Soft drums echo across Belize’s southern coast, blending with the rhythm of the Caribbean Sea. From Seine Bight on the Placencia Peninsula to Hopkins, Dangriga, and Punta Gorda, the Garifuna culture beats at the heart of Belize’s story...a living rhythm of resilience, identity, and joy.
The Spirit of the South
The Garifuna people, descendants of West African and Indigenous Caribbean ancestors, were exiled from St. Vincent in 1797 and settled along Belize’s southern coast. Today, their heritage thrives in fishing villages, music, and family gatherings that keep ancient traditions alive. The UNESCO‑recognized Garifuna culture is celebrated every November 19 on Garifuna Settlement Day, with reenactments, parades, and the vibrant sound of drums welcoming the sunrise.
Seine Bight – The Peninsula’s Beating Heart
Just minutes from Tranquility Beach Suites, Seine Bight is the cultural anchor of the Placencia Peninsula. Here, the Garifuna community preserves their language, dance, and recipes. If you visit in November, you might witness the John Canoe dance...a spirited performance blending masks, movement, and music. Stop by local kitchens for bundiga (fish soup with green banana) or cassava bread, both staples of Garifuna home cooking.
Hopkins – The Home of Drumming
Two hours north of Placencia, Hopkins greets visitors with warm smiles and the steady pulse of the drums. The Lebeha Drumming Center invites you to learn the beat of the primero and segunda drums and the meaning behind every rhythm. Stay for a drumming session at sunset, when the sound of the sea and the music become one. Hopkins also offers cooking workshops where you can prepare hudut...a coconut fish stew served with mashed plantains...and share a meal the Garifuna way: together.
Dangriga – The Cultural Capital
Often called the “Culture Capital of Belize,” Dangriga is home to the Gulisi Garifuna Museum, where visitors can explore interactive exhibits on migration, art, and spirituality. The town bursts to life each November 19 with parades, dancing, and the pounding of hundreds of drums. Don’t miss a visit to the Pen Cayetano Studio Gallery, where the pioneer of Punta Rock artfully weaves Garifuna heritage into paint and rhythm.
Punta Gorda – Where the Beat Meets the Soul
Farther south, Punta Gorda carries the Garifuna spirit with quiet pride. At the Warasa Garifuna Drum School, you can learn not just to play but to understand...the stories, the hands, and the community behind every sound. Each November, the Battle of the Drums competition brings groups from across Central America to perform, celebrate, and keep the culture alive.
A Journey of Connection
Exploring the Garifuna communities of southern Belize isn’t just a cultural excursion...it’s an invitation to connect. Each village tells its story through rhythm, flavor, and friendship. When you return to Tranquility Beach Suites, you’ll carry more than memories...you’ll carry the heartbeat of Belize.
Stay at Tranquility Beach Suites, where the sound of the sea meets the rhythm of the drums.