Introducing Southern Belize

Southern Belize is where open savannah and citrus-filled farmland give way to forested hills dotted with Maya ruins and jungles, with many fine beaches and beautiful tropical islands thrown in for good measure. The area comprises two districts; Stann Creek, ancestral home of the Garifuna people, and Toledo, often referred to lovingly throughout Belize as the country’s ‘Deep South, ’ home to an eclectic mix of Maya, Garifuna and Creole people.

Diversity, both cultural and ecological, is the main hallmark of southern Belize, so it’s natural that the area appeals to a wide variety of travelers. Adventurers will find no shortage of opportunities to get off the beaten path in the jungles of the Toledo District. Those who like their paths pre-beaten will find Placencia a tourist’s paradise. Trekkers who wish to splurge have a number of five-star jungle lodges tucked away in remote corners from which to choose, while those of more modest means will be able to have a great time on the cheap in the small villages and communities of the Deep South.

Lest we forget, the south also has cayes all its own, islands small and large boasting stunning coral reefs, where snorkeling, boating and diving enthusiasts can experience Belize’s nautical wonders while avoiding the crowds (and significantly higher price tags) of the northern cayes. Walt Whitman once wrote of himself: ‘I am vast; I contain multitudes.’ Though not large in size, this region can claim the same: from Dangriga to Baranco and everywhere in between, southern Belize definitely has many sides. Both the land and those who call it home are as diverse as the nation itself.