Everyone so friendly and knowledgeable about all services, information about Belize. Great culture. Everything is perfect in paradise!

Lee and Sandra Gregoire, Colorado Springs, CO

‘The little touches speak well of the care and thought placed into the environment, but with very elegant touches and display. It would be difficult to improve on something so flawless and perfect.

David and Shauna Norton, Altadena, CO

“I will come back for many reasons, but the most important one is the quiet environment.”

Mike Sturm and Family, Brookfield, WI

“I think it’s the amazing service that makes Hamanasi #1 Hotel in Central America.”

Regan Pritzker and Family, San Francisco, CA

“I applaud Hamanasi’s effort in protecting our earth when so many resorts do not have a desire to do so! In this regards alone, Hamanasi is light years ahead of any other place I’ve been to! Absolutely perfect! Only suggestion – please put a Hamanasi in my town so I can go there more often.”

Andrew and Jen Cirigliano, Allenwood, NJ

“The service and staff are wonderful; they are so kind and helpful in every way. We had a wonderful vacation.”

Paul and Marsha Story, Washoe Valley, NV

“I stay at 4 and 5 star hotels around the world and this is the best!

John and Amanda Tobler, San Jose, CA

“Hamanasi never uses the words “no”, “can’t”, “not possible”. Everything is accommodated. Great place to stay!

Tracy Madden and Tom Throop, Durham, NH

“We really enjoyed all our interactions at the resort, very friendly and personal atmosphere. We had fun and relaxed at the same time. Great Honeymoon!

Sara Snow and Allan Pett, Farmington, MI

“We have stayed at 10+ lodges in Belize and Costa Rica over the last 6 years. Hamanasi trip ranks as one of the best ever. Best service hands down. Great staff! Thanks for a great week.”

Jesse & Elaine Satterwhite, Raleigh, NC

“Everyone was friendly, professional and helpful. We felt cared for, liked and special! Exactly the right combination of pampering and adventure!”

Sue and Peter Gibbons, Block Island, RI

“Everything was perfect!”

Lisa Raffael and Family, Burlington, VT

“Amazing service and thoughtful resort touches were everywhere.”

Peter Danis, Ballwin, MO

“Keep doing everything that you’ve been doing. We couldn’t have asked for more. I find it wonderful when business take the time and make the effort to conserve the environment around them.”

Matt and Alicia Matuszewski, Buffalo, NY

Hamanasi joins Earth Day 2012! Our Hamanasi team is dedicated to the environment. Everyone on the Hamanasi team has been inspired to plant a tree somewhere in Belize today. We in Belize are so blessed with a fabulous eco-system and we have a commitment to maintain our environment as mother earth intended. We wish all our friends every success with their individual efforts for Earth Day!

Hamanasi Migratory and Native Bird Population

 Figure 1: Plain Chachalaca

Hamanasi has kept and embraced its reputation as an eco-friendly resort in Belize’s Tourism Industry, and in its assurance in sustaining a unique image by preserving the environment and its biodiversity, the company’s rainforest guides have been conducting a migratory and native bird population study for a period of six (6) months. In the facilitation of the study, an onsite birding has been scheduled, and is ongoing for at least once every week, by three (3) inland guides who are Pedro, Lorenzo and Golden. The guides been have conducting the studies around the property from March 21, 2012 to April 4, 2012, and they have recorded 32 species of birds. Most of the bird species were sighted in more than two (2) occasions, in which the sighting frequency was 2.19. Our guests, especially those who are bird lovers, are welcomed to participate in the studies along with our gregarious and enthusiastic inland guides.

Hamanasi’s Napolean Shrimp Salad

Ingredients:

Shrimps~10 Sautéed (seasoned w/salt & pepper)

Romaine Lettuce~1/3 small chop

Flour Tortilla~ 1, cut in quarters and fried

Ranch Dressing~as desired

Cucumbers, medium~¼, small dice

Tomato, medium~ 1/3 wedge, small dice

Method:

• Place 1 tsp. of dressing in center of plate.
• Place one ¼ of the fried flour tortilla on top of the dressing.
• Layer tortilla with lettuce and shrimps and repeat until complete.
• Top with a sprinkle of the diced cucumbers, tomatoes, shrimps and a good drizzle of dressing.

“We really appreciate that customer service was very important to Hamanasi!”

David Wilkie & Family, Saintpaul, MD  

“It was a pleasure to interact with all your staff – in the office or in the garden. All seem happy, thus friendly. Keep doing what you are doing. You truly stand out from the other guys. Your green efforts to be commended on all fronts. This is a real drawing card for many tourists today.”

Susan and Gord Harper, Alberta, Canada

“You guys ROCK!”

Caitlin Bailey and Boyd Williamson, Colombia, MO

“You have ABSOLUTELY the best staff in the whole wide world. They truly exemplify excellent customer service!”

Jean and Jimmy Drummond, Bowie, MD

“We love the genuine friendliness shown to us. Doing eco-friendly luxury is a challenging balance. Nicely done! We understand sustainability as living wages for staff and smart growth for the community of Hopkins.”

Josh and Stacie Bornstein, Ithaca, NY

“Doing a fantastic job – keep up the great work.”

K.C and Cathy Shea, Colchester, CT

“Outstanding!”

Duane Natvig & Family, Northfield, VT

“Everyone was just lovely; this experience would be hard to improve.”

Connie and Jeff Irish, Loveland, CO

“Everything was perfect! I have never met such friendly people. There is such a pride in Belize. Thank you!”

Rosi Sekerak, Charlotte, NC

Young Andrew Herring upon arrival discovered a bougainvillea plant next to their beachfront room broke a branch, placed in a cup with water and decided that he will let his plant grow.   He kept it in water for its roots to grow as he was determined to ensure that his plant did not die. On his departure we offered him to go and replant in our greenhouse which he was excited to do.

Mr. Desmond, one of our gardeners assisted Andrew in accomplishing his goal.  It was a pleasure to have had Mr. Clarke Herring and family with us and we are all very proud of Andrew, that at his young age he is already thinking how to nurture a living organism.  Our  promise to Andrew is to ensure that his plant gets all the nutrients and water it needs to grow and keep him updated with his plant growth!

Our Organic Garden and Current Production

What is an organic garden?  An area where plants are produced by obeying the laws of nature — Industrial pesticide and fertilizer use is disallowed in our garden – Naturally produced fertilizers such as ash, compost, manure and organically produced pesticides and herbicides are encouraged – Integrated pest management systems (IMPS) practices are applied to prevent and combat pests and diseases. 

What are we producing?  A small scale fruit and vegetable productions is now at full swing in our newly established organic garden.  Healthier fruits, vegetables and herbs are now available for guests and staff in the restaurant and staff kitchen.  Watermelon, cantaloupe, pine apple, papaya, carrots, passion fruit, green onions, peppermint and basil, just to name a few, are now in production.

We invite you to come and get a tour of our organic garden! 

We continue to have a fantastic 2012 for the animals in Hopkins, Sittee River and nearby villages.   The Carroll County Vets Without Borders from Berryville, Arkansas, returned for their 5th visit to Hopkins! Dr. Tina Cone, Ramona Hambrick and Anita Beeson had a fantastically fun… and incredibly busy… trip to Belize.  Over the course of four days of surgery (including one day when the air conditioning went out), the team was able to complete 18 spays, 17 neuters, a limb amputation, a femoral head ostectomy, dentals, a tumor removal, and entropion (eye surgery), several lacerations and over 80 exams!  Amazing!

Tina, Ramona and Anita also made it by Saturday puppy class to help clean up the park, help hand out dog food (one of our best HBHS programs) and hand a few kids treats they had brought along with them.   Hamanasi contributed once again to the HBHS program with accomodations, lunches and allowed the vets to take some time off from their busy schedule and go on one of our snorkeling trips to the Southern Barrier Reef.

Every time the Carroll County Vet team visits Hopkins, things go well. Old friends are reacquainted, and new ones made.  As always, we look forward to their next visit.

On behalf of Hamanasi Staff and Management, we want to thank everyone that visited us for the month of February.  We hope that you all have a great vacation experience with us and we can’t wait to have you back!

“Keep doing what you’re doing and stay true to your vision and the Belizean culture.”

Michele Carroll, Dallas, TX

“Keep up the great work.  Staff could not be nicer. ”

Gail and Frank Julie, Larchmont, NY

“Our vacation was perfect above and beyond our expectations; thanks to Hamanasi ~ we wouldn’t change a thing!”

Cindy and Bruce, Calgary, AB

“Most friendly and welcoming staff we have ever experienced – Thank  you!”

John and Jane Pope, Greensboro, NC

“Exceptional, professional and friendly.   First class all the way.”

James and Martha Hannon, Colorado Springs, CO

“Staff was probably the friendliest and most eager to help of any resort I have visited – Five Stars!”

Sean and Linda Quinn, Ontario, Cananda

“Keep up the high standards.”

Ned Hickey Family, Marlborough, CT

“Absolutely excellent – friendly, accommodating, remembered names this sets resort apart from others.”

Jeff and Kristi Carius, Boulder, CO

“Overall lovedBelize, the resort and the exceptional staff.”

Barry and Maryl Featherstone, Pendleton, OR

 ”Staff was helpful, energetic, enthusiastic and always happy and available.  The most impressive group I’ve ever encountered.”

Adolf and Kelli Maas, Bothell, WA

Prince Harry is expected to arrive in Belize on Friday, March 2nd, 2012 as a part of the celebration to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s II Diamond Jubilee. The Prince will be visiting Belmopan and San Ignacio during his whirlwind visit to Belize for which the Belize Tourism Board in collaboration with the Government of Belize has organized a packed schedule of activities for him to maximize his visit to the country.

Hopkins was chosen as the destination to represent the Garifuna Booth in the street festival welcoming Prince Harry to Belize. Chef Bernard from Jaguar Reef Lodge along with our very own Chef Sheridan and Chef Marcia were chosen to prepare and serve Prince Harry and all invited guests with our traditional delectable Garifuna dishes. Along with the Garifuna booth, there will be a Creole and Mestizo Booth.

It is being said that the Prince wants to dance to the Punta music and drink our Beliken beer. There will be professional cultural dancers and entertainment for this event.

We are all super excited and even more incredibly honored for this once in a lifetime opportunity and we want to welcome Prince Harry to Belize!