How Do I Get to Hopkins Belize?
So you’ve decided you want to make Hopkins Belize your next vacation destination. But how do you get there? Hopkins has a remote feel, but there are a surprising number of ways to get there.
If you’re flying into Belize from outside the country, you’ll land at the only international airport which is called Philip S.W.Goldson Airport (Code: BZE). This airport is located around 9 miles outside the country’s largest city, Belize City, and around 130km north of Hopkins by road.
Once you’ve landed at the airport, you can choose from the following options to continue your journey.
Hopkins Belize by Plane
This is the fastest, the easiest, and generally the most popular option. Although Hopkins doesn’t have an airport, you can take an internal flight from Belize City to Dangriga (Code: DGA), which is southern Belize’s largest airport. There are two airlines currently running this route, Maya Island Air and Tropic Air. You’ll barely have taken off when you’ll be landing again, as the flight time is a super speedy 15- to 20-minutes. From Dangriga airport, it’s around a half-hour drive or cab ride to Hopkins.
Cost: Flights are available from around USD $50 one-way. A taxi from Dangriga airport to Hopkins costs around USD $50.
Hopkins Belize by Shuttle
Another popular way to continue the journey from Belize City to Hopkins is by shuttle. You’ll need to pre-book the service before you travel, but you’ll be collected from right outside the terminal at Philip S.W. Goldson Airport. If you take a shared shuttle, there may be a short wait for other passengers to arrive, but once you’re on the move, the journey will take around 2.5 hours.
Cost: Shuttle fares will vary, but expect to pay USD $30-100+ per person, depending on the number of people traveling and whether you’re taking a private or shared shuttle.
Hopkins Belize by Public Bus
There are multiple bus companies and routes operating in Belize. Although it’s a cheap transport method, it can be time-consuming to get around, and challenging to navigate for new visitors or non-Spanish speakers. Also, public buses are usually converted US school buses, so may not win points for comfort. But if you’re interested in exploring the transport system of Belize and having yourself an authentic experience, once you’ve arrived in Belize City, you can catch a public bus south to Dangriga – look for buses headed to Placencia or Punta Gorda.
Cost: It costs USD $6+ for a one-way ticket from Belize City to Dangriga, and takes around 3 hours.
Hopkins Belize by Rental Car
If you want to travel on your schedule, you have the option of renting a car and driving from Belize City to Hopkins. Conveniently, there are a number of rental agencies, including AVIS and Hertz, located either at, or close to, Philip S.W. Goldson Airport.
Cost: This will vary depending on the size of the car, time of year, etc, but you can expect to pay upwards of $65 per day.