If you’re like most visitors to Belize, you are probably familiar with the more popular tourist destinations such as Ambergris Caye, Placencia, and San Ignacio. While these places are uniquely beautiful and worth a stop, did you know that Dangriga is quickly becoming one of the must-see places in Belize? Before you book your trip, here’s what you need to know to plan your visit.
Convenient Location
Dangriga is a small town located on the southern Caribbean coast. Just 90 miles south of Belize City, it is easily accessed by car or bus. The town is situated at the mouth of the Stann Creek River, making it an ideal jumping-off point for boat trips to one of Belize’s numerous cayes and the barrier reef. The calm Caribbean Sea waters are a great place for paddleboarding, snorkeling, and swimming. Dangriga is also a convenient place to stay if you want to visit the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary. You can arrange a guided tour from your Dangriga hotel to this world-famous wildlife preserve.
Alive With Culture and Tradition
Dangriga is known as the cultural center of Belize. Even though Belize has a diverse population that includes ethnic groups such as Mayas, Mestizos, Creoles, Chinese, Mennonites, and Indians, the Afro-Caribbean Garifuna people make up a large part of this coastal region. During your visit to Dangriga, be sure to stop by Gulisi Garifuna Museum to get a taste of their vibrant culture and history through ancient artifacts, paintings, and documents. The Drums of Our Fathers Monument, located just south of the bus station, is a recognition of the importance of the drum to the Garifuna people.
If you visit Dangriga in November, be sure to check out the Garifuna Settlement Day Celebration. Every November 19th, the entire country marks the settlement of the Garifuna people with parades, live music, dancing, and, of course, lots of drumming. For a true Dangriga experience, try some of the traditional Garifuna foods such as cassava bread and cashew wine.
If you want to get a true feel for Dangriga, book a tour with Uncharted Jewel Belize. Our tour company is locally-owned and operated and our guides are very familiar with the area. Uncharted Jewel Belize specializes in unique experiences for the adventurous traveler, such as canoeing through the rainforest or swimming at the foot of towering jungle waterfalls. Our adventure guides at Uncharted Jewel Belize are ready to make your trip to Dangriga unforgettable.