Dangriga and the Southern Cayes Travel Guide
Travel to Dangriga and the Southern Cayes - Belize’s Garifuna Heartland
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The cultural centre of Belize’s Garifuna population, the town of Dangriga makes an unassuming base for exploring the surrounding islands and a handful of national parks in the nearby Maya Mountains. There is not that much to see in Dangriga Town except a typically multi-ethnic array of Belizeans going about their daily lives and occasionally dancing the night away.
Many travellers spend a night in Dangriga on their way to or from Tobacco Caye, Southwater Caye, or Glover’s Reef. Many also bump down the coast to lazy Hopkins and Sittee River, or stay in a tent in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.
Dangriga is the largest town in southern Belize, but that certainly does not mean that it is large and anonymous! Originally called Stann Creek Town, the history of Dangriga is intimately tied to the story of the Garifuna – a unique mix of African and Caribbean Amerindian blood. They began arriving in Belize in the early 1800's with the largest single group coming to Dangriga in 1832 from Roatan.
The landing of those 200 Garifuna is still celebrated today on November 19th of each year, known as Settlement Day.
Attractions in Dangriga and the Southern Cayes
Dangriga’s attractions are both inland and maritime. For the wildlife spotter, there are ample opportunities at the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gra Gra Lagoon National Park and Gales Point: if you are lucky, you may see the endangered manatee, hawksbill turtle or even elusive jaguar.
From a cultural point of view, the town of Hopkins and Dangriga itself are great places to see and experience the ever-vibrant and distinctive Garifuna community.
And within easy reach of both these coastal towns are the spectacular, unspoilt coral islands of Tobacco Caye, Southwater Caye and Glover’s Reef, with the accompanying water sports and marine flora and fauna.
Activities in Dangriga and the Southern Cayes
You can easily spend a week or more here, especially if you make it out to the cayes, where there are plenty of opportunities for kayaking, fishing, diving, snorkeling, and sailing.
Relaxing
Swinging in a hammock on a desert island sipping a ‘panty ripper’, Belize’s national drink of coconut rum and pineapple juice!
Getting Around
Everything in Dangriga is within walking distance.
There are regular bus services to Belmopan and Belize City.
To get to the cayes, there is a regular service to Tobacco Caye from Dangriga; otherwise you will need to charter a boat. Most resorts on the cayes will include transfer from the mainland in the package.
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