NOTE: Other important information is located in the Guidebook that is available after booking
Why Belize?
In April 2015 my wife and I found a special place in the Caribbean, a young small English-speaking nation of Belize, located on Central America being part of the Caribbean coast, only 3 hours fifteen minutes fly from Miami or Houston, United States.
Brief History…
Belize progressed peacefully from British colony status in 1862 to self-governance in 1964 and later to full independence in 1981.
The Maya people settled in the region more than 4,000 years ago. The Yucatec, Mopan, and Maya were the first civilizations, and their descendants live along the country coastline and in its interior jungles still today. They represent about 11% of the population and are active in all segments of society. In addition to the Maya, you have the Kriol people. The Kriol of Belize is descendant from the British and Africans who settled much of the country coastline in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
After colonization influx of different population came to Belize, the mestizos from the Yucatán, the Garifuna from Saint Vincent, American Civil War refugees, East Indian indentured servants, Middle Easterners escaping conflict, Mennonites seeking religious tolerance, Chinese pursuing self-determination and Americans fleeing strife. Belize has steadily grown in popularity, attracting many baby boomers today from all over the world.
Hopkins is a small Garifuna village of maybe 1,100 people. It is a fast developing area for a vacation destination with many beach resorts and newly constructed residential gated communities.
Belize is one of the few unspoiled places left on earth, and has something to appeal to everyone. It offers rainforests, ancient Maya cities, numerous tropical islands and the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere with famous Belizean National Landmark – The Blue Hole.
The variety of activities is matched by the diversity of the people. You will meet Belizeans from many cultural traditions: Mestizo, Creole, Maya, Spanish immigrants, etc. You can sample their varied cuisines and enjoy their music and their company.
- Spring in Hopkins Belize: Dreaming of Spring Weather? It’s Already Spring in Belize. Now if the end of the year holidays are just over finding yourself in the middle of winter and dreaming of spring weather, we’ve got good news for you – it’s already spring in Hopkins, Belize! We have that warm, tropical weather year-round, so you can decide to travel now.
- The laid-back atmosphere: What we really liked about Belize was its down to earth people and the peaceful-loving environment. People sing and dance when the day starts and end it the same way! Believe it! This local tranquility is contagious and will make you not want to go home any time soon! White sand beaches, palm trees, reggae music, drinking cocktails, eating local fish dishes, dancing with locals, visiting the jungle - a paradise!
Since Belize is a small country you will be able to travel from East to West in just few hours, or from North to South in only one day. Imagine your possible destinations are so accessible that you will get the most out of your valuable vacation time.
- Hopkins Village: Hopkins itself is a small village with a collection of exclusive beach resorts to the south of the main village, and several mom-and-pop restaurants and general stores in the village itself. For a small village, Hopkins had an impressive array of places to visit and many activities will keep you quite busy. You can walk, rent a bicycle, a motorcycle or a golf car to get around the village.
- Snorkeling/Scuba Diving: Belize has a magnificent living coral reef which is about 185 miles of a great variety of reef types, exotic coral formations, and encounter eagle rays, sea turtles, a wide diversity of exotic fish, and even dolphins or friendly nurse sharks nesting in this underwater ecosystem. Yes, you read right, dolphins and sharks!
There may be more than 360 species of sharks in the oceans of the world and Belize's waters atolls and mangrove estuaries are home to a few of these. This is truly a remarkable sight and certainly one to remember.
- Hiking Activities: Discover a breath-taking waterfall amidst Maya artifacts and the beauty of unexcavated ceremonial Maya mounds with temples and ancient ball courts hidden beneath its surface as you hike to the top of the 1,000 ft. falls. The view of the Waterfall’s Emerald Pool is amazing and can only truly be commemorated through a long pause of admiration and then a refreshing swim in the oasis that brings you to realize – it isn’t just a dream. This is your chance to learn hands-on from the indigenous Mayas.
