Belize’s Leading Destination Management Company (DMC)
Award to Appreciation
2025
Splash DMC is Belize’s premier Destination Management Company, delivering bespoke travel planning, luxury experiences, and seamless event management across the country. With over 25 years in Belize’s tourism industry, we specialize in creating immersive journeys; from barrier reef adventures and jungle expeditions to cultural tours, wellness retreats, and corporate events. Our team combines local expertise, award-winning service, and trusted partnerships to design experiences that are personalized, authentic, and unforgettable.
Founded in 2000 as a PADI 5-Star Dive Center, Splash expanded into a full-service DMC in 2010, growing beyond the reef to showcase the very best of Belize. Today, we coordinate custom itineraries, luxury accommodations, private transfers, curated tours, group travel, incentives, and destination events with unmatched precision and care. Our deep roots in tourism and community partnerships give us exclusive access to Belize’s top resorts, local guides, conservation experiences, and hidden gems.
Our excellence has been recognized nationwide, earning distinctions such as Belize Tour Operator of the Year and the Hospitality Award for outstanding service and guest satisfaction. Whether you are planning a dive vacation, cultural immersion, family getaway, corporate retreat, or special event, Splash DMC ensures every detail is handled seamlessly from start to finish.
Hopkins.
Hopkins is a coastal village in southern Belize founded in 1942 by Garifuna families who resettled after a hurricane destroyed their former community of Newtown. Known for its deep Garifuna heritage, Hopkins remains one of Belize’s most culturally authentic destinations, where daily life is shaped by traditional drumming, fishing, farming, and the vibrant Garifuna language.
For decades, Hopkins was reachable only by boat or rugged trails, allowing the village to preserve its peaceful, communal way of life. As road access improved in the late 20th century, Hopkins evolved into a warm and welcoming tourism destination celebrated for cultural immersion, beachfront guesthouses, and its close proximity to the South Water Caye Marine Reserve and the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. Despite its growth, Hopkins continues to honor its Garifuna roots, making it one of the most meaningful places in Belize to experience living culture, traditional music, flavorful cuisine, and rich ancestral heritage.
How To Get
To Hopkins
Getting to Hopkins is easy, scenic, and stress-free. Most travelers reach the village by taking a short 20-minute domestic flight from Belize City (BZE) to Dangriga Airport, followed by a quick 25–30 minute drive into Hopkins.This is the fastest and most convenient option for visitors.
Hopkins is also accessible by road, with a 2.5–3 hour drive from Belize City along the Hummingbird Highway and Coastal Highway—one of the most beautiful routes in Belize, passing mountains, citrus farms, rivers, and small villages. Private shuttles, rental cars, and DMC-coordinated transfers are all popular choices.
No matter how you travel, the journey to Hopkins is part of the Belize experience; easy, peaceful, and full of stunning natural beauty.
What To Do in Hopkins
Hopkins is one of the best places in Belize for culture, adventure, and nature, offering everything from Garifuna drumming and traditional cuisine to snorkeling, diving, and visits to the South Water Caye Marine Reserve. Travelers can also enjoy jungle hikes, wildlife encounters, waterfall tours, and trips to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary—all easily accessible from the village.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling from Hopkins offers direct access to some of the most pristine and untouched sections of the Belize Barrier Reef. Just 25–40 minutes offshore, boats reach the South Water Caye Marine Reserve—Belize’s largest marine protected area and part of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed reef system. Top snorkeling stops from Hopkins include South Water Caye, Tobacco Caye, Bread and Butter Caye, and vibrant patch reefs along the inner and outer reef walls. With crystal-clear waters, thriving coral gardens, and abundant marine life, Hopkins is one of the best snorkeling gateways in all of Belize.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving from Hopkins offers fast and easy access to the pristine South Water Caye Marine Reserve, where vibrant coral reefs, dramatic walls, and abundant marine life lie just 30–45 minutes offshore. This protected area is one of the healthiest sections of the Belize Barrier Reef and a top choice for divers seeking untouched underwater terrain. With uncrowded dive sites, excellent visibility, and a diverse mix of shallow coral gardens and deep drop-offs, Hopkins delivers one of the most intimate and rewarding scuba diving experiences in Belize. It’s a premier base for divers looking to explore Belize’s southern reef at its best.
Fishing
Fishing from Hopkins feels like stepping into an angler’s playground, with calm flats, vibrant reefs, and deep blue waters all within easy reach. Just minutes from the village, anglers can target tarpon, permit, and bonefish on the shallow flats, or head offshore for snapper, grouper, barracuda, and even mahi-mahi in Belize’s rich Caribbean waters. Whether you’re fly fishing, reef fishing, or going offshore, Hopkins offers a relaxed yet high-reward fishing experience suitable for beginners and seasoned anglers alike. Its diverse marine habitats make it one of the top fishing destinations in southern Belize.
