The Belizean Coastal Highway: Paved Paradise Or Work In Progress?

The Coastal Highway in Belize, also known as the Manatee Highway or the Shortcut, is a 36-mile (58.21 km) gravel roadway that is deeply rutted and difficult to traverse, even with a four-wheel drive vehicle. The highway, which runs from La Democracia to Stann Creek Valley Road, is currently unpaved, but the government of Belize has committed to paving it. In 2017, the government signed a contract with an Italian engineering firm and allocated $80 million for the project. Construction was expected to begin at the end of 2018 or early 2019.

The Coastal Highway is unpaved and difficult to traverse

The Coastal Highway in Belize is unpaved and difficult to traverse. This gravel roadway is deeply rutted and almost impossible to navigate even in good weather without a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The highway, also known as the Manatee Highway, is a 36-mile (58.21 km) stretch of road connecting the village of La Democracia to Stann Creek Valley Road. It serves as a shortcut from points north to the Placencia Peninsula, but its poor condition makes it a challenging journey.

The highway runs through remote and sparsely populated rural areas, turning east to round Sugar Valley Hill before heading south to Mullins River and Gale Point. The journey is made even more difficult by its narrow lanes, with some sections featuring wooden bridges that can only accommodate one vehicle at a time. These bridges are particularly vulnerable to washout during the rainy season, further complicating travel.

The road conditions on the Coastal Highway can change daily due to rains, and it is not uncommon for travellers to encounter gravel, dirt roads, and skidding. It cuts through the jungle, offering little in the way of scenic views besides trees and dust. There are no places to stop for food, drinks, or gas along the way, and drivers must be cautious of large trucks that may not yield the right of way.

The challenging conditions of the Coastal Highway have not gone unnoticed by the Belizean government, which has committed to paving the road. In 2017, the government signed a contract with an Italian engineering firm and allocated $80 million for the project. Construction was expected to begin at the end of 2018 or early 2019, with the goal of making the Coastal Highway a safer and more accessible route.

Until the upgrades are completed, travellers are advised to opt for alternative routes such as the Hummingbird Highway when planning their journeys. The Hummingbird Highway is a paved, scenic route that connects central Belize to the southeastern coast. While it may be slightly longer, it offers a faster, safer, and more comfortable journey than the current state of the Coastal Highway.

The government of Belize has committed to paving the highway

The government of Belize has committed to paving the Coastal Highway, also known as the Manatee Highway, to improve the roadway and make it more befitting of its name. The highway, which is currently a gravel roadway, is deeply rutted and difficult to traverse even with four-wheel-drive vehicles.

At the end of 2017, the Belizean government signed an $80 million contract with an Italian engineering firm, Politecnica, to pave and upgrade the entire length of the 36-mile-long Coastal Highway. The highway will be paved with asphalt and will feature 4-foot-wide paved shoulders and additional unpaved margins. The speed limit will range from 55 miles per hour in open areas to 30 miles per hour on tighter curves, which will also have guardrails installed.

The Coastal Highway project is expected to bring significant improvements to the roadway. Originally, the highway's surface was made of gravel or dirt, which frequently washed out during the rainy season. Some bridges were also made of wood and could only accommodate one vehicle at a time. With the upgrade, six new bridges were constructed, and four additional bridges were rehabilitated. The project also included the construction of a roundabout at the highway's terminus in Hope Creek, connecting it to the Hummingbird Highway.

The government of Belize provided funding for the project, with contributions from the Caribbean Development Bank and the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund. Construction began in February 2020, and as of 2023, most of the project is complete. This development is part of the government's efforts to enhance the country's road infrastructure, making travel safer and more efficient for both locals and tourists.

The highway is also known as the Manatee Highway

The Coastal Highway in Belize, also known as the Manatee Highway, is a 36-mile-long (58.21 km) road that connects the village of La Democracia to Stann Creek Valley Road. The highway is named for the Manatee Forest Reserve, which lies to the west of the road. The Manatee Highway is a shortcut from points north to the Placencia Peninsula, and it shortens the route from Belize City to Dangriga by 29.1 miles (46.8 km).

The Coastal Highway or the Manatee Highway is currently unpaved and is deeply rutted. It is a gravel roadway that is challenging to traverse, even with four-wheel-drive vehicles, and even in good weather. The highway is narrow, with a width of only 4 feet (1.2 m), and has additional unpaved margins. The speed limit ranges from 55 miles per hour (89 km/h) in open areas to 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) on curves, which also have guardrails. The highway is in the process of being upgraded and paved, with construction expected to begin in the next few years.

The highway begins at a junction with the George Price Highway in La Democracia and runs southeast through remote and sparsely populated rural areas. After passing Sugar Valley Hill, the highway turns south to serve the villages of Mullins River and Gale Point before terminating at a roundabout with the Hummingbird Highway in Hope Creek. This highway is known for its challenging driving conditions, with deep ruts and a gravel surface that can be difficult to navigate even for experienced drivers.

The Manatee Highway is an important route for heavy trucks transporting produce or freight, and it offers a quicker alternative to the longer Southern Highway. However, due to its unpaved surface, it can be prone to washouts during the rainy season, and some bridges are made of wood, allowing only one vehicle to pass at a time. The government of Belize has recognised the need to improve the highway and has allocated funds for paving and upgrading the entire length of the road.

The highway is 36 miles long and connects La Democracia to Stann Creek Valley Road

The Coastal Highway in Belize is a 36-mile-long gravel roadway that connects the village of La Democracia to Stann Creek Valley Road. Also known as the Manatee Highway, the Coastal Highway is a shortcut from points north to the Placencia Peninsula.

The highway is currently unpaved and deeply rutted, making it difficult to traverse even with four-wheel-drive vehicles in good weather. Despite its short length, it takes just as long to drive as the longer Southern Highway located several miles to the west. The government of Belize has recognised this issue and has committed to paving the highway. In 2017, they signed a contract with an Italian engineering firm and allocated $80 million to upgrade the entire length of the road. Construction was expected to begin at the end of 2018 or early 2019.

The Coastal Highway is an important transportation link in Belize, providing an alternative route for travellers from the north and south of the country. It is also known as the "Shortcut" because it saves time on trips to Dangriga or Placencia from Belize City. However, the road can be washboarded and dusty in dry weather, and bridges may wash out during heavy rains. It is mainly used by heavy trucks transporting produce or freight.

The highway passes through flat areas under landscape protection, such as the Central Belize Jaguar Corridor and the Manatee forest reserve. These areas are unusable during the rainy season due to inadequate drainage systems. Along the route, there are 11 single or double-lane bridges that provide the only road link between the villages of Gales Point and Mullins River.

The Coastal Highway in Belize is not to be confused with the similarly named roads in other places, such as the Coastal Highway in the United States or Canada. Driving on this highway can be a challenge, and it is not recommended for those who are not experienced or comfortable with difficult driving conditions. It is important to be mindful of other traffic, especially large trucks that may not yield the right of way.

The Hummingbird Highway is a more scenic alternative

Starting in the west, the Hummingbird Highway passes through the northern part of the Maya Mountain range, crosses several scenic rivers, and passes through fragrant citrus orchards before ending just a short distance from the beach outside of Dangriga. The highway is named after the abundance of hummingbirds found in the country, and it is one of the most beautiful and scenic routes in Belize. It is also the fastest way to travel from northern and western points in the country to the southeastern coast.

There are many attractions along the Hummingbird Highway, including Billy Barquedier National Park, St. Herman's Cave and Inland Blue Hole National Park, the bridge over the Sibun River, Five Blues Lake, the scenic Hummingbird Gap, and the bridge over the Mullins River. In addition, there are charming Mom and Pop restaurants serving authentic Creole food, homemade ice cream, and other delicious treats. There are also several villages nestled along the route, including St. Margaret's Village and Dangriga.

The Hummingbird Highway is a great alternative to the Coastal Highway, which is currently unpaved and difficult to traverse. The government of Belize has committed to paving the Coastal Highway, but until then, the Hummingbird Highway offers a more scenic and accessible route through the country.

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