- Independence Month Fest: Since Belize got its independence September 21st 1981, the entire month of September, consecutively, has been filled with nonstop partying and festivities. If you happen to be in the party mood on your next Belize-vacation during the month of September, then you will not be disappointed.
- Hopkins Mango Fest: The Sights and Sounds of Hopkins Mango Fest are uniquely special. The people of Hopkins celebrate the opening of mango season with the Hopkins Mango Fest, because the best mangoes in Belize can be found in Hopkins, in abundance. What better way to celebrate than with a festival? Mango season in Belize usually begins around June each year.
Choices of Airlines to Belize:
American, US Airways. https://www.justfly.com/cheap-flights-from-Los_Angeles-to-Belize-2/?campaign=145&route=LAX-BZE&adgroupid=26218930960&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3ebdBRC1ARIsAD8U0V4RHhE7CBbh4FbQ1j7MHicFq_sHW6aVw_O7uKvHpjkv1Atc7ht8BN0aAjC-EALw_wcB&utm_expid=.34aFMB8TRQGccssbX2iSZw.0&utm_referrer= * Phone: 800-717-5015.
Avianca. https://www.avianca.com/co/en/destinations/flights-to-belice.html * Phone: 866-998-3357.
Southwest Airlines. https://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=aaplw&p=www.southwest.com/thmpg/flights-from-FLL-to-BZE.html * Phone: 800-435-9792.
United Airlines. https://flights.united.com/en-us/flights-to-belize-city * Phone: 800-864-8331.
Fly to Hopkins From Belize City International Airport:
Tropic Air.https://www.tropicair.com/ * Phone: Local 501-522-2129.
Maya Island Air. https://www.mayaislandair.com/ * Phone: Local 501-522-0617.
Shuttle Booking Belize City Airport
https://www.discountedbelizeshuttlesandtours.com/ * (501) 225-3034 | 624-5022
Car Rental across Belize City Airport:
https://www.budget-belize.com/ * US Phone: 936-307-1325.
Crystal Auto Rental Belize * 501-223-1600
Pancho's Auto Rental Belize - Belize number one auto rental service * Phones: Locals 501-224-4680 or 501-225-3630.
https://www.avis.com/en/locations/bz * Phone: Local 501-223-2435.
Currency: Belize dollar
Seasons: Wet season - June to December. Dry season -January to May.
Climate: Tropical, 29 C (84 F)
Capital city: Belmopan
Largest city: Belize City
Languages: English (official), Spanish, Creole, others
Population: around 345,000
Independence: Since 1981 from United Kingdom
Golf cart rentals: Janette Melvin from Diversity, can set you set-up with a golf cart if you prefer that.
https://www.facebook.com/Diversity-Tours-and-Treasures-1412172405693527/
Tours and Activities:
Janette Melvin, is also a licensed tour operator who can also help you arrange and check availability on any activities you may wish to make. Some
suggestions are below.
Water Activities:
See more Diving and Adventures https://seemoreadventures.com Belize Underwater https://www.belizeunderwater.com/ trips
https://www.islandexpeditions.com/belize-vacations-blog/5-ways-%20Explore-mayflower-bocawina-national-park https://www.anywhere.com/belize/attractions/st-herman-blue-hole-national-park
Land Activities:
Hiking is great at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary,
http://www.belizeaudubon.org/?page_id=3605%20-%20and%20Mayflower%20Bocawina%20National%20Park
AIRLINES' LOCAL CONTACT LIST FOR MISPLACED OR LOST LUGGAGE
American Airlines - 610 4145
Delta - 225-3423/610-7414
United - 615-7169
South West - 225-4902 Ext 600
Avianca - 225-2163 (Ext 186)
Air Canada - 225-2163 (Ext 186)
Copa Airlines - 605-2279
Aero Dispatch (For AeroMexico & Sun Country Airlines) - 225-2163
Thank you for giving us an opportunity to serve you. We hope you enjoyed your stay at Areca House. We appreciate any comments and suggestions on how we can improve our service.
Please take a minute before you leave to sign our guest book and provide any tips for our future guests and us.
