Exploring Stann Creek: Travel Tips For Belize Adventure

The Stann Creek District in Belize is a great destination for those seeking adventure and a rich cultural experience. Located on the coast of southeastern Belize, it offers a unique blend of indigenous and local cultures, including the Garifuna, Creole, Maya, and Mestizo communities. The capital of the district, Dangriga, is often regarded as the cultural capital of Belize, known for its vibrant Garifuna music, art, cuisine, and traditions. With a population of around 34,000, the district provides an authentic glimpse into the slow-paced Central American lifestyle of Belize, away from the crowds of resort towns. Visitors are drawn to Stann Creek's pristine beaches, sapphire waters, and the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest in the world, offering ample opportunities for fishing, sailing, snorkelling, and diving. The district is also home to popular tourist destinations such as Placencia Village, the peninsula of Placencia, and the Garifuna village of Hopkins. Getting to Stann Creek is convenient, with most visitors flying into the Phillip Gordon International Airport in Belize City and then travelling south along the scenic Hummingbird and Southern Highways.

Fly into Phillip Gordon International Airport in Belize City

The easiest way to get to Stann Creek, Belize is to fly into the Phillip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) in Belize City. The airport is located in Ladyville, a village/suburb that is about 10 miles northwest of Belize City, and can be reached in 20 minutes by car. It is the largest and busiest airport in Belize, serving approximately 1.1 million passengers in 2018.

From the airport, you can take a taxi or shuttle service to get to Stann Creek, located 90 miles south along the scenic Hummingbird and Southern Highways. The drive will take you through beautiful landscapes, including the Maya Mountains and the Belize Barrier Reef.

If you prefer a quicker option, you can take a local airline for a 20-minute plane ride from Belize City to Dangriga, the main town in the Stann Creek District. This option provides stunning views of Belize and a unique experience of flying in a small passenger plane.

The Stann Creek District is a popular tourist destination, offering a rich blend of culture, adventure, and natural attractions. It is known for its pristine beaches, sapphire waters, and diverse wildlife, including the world's first jaguar preserve. The district is also a major producer of bananas, citrus fruits, and other agricultural products, contributing to its vibrant and authentic Belizean culture.

Take a taxi or shuttle service to Stann Creek

If you're looking for a convenient way to get from Belize City to Stann Creek, taking a taxi or shuttle service is a great option. The drive from Belize City to Stann Creek is approximately 90 miles, and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Belize along the way.

Several companies offer shuttle services between Belize City and Stann Creek, including Tukan Shuttles and Adventures and Nelson Maya Adventures. These shuttle services provide comfortable and air-conditioned vehicles, ensuring a pleasant journey for visitors. The drive typically takes around 2.5 hours, and you'll get to experience the Hummingbird Highway, one of Belize's most magnificent routes. Along the way, you'll be treated to stunning views of the Maya Mountains and Belize's rainforests.

If you opt for a taxi, you can easily find one at the Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City. Taxis are readily available outside the airport, and the drivers are familiar with the route to Stann Creek. The taxi ride will also take you along the scenic Hummingbird and Southern Highways, making your journey to Stann Creek a memorable one.

Whether you choose a shuttle service or a taxi, you can expect a safe and comfortable journey to Stann Creek. The drivers are knowledgeable about the area and can even provide insights into the top attractions and experiences in the region. This can be especially helpful if you're visiting Stann Creek for the first time and want to get a local's perspective on the best things to see and do.

In addition to the convenience and comfort of a taxi or shuttle service, you'll also benefit from the flexibility of these travel options. Many companies offer one-way, round-trip, or multiple-leg transfers, allowing you to customise your journey according to your needs. This flexibility ensures that you can make the most of your time in Stann Creek and have a seamless travel experience.

Explore the villages of Placencia, Hopkins and Dangriga

Placencia, Hopkins and Dangriga are all located in the Stann Creek District of Belize. The district is home to a diverse range of indigenous and local peoples, including the Mestizos, the Creole community, the Garifuna, and descendants of the Maya. The capital of the district is Dangriga, formerly known as "Stann Creek Town".

Placencia and Hopkins are two sleepy villages alongside the Caribbean coast, each with its own unique vibe. Placencia is a peninsula attached to the southeast shore of Belize, known for its offshore fishing, diving and snorkelling. Hopkins is regularly called the friendliest village in Belize and is best known for its Garifuna culture.

Placencia and Hopkins are both popular beach destinations on the mainland of Belize and are significantly less crowded than the islands of Caye Caulker and San Pedro on Ambergris Caye in the north of the country. They are also connected to the attractions of mainland Belize via road, making tours to caves, waterfalls and Mayan ruins much easier.

