Dangrigaj

With a population of 10,000, Dangriga is the largest town in southern Belize.  Within the heart of the country's citrus industry, it is also considered one of the prettiest and most colorful of Belize's district towns and is growing as a tourism center, mainly because of its close proximity to many of Belize's cayes and the Barrier Reef.  

It is also a good place to experience the unique Garifuna culture.  Most of Dangriga's citizens are black Caribs, people of South American and African descent, whose ancestors inhabited the island of St. Vincent as a free people in the 17^th century.  By the end of the 18^th century, British colonizers had brought most of these independent-minded people under control, and due to oppression many Caribs immigrated to Southern Belize.  The most memorable of these journeys took place on November 19^th, 1832 when a large group of Caribs arrived in Belize, having traveled from Honduras in dugout canoes.  This event is celebrated annually in Belize as Garifuna Settlement Day, but no other town is as lively as Dangriga, as the town explodes with dancing, drinking, colorful costumes and the celebration of Garifuna heritage.

Dangriga is a major cultural and artistic center as well, being home to some of Belize's finest painters.  It is also where the Caribbean music, Punta Rock, originated and where some of Belize's best folk bands can be found.

attractions

• Local Garifuna culture (music, handcrafts, art, and beliefs)

• Youth and Human Development Centre in Dangriga, for handcrafts

• Austin Rodriguez, maker of drums

• Mrs Williams, for handmade woven Garifuna baskets and hats

• Gallery of Benjamin Nicholas, famous Belizean painter

• Sabal's Community, a Garifuna farm outside the town producing cassava bread and other Garifuna specialities

• the southern cayes, eg South Water Caye, Man-O-War Caye and Tobacco Caye, for diving, fishing or snorkeling trips of one day or more

• Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (with its associated Maya Centre Village and 12 self-guided trails), a 100,000 acre forest recognized as the only jaguar preserve in the world, great wildlife, and nearly 300 bird species

• Through Melinda Forest Reserve to Gales Point for manatee spotting in a guided boat trip on the Southern lagoon, and to Bird Caye Bird Sanctuary where guided boat trips are possible to the Northern Lagoon 

• Mayflower Archaeological Reserve, in the Maya Mountains foothills, with 3  post-classic Maya ruins (Mayflower, T'au Witz and Maintzunun) and waterfalls Antelope Falls and Three Sisters Fall

• Ocean and river kayaking further south

• Boat trip up Sittee river and visit to 19th century Serpon Sugar Mill

Jaguar Reef Lodge
Stann Creek area hotels

visitor info
Dangriga is becoming increasingly popular as both a destination itself to see and experience Garifuna life, and also as a hub for surrounding areas. There are plenty of small restaurants to sample Garifuna food (try cassava bread), as well as more international fare, and there is an active nightlife of seaside bars and discos. Local bands can often be heard. 

getting there
The drive with rental car to Dangriga from Belize City, via the Western, Coastal and then Hummingbird Highways, takes about 1 1/2- 2 hours to cover the 75 miles. If you go via Belmopan to see more sights, the additional distance is around 25 miles. There are also regular domestic flights with Tropic Air and Maya Airways. There are also several buses a day to Dangriga from Belize City.