Travel Guide Dangriga

The charm of the capital of the Stann Creek District and of Garifuna culture lies first and foremost in its rawness and authenticity, far removed from the excessive folklorization of tourist destinations. The tourist heartland, where the majority of the town's hotels are located, lies between the main shopping street and the seafront; here, wooden houses with sea-sprayed paint line up along small dirt streets, letting out flows of reggae music at all hours. While some may find it uninteresting, Dangriga is rather a sleepy belle of the Belizean coast, with a Caribbean indolence, paradoxically advantaged by its lack of beaches which, elsewhere, attract property developers. Here, hotels and restaurants are run by locals, Garifuna or mestizo, with a natural sense of welcome, warmth and conviviality: a true sense of sharing. Dangriga is also a gateway to the barrier islands, including the famous Tobacco Island, Coco Plum and South Water Caye. The town comes alive on November 19 during the celebration of the arrival of the Garifunas on the Belizean coast.