Its rich Garifuna culture, seaside charm, and authentic ambiance make it an enticing and curious town to explore. If you go way past the bus transfers and ferry services, you’ll find that Dangriga is an underrated place to visit, it may not be as touristy, but it sure teaches you a thing or two about the beauty of Belize.
What to Do in Dangriga?
Dubbed as Belize’s cultural capital, Dangriga’s must-do list is naturally filled with activities that pertain to Belize’s richness in culture. A trip to the Gulisi Garifuna Museum is a must. The museum showcases the underrated culture of the Garifuna people, who have been embedded in the Belizean identity since colonial times.
One of the local pride, Pen Cayetano is one of Belize’s frontrunners of art and music, this museum stands testament to that. You can visit the Pen Cayetano Studio and Gallery displays his works of art and music. Most of which are textile artwork, drums made of turtle shells, and many crafts made by hand, some of which are for sale.
Dangriga sits northeast of the Cockscomb Basin Forest Reserve, with a wildlife sanctuary that covers 150 square miles of forest. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary lies at the foot of Victoria Peak, the highest elevation of the country with a diversity of wildlife showcasing the natural gifts of Belize.
Is Dangriga Safe?
When it comes to danger, Dangriga falls far behind Belize City and is considered generally safe for tourists and expats to explore. It may be one of Belize’s largest towns, but Dangriga doesn’t have a big city feel, so it doesn’t attract much danger to the town.
Dangriga is usually a drop-off town, transport transfers en-route to other more touristy locales in the south, like Hopkins or Placencia. The town is also notable for its port that caters to visitors on the way to and from the cays across the sea.
Where Is Dangriga?
Formerly known as Stann Creek Town, the town is located in southern Belize, right at the eastern coasts of the country. About 60 km or 37 miles south of Belize City, Dangriga is a large town that serves as a primary point in the country’s tourism.
The town mostly serves as a Garifuna cultural hotspot and a port that connects the mainland to the two largest cays, Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Dangriga is also a connecting city for bus transfers heading to different towns in the southern regions, adding to the town’s value.
How Do You Get to Dangriga?
If you’re starting in Belize City, you can easily get to Dangriga by land, whether by bus or rental car. Several bus lines operate in between cities and towns going to Dangriga, like Griga Line, which has 4 trips every day.
Rental car companies are abundant in Belize City and other towns and cities across the country that you can take to Dangriga. If you come from the many cays and islands in insular Belize, you can take ferries and water taxis from Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye.
If you prefer a convenient commute, with an expendable budget, you can take a flight from Belize City Municipal Airport (TZA), Dangriga Aiport (DGA). Maya Island Air and Tropic Air are the only air carriers that offer flights from Belize City to Dangriga.
How Far Is It From Belize City to Dangriga?
Dangriga is approximately 59 km or 36.6 miles from Belize City, directly. The driving distance is about 164.6 km or 102.7 miles if you take the long road via the Western Highway and Hummingbird Highway. The trip would usually take around more than a couple of hours.
How Do You Get From Belize City to Dangriga?
From Belize City, you can easily get to Dangriga whether by bus or rental car. Several bus companies take you to Dangriga from Belize City like the Griga Line, James Bus Line, and the Dalmon Ritchie.
Rental car companies are abundant in Belize City and driving to Dangriga only takes more than a couple of hours. If you come from the many cays and islands in insular Belize, you can take ferries and water taxis from Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye.
You can also get to Dangriga by taking a flight from Belize City Municipal Airport (TZA). Maya Island Air and Tropic Air are the only air carriers that offer flights from Belize City to Dangriga.
How Far Is It From Placencia to Dangriga?
Dangriga is approximately 52 km or 32 miles from Belize City, directly. The driving distance is about 83 km or 51 miles if you take the long road via the Southern Highway. The trip would usually take around more than an hour.
Which One Is Better – Dangriga or Placencia?
It depends on what kind of experience you’re looking for, as Belize offers experiences that are as diverse as its cultures and peoples. Placencia feels more like a holiday town that is big on resorts, a ton of activities for the seasoned tourist, and a rich Mayan heritage.
Dangriga, also a part of the Stann Creek District is more relaxed, despite it being a transport hub for tourists getting around the country. Its rich Garifuna culture is probably one of its main draws but there aren’t as many resorts and things to do compared to Placencia.
How Far Is Hopkins From Dangriga?
The smaller Garifuna village of Hopkins is approximately 12 km or 7.45 miles Dangriga, directly. The driving distance is around 29.2 km, taking the Southern Highway, and would usually take 30 minutes.
How Do I Get From Hopkins To Dangriga?
There are 2 common ways to get to Dangriga from Hopkins, by bus and car. You can take a bus to Dangriga with the Bryant Williams bus company that has two trips daily. Rental cars are pretty common as well, you can rent from the many rental companies that are available around town.
Which One Is Better – Dangriga or Hopkins?
Hopkins looks more like a little sister to Dangriga, as both are Garifuna zones and there aren’t many beach resorts and things to do in Hopkins as compared to Dangriga. One of Hopkins’ big draws is its proximity to the Cockscomb Wildlife Reserve and the Mayflower Bocawina National Park.
Dangriga is the bigger town, with lots of resorts, and activities cater to tourists. The city can feel busy because its ports serve as a connecting point to mainland Belize and the many cays and islands of the country. Its rich Garifuna town, which is also the main Garifuna zone in the country, offers many things to travelers of all kinds.