Joseph & Arielah
Areca House owners
In April 2015 my wife and I found a special place in the Caribbean, a young small English-speaking nation of Belize, located on Central America being part of the Caribbean coast, only 3 hours fifteen minutes fly from Miami or Houston, United States.
Brief History…
Belize progressed peacefully from British colony status in 1862 to self-governance in 1964 and later to full independence in 1981.
The Maya people settled in the region more than 4,000 years ago. The Yucatec, Mopan, and Maya were the first civilizations, and their descendants live along the country coastline and in its interior jungles still today. They represent about 11% of the population and are active in all segments of society. In addition to the Maya, you have the Kriol people. The Kriol of Belize is descendant from the British and Africans who settled much of the country coastline in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
After colonization influx of different population came to Belize, the mestizos from the Yucatán, the Garifuna from Saint Vincent, American Civil War refugees, East Indian indentured servants, Middle Easterners escaping conflict, Mennonites seeking religious tolerance, Chinese pursuing self-determination and Americans fleeing strife. Belize has steadily grown in popularity, attracting many baby boomers today from all over the world.
Hopkins is a small Garifuna village of maybe 1,100 people. It is a fast developing area for a vacation destination with many beach resorts and newly constructed residential gated communities.
Belize is one of the few unspoiled places left on earth, and has something to appeal to everyone. It offers rainforests, ancient Maya cities, numerous tropical islands and the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere with famous Belizean National Landmark – The Blue Hole.
The variety of activities is matched by the diversity of the people. You will meet Belizeans from many cultural traditions: Mestizo, Creole, Maya, Spanish immigrants, etc. You can sample their varied cuisines and enjoy their music and their company.
- Spring in Hopkins Belize: Dreaming of Spring Weather? It’s Already Spring in Belize. Now if the end of the year holidays are just over finding yourself in the middle of winter and dreaming of spring weather, we’ve got good news for you – it’s already spring in Hopkins, Belize! We have that warm, tropical weather year-round, so you can decide to travel now.
- The laid-back atmosphere: What we really liked about Belize was its down to earth people and the peaceful-loving environment. People sing and dance when the day starts and end it the same way! Believe it! This local tranquility is contagious and will make you not want to go home any time soon! White sand beaches, palm trees, reggae music, drinking cocktails, eating local fish dishes, dancing with locals, visiting the jungle - a paradise!
Since Belize is a small country you will be able to travel from East to West in just few hours, or from North to South in only one day. Imagine your possible destinations are so accessible that you will get the most out of your valuable vacation time.
- Hopkins Village: Hopkins itself is a small village with a collection of exclusive beach resorts to the south of the main village, and several mom-and-pop restaurants and general stores in the village itself. For a small village, Hopkins had an impressive array of places to visit and many activities will keep you quite busy. You can walk, rent a bicycle, a motorcycle or a golf car to get around the village.
- Snorkeling/Scuba Diving: Belize has a magnificent living coral reef which is about 185 miles of a great variety of reef types, exotic coral formations, and encounter eagle rays, sea turtles, a wide diversity of exotic fish, and even dolphins or friendly nurse sharks nesting in this underwater ecosystem. Yes, you read right, dolphins and sharks!
There may be more than 360 species of sharks in the oceans of the world and Belize's waters atolls and mangrove estuaries are home to a few of these. This is truly a remarkable sight and certainly one to remember.
- Hiking Activities: Discover a breath-taking waterfall amidst Maya artifacts and the beauty of unexcavated ceremonial Maya mounds with temples and ancient ball courts hidden beneath its surface as you hike to the top of the 1,000 ft. falls. The view of the Waterfall’s Emerald Pool is amazing and can only truly be commemorated through a long pause of admiration and then a refreshing swim in the oasis that brings you to realize – it isn’t just a dream. This is your chance to learn hands-on from the indigenous Mayas.
- Independence Month Fest: Since Belize got its independence September 21st 1981, the entire month of September, consecutively, has been filled with nonstop partying and festivities. If you happen to be in the party mood on your next Belize-vacation during the month of September, then you will not be disappointed.
- Hopkins Mango Fest: The Sights and Sounds of Hopkins Mango Fest are uniquely special. The people of Hopkins celebrate the opening of mango season with the Hopkins Mango Fest, because the best mangoes in Belize can be found in Hopkins, in abundance. What better way to celebrate than with a festival? Mango season in Belize usually begins around June each year.
Choices of Airlines to Belize:
American, US Airways. https://www.justfly.com/cheap-flights-from-Los_Angeles-to-Belize-2/?campaign=145&route=LAX-BZE&adgroupid=26218930960&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3ebdBRC1ARIsAD8U0V4RHhE7CBbh4FbQ1j7MHicFq_sHW6aVw_O7uKvHpjkv1Atc7ht8BN0aAjC-EALw_wcB&utm_expid=.34aFMB8TRQGccssbX2iSZw.0&utm_referrer= * Phone: 800-717-5015.
Avianca. https://www.avianca.com/co/en/destinations/flights-to-belice.html * Phone: 866-998-3357.
Southwest Airlines. https://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=aaplw&p=www.southwest.com/thmpg/flights-from-FLL-to-BZE.html * Phone: 800-435-9792.
United Airlines. https://flights.united.com/en-us/flights-to-belize-city * Phone: 800-864-8331.
Fly to Hopkins From Belize City International Airport:
Tropic Air.https://www.tropicair.com/ * Phone: Local 501-522-2129.
Maya Island Air. https://www.mayaislandair.com/ * Phone: Local 501-522-0617.
Shuttle Booking Belize City Airport
https://www.discountedbelizeshuttlesandtours.com/ * (501) 225-3034 | 624-5022
Car Rental across Belize City Airport:
https://www.budget-belize.com/ * US Phone: 936-307-1325.
Crystal Auto Rental Belize * 501-223-1600
Pancho's Auto Rental Belize - Belize number one auto rental service * Phones: Locals 501-224-4680 or 501-225-3630.
https://www.avis.com/en/locations/bz * Phone: Local 501-223-2435.
Currency: Belize dollar
Seasons: Wet season - June to December. Dry season -January to May.
Climate: Tropical, 29 C (84 F)
Capital city: Belmopan
Largest city: Belize City
Languages: English (official), Spanish, Creole, others
Population: around 345,000
Independence: Since 1981 from United Kingdom
Golf cart rentals: Janette Melvin from Diversity, can set you set-up with a golf cart if you prefer that.
https://www.facebook.com/Diversity-Tours-and-Treasures-1412172405693527/
Tours and Activities:
Janette Melvin, is also a licensed tour operator who can also help you arrange and check availability on any activities you may wish to make. Some
suggestions are below.
Water Activities:
See more Diving and Adventures https://seemoreadventures.com Belize Underwater https://www.belizeunderwater.com/ trips
https://www.islandexpeditions.com/belize-vacations-blog/5-ways-%20Explore-mayflower-bocawina-national-park https://www.anywhere.com/belize/attractions/st-herman-blue-hole-national-park
Land Activities:
Hiking is great at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary,
http://www.belizeaudubon.org/?page_id=3605%20-%20and%20Mayflower%20Bocawina%20National%20Park
AIRLINES' LOCAL CONTACT LIST FOR MISPLACED OR LOST LUGGAGE
American Airlines - 610 4145
Delta - 225-3423/610-7414
United - 615-7169
South West - 225-4902 Ext 600
Avianca - 225-2163 (Ext 186)
Air Canada - 225-2163 (Ext 186)
Copa Airlines - 605-2279
Aero Dispatch (For AeroMexico & Sun Country Airlines) - 225-2163
Thank you for giving us an opportunity to serve you. We hope you enjoyed your stay at Areca House. We appreciate any comments and suggestions on how we can improve our service.
Please take a minute before you leave to sign our guest book and provide any tips for our future guests and us.
Joseph & Arielah
Areca House owners