Exploring Hopkins Village – Filled With Funky and Fascinating Spots and People

After a morning snorkel out to South Water Caye and the gorgeous barrier reef off of Hopkins, Belize, it was time to explore the village.  It’s a walk along the beach (about 15-20), a quicker bike ride and quickest of all?  Now they rent golfcarts at some of the resorts.  I grabbed a key from the front desk at Jaguar Reef Resort and…was off.

IMG_8518

From SIttee RIver Point, where most of the resorts are located, down the road to the village.  Passing first a beautiful new gym…

IMG_8522

Apparently some people had rented even cooler vehicles!

IMG_8523

I passed a new Stand Up Paddle board spot.

IMG_8524

IMG_8526

I passed Jungle Jeanie’s…one of the funkier lodges in Belize.

IMG_8529

I stopped into visit Barbara, who runs a business and lives in her super cool bus.  (Check out this post for lots of picture.)

IMG_8530

IMG_8531

A bit of the artwork for sale.

IMG_8532

I walked out with two bottles of magical oils…I LOVE the moisturizing one.  They are both fantastic…and the green label helped me with the early morning sandflies.

IMG_8544

Next down the road I stopped into the new Ella’s Cool Spot.  Ella worked in San Pedro for a few years, returned to Hopkins and now has opened her own business.  Love the name.  Very classic Belize.

IMG_8533

Ella and her boyfriend.  The place looks great – open for lunch and dinner.

IMG_8536

My next stop…I’ve always seen this sign but never visited. A mistake.  This shop and cafe and OWNER are awesome.

IMG_8537 IMG_8540

Krishna has a herbal garden and everything is labeled.

IMG_8542 IMG_8539

Menu in the cafe.

IMG_8541

And teas for sale in the shop.  Piss-A-Bed.  Good stuff.

IMG_8543

And lots of other pretty stuff.

IMG_8547

I had some green juice.  Chaya, ginger, honey and tree of life.  SO GOOD.  And some ginger tea for my sore throat.

IMG_8548

And here’s Krishna…if you want to talk politics – Belizean or worldwide – this guy KNOWS his stuff.  Really REALLY cool guy to chat with.  And keeping the art of medicinal healing alive in his village.

IMG_8549

Onward!

IMG_8550

IMG_8551

Time to head out to the Swinging Armadillo.  Ted, a Hopkinsite, bought the old building and rejuvenated the business.  It’s SUCH a cool spot.

IMG_8552

You can see it at the end of the way…right over the water.IMG_8553

Right over the water…and hopping on Thursday nights when they have live Garifuna drumming starting at 7pm.  Hopping all weekend too…it’s THE spot.

IMG_8554

IMG_8557IMG_8561

And sitting right next to the building.  As if posing for a picture.

I gave about 6 school boys a ride from one end of the village to the other…and then realized I was being…tricked.  OUT!  I headed back “home”.

IMG_8565

Thanks Hopkins…I’ll be back soon.  I had a fantastic time.

Posted in: