sWelcome to our Belize District Dive-In series. This is the second article in a six-part series. Today, we’ll take a deep dive into what makes the Stann Creek District so great.
Exploring the Culture Capital of Belize
The beautiful and diverse Stann Creek District is the focus of this second part of our Belize District Dive-In series. Here, we’ll be taking you on a virtual tour of this beautiful Caribbean coastline often referred to as Belize’s most cultured district.
Previously in our Belize District Dive-In, we explored the iconic cities of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker with a brief overview of why buying real estate there is so popular. In Stann Creek, we’ll be looking at the beautiful peninsula and village of Placencia and Maya Beach, among others. Leggo!
Brief Overview of Stann Creek Belize District
About 46,000 people live in this 2840-square miles (2,176 km2) of towns and villages in the southeast region of Belize. The capital city, Dangriga (formerly Stann Creek Town), is referred to as the ‘culture capital of Belize,’ thanks to its richness of traditions, music, and Belizean culture.
Along with its diverse ecology and tourism opportunities, this district is also an economic powerhouse for Belize. It’s the home to the deepwater port of Big Creek, the primary exit point for bananas, one of Belize’s main exports. That port is also a hub for the shipment of mangoes, citrus, and other agricultural produce to Britain and the rest of Europe.
The district’s ethnic makeup is mostly of Creole, Maya, Garifuna, and Mestizo communities.
Stann Creek has a distinct cultural flavour as most of these communities appear to have been in quiet isolation from mainstream Belize until recently. Politically, the district is comprised of:
- Dangriga constituency (made up of Dangriga, Hope Creek, Sarawee, and many offshore islands, known locally as Cayes – pronounced “keys”), and
- Stann Creek West (comprised of Placencia, Santa Cruz, Independence, and most of the other villages).
The Stann Creek Belize District promises diverse experiences that are popular among tourists, young people and digital nomads. And, as we’ve seen in our law firm, Stann Creek is a popular destination for real estate opportunities. If you’re considering moving here, it might interest you that most people here speak English.
Towns and Villages in Stann Creek District
Stann Creek might not be as populous as the Belize district. But it is home to several towns and villages that are popular with tourists, expats and retirees making the move to Belize. Popular towns and villages here include Placencia, Dangriga, the Garifuna village of Hopkins, and the twin villages of Independence and Mango Creek, among others.
Placencia
Placencia is arguably the most popular village in Stann Creek. This village is located at the end of the beautiful Placencia peninsula along with a few other villages like Seine Bight and the resort-filled, Maya Beach. Because of its vast selection of beautiful white sandy beaches, resorts, hotels, guest houses, and the abundance of tourist destinations, this village has emerged as one of Belize’s favourite tourist hotspots. And for similar reasons, it’s also one of the country’s most active real estate markets. You’ll find locals, expats, and tourists in huge numbers here.
Dangriga
The ethnic Garifuna town of Dangriga is the capital seat of the Stann Creek District. Small town Dangriga is the largest city in Southern Belize. It is the spiritual capital of the Garifuna people. Dangriga is also the jumping-off point for expeditions to the southern area of the Belize Barrier Reef. This reef is a UNESCO Heritage Site and is one of the most biologically diverse marine environments in the world. Dangriga, with its ramshackle appearance, is home to some of the most friendly and easygoing Belizeans you’ll ever come across and is a suitable base for anyone looking to explore Belize deeply.
Hopkins Village
This friendly seaside village is called the “coast with the most” and it lives up to this billing with its laid back and easy traditional Caribbean vibe.
It was voted the Friendliest Village in Belize by the Belize First Magazine and it’s quite popular among locals, expats, and tourists. The Garifuna culture is also alive and well here so it’s also a cultural hotspot for tourists keen on exploring the intriguing history of the Garifuna.
Things to Do in Stann Creek Belize District
Stann Creek is the place to be if you’re a culture enthusiast looking to explore the art, music, cuisine, and intriguing culture of the Garifuna people. And when it comes to adventures, the district has no shortage of destinations for fun, cheap thrills, and wild excitement.
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is a 150-square mile of broad-leaf rainforest.
Within this preserve is the Doyle’s Delight, Belize’s tallest peak at 3,688 feet above sea level. As well as Victoria’s Peak, Belize’s second-highest point at 3,670 feet above sea level. Boating, sailing, fishing, reef excursions, kayaking, charter sailboats, and many other water sports are also part of the thrills here.
If you want to soak up some sun, sand, and sea without leaving the mainland then look no further! The Placencia Peninsula is home to the longest stretch of beach; it crosses three villages: Maya Beach, Seine Bight and Placencia Village. Here you can dine in one of the many best restaurants the country has to offer with the beach just steps away.
For something more lowkey, check out Hopkins Village Beach just 40-minutes south of Dangriga.
From the lush jungles of the Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve to the rugged terrains of the Maya Mountains, beautiful white sandy beaches, and the offshore Cayes of the Placencia peninsula, the Stann Creek district has more than enough to keep you busy and help you experience Belize in the most fun way possible.
How to get to Stann Creek
Stann Creek Belize District villages of Placencia, Hopkins, and Dangriga are some of the top favourites for expats and locals considering a move to this part of Belize.
Drive there
The Hummingbird and Southern Highways run through here, connecting the southern region of Belize to Belmopan as well as Belize City. The Coastal Highway that runs adjacent to the Hummingbird Highway isn’t well paved so you’ll have to go through Belmopan. Have lunch at Belmopan to break up the trip. Fancy a good road trip? Rent an SUV! There are many speed bumps along the way so buckle up. Stop at St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park. Not to be confused with THE Blue Hole of Belize. St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park is a cenote where you can take a dip and a break from life. It’s refreshing!
Fly there
There are also daily commuter flights to both Dangriga and Placencia. The small airport in Dangriga also offers daily flights to Placencia and Punta Gorda along with Belize City. The flight from Belize City to Dangriga is roughly 20 minutes.
Take a bus
The Manatee Highway (not paved) also connects Stann Creek to Gales Point Manatee by bus. Gales Point Manatee is a Creole village in Belize District is also a popular tourist destination. The district does not currently have a water taxi service linking it to Belize City at the moment.
Stann Creek Belize Real Estate
Stann Creek is bustling with Belize real estate opportunities. While buying properties here is not complicated, working with an experienced Belize real estate lawyer will bring more value to your transaction, especially if you’re an expat, real estate investor, or retiree planning to live the good life there.
Placencia & Maya Beach
When looking to Stann Creek Belize for real estate, Placencia is up there with the likes of Ambergris Caye. It is the playground for wealthy investors looking to snap up pieces of luxury waterfront properties. Maya Beach on the Placencia Peninsula is a quiet beach community; this strip of sand is dotted with many resorts and restaurants serving incredible cuisine. Want a taste of Placencia? Check in to one of the many hotels and wake up to the sound of waves crashing, practically at your feet! Want to know what it’s like to open a business in Placencia? Check out our interview with Michael from Virginia at lawbelize.bz/BelizeExpatLife
Dangriga & Hopkins
Many expats, retirees, and investors looking for more bargains turn to places like Dangriga and Hopkins village for seemingly better value. Here, you’ll find beautiful Belize beachfront properties for sale or rent at much lower prices than you’ll see in upscale neighbourhoods like Ambergris Caye and Placencia.
Moving to Stann Creek, Belize?
Stann Creek has emerged as one of the most preferred areas in Belize for tourism and vacation as well as investment and retirement. The “stann” in Stann Creek means safe havens with the region being originally inhabited by colonialists coming from the “old world” to the “new world.” The district is filled with ample opportunities for tourism, agriculture, and commerce. The Stann Creek Belize real estate sector is also quite buoyant. It’s a great place for retirees, expats, and investors to set up shop.
Ready to move to Belize? Contact Wrobel & Co, Attorneys-at-Law, and we’ll get you started on your Belize retirement or relocation journey today.
To learn more about buying real estate in Belize, visit our Belize Real Estate FAQ page here.
This information was provided as a courtesy of Wrobel & Co. Attorneys-at-law. It is intended to inform, not to advise. No one should try to interpret or apply any law without the assistance of legal counsel. Please click here for the full disclaimer.
