Dangriga is the largest coastal town in Belize. With 12,500 inhabitants, it is a busy shopping center, where surrounding residents come to buy food, tools, and other necessities. To get to Dangriga, head towards Belmopan and then down on the South Highway. Dangriga does not really offer much with regard to tourism services, but curious travelers who are wandering the busy streets can interact with the locals and have a true vision of everyday life on the coast of Belize.

Marie Sharp's Hot Sauce is one of Dangriga's most well-known businesses. Bottles of Marie Sharp sauce can be found on almost every table in Belize's restaurants. Near the Dangriga sports plaza, there is a shop in the front with no sign where you can buy a variety of Belizean sauces. The Garifuna are the dominant culture in Dangriga. A small Garifuna museum, percussion workshops, and some local art stores in town provide visitors with a glimpse of the region's history. Every November, the country's largest Garfuna celebration takes place.

Fishing is a dominant part of the economy of this place, local fishermen are willing to take tourists to the edges of the reserve to test their fishing skills. In addition, fishermen also offer personalized tours for snorkeling and visits to the islands. If you decide to hire a local fisherman, ask to see the boat first before reaching an agreement on the price since many of these boats are nothing more than small fiberglass boats and have no shade protection.

Tripadvisor Rating: 5.0/5
Location: Stann Creek, East-Central Belize

One of the most popular destinations in Belize, Placencia is a charming, low-key fishing village located at the southern tip of the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize. Bordered on one side by a lovely mangrove-lined lagoon and the other by the Caribbean Sea, Placencia is renowned for having some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

The Placencia Peninsula measures approximately 19 miles from north to south but is just half a mile wide. With the look and feel of an island, it’s no surprise that Placencia is often described as the "caye" (island) you can drive to. But despite its popularity as a tourist destination, the main activities in Placencia are strolling the beach or motoring around on an electric golf cart.

The southeastern coast of Belize is famous for its natural beauty. Although luxury resorts and condominium developments have sprung up, Placencia has successfully managed to retain its old-world charm. Locals still head out to sea every morning in small boats to bring in the daily catch, and visitors can meander along the village’s 4,000-foot long “main street” that is a pedestrian-only sidewalk adorned with colorful murals and artwork.

Whether you coming for a family vacation, a destination wedding, or a romantic honeymoon, Placencia is one of the most beautiful spots in the country. It also serves as the gateway to the southern reef, a mecca for maritime activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and sailing.

Tripadvisor Rating: 5.0/5
Location: Placencia Peninsula, Belize

Caye Caulker has the same beautiful Caribbean seascape as Ambergris Caye. The two cayes are close together. The water taxi ride between them takes about 20 minutes, and both cayes are less than a half-mile from the barrier reef. Caye Caulker is only five miles long and has a population of over 1,300 people. Its colorful, charming village exudes a laid-back, artistic vibe. It reminds visitors of hippie communities in California in the 1970s. There are no cobblestone or concrete streets here, so the streets are still sand. Residents travel by foot or bicycle.

The entire town exudes peace and tranquillity. It is up to you to decide whether Caye Caulker is the right place for you. If you require the stimulation and excitement of a busier environment, you will become bored after a few days. However, if you prefer a quiet and tranquil atmosphere, this will feel like heaven on earth, especially if you're an artist. So, if you've been putting off writing that novel, this could be the ideal place to start.

Expats eat out frequently here, especially because the restaurant fare is decent and reasonably priced. However, be aware that there aren't many grocery or specialty food stores nearby. The cost of living on Caye Caulker is lower than on Ambergris Caye. A couple can live comfortably in Caye Caulker on $2,000 per month. Rents as low as $500 per month are still available here.

Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5

Location: A few miles off the Coast of Belize City, Belize

Ambergris Caye is already well-known as a tourist destination. But what's it's like to live full-time in this trendy, happening tourist destination? Few expats get tired of the aquamarine Caribbean seascape, the vibrant marine life, and the half-mile-long barrier reef.

Ambergris Caye is 25 miles long and home to nearly 20,000 people. This means you have more options. Expats who relocate here can expect a comfortable lifestyle with an unexpected number of amenities. You’ll find quality fresh fish, chicken, meat, diverse produce, fine wines, fresh coffee beans, and specialty items not available in most of Belize.

There are numerous activities to choose from. There are numerous yoga studios, gyms, massage spas, sailing clubs, live music scenes, karaoke competitions, and festivals, in addition to outdoor water sports... as well as numerous options for volunteer organizations and churches. The vast majority of expats reside in a well-established condo community. This allows them to lock up and fly away.

Beach houses are typically expensive (though they are still significantly less expensive than in other Caribbean vacation hotspots). Prices for certain goods are higher here than on the mainland due to transportation costs. On the plus side, a golf cart is much less expensive to buy and maintain than a car. A couple can live comfortably here on $2,800 per month.

Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5

Location: San Pedro, Belize

Seine Bight is a small Garifuna fishing village on the Placencia peninsula, halfway between Playa Maya in the north and Placencia Village in the south. It has about 1,000 residents and is underdeveloped in comparison to its neighbors. Visitors to Seine Bight will appreciate the traditional atmosphere of the houses built on stilts that line the streets.

The long, flat sandy beach at Seine Bight has a lot of potential, but in general, public beaches are not well maintained. The exception to this rule is adjacent stretches of beachfront accommodations, including a couple of luxury properties, where care is taken to ensure that your beach strip is clean and appealing to its guests.

Seine Bight and the Placencia peninsula's surroundings are best explored by bicycle, kayak, or sailboat. Visitors can also rent golf carts by the road. These provide quick access to the Seine Bight's neighboring cities. This is also the location of the majority of tour operators for those looking to go out to sea on a snorkeling or diving expedition.

The easiest way to get to Seine Bight is to take a flight to Placencia airport and from there take a taxi to the place where you will be staying. An alternative could be driving from Belize City and the road is in decent condition. Just keep in mind that there are speed bumps and pedestrians often walk on the road at night.

Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5
Location: Placencia Peninsula, Belize

Corozal is a coastal town in the extreme north of Belize. Less than 8 miles (12 km) from the border with Belize and Mexico, most visitors pass through Corozal on their way to or from other popular destinations in Mexico such as Tulum and Chichen Itza.

Corozal played an important role as a commercial center in Mayan history, and the settlement in the current Corozal began in the mid-1800s when mestizo refugees fled from neighboring Mexico. Today, Latin culture and language have persisted in the community and a large part of the 10,000 residents of Corozal speak Spanish.

The entire town was destroyed during a hurricane in 1955, but it has since been rebuilt. The buildings are in good condition, and the majority of the action takes place in the city's central park, where locals congregate. The services available in the village primarily serve the residents of Corozal; there is a small farmers' market in front of the bay, as well as local restaurants, shops, and a couple of banks.

Visitors to Corozal have several lodging options, including some beachfront options, with the majority concentrated at the southern end of town. The attractions here do not cater to tourists, but there are some activities that may be of interest and can be reserved, such as kayaking, deep sea fishing, and day trips in the fishing village Sarteneja.

Tripadvisor Rating: 4.5/5
Location: Corozal District, Belize

Playa Maya is a small and quiet coastal community on the Placencia peninsula with a long and clean strip of sand, beach chairs, wooden docks that stand out in the sea, and hammocks hanging between palm trees. Visitors come here to relax, sunbathe, and eat fresh seafood at one of the few beachfront restaurants.

Playa Maya has a few beachfront hotels, guest houses, and cozy cabins to choose from. There isn't much nightlife here, but there are plenty of outdoor activities. A fun way to explore the area is by kayak or by bicycle and many of the hotels have these available for rent.

Snorkeling off the coast is possible, but wind and waves can cause poor visibility right on the beach. You can book snorkeling or diving excursions in the Gladden Spit & Silk Caye Marine Reserve or the Cayo Pájaro Smiling National Park, where there is a greater abundance of marine life, through your hotel. However, the majority of tour operators are located further south on the Placencia Peninsula.

This coastal town is a good place to stay if you want to explore some of the Mayan Mountains' sites of interest, such as the Cockscomb nature reserve and some of the southern Mayan ruins. For those who prefer to fly, there is a national airport 6 miles (10 km) to the south, near Placencia village, and flights depart daily from Belize City and other parts of the country.

Tripadvisor Rating: N/A
Location: Placencia Peninsula, Belize

Hopkins is a small and peaceful town on the Caribbean's central coast. It has a long and beautiful beach strip, a large freshwater lagoon, and a Garifuna population committed to preserving its traditions. Hopkins has a population of slightly more than 1,000 people. The town's main road is quite extensive and runs along the coast. Because the road is ballast and bumpy, many people prefer to travel by bicycle or golf cart, both of which can be rented in the village.

The majority of the hotels, guest houses, and restaurants are located along the coast, with luxury resorts on the outskirts of town. The beach is, of course, the main draw here. With nearly 5 miles (8 kilometers) of sand, visitors can unwind under one of the many palm trees that line the coast. The beaches near most hotels are cleaned regularly. Hopkins is distinguished from other Belizean beach towns by its strong Garifuna cultural presence. You can hear Garifuna drums echoing throughout town, and those interested in percussion can take private lessons or join percussion groups with one of the drum masters.

You can also sample Garifuna cuisine at Hopkins. Inquire at your hotel about the restaurant that serves the local specialties. The most popular tours departing from Hopkins are snorkeling and diving in the Cayos Aguas del Sur Marine Reserve, as well as kayaking tours through the extensive freshwater lagoon north of town, which is home to crocodiles, birds, and other wildlife.

Hopkins is also close to the Mayflower Bocawina National Park, where you can go on a canopy tour, swim in waterfalls, hike through the jungle, and explore some simple Mayan ruins. Day trips to any of these locations are simple to plan and convenient for Hopkins residents.

Tripadvisor Rating: N/A
Location: On the Coast of Stann Creek, Belize