The
sound of the Caribbean waves breaking on the distant shore
filters through the tropical evening soundscape to softly
accompany guests at hotels in Dangriga, Belize. Most are
sitting down for dinner and refreshing drinks after yet
another beautiful day in this relaxed, laid-back town that
is the southern terminus of the Hummingbird Highway. As the
hotel guests dine on fresh seafood and sip their cold
drinks, the beat of drums and music with a fast, rhythmic
beat reaches their ears to reveal Dangriga as the Garifuna
cultural capital of Belize.
Situated where Stann Creek empties into the Caribbean Sea, Dangriga, Belize was formerly known as Stann Creek Town. The name of the town was officially changed to Dangriga, a Garifuna word that means “sweet water” or “standing water”, because most of the residents have Garifuna heritage. Descended from escaped African slaves and Carib peoples from the island of Saint Vincent, Garifuna people reached Dangriga, Belize from Honduras in 1832. Known as Garifuna Settlement Day and celebrated November 16-19, this is the most exciting time to visit Dangriga and the best time to experience every aspect of Garifuna culture, especially the distinctive genre of music known as Punta Rock.
With a population of around 10,000, Dangriga, Belize is the largest town in the southern area of this small Central American country. The fresh fruit markets, relaxed atmosphere, and picturesque houses raised on stilts make Dangriga, Belize a good base for exploring nearby islands that are part of the Belize Barrier Reef, and the wild rain forests of the Maya Mountains.
Transportation
Dangriga is accessible by a very short plane ride from Belize City, Placencia, and Punta Gorda by flying with Tropic Air or Maya Island Air. From Belize City, Dangriga can also be reached by driving two to three hours south along the Hummingbird Highway and Stann Creek Valley Road before taking the turn-off to Dangriga. A four wheel drive is recommended for this trip, especially during the rainy season.
Hotels
Dangriga, Belize has a fair variety of hotels in and near the town with more found on the offshore cayes. In downtown Dangriga, the Bonefish Hotel is a small, mid-range inn with friendly staff and a view of the nearby Caribbean Sea from the second story balcony. The owners also run another small hotel on South Water Caye, the Blue Marlin Lodge.
A more upscale hotel, the Pelican Beach Resort is located on the beach in Dangriga, Belize and offers swimming from their dock and a variety of light activities in addition to clean, spacious rooms. They can arrange tours to the reef, to inland rain forests, and have a pretty good gift shop that features Garifuna crafts. Like the Bonefish Hotel, the owners also run another hotel on South Water Caye; the Pelican Pouch Resort.
For a small, budget hotel, Pal’s Guest House is a good option. This quiet, friendly place is found in the southern part of Dangriga, Belize near Havana Creek. Rooms with shared and private bathrooms are offered as well as rooms with air conditioning and balconies with a view of the Caribbean.
For visitors who prefer the Bed and Breakfast option, Dangriga, Belize offers the Seaclift. Located in a residential area, the Seaclift offers quite a bit for a bed and breakfast. In addition to the spacious rooms, guests have access to one of the largest libraries in southern Belize, hammocks and a beach volleyball court.
A few other small, basic, low-priced hotels in Dangriga, Belize are the Riverside, Tropical, and Catalina Hotels, and the Hub Guest House. These are all found in or near the small downtown area of Dangriga.
Featured Hotels
Coming soon ! ( Call Amma )
Attractions
Tobacco
and Southwater Cayes
While
Dangriga, Belize has a beach, most visitors head to
small, nearby islands such as Tobacco and Southwater
Cayes. A forty-five minute boat ride from Dangriga,
these small, idyllic islands in the Belize Barrier Reef
sport beautiful, white sand beaches and warm, clear
water. The abundance of aquatic reef life also makes
these two cayes excellent sites for scuba diving and
snorkeling. Reef fish such as Gray Snappers,
Triggerfish, Sea Bass, Stingrays, Nurse Sharks, and
clownfish living among the brightly colored anemones are
all possible sights.
