Gorgeous Villa Margarita in Hopkins, Belize and Beyond….

Hopkins, Belize time.  I had spent two nights at amazing Sleeping Giant Jungle Lodge – enjoying the view, the staff, the food and the amazing suite.

maya valleyBut like many who stay in the jungle, I was doing a two-part trip to Belize.  Half jungle and half beach.  I was headed south, next, to unique and beautiful Hopkins, Belize.

Sunrise by the mouth of the Sittee River.

Sunrise Belize Sittee River

The resort (also a part of the Belize Collection with Sleeping Giant) sent a van and 1 hour and a bit over the Maya Mountains,  down into the valleys filled with citrus and over the bird-filled savannah (spotted Jabiru storks!), we pulled into Hopkins Village.  I have MANY pictures – and will show you those tomorrow.

Mural Garifuna Hopkins Belize

But first…my accommodation.  I was staying at the beautiful Villa Margarita…in a line with its sister hotels.  Jaguar Reef Lodge, the main spot and one of the oldest hotels in Hopkins, for check-in…

IMG_8565

Gorgeous at night too.  I mean…REALLY pretty.

IMG_8572

And at the bar, dining palapa that serves all three resorts.

IMG_8428

IMG_8563

Directly next to it is the beautiful Almond Beach Resort (I stayed there about a year and a half ago…awesome).

IMG_8433

A quick look down the long pretty beach.

IMG_8436And then Villa Margarita.

IMG_8566

IMG_8391

I was on the fantastic 3rd (and top) floor – up this amazing spiral staircase.

IMG_8406By myself in…let’s call it “my penthouse”.  Because it was…

Why didn’t I invite my 15 closest friends?!

IMG_8378

Looking straight down from my bedroom balcony.

IMG_8404

And the view northward up the beach…

IMG_8405

Let’s go back inside.

IMG_8380

More sitting area for reading or TV viewing.

IMG_8386

And then…my heart’s fondest wish…a bathtub.  LOVE.  And used quite a few times.

IMG_8385

I also had a small roof deck…a pretty sweet spot to view the sunset over the mountains behind us.

Hopkins Belize sunset

I was headed down to the beach and to the activities office.  THERE IS SO MUCH TO DO IN HOPKINS…and I only had one full day.  To explore the village…

IMG_8523

Nope.  Not in that…

And to snorkel the cayes.

IMG_8435 IMG_8399

How incredibly beautiful out there…

IMG_8506

I definitely could have stayed in Hopkins for another week…if not more.

Posted in: