The South Eastern Coast of Belize is a favorite for those who want a beach destination with the accessibility to mainland tours without having to get on a plane or boat! The southern part of Belize offers breathtaking views of the Maya Mountains with citrus and banana plantations along the Hummingbird Highway that meanders to the coastal town of Dangriga. A veer to right just before Dangriga, leads to Southern Highway and further south to the popular coastal towns of Hopkins and Placencia. They all come under the Stann Creek District and are known as the Garifuna Culture Capital of Belize. Punta Gorda, the furthest town south of Belize, is part of the Toledo District.
Dangriga is a vibrant coastal Garifuna town and is famous for its art and music, while Hopkins Village, once a sleepy, Garifuna fishing community, has become popular for its miles of golden sand beaches and the restaurants & bars that dot the village . The Placencia Peninsula, is long and narrow and stretches southward with the village at its’ southern-most tip. It is popular for its’ 16 miles of white, Caribbean facing beaches, the lagoons on its west, and the view of the Maya Mountains visible in the distance.
Dangriga, Hopkins & Placencia all offer modern hotels and resorts. Collectively, they are all just a short drive from the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Reserve where 5 species of cats are resident; The Mayflower Bocawina National Park with its beautiful waterfalls and unexcavated Maya sites; Southwater Caye Marine Reserve which encompasses over a dozen cayes and includes a nesting site for the frigate & the brown booby birds; and Gladden Spit & Silk Cayes Marine Reserve where the whale sharks roam from March to June around the full moon; And of course, the 2nd largest Barrier Reef in the world!
Punta Gorda town is known for its street market, sanctuaries, and parks including Rio Blanco Falls, Agua Caliente Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Maya sites of Nim Li Punit and Lubantuun! Accommodations here are small, jungle resorts and mom/pop style hotels in the town.
So whether it’s the ruins, waterfalls, the islands or the reef, the south is sure to please!