South Belize: Hopkins and laid-back Placencia

/ Belize-en, Recent Posts / 0 comment

After an amazing time on the Cayes and an unforgettable 3 day sailing trip with Raggamuffin Tours, I travel south to Hopkins & Placencia. I miss Caye Caulker and the tour a lot…

If you are Dutch and you are reading this blog post in English, just tap the menu button to change the language to Dutch!

This blog post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission when you book through my website, at no extra cost to you! So thank you if you book through my website!

Hopkins beach | Southern Belize highlights

Hopkins turns out to be a quiet small town. I grab a bike to explore the area. There are a lot of men in the street who try to provoke me and because it is so quiet here, it makes me feel very uneasy. I have a tasty lunch at Innie’s, where I tried the traditional Garifuna ‘Hudut’: coconut soup with fish and cassava. Delicious!

In the afternoon I find Herbal Healers, where I meet the inspiring owner. He travelled the world to learn all about the healing powers of herbs, flowers and plants. Now, he uses his knowledge to create unique, all natural products at the shop. I buy a homemade coconut body butter. It wish I would have bought more!

Southern Belize highlights & tips

I also liked the food at Luba Laruga. You can visit Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve from Hopkins. I would recommend taking a taxi at night when you go out to have dinner and/ or drinks, because of the men in the streets.. Ask for local taxi driver at a restaurant. Hotels have their own drivers but these are much more expensive and the local taxi drivers can really use the work.

MY VISIT TO CAYE CAULKER

This was my favorite snack in Belize: lobster ceviche! | Belize restaurants

The last night I spend in Hopkins, I visit the Garifuna Drumming at restaurant Driftwood. What a great vibe! We eat delicious, crunchy pizza’s, dance with our feet in the sand and drink Belikin beers. This is the best place to be in Hopkins. A guy tells me that the village had only 1 policeman last year and that he was high most of the day… Everyone smokes marijuana here. Even the doctors love it. You can find a ‘magic pastry shop’ on the main road…

BELIZE: MY FAVORITE RENTAL CARS

Caribbean Beach Cabanas | Southern Belize | Hotels

The next morning I hop on a bus to Placencia. You can book a direct transfer, but this will cost you 150 Belize dollar and the bus is only 5! The public transport is reliable here, you will hear reggae music blasting from the speakers and you can hop off everywhere you like.

ROOMS & RATES AT THE CARIBBEAN BEACH CABANAS

Cocktail at Rumfish y Vino, Placencia | Southern Belize | Restaurants

Placencia has a much better vibe than Hopkins. You will see signs by the road saying: ‘slow down, smell the curry.’ I stay at the wonderful Carribean Beach Cabanas. What a place! The decor is stunning, my room is comfortable and the private beach with day beds is extremely comfortable. There is a mobile phone in my room I can use and the use of paddle boards, tubes, bikes and beach toys is complimentary.
Barefoot Bar is a cosy beach bar with a delicious menu, tasty cocktails and good prices. Try the Lobster & Grilled Cheese Sandwich!!

MY 3 DAY SAILING TRIP FROM CAYE CAULKER

Start your day with coffee at Brewed Awakenings, breakfast at The Shak or Friends Near the Pier, get an ice cream at Tuttifrutti and try the fine dining and delicious cocktails at Rumfish y Vino.

Photos above: Caribbean Beach Cabanas.| Belize hotels

One of the highlights of my trip to Belize is my next stay: Turtle Inn. A stunning, luxury resort run by the Coppola Family. You may have already read my post about my stay at another resort owned by the family: Blancaneaux Lodge. The design of Turtle inn is stunning and there is so much love in the details. I have a shellphone in my room, just like at Blancaneaux Lodge, there are 2 pools, an organic farm, professional service and some of the best wines I have ever tasted. Try the Director’s Cut!

MY OTHER STAY AT FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA’S PLACE

Placencia | Southern Belize | Accommodation | Photos above: Turtle Inn.

The general manager at Turtle Inn, Martin, is Dutch. My last night in Belize, we have dinner together: a Dutch/ Indonesian Rice Table. We love this dinner with lot’s of small dishes in The Netherlands and Francis Ford Coppola loves it too. Unfortunately, I just missed James Franco, he left last week. Reese Witherspoon arrives within 2 weeks… Ah well, I guess I’ll have to come back to this little piece of paradise some day.

BELIZE: MY FAVORITE RENTAL CARS