Blog, announcements, and other info

Funky Dodo awarded Gold Standard for health and safety

gold standard
Funky Dodo awarded gold standard certification for health and safety

The Funky Dodo has been awarded the Belize Tourism Board “Gold Standard” certification for health and safety.

While we’re not part of the “safe corridor” phase of the reopening of Belize, you can be assured of a safe, clean, and sanitized place to be once you get here.

ATM/Cash point issues in Hopkins

Travelers beware:
If you have a chip card, the only ATM in Hopkins (Belize Bank) will probably not work for you. If you are coming through Dangriga, stop by the Scotia bank about two blocks from the bus terminal and stock up on cash before you get here.
In happier news, we have a credit card machine, and can take payments for your stay via MasterCard and Visa. We will have to charge a 6% fee for credit card transactions, however.

COASTAL HIGHWAY WARNING!

If you are driving to the Funky Dodo from BZ city (or anywhere up north): do NOT take the coastal highway. Yes, that’s how Google maps will route you, but don’t do it. The road is not finished and is unpaved and in terrible condition. Unless you have a high-clearance 4WD, you stand a good chance of breaking down, and there are no towns and very limited cell reception.
Take the HUMMINGBIRD HIGHWAY. It’s beautiful, and paved all the way down. Just be careful approaching the very narrow bridges (you’ll know what I mean when you see them).
 
Different topic: the ATM in Hopkins is still not working most of the time. Stop off before you get here to stock up on cash (Belmopan or Dangriga–Scotia Bank usually works)

Funky Dodo is open for you!

OK, it’s our turn for what seems to be the obligatory corona virus post:
during the current COVID-19 crisis, The Funky Dodo Backpackers Hostel, Hopkins Village, Belize is getting hammered with cancellations and refunds. Our season is effectively over. Our low-season prices will begin today.
If you can — please re-schedule, don’t cancel.

Our cancellation policy is still in force (this is one example of what trip insurance is for), and if you cancel, you will lose your deposit.
If you postpone, we will happily waive the cancellation fee and apply your full deposit to the new booking.
If you do cancel, and are entitled to a refund, we beg for patience as we sort out our finances. We will process cancellations promptly, but it may take a day or two for the refund to hit your account.

The Funky Dodo Backpackers Hostel, Hopkins Village, Belize will not close, unless the government tells us to. We have made a commitment to our employees that they will not be laid off, and will still be paid. We remain open to anyone who needs a home during this time, at our low-season rates. We will, of course, continue to keep everything spotless and disinfected, just as we always have done, just maybe a little more so.

If you are “stuck” in country, and need a place to call home, The Funky Dodo Backpackers Hostel, Hopkins Village, Belize is here for you. If you need a place to self-quarantine, we have rooms available, and we will be happy to assist with shopping and the like.

This is going to be a rough time for all of us, especially those in the hospitality business. But, if we all pull together, we will weather this storm and come out the other side that much stronger.

Stay healthy and safe, everyone.

Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve & Waterfalls. Unguided

Thousands of acres of tropical jungle, waterfalls & Mayan mountains to explore at your own leisure. A full day unguided tour.

Cockscomb Jaguar Sanctuary covers approximately a 400 square kilometer area of the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains. The reserve was founded in 1990 as the first wilderness sanctuary for the Jaguar and is regarded as a premier site for Jaguar preservation in the world. There are a total of 17 trails, numerous waterfalls and swimming spots as well as a section of river where you can ride down stream in an inflatable tube.
The park rangers provide maps and there are clear trails with signs that take you up to spots like the Tiger Fern trail which is an easy stroll through the jungle in the shade under the canopy of the rain forest to a waterfall and natural swimming pools. This water fall runs all year round and the location is stunningly beautiful.

From there another trail continues to Ben’s Bluff which is a steep 1.5hr climb to the top and rewards you with a spectacular view of the whole Cockscomb Basin. On the way back down you get to jump in the water again to freshen up after the trek.

The jaguar is what the Reserve is famous for, but it is quite unlikely that you will see one as they are nocturnal. You will, however, see lush tropical forest, dozens of species of birds and tracks and foot prints of the many animals that inhabit the sanctuary. The rain forest consists of a wide range of plant species including some very large trees, such as Ceiba, Mahogany, and Santa Maria.

Tour departs on your time schedule.

  • Does NOT include park entrance fees–transportation only.
  • Deep jungle trails
  • Swimming in waterfalls
  • Spectacular panoramic views
  • The Mayan mountains

Please stop by the front desk for details and assistance with contacting tour operators.

Night Time River Tour. Bio-luminescence and Crocodiles. Guided tour

Exciting night time river cruise at Sunset to explore a stunning tropical jungle river where you can see large crocodiles, iguanas and bio-luminescent plankton. The boat ride goes up river and through small creeks into a lagoon.