Gulisi Garifuna Museum
Dangriga, Belize is a good place to experience and learn
about Garifuna culture. The best place to do this, aside
from interacting with locals, is at the Gulisi Garifuna
Museum. Found about a mile or two from town (around two
kilometers) on the road out to the Hummingbird Highway,
this museum has displays that outline Garifuna history,
customs, and culture as well as displays of Garifuna
art. All about the Music -
click me
Garifuna Drumming in Dangriga,
Belize
To learn
more about the drums often heard in Dangriga, Belize,
drumming workshops can be taken with local drummers such
as Austin Rodriguez. His drums crafted from mahogany and
cedar can also be purchased directly from this master
drum maker southeast of the Dangriga Central Market.
Orange Factory Tours
Many
visitors to Dangriga, Belize note the extensive orange
groves near town. An important part of the
Belizean economy, factories that process the fruit and
make orange juice can be visited on tours near Dangriga.
Mayflower Bocawina National Park
Packed
with interesting sights, this national park is only
sixteen miles from Dangriga. Situated four miles west of
the Southern Highway and twelve miles south of Dangriga,
the Mayflower Bocawina National Park has several series
of trails that cut through lowland rain forest. Rare,
Black Howler Monkeys can be seen as well as toucans,
parrots, many other bird species, and a myriad of rain
forest creatures for the sharp-eyed and lucky. For
visitors who tire of looking for animals, this national
park also has Mayan Ruins, including two partially
excavated pyramids. If it gets too hot walking the
trails and pretending to be Indiana Jones, a stroll down
the Bocawina Hill Trail leads to a swimming hole at the
base of the Bocawina Falls. Other spectacular, jungle
waterfalls can also be visited in Mayflower Bocawina
National Park, although it’s best to hire a guide to
avoid getting lost on the way some of the more remote
cascades.
David Falls
The
second highest waterfall in Belize is found twelve miles
from the village of Alta Vista off of the Hummingbird
Highway. A trip that only the adventurous and physically
fit should undertake, intrepid travelers who hire a
local to guide them for the long hike along the Big
Eddie River will be rewarded with views of a beautiful
waterfall cascading down rocks to splash into a
refreshing river.
Gales Point
A
fishing village 15 miles north of Dangriga, Belize,
Gales Point is a small, interesting community residing
on a very narrow strip of sand flanked by two lagoons.
In addition to getting a first hand look at a way of
Caribbean life that has changed very little for a
hundred or so years, Gales Point is also located
adjacent to wetlands that are important for the West
Indian Manatee. The Manatees frequent the lagoons and
nearby wetlands but are more likely to be seen by hiring
a local guide.
Featured Tours
Dining
Cuisine in Dangriga, Belize is for the most part pretty basic Belizean fare; tasty local dishes such as fish cooked in coconut milk and mashed plantains ironically being a bit hard to find. Most of the hotels have restaurants that tend to be a bit more upscale and expensive, that of the Pelican Beach Resort also featuring an aquarium to gaze at while you wait for your food. Ritchie’s and King Burger Restaurant are two, good local diners, while the Sea Flame offers tasty seafood. Sophie’s is another nice, small restaurant with a Belizean menu, while the Sunrise and Starlight are available for visitors in Dangriga, Belize that have an urge for wonton or other Chinese dishes.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Dangriga, Belize comes in two varieties; bars and nightclubs. Although both are drinking establishments, bars tend to feature karaoke and live bands while at night clubs, locals fill the dance floor to shake their hips to very loud Punta Rock. There aren’t too many in this small town, but the few that are available attract fair-sized crowds. Griga 2000 and the Road House Bars are popular with karaoke enthusiasts while Punta Rock reverberates off the walls of the Local Motion Disco.
Shopping
As the capital of Garifuna culture in Belize, shopping in Dangriga is especially good for souvenirs such as Garifuna drums. Percussionists can get good prices on high-quality, hand made, double-headed drums sold at the house of Austin Rodriguez and in stores. There are also a few gift shops in town, including in some of the hotels, where other, smaller Garifuna-related souvenirs are sold such as dolls dressed in traditional clothes.
Weather
The weather in Dangriga, is similar to other areas of coastal Belize with hot, humid days and slightly cooler nights. Temperatures are pretty constant throughout the year with averages around 80 degrees (27-28 Celsius). Although breezes from the Caribbean cool things off a bit, most visitors opt for rooms with air conditioning.
Instead of four seasons, Dangriga has two; a wet season with daily rains from May until November, and a dry season with little rain during the rest of the year.
Current Radar (Refresh page to see the latest)
