Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort

Overview

Description

Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort is located in the village of Hopkins in southern Belize. What does Hamanasi mean? It is a Garifuna word that means “almond,” from the beautiful Belizean hamans tree, which grows all along our coast. The hotel owners wanted a name that is connected to the Garifuna culture and the physical beauty of the location. They wanted to create a beautiful, comfortable refuge where guests could relax and enjoy delicious cuisine after an adventuresome day. At Hamanasi, we aim to make our guests feel welcome and help them get to know other guests and locals. The resort aims to help guests explore all of the wonderful sites of Belize -- from the Mayan ruins, rainforests, and caves to our atolls, pristine coral reefs, and beaches.

Rooms

25 rooms -- five deluxe treehouses, two honeymoon suites, eight treehouses, two beachfront deluxe rooms, and eight beachfront rooms.

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 101

Percentage of local employees: 96%

Hamanasi believes in responsible nature and culture-based ecotourism. We understand the importance of preserving our environment and indigenous communities. Hamanasi is committed to protecting our ecosystems and their biodiversity by taking continual steps to be more environmentally-friendly and aware. We actively encourage all employees and visitors to participate in these endeavors. Together, we can make a difference!

Sadly, each day our world becomes a little less “green.” At Hamanasi, we are taking steps to minimize our negative impact on the environment while increasing awareness and appreciation for nature and diverse cultures. Our overall policy is to reduce, reuse, and recycle, and we have developed an environmental management policy that we strive to carry out. It’s been a long road, but we have completed our first step, which was to become the first beach resort in Belize to be Green Globe Certified.

Hamanasi does its best to give back to the community. One of our biggest charities is Equity House Clinic, which is a non-profit organization that improves the health and well-being of individuals, families, and our communities by providing a private health clinic. Hamanasi sells donated items in our gift shop and gives 100% of the proceeds to the Hopkins Belize Humane Society. A free spay and neuter clinic is organized three times a year by Hamanasi and a US-based coordinator, Clara Lee Arnold. Free vet services are provided to the community. Hamanasi organizes a Hopkins Beach clean-up twice a year to get local students involved in protecting and preserving their community.

An ongoing project started by Hamanasi in 2006 is the "Back to School Backpack Project". Backpacks and school supplies are donated by Hamanasi guests and visitors throughout the year. In September, the backpacks and supplies are donated to the schools and families in Sittee River and Hopkins. Donations are also given as prizes for the annual Kite Festival and Hopkins Day. Hamanasi is actively involved in the beautification project organized by the Hopkins chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association. This program includes planting trees and flowers around the village. The resort also sponsors many other schools, organizations, and community projects by donating rooms and tours as prizes.

All of Hamanasi's staff are employed throughout the year and the majority are from the neighboring villages: Hopkins, Sittee River, and Maya Center.

In the case of an emergency, Hamanasi willingly provides help in the form of transportation, fuel, and other means of support.

Hamanasi participates in the Pack for a Purpose program, where guests can bring school supplies, medical supplies, and other small items from home to donate to the local community. Guests simply drop off their donation at the hotel's front desk, and Hamanasi will deliver it for them.

Rates

$150 and up

For more information about rates, please visit:

• www.hamanasi.com/rates.html (available in English).

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Belize City (BZE)

Nearest local/national airport: Dangriga (DGA)

Travel time to nearest airport: 20-minute domestic flight; 40-minute drive

Additional Information

Additional Web sites

• hamanasi.com/blog/ (available in English). The Hamanasi blog features up-to-date information about the resort.
• www.facebook.com/HamanasiResort (available in English). Hamanasi Resort's Facebook page.
• twitter.com/hamanasiresort (available in English). Hamanasi Resort's account on Twitter.

Date This Information Was Provided

July 2013.

Photos courtesy of Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort, Belize, for SustainableTrip.org.