On this tour you take a boat ride out along the Sittee river at sunset with a guide and experience the Bioluminescent plankton in the wake of the boat and the glowing eyes of the crocodiles in the dark. The trip lasts about 3 hours and your guide will show you the amazing wildlife along the banks of Sittee river and in the lagoons.
The quiet, calm water is a relaxing and interesting experience, for the abundance of wildlife along its banks is fascinating. Marine and freshwater crocodiles inhabit the banks and waters of the river and sightings are very common. Iguanas in all the colors they come can be seen on the branches of trees hanging over the river. There is a wide variety of airborne wildlife like flycatchers, egrets, kingfisher, toucans, parrots and herons.
The  mangroves located at the mouth of this river are the tallest ever reported for the Caribbean region and among the tallest anywhere in the entire tropics. The mouth of the Sittee River presents the optimal conditions for mangrove development and the forest found there has a high level of structural development. Freshwater flows and sediments carried by the river itself, draining from the Maya Mountains, and tidal flushing from the Caribbean Sea all support this tree growth.

Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism. Bioluminescence occurs widely in marine vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as in some fungi, microorganisms and terrestrial invertebrates. Some symbiotic organisms carried within larger organisms produce light.
Please stop by the front desk for details and assistance with contacting tour operators.

Belize Barrier Reef Snorkeling Tour including lunch on a caye

There are many amazing snorkeling spots on the Barrier reef less than 30mins by motor boat from Hopkins Village. Our partners offer full day Snorkeling Tours that take you on a Caribbean adventure with some true Belizean talent and seamanship.

This tour takes you on a short ride down Sittee river with stunning wildlife, jungle and mangroves on both sides along the banks of the river. After a 10 minute ride down the river you reach the ocean and you go skipping over the water with the wind in your hair through the first range of Cayes and onward to the barrier reef.

The tour goes to 2 or 3 different islands including Tobacco Caye, South Water Caye, Bread and Butter caye and many more.

For lunch the tour stops at a Caye where you can relax, explore,  chill out and snorkel from the beach before and after your meal.

Snorkeling in the warm, calm, clear water inside the reef is spectacular. On any one outing you will see dozens and dozens of different varieties of fish, all in their Technicolor glory.

The coral reef is an amazing beautiful place and there is a lot to see!  Marine life swimming all around going about their business: protecting eggs, defending their territory, hunting food, looking for shelter, looking for mates, There are busier times too when fish are feeding or there is a change of guard when the day time critters go to sleep and the nocturnal creatures come out.  All this activity occurs amongst the beautiful coral in many different shapes and colors
Add in a couple passing rays, turtles, manatees and sharks, and now you have the Belize Barrier Reef.  Literally anywhere you get in the water you will see the amazing world that makes the coral reef.
The boat that we take you out on is a 28 foot fiberglass skiff powered by an outboard motor with cushioned seating and a canopy to keep you in the shade.
  • Experience the second largest barrier reef in the world
  • UNESCO national heritage site
  • See manatees, dolphins, rays, turtles, barracudas and much more.
  • Expert guide on board to inform and answer questions
  • Full equipment included

Please stop by the front desk for details and assistance with contacting tour operators.

2 or 3 tank dive on the fabulous southern reef!

There are many amazing dive sites on the Barrier reef less than 45 minutess by motor boat from Hopkins Village. We offer half or full day dive trips that take you on a Caribbean adventure with some true Belizean talent and seamanship.

This tour takes you on a short ride down Sittee river with stunning wildlife, jungle and mangroves on both sides along the banks of the river. After a 10 minute ride down the river you reach the ocean and you go skipping over the water with the wind in your hair through the first range of Cayes and onward to the barrier reef.

The tour goes to 2 or 3 different islands including Tobacco Caye, South Water Caye, Bread and Butter caye and many more.

For lunch the tour stops at a Caye where you can relax, explore,  chill out and snorkel from the beach whilst your meal is prepared.

Diving in the warm, calm, clear water inside the reef is spectacular. On any one outing you will see dozens and dozens of different varieties of fish, all in their Technicolor glory.

The coral reef is an amazing beautiful place and there is a lot to see!  Marine life swimming all around going about their business: protecting eggs, defending their territory, hunting food, looking for shelter, looking for mates, There are busier times too when fish are feeding or there is a change of guard when the day time critters go to sleep and the nocturnal creatures come out.  All this activity occurs amongst the beautiful coral in many different shapes and colors
Add in a couple passing rays, turtles, manatees and sharks, and now you have the Belize Barrier Reef. Literally anywhere you get in the water you will see the amazing world that makes the coral reef.
The boat that we take you out on is powered by an outboard motor with cushioned seating and a canopy to keep you in the shade.
  • Experience the second largest barrier reef in the world
  • UNESCO national heritage site
  • See manatees, dolphins, rays, turtles, barracudas and much more.
  • Expert guide and dive master on board to inform and answer questions
  • Full equipment included

Please stop by the front desk for details and assistance with contacting tour operators.