Stann Creek: Belize's Coastal Gem

Stann Creek is a district in the southeast of Belize, spanning 986 square miles. It is home to around 34,000 residents, including Mestizos, Creole, Garifuna, and Maya people. The capital of the district is Dangriga, formerly known as Stann Creek Town. The district is known for its rich ecology, diverse communities, and popular tourist destinations such as Placencia Village and the Garifuna village of Hopkins. The coastline features small towns, fishing villages, and access to the Belize Barrier Reef, while inland, visitors can explore Maya villages, tropical forests, and the Maya Mountains.

Stann Creek's capital, Dangriga

Stann Creek is a district in the southeast region of Belize. Within this district lies its capital, the town of Dangriga, formerly known as Stann Creek Town. The name "Stann" comes from "stanns", which were safe havens for colonialists travelling from the Old World to the New World.

Dangriga is located on the Caribbean coast, at the mouth of the North Stann Creek River. It is the largest settlement in southern Belize, with a population of around 9,000 people. The town is commonly known as the "culture capital of Belize" due to its influence on punta music and other aspects of Garifuna culture. The Garifuna are a cultural and ethnic group descended from shipwrecked slaves and native Caribs. They adopted the Carib language while maintaining their African musical and religious traditions. Dangriga is also the birthplace of Punta Rock, a form of Caribbean music.

The town was settled before 1832 by the Garinagu (Black Caribs), who migrated from Honduras. It was declared a town on 15 February 1895 and has a rich history, with a mix of English and Garifuna languages and cultures. The population is diverse, including Garinagu, Kriols, and Mestizos.

Dangriga is a popular tourist destination, known for its vibrant community and cultural offerings. Visitors can enjoy the local art, music, and cuisine, including traditional Garifuna dishes like sere (a stew made from fish and coconut milk). The town is also surrounded by natural beauty, including pristine rainforests, sandy beaches, coconut trees, and the Maya Mountains. Nearby attractions include the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the Mayflower Archaeological Reserve, and the Belize Barrier Reef.

The port of Big Creek

The port is a key player in Belize's maritime industry and is committed to driving the country's growth and development. It offers robust cargo handling services, playing a pivotal role in supporting the efficiency of Belize's shipping and trade operations. The port is ISPS certified, ensuring the security of cargo operations. Its facilities include docks, cranes, storage facilities, communication systems, and navigation systems, providing a seamless and efficient platform for loading and unloading ships.

As the main port for Belize's banana industry, the Port of Big Creek is intimately tied to the country's banana exports. It handles a significant volume of banana cargo, along with other agricultural products like mangoes, citrus fruits, and shrimp. The port also plays a crucial role in the export of crude oil and petroleum products, contributing to the country's energy sector.

In recent years, the port has undergone expansions and improvements to meet increasing demand. A multi-million-dollar project added a third berth, enhanced dredging, modern offices, and essential port equipment. These developments have solidified the port's position as a leading import and export hub, stimulating economic activity in southern Belize.

The village of Placencia

Placencia is part of the Stann Creek District, which spans 986 square miles and offers endless possibilities for adventure-seeking travellers. The coastline features small towns and fishing villages, while just a few miles inland lie Maya villages, the world's first jaguar preserve, extensive tropical forests, and the majestic Maya Mountains, including Victoria Peak—the second-highest point in Belize.

Placencia has transformed from a fishing village into a significant tourism destination. It offers a range of tourist attractions and activities, including the Placencia Lobster Fest, the Placencia Peninsula Arts Festival, and Easter Week celebrations. The village also serves as a base for exploring nearby attractions, such as the Placencia Lagoon, with its manatees, dolphins, rays, and mangrove forests, and the Mayan ruins of Nim Li Punit and Lubantuum in the Toledo District.

Placencia is easily accessible by daily commuter flights from Belize City, and it also has an airstrip for local airline services. The Hummingbird and Southern Highways provide scenic drives to the village, connecting it to the capital Belmopan and the commercial centre of Belize City.

The Garifuna village of Hopkins

Stann Creek is a district in the southeast region of Belize, with a population of around 25,000 people. The district is home to the Garifuna village of Hopkins, a small fishing community with a population of approximately 1,500 people. The village is located just eight miles south of Dangriga, the capital of the Stann Creek District, and four miles off the Southern Highway. Hopkins is surrounded by the majestic Maya Mountains and the Cockscomb Range to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east, providing breathtaking views and a unique cultural experience.

The Garifuna people of Hopkins have a rich history and culture, dating back to the 1600s when several slave ships were wrecked off the coast of St. Vincent in the southern Caribbean. The Africans who survived the wreck joined forces with the Island Carib Indians, and together they created the Garinagu culture. The Garinagu population grew and thrived on the islands, successfully defending themselves against European encroachment for many years. However, they were eventually defeated and deported to the island of Roatan off the coast of Honduras. From there, under the leadership of Alejo Beni, they made their way up the coast to Belize, then known as British Honduras.

Today, the Garifuna people of Hopkins continue to rely on the natural abundance of the sea and diverse coastal ecosystems for their livelihoods. The village offers a range of accommodations, from high-end luxury resorts to low-budget spots, all providing stunning views and a sense of fulfillment. Hopkins is known for its friendly and hospitable residents, who are happy to welcome visitors to their village. The village comes alive annually on November 19th, celebrating Garifuna Settlement Day with cultural drumming, singing, and sunrise re-enactments of the boats arriving on shore.

In addition to its cultural attractions, Hopkins also offers a variety of outdoor adventures. Visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkelling, and diving in the tropical waters of the Caribbean Sea, or explore the Maya Mountains and the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve. The village is also a great place to experience Garifuna cuisine, which features fresh seafood, cassava, and ground foods with zesty spices.

With its combination of cultural richness, natural beauty, and friendly community, Hopkins Village in the Stann Creek District of Belize is a must-visit destination for those seeking an authentic and captivating travel experience.

The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

The sanctuary is also renowned for its bird populations, with over 290 to 300 feathered species spotted, including egrets, hummingbirds, the keel-billed toucan, king vulture, great curassow and scarlet macaw. There is also a thriving community of black howler monkeys living close to the visitors' centre.

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