Stann Creek:
This is where most of the citrus and bananas plantations and shrimp farms are found. This large area includes Gales Point, Dangriga, Hopkins, Placencia and Monkey River and is home to the Jaguar Preserve in the Cockscomb Basin. The Garifuna are the predominant ethnic group in this area and they have managed to preserve their culture and maintain their language, religious ceremonies, dance and handicrafts. The Garifuna arrived by boat from Honduras in 1823 and this event is commemorated every November 19th (National and bank holiday) with traditional costumes and foods, religious ceremonies and lively music and dance. The festivities begin the evening of the 18th and run through the night to the following afternoon and visitors are welcomed and invited to participate. Reserve your rooms well in advance. Similar festivities are also celebrated in nearby Hopkins, Seine Bight and in Punta Gorda.

It is a very good idea to split your vacation between the beach and the mainland. It would be a shame to travel so far and not experience both of these exquisite ecosystems.

Placencia:
The Placencia Peninsula is 18 miles long and is home to three very small and very different villages. Accommodations in Placencia village run from budget to moderate. The area is best known for it's smaller more intimate beachfront inns, a few with world class amenities. The reef is further from shore and all snorkeling and scuba diving (two tanks) are full day trips with lunch and down time based on small coconut shaded islands on the reef. Whale sharks, which at 45 plus feet make this docile plankton eater the largest fish in the sea, are present in these waters at certain times around the full moon from March to July. The fishing is plentiful and varied in this area. Sea and jungle river kayaking, sailing and windsurfing can all be easily arranged.

There is a nice selection of interesting and exciting day trips to the mainland from here. One of the most popular day excursions is the boat trip up Monkey River to see howler monkeys, manatees, crocs and water birds. Birders and naturalists will be delighted by guided hiking trips in the Jaguar Preserve, one of the premier birding destinations in the region. They have logged over 500 species of birds and boasts all five species of cats found in Belize. You'll be able to relax with a picnic lunch and swimming at a waterfall along the trail. Toledo, our southernmost district, is the least developed and populated area in Belize. We can arrange guided tours to the ruins of Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun in two of the many Mayan villages in the district. The combination of both sea and land trips offers visitors a well rounded exposure of our special world.

Dangriga/Hopkins:
The Garifuna culture dominates both Dangriga, one of our larger towns, and Hopkins, a small village. The Maya Mountains provide for dramatic vistas. Nice beaches and basic to upscale accommodations are available in both areas. Activities include snorkeling and diving, fishing and kayaking on the sea and jungle rivers. It's relatively close to the Jaguar Preserve for guided hiking and there are minor ruins and lovely waterfalls nearby. Day trips for river cave tubing can be easily arranged.