User:(WT-en) Thefunkydodo

The funky dodo Backpackers Hostel is located right in centre of the original Garifuna village of Hopkins on the Caribbean coast of Belize. We offer comfortable budget accommodation in the spacious 14 bed dormitory in full size single bunk beds, free Wi-Fi, shaded outdoor chill out area with hammocks, well equipped kitchen free of use, new clean bathrooms and a laundry service. We also arrange any trip, adventure or tour you would like to go on commission free. See the Local activities section.

My name is Will and own and operate the The Funky Dodo. I am quite well travelled and I have stayed in many Hostels all over the place therefore I know what it takes to keep y’all happy . I will help and assist you with any information you need and make sure your stay is comfortable and enjoyable.

For transport here see the Getting here section, but if you are at the Hopkins road junction on the southern highway Give me a call on (+501) 668 3852 and I will come and collect you free of charge if you are coming to stay in our premises. It takes me about 25 minutes to get to the junction.

Within a 30 second walk from the hostel there is The King casava bar and restaurant, internet cafe, the beach, and supermarket. A 5 minute walk will take you to several more bars, restaurants and shops.

The village is known as the safest place in all of Belize. You can walk the streets anywhere in the village alone at any time of day or night without a single worry. The local crowd are a really friendly bunch of people and will smile and wave as you go by.

Getting here:

Local Public transport

Local busses run from from Dangriga 40 minutes and Punta Gorda 2 hours away. When coming from The south (Punta Gorda, Independance, Placencia etc) the bus can drop you off at the junction at the end of the Hopkins road. From there it is 4 miles to the village. It is easy to hitch a ride in a passing vehicle or wait at the junction for the bus from Dangriga to Hopkins that will collect you. Coming from Dangriga there are buses 2 times a day at 7am and 2pm.

National Public Transport

One can Get a direct bus from Chetumal to Belize city and from there a local bus to Dangriga, or from St ignacio to Belmopan and from there to Hopkins via Dangriga.. When coming from Dangriga it is 12 miles from the turn off the 6 mile junction

One can also fly to Dangriga from either Belize city, Orange walk, St Ignacio, Punta gorda, Belmopan, Corazal, St Pedro and Key Calker. Tickets start at around 80 USD. Check out www.tropicair.com or www.mayaregional.com for further info on planes.

Check out for more info on busses

www.guidetobelize.info

http://board.belizetotal.com

Driving

When coming from Dangriga it is 12 miles from the turn off at the 6 mile junction to the turn off on to the Hopkins road. The 6 mile junction is where you leave the Humming bird highway and begin the southern highway. Once you have passed Silk Grass, look out for the Hopkins sign on the right and the turning will be on the left.

When coming from Punta Gorda, Independence or Placencia The turning for Hopkins will be on your left about 3 miles after the Sittee River turn off.

Local activities

Local activities include snorkelling and diving trips to the reef, the blue hole and the numerous keys, day trips to explore the Mayan ruins and archaeological sites. From here one can take trips to visit Belize’s vast network of caves, ride a inflatable down the rapids,  A short drive away is the jaguar nature reserve which covers 130 000 acres and includes Victoria peak and the Maya centre.

Take it easy and lie back in one of the hammocks and watch the world go by or talk to us about any water sports, cave adventures, treks and archaeological visits that you would like to do and we will arrange everything for you including food drink and transport. Hop on to a 28 foot catamaran and watch the sunset over the mountains from an unbeatable view point a mile or so off the shore or make an early start to the day and board a 150 bhp motor boat to do some serious deep sea fishing with experienced local fishermen and guides. Or if the sky is the limit then take a ride in a flying boat. The German owner and pilot of this ultra light aircraft is highly experienced and of course fully licensed and insured. The aircraft takes off and lands on the beach just a few hundred yards from the hostel.

Food and drink

There is a huge amount of places to go for food and drink tucked away in the village. Here are just some of them.

The Driftwood pizza shack and bar just a few minutes’ walk up the beach. Driftwood offer of course some real good pizza with anything you like on it as well as daily specials, beach BBQ’s, movie nights and full moon parties. They keep a well stocked bar and plenty of fresh juice.

Thongs cafe is literally 25 to 45 seconds walk away and opens at 8 am through to 2 pm for breakfast and lunch and open for dinner on weekends. They offer good coffee, smoothies and shakes, and a tasty food. A very nice spot to sit in the shade, have some good food and relax.

Windchief bar is about a 10 minute walk away and offers cocktails, a good choice of rum and a pleasant atmosphere. Right on the beach.

King cassava is almost opposite The Funky Dodo and they offer Local Belizean dishes plenty of Belikin beer and a real local atmosphere.

Innies Restaurant is a local place on the main street. They have a pretty good selection of belizean dishes.

Chef Rob is a good restaurant about a 15 min walk to the south from the Funky Dodo Hostel. They offer some very tasty food as do Beaches and Dreams