5 reasons to visit Dangriga

Image by: Tony Rath Photography

Dangriga.

This is not a town that normally comes up on the radar when researching for places to visit in Belize. I imagine that is because it is not your typical tourist town. It is a cultural town where the people go about their lives without relying on tourists. They fish ( Dangriga sits on the shore of the Caribbean Sea with one of Belize’s major rivers running right through town), they farm (the rich Stann Creek Valley is enriched by the flooding North Stann Creek River) , they play drums (Dangriga is the birthplace of Punta rock), they paint (Icons of Belizean art – Benjamin Nicolas and Pen Cayetano live(d) here) and Dangrigans enjoy the cool Tradewinds breeze which makes Dangriga 5 degrees cooler than anywhere else in the country. The coral reef is 30 minutes to the east. The rainforest is 30 minutes to the west.

Belize has a rich variety of options for the tourist looking for the typical tropical stay. Hopkins and Placencia to the south have the high end beach resorts, Ambergris Caye is a country unto itself – most people think Belize is an island because they have only been to Ambergris, home to the most luxurious hotels in the country. Caye Caulker is a mini Ambergris, but about 10 years ago. Then there is San Ignacio, gateway to the wondrous Mountain Pine Ridge, thick jungles, mysterious caves, the remains of the ancient Maya, and Belizean heat.

So why should the traveller looking for something unique, diverse and adventurous look at Dangriga instead of the main tourist centers? Follow us for our weekly posts to find out!