district town, described as the cultural center of the Garifuna people.
Before you go to Hopkins
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Rules for Hopkins, checked
- Garifuna Settlement Day, 19 November, is a public and bank holiday; in 2026 it falls on a Thursday (Government of Belize Press Office).Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
- Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is open 8:00 to 4:30 every day; non-residents pay BZD 10 a day (Belize Audubon Society).Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around Hopkins
Which village fits your days, or split the nights
Read the guidePlacenciaThe peninsula for beach time, restaurants and reef trips
Read the guideSouthern BelizeCockscomb, Toledo and how to link the south
Read the guideBelize CityAirports, the water taxi terminal and safety advice
Read the guideAll of BelizeEntry rules, money and the rest of the country
Read the guideInsurance for jungle daysCover for hikes, tubing and storm delays
Read the guideHopkins FAQ
Is Hopkins worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a small Garifuna village on the coast with jungle parks close by. Skip it if a restaurant-lined beach town or daily reef trips matter most; Placencia is built for that.
How do you get to Hopkins from Belize City?
Fly to Dangriga with Maya Island Air or Tropic Air, then arrange a transfer with your lodging, or take the Southern Highway by road in daylight. The Southern Belize guide covers the road warnings.
How many days do you need in Hopkins?
Two nights cover the village and beach with one park. Three or four let you add both Mayflower Bocawina and Cockscomb without rushing, since each has its own entry hours and a drive on the Southern Highway.
Can you visit Cockscomb from Hopkins?
Yes, as a day trip by road. Beyond Maya Center the sanctuary lists a local taxi at BZD 40 one way for the six unpaved miles, or a hike of roughly two hours. Hours and the entry fee are in the rules above.
What is Garifuna Settlement Day?
It is a public and bank holiday on 19 November that celebrates Garifuna heritage. UNESCO lists the Garifuna language, dance and music, which it inscribed in 2008 after a 2001 proclamation, and Belize is one of four countries named.