Stops along the Hummingbird Highway
The Hummingbird Highway is a beautiful and scenic drive. It is best enjoyed in the day light as it is dangerous to drive at night, since there are no lights. Besides, one needs to pay attention to the one-lane bridges, large speed humps, and now construction (to take out the one-lane bridges) that sneak up on tourists. If you have the luxury of time, take in the beauty of the drive and make a few stops along the way. Below is a list of “must-stops” along the Hummingbird. As a bonus, all the places double as good restroom break.
Want to get a good look at the mountain range called Sleeping Giant? Pull over at Yam-witz, which means “between the mountains” in Maya. This is about 17 miles outside of Belmopan. Sleeping Giant is a mountain range that looks just like the name—a big fella lying on his back with his boots pointed to the sky. Yam-witz is a good place for lunch a traditional lunch of stew chicken, rice and beans. Not hungry? Worth getting a drink to take in the view—it’s breath-taking.
Watch for a sign for Kropf’s Bakery, a small yellow house just off the highway on the northside of the road. Kropf’s is a Mennonite bakery known for its banana bread, cookies, and other baked goods. One can also get a cup of coffee or some fresh juice for just a few Belize dollars. UPDATE. CLOSED.
While the Blue Hole is quite famous, not as many know about Belize’s Inland Blue Hole. When one needs a few minutes to stretch their legs, it is a nice five-minute stroll from the park’s entrance and restrooms. There are changing stations as well (to put on swim wear.) After a short walk, one can make their way down to the bright blue cool waters of the inland blue hole. Jump in!
Some just admire it, without taking the plunge. If large rainfall has hit the area, the waters are not their typical bright blue as the mud from the mountains has entered it. Typically, it takes a few days to “turn blue” again. Not a minute to spare? Pull in directly to the other entrance located just a little south of the main entrance, which bypasses the five-minute stroll. You can walk down to the water, snap a photo, and continue your way in about a matter of minutes.
Ms Bertha’s Tamales. A Belizean tradition as this used to be one of the only places on the Hummingbird Hwy to stop for a break. Although Ms. Berta passed at the age of 75, her daughter, Aurora continues the tradition.
Over the Top is a cool spot (another name for a bar in Belize) that has a very steep driveway that is fun to go up. But don’t be shy, hit the gas! This bar is the half-way point between Belmopan and Hopkins Village. When you make it to the top, order a drink, and take in the view of the area and its jungle surroundings and mountain ranges. UPDATE: CLOSED. We’re hoping it’s just temporary. Just across from it is a new place that we have not tried yet—Elsa’s.
Country Barn. Known for its road-side ice cream and yogurt, they now serve sandwiches and snacks. They have a variety of ice cream flavors such as coffee, sour sop, and of course, good ol’ vanilla.
Café Casita de Amour Coffee Shop. The unique orange and wood building pulls people in as an enchanting roadside break whose name translates to Little House of Love. There one can have a caffeine break or even grab a sandwich and a milkshake. But this is no “fast food” stop as the coffee and food take time and everything is “made from love.”
Citrus Products of Belize. This is a factory, but don’t just buzz on by. Beside the main entrance is a small stand where travelers may purchase fresh juice from the factory for a few dollars. Ask what flavors they have that day. My favorite? The grapefruit. Many times, they keep the juices so cold there are ice chips in the bottles!
Xaibel Shell Service Station. (Pronounced shy-bell.) Go in and select some of the delicious food on the counter. But whatever you do, don’t ask if the food is fresh or you may get a loud “of course it is!” shouted in your direction. In Belize, the gas stations serve fresh food-none of that day-old hot dog stuff. Be warned, you may be insulting the ladies next door who cook the amazing Belizean pastries and hot meals for travelers and supply the gas station with endless amounts of food throughout the day. Most days they sell out. For breakfast they have plates filled with eggs, beans, and fry jacks. Other options include chicken burritos, Johnny cakes with beans and cheese, or my favorite the waffle sandwich filled with cheese and ham. They also have pastries such as bread pudding, powder bun with cheese, and banana cake. At lunch, they have several options like a chicken sandwich, more Johnny cakes, and stew chicken. If you see local cashews, try them as they are worth the price. They usually sell cassava and plantain chips too. Next door is Lush Life restaurant that serves creative cocktails and menu items such as plantain burrito bowl, hummus, paninis, and more
Have more time and want to check out a few more places?
*Chrystal Cave. If you want more than a stretch, take a 45-minute hike to the cave’s entrance, which does not require a guide, but one can only peek down to the cave. To enter it, one must hire a guide, which is located at the park’s entrance and office. This is not for the faint of heart, requiring one to shimmy with a rope down and then another long hike to “wonderland.” Well-worth the effort, though.
*Five Sisters Lake is a great place to learn jungle survival skills, go cave kayaking, and soak up all the beautiful plants and amazing shades of blue waters. A guide is required. It’s quite remote and you feel like you are the only one out there—and many times, you are! One must have a tour guide for this activity. I recommend Maya Guide Adventures: www.mayaguide.bz
*Billy Barquedier National Park. Off the beaten path. Take about a 15-minute self-guided hike to the beautiful waterfall, where cool refreshing waters are ideal for a nice swim. For the more adventurous, climb up the hill and plunge down off the mountainside for a high-diving experience.
