See is Belize-ing

Belize might be small, but it packs a punch for its size and you’ll
never have a chance to get bored. Choose your own adventure with these
highlights from our recent visit, and mix and match with your own
must-dos from the list of top attractions: think Mayan ruins, yoga
retreats, diving adventures and let’s be honest drinking cocktails in a
hammock.

stay

Hopkins is off the beaten path as it is; to really get away from it all,
book a room at Hopkins
Bay Resort at the north end of town for its chic, spacious rooms,
quiet beach and refreshing pool, plus gracious staff always at the ready
to make your stay an enjoyable one.

eat

In Hopkins, don’t miss the excellent pizza at beachside Driftwood
Pizza Shack, best served after dark with a local Belikin beer in
hand. In San Pedro, the fresh fruit smoothies at Wild
Mango’s kept us satiated by day, and the fresh coco-jitos that’s a
mojito with the addition of coconut cream by night.

do

Activities for all energy levels are the name of the game here, from
low-key hikes and bicycle outings to the more intense diving, ziplining
or rappelling. We loved snorkelling with sea turtles, nurse sharks and
stingrays (don’t worry, they won’t bite) at Hol
Chan Marine Reserve off San Pedro, and have our hearts set on
kayaking Glover’s
Reef next time around.

see

There’s wildlife to see farther inland, too. We adored our visit to the Community
Baboon Sanctuary, a community initiative that helps conserve tree
cover on private land for local black howler monkeys and offers tours
for visitors to see them and other wildlife in their natural habitat.

shop

In San Pedro, you’ll find carvings and textile crafts sold beachside by
locals and art galleries in town. But our favourite purchase was in the
village of Hopkins in southern Belize, a rosewood cheese board from Dave’s
Wood Carving, a locally owned and operated shop that sells handmade
sculpture, jewellery and dishes crafted from indigenous timber.

Kat Tancock