Placencia has 18 miles of beachfront and is known for its beautiful white sandy beaches and inviting offshore cayes. Hopkins also has great beaches and is a laid-back beach town that has developed a thriving expat community.

Dangriga is often dubbed the "culture capital of Belize". It is the place where the Afro-Caribbean Garifuna people settled, and their unique song, dance, food and culture permeate everyday life in this town. Dangriga is famous for its cassava, made into cassava bread, and for cashew wine, as well as for fish cooked in coconut milk, with a side of mashed/pounded plantain – a delicious dish called hudut.

Visit the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is a nature reserve in the Stann Creek District of south-central Belize. Covering an area of about 150 square miles of tropical forest, it is the world's first and only Jaguar Preserve. Established in 1986, the sanctuary is regarded as a premier site for jaguar preservation.

The name 'Cockscomb' comes from the appearance of the Cockscomb Mountain ridge, which resembles a rooster's comb. The ancient Mayas inhabited the Cockscomb Basin as early as 10,000 BCE, but the first modern exploration occurred in 1888.

The sanctuary is made up of two adjacent geographic basins. The West Basin, which is relatively unexplored, is drained by the Swasey Branch, a tributary of the Monkey River. The East Basin consists of the upper watershed of South Stann Creek. The site spans approximately 22 miles east-west and about 9 miles north-south, with elevation extremes of 160 feet above sea level in the lower reaches of South Stann Creek to 3,810 feet atop Victoria Peak, the country's second-highest mountain.

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary features impressive waterfalls, rainforest, and foothills. It is home to indigenous jaguars, hundreds of species of tropical birds, and other wildlife. The park has the most extensive trail network of any reserve in Belize, with trails of all kinds, including self-guided walks and more demanding paths leading to swimming areas and waterfalls.

The best times to visit the sanctuary are during the rainy season, especially at the beginning (June/July), and around December for migrant birds. Animals tend to be more active during cloudy and cooler days.

To get to the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, you can fly into the Phillip Gordon International Airport in Belize City and take a taxi or shuttle service for the 90-mile journey to the Stann Creek District. From there, you can take a bus, taxi, or tour from Dangriga, located 25 miles northeast of the sanctuary. The bus will drop you off at Maya Center Village, leaving a five-mile walk to the reserve headquarters. Alternatively, you can drive or take a four-wheel-drive vehicle, as the road to the centre is not paved.

Experience the beaches and waters of Stann Creek

Stann Creek, Belize's second-largest district, offers 986 square miles of adventure and exploration. The coastline features small towns and fishing villages, as well as uncrowded cayes and remote sections of the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest in the world and the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

The beaches and waters of Stann Creek provide the perfect setting for a range of activities. The pristine beaches and sapphire waters are ideal for fishing, sailing, canoeing, sea kayaking, snorkelling, and diving. The Belize Barrier Reef is home to a rich variety of marine life, including sea turtles, eagle rays, and a kaleidoscope of fish.

Several cayes dot the coast of Stann Creek, offering luxury resorts and access to prime diving, fishing, and snorkelling spots. These include Tobacco Caye, Carrie Bowe Caye, and South Water Caye, located 10 to 20 miles south of Dangriga. Here, you'll find rustic accommodations run by local fishermen, as well as camping options and small resorts.

For a unique beach experience, visit Placencia, an 11-mile peninsula with beautiful white sand beaches and calm, warm and clear waters. Placencia is known for its "Main Street", a narrow sidewalk meandering through the town and up the beach. The beaches along the peninsula are lined with small resorts that can arrange dive and snorkel trips to the reef, as well as day trips to idyllic cayes like Laughing Bird Caye.

If you're looking for a more secluded beach experience, the Placencia Peninsula delivers. With its distance from the reef, the peninsula offers "real" surf and deserted beaches, perfect for watching the sunset.

For those seeking a blend of culture and beach life, Hopkins Village is an excellent choice. This former fishing village, located just south of Dangriga, offers authentic Garifuna culture and wide expanses of golden sand beaches. Hopkins has been voted "The Friendliest in Belize", known for its warm hospitality and talented local artisans.

Whether you're a diver, snorkeller, or beachcomber, Stann Creek's beaches and waters offer a wealth of experiences to suit every taste. With its diverse marine life, idyllic cayes, and unique cultural offerings, a trip to Stann Creek is sure to leave lasting memories.

Frequently asked questions