Belize Culture
& Cuisine Tours
Beaches and Dreams is located in Hopkins Village, the most traditional Garifuna Village in Belize, as well as being the closest beach to the major Maya ruins. Explore both cultures, as well as local chocolate and spice farms, right from the resort.
BELIZE RUINS TOURS
RUINS & CAVE TUBING COMBO
We’ll drive you through the Mayan Mountains along the scenic Hummingbird highway to Belize’ s western Border town of San Ignacio, where the ancient Maya ruins of Xunantunich (“Maiden of the Rock” pronounced: “Shoe-nan-too-nitch”) are accessed by a short crossing on the Mopan River on a hand-cranked chain ferry. Once there, you’ll discover several massive temples, on top of which you will have a chance to take in the stunning 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
We’ll depart Xunantunich and drive to lunch at a local restaurant where you can rest and refuel for the 2nd part of your day….
Grab your inner-tube and start your cave-tubing adventure with a 45-minute hike across the clear blue Caves Branch River. Once you reach the cave mouth, you will float through a series of caves which periodically open up to the sunshine & jungle. Learn where the Maya worshiped, sacrificed and procured their sacred water.
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5 Duration: 6:30am-5:30pm
SOUTHERN RUINS & SPICE FARM COMBO
The ruins of Lubaantun and Nim Li Punit don’t have the scale of Xunantunich or Caracol, but they give visitors the opportunity to explore the south of Belize, where you can explore what is technically Belize’s only rainforest. Lubaantun was thrust into the spotlight in the 1940s when Anna Mitchell-Hedges, daughter of famed explorer F.A. Mitchell-Hedges claimed she found the famed “crystal skull” at the site as a child. The highest point of Nim Li Punit offers an incredible view of the coastal plains and even the Caribbean on a clear day.
When you are finished learning about the wonders of the Maya civilization, we’ll drive just 5 minutes from Lubaantun to a working Spice Farm in Golden Stream. You will see and taste different spices on the trees and bushes where they grow and see how roasting and curing can change the flavor. After experiencing what goes into creating what you’ve only experienced in jars, you’ll never look at your spice rack the same way again.
Difficulty Rating: 1 2 3 4 5 Duration: 7am-4pm
ACTUN TUNICHIL MUKNAL
Actun Tunichil Muknal, commonly known by its shorter name, ATM, is the crown jewel of all of Belize’s archaeological treasures, but don’t expect to see it without some effort! We’ll drive you along the scenic Hummingbird Highway to the Tapir Mountain reserve where you will hike 45 minutes across rivers and through gorgeous green jungle to the mouth of the ATM cave where you’ll have to swim into the narrow entrance. Once inside, you’ll explore the mile-long cave that National Geographic has named the most sacred cave on earth. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore an active archaeological site, and to see an ancient ceremonial cave as it existed nearly 1,500 years ago. Guests of any age are welcome, but children should be about 48 inches tall and all guests should be up for a physical adventure.
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5 Duration: 7am-5pm
CULTURAL IMMERSION TOURS
GARIFUNA IMMERSION
The history of the Garifuna dates back to 1675 following the wreck of a Brittish slave ship off of the coast of the tiny island of Baquia. The British exiled the Garifuna to the New World in the early 19th century, and Hopkins is one of the few remaining Garifuna villages. During the immersion, you’ll dress in native garb as you learn to prepare the ceremonial dish of Hudut the traditional way–and by traditional, we mean you’ll start by opening a coconut with a stick! At the end you’ll enjoy your feast while you participate in a traditional drumming circle.
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5. Duration: 9:15am-2pm
2:15pm-5pm
MAYA IMMERSION
You’ll take a 90 minute drive down the Southern Highway deep into the Toledo district, to Indian Creek, where you’ll participate in traditional Maya life for the day. First, you’ll learn how to prepare a traditional Maya meal, including grinding the corn and making tortillas. You’ll learn the ancient Maya art of basket weaving. The Maya will take you into their backyard jungle garden to explore the local plants and how they’re used for cooking and medicinal purposes. You’ll learn the traditional method of processing chocolate, from bean to bar. Best of all, you’ll eat the traditional Maya meal and chocolate that you helped prepare!
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5 Duration: 8:30am-4pm
BELIZE CULINARY ADVENTURE TOURS
MARIE SHARPS
You’ll travel 19 miles to the famous Marie Sharp’s production facility. There you’ll have to put your cameras away as you get to see the inner workings of Belize’s most famous export. You’ll see how raw habanero, carrot, and other ingredients are transformed into the legendary hot sauce, as well as jams, sweet and sour sauce, and the squash concentrates that make up many of the tropical drinks here in Belize.
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5. Duration: 7:30am-10am
1:30pm – 4pm
SOUTHERN RUINS & SPICE FARM COMBO
The ruins of Lubaantun and Nim Li Punit don’t have the scale of Xunantunich or Caracol, but they give visitors the opportunity to explore the south of Belize, where you can explore what is technically Belize’s only rainforest. Lubaantun was thrust into the spotlight in the 1940s when Anna Mitchell-Hedges, daughter of famed explorer F.A. Mitchell-Hedges claimed she found the famed “crystal skull” at the site as a child. The highest point of Nim Li Punit offers an incredible view of the coastal plains and even the Caribbean on a clear day.
When you are finished learning about the wonders of the Maya civilization, we’ll drive just 5 minutes from Lubaantun to a working Spice Farm in Golden Stream. You will see and taste different spices on the trees and bushes where they grow and see how roasting and curing can change the flavor. After experiencing what goes into creating what you’ve only experienced in jars, you’ll never look at your spice rack the same way again.
Difficulty Rating: 1 2 3 4 5 Duration: 7am-4pm
CHOCOLATE FARM
You’ll travel 12 miles to Maya Center village, a small, traditional Maya community of 200 villagers, where you’ll explore the traditional ways of farming cocoa. You’ll learn the entire manufacturing process from fermentation, to roasting, to grinding your own cocoa by hand. You’ll get to taste cocoa butter, wine, nibs, cookies and tea, all made from cocoa made on site.
Difficulty: 1 2 3 4 5 Duration: 8:30 am-11am
10:30am-1pm
2:30pm-5:30pm
To Book Tours:
Call or WhatsApp +501 622-1403 or email tours@beachesanddreams.com
Went to Belize with my dear friend and daughter for a last-minute celebratory 6-night getaway. Loved Hopkins Village and Beaches & Dreams. It's a tight knit staff, comfortable oceanfront rooms and wonderful food. They coordinated all of our tours and help to move tours around when the weather didn't cooperate. While all of the staff work together to make our stay welcoming and memorable, we wanted mention a few by name. Shout outs to Amanda and the rest of the restaurant crew who made every meal a delight, Nadine's help coordinating our tours, Keith's knowledge of Mayan culture and ecology during the cave/Mayan ruin tour, Kimike's and Alvin's sealife spotting (saw a sea turtle, barracuda, nurse shark, and beautiful fish), Terri's firing up the Howler monkeys and his incredible knowledge of local wildlife. Jessica and Ryan have created a wonderful little taste of Belize for folks seeing an easy getaway. 