Why Go?Cultural, social and ecological diversity are the hallmarks of Southern Belize. It’s here in the south that open savanna and citrus-filled farmland give way to forested hills dotted with Maya villages and ruins, while towns like Hopkins and Placencia offer sun, sand and a bit of local culture.

Adventurers will find no shortage of opportunities to get off the beaten path in Toledo’s jungles, while trekkers who wish to splurge can choose from a number of five-star jungle lodges tucked away in remote corners. Those of more mod-est means will be able to have a great time on the cheap in the small villages and communities of the Deep South.

The south also has cayes all of its own boasting stunning coral reefs, where snorkeling, boating and diving enthusi-asts can experience Belize’s nautical wonders while avoiding the crowds (and the significantly higher price tags) of the Northern Cayes.

When to GoThe high season is from December to April, when heavy rainfall ends and the weather is at its mildest. If you go be-tween May and July, you’ll enjoy lower occupancy rates and prices (and you can eat lobster starting June 15). August and September are the dog days of summer, with hot weather, occasional showers and bargains galore.

Southern Belize

Best Places to Eat¨¨ Rumfish, Placencia (p212)

¨¨ Maya Beach Bistro, Placencia (p211)

¨¨ Omar’s Creole Grub, Placencia (p212)

Best Places to Stay¨¨ Belcampo Belize, near

Punta Gorda (p228)

¨¨ Thatch Caye Resort, Thatch Caye (p195)

¨¨ Singing Sands Inn, Placencia (p210)

Stann Creek District ... 186Dangriga .................... 186Central Cayes .............192Hopkins ......................195Sittee Point ................ 201Sittee River ................ 201Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary .....202Placencia ...................204Toledo District ............214Punta Gorda ...............214The Deep South .........221Villages & Ruins......... 222

©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd

South

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South

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Honduras (2mi)Puerto Cortés,

Guatemala (10mi)Puerto Barrios,

Guatemala (3mi)Lívingston,

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Sittee River

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Macal

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Chiquibul

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BELIZEDISTRICT

CAYODISTRICT

TOLEDODISTRICT

Manatee

Silk Grass

Sittee Point

MéndezModesto

BankRed

Gales Point

La Democracia

Maya CentreSittee River

DANGRIGA

SeineBight

Big Creek

Mango Creek Independence

RiverMonkey

Big Falls

BlueSantaCruz

San PedroColumbia

Creek

SanAntonio

Punta Gorda

BELMOPAN

Nim LiPunit

Lubaantun

Caye National ParkLaughing Bird

ReserveMarine

Water CayeSouth

ReserveMarine

Port Honduras

Marine ReserveSapodilla Cayes

Forest ReserveColumbia River

ReserveNatureBladen

ReserveForest

Nature ReserveTapir Mountain

ReserveForestVaca

National ParkEligio Panti

Nojkaaxmeen

Forest ReservePine RidgeMountain

ReserveArchaeologicalCaracol

ParkNational

Chiquibul

Chiquibul

PaynesCreek

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Temash-SarstoonNational Park

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88º30'W89º00'W

88º30'W89º00'W

16º00'N

16º30'N

17º00'N

16º00'N

16º30'N

17º00'N

Northern

SouthernLagoon

Lagoon

CayeWaterSouth

TobaccoCaye

PompionCaye

RanguanaCaye

SnakeCayes

SilkCayes

HuntingCaye

StannCreek

North

GU

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de AmourThe Café Casita

BakeryKropf's

SanctuaryBasin Wildlife

Cockscomb

Forest ReserveMango Creek

Forest ReserveMango Creek

Forest ReserveSwasey Bladen

ReserveForest

Deep River

Forest ReserveMaya Mountain

MonumentPeak Natural

VictoriaForest Reserve

Sittee River

National ParkBlue Hole

St Herman's

ReserveSibun Forest

ReserveForest

Manatee

(3675ft)Victoria Peak

(3687ft)DelightDoyle's

PlateauVaca

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Hopkins

Placencia

10 miles020 km0

1 eating, drinking and slacking out in Placencia (p204)

2 Jungle hiking in Mayflower Bocawina National Park (p198)

3living like a posh castaway on Thatch Caye (p195)

4 Trekking through Maya Villages in the Deep South (p221)

5 Garifuna drumming under the full moon in Hopkins (p195)

Southern Belize Highlights