Island Hopping
Island hopping from Hopkins is one of the most relaxing and scenic ways to explore Belize’s southern reef, with calm waters and beautiful cayes just 20–40 minutes away by boat. Guests can snorkel vibrant coral reefs, unwind on secluded sandbars, and visit tiny postcard-perfect islands like Bread and Butter Caye and South Water Caye. It’s the perfect Caribbean day—sun, turquoise water, tropical breezes, and effortless island living—all easily accessible from Hopkins.
Biolumiscience Tour
The bioluminescence tour from Hopkins is one of Belize’s most magical nighttime adventures, taking you into Anderson Lagoon where the water glows with every movement. As your boat drifts through the darkness, millions of microscopic organisms illuminate the lagoon with bright blue sparkles—turning every splash, paddle, or hand in the water into a shimmering trail of light.
It’s peaceful, surreal, and truly unforgettable—an experience that showcases one of Belize’s most enchanting natural wonders.
Cockscomb Basin
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is an easy and scenic escape from Hopkins, located just 45 minutes to 1 hour away and offering a full immersion into Belize’s lush rainforest. Known as the world’s first jaguar preserve, this peaceful sanctuary features jungle hiking trails, wildlife sightings, river tubing, and beautiful waterfalls.
It’s the perfect day trip for travelers who want to explore Belize’s nature at their own pace, surrounded by pristine jungle and rich biodiversity.
Bocawina Rainforest
Bocawina National Park is only 35–45 minutes from Hopkins, making it an easy and exciting day trip for travelers seeking outdoor adventure. With rainforest hiking trails, waterfall climbs, a thrilling ziplining course, and frequent wildlife sightings, Bocawina offers the perfect blend of nature, adrenaline, and stunning scenery in southern Belize.
Horseback Riding
Horseback riding at Kendall is a peaceful countryside escape just 35–45 minutes from Hopkins, offering a serene way to experience Belize’s rural charm. Riders can explore open fields, gentle river crossings, and sweeping mountain views on calm, well-trained horses—making it a perfect adventure for families, couples, and anyone seeking a slow-paced, scenic experience outside the village.
Davis Falls
Davis Falls is an unforgettable jungle adventure from Hopkins, located about 1 hour and 15 minutes away and offering one of the most dramatic waterfall experiences in Belize. As one of the country’s tallest waterfalls, the journey includes off-road excitement, river crossings, and a scenic rainforest hike that leads to a powerful, crystal-clear plunge pool.
It’s the perfect day trip for travelers who love dramatic landscapes, refreshing swims, and a true immersion into Belize’s rainforest beauty.
Where to Stay in Hopkins
Hopkins offers two distinct areas to stay, each with its own unique vibe and travel style. North Hopkins features boutique resorts, beachfront cabanas, and upscale eco-lodges—ideal for couples, families, and travelers seeking quiet beaches, spacious accommodations, and easy access to the Belize Barrier Reef and nearby national parks.
South Hopkins delivers the cultural heartbeat of the village, with locally owned guesthouses, small inns, drumming centers, and authentic Garifuna experiences just steps from restaurants and local eateries. Whether you prefer the relaxed luxury of the north or the rich cultural immersion of the south, Hopkins offers every traveler a comfortable, welcoming place to feel at home in Belize.
Where To Eat in Hopkins
Breakfast
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• Thongs Café
• Coconut Husk
• Driftwood Beach Bar (weekend brunch options)
• The Paddle House
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Coffee
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• Roast Coffeehouse**
• Thongs Café (espresso + pastries)
• Oasis Fitness and Café
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Desserts
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• Nice Cream Hopkins
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Bars
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​​• Driftwood Beach Bar
• The Big Dock Bar at Jaguar Reef
• Rhum Shak at Hopkins Bay
• Ella’s Cool Spot
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Lunch
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• Ella’s Cool Spot **
• Driftwood Beach Bar & Pizza Shack **
• J& J Cool Spot (Local Food)
• Innie’s Restaurant (Local Food)
• Embers Beachfront **
• The Big Dock at Jaguar Reef **
• The Paddle House at Jaguar Reef **
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Dinner
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• The Paddle House at Jaguar Reef **
• Embers Beachfront **
• Chef Rob **
• Singanga at Hamanasi
• La Trattoria **
• Driftwood Beach Bar & Pizza Shack
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Top Events in Hopkins
Hopkins comes alive year-round with cultural celebrations that highlight its vibrant Garifuna heritage and warm community spirit. The popular Hopkins Mango Festival each June fills the village with sweet treats, drumming, dancing, and creative mango dishes; making it a favorite for food lovers. In August, Hopkins Day brings families together for a weekend of music, games, and village pride. One of the biggest annual celebrations is Garifuna Settlement Day on November 19th, when Hopkins erupts with parades, traditional drumming, vibrant dancing, and authentic Garifuna cuisine. During the summer, lobster season adds even more excitement as local restaurants serve fresh-caught lobster dishes with stunning coastal views. Together, these yearly events give travelers a true taste of Hopkins; its flavors, its rhythms, and its rich cultural heart.
Splash DMC offers effortless Belize travel planning through curated itineraries and exclusive experiences created by local experts for a truly unforgettable vacation.
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