While Belize resort destinations like Placencia and Ambergris Caye get a lot of traffic from travelers, the fascinating town of Dangriga often gets the short end of the straw. Because while the town isn’t carefully sanded down to meet the specifications of a tourist Mecca, it has a lot to offer visitors — and a lot to offer visitors that nowhere else in Belize can.
A Town That Shows Its Age, and Its Smile
Dangriga has existed since 1823, but it’s hardly grown into a glistening metropolis. Instead, the town has sprawled out to accommodate its worth as a trade and fishing village. While Dangriga can look tired and worn down from a distance, that’s just the sign of a destination that’s been thoroughly lived in.
In fact, it’s recognized as one of the friendliest towns in Belize. With a population of little more than 10,000 people, being a good neighbor is a valuable skill — and that’s something the people of Dangriga are happy to extend to outsiders. It’s a humble enough town that you likely wouldn’t know it was the capital of the Stann Creek District if you didn’t know.
A Place of Cultural Immersion
But if you stay in Dangriga for any length of time, you’ll understand why this ramshackle fishing village is called the cultural capital of Belize. Dangriga was formed as a home for the Garifuna people — an ethnic group descended from slaves who escaped a sinking ship — and the culture is wholly unique. Through generations, these Afro-Caribbean people have built out forms of music, dance, and cuisine that are treasured throughout the country and abroad.
The Gulisi Garifuna Museum offers an in-depth look at the lives of the people who call Garifuna home, but you’re likely to hear the drumming and smell the food from every street. Local businesses offer the opportunity to see how the unique Garifuna drums are created or learn how to dance — and the Pen Cayetano Art Gallery offers a view into the unique visual art of the locals.
If you want to be insulated from the outside world, there are plenty of tourist-heavy resorts in Belize that can offer that. If you want to see what culture is really like in this beautiful Caribbean country, go to Dangriga. And the best way to get there is through the use of a local company. UnCharted Jewel Belize knows the roads like the back of our hand, and we can provide you with a wealth of tours that can help you get to know the locals.
