 |
Coastal
Town of Barranco |
Barranco is Belize’s southernmost coastal village.
Looking southeast, the hills of Honduras are very visible.
Just southwest of Barranco is the Sarstoon-Temash National
Park. The drive to Barranco from the Southern Highway is
pleasant through several small Mayan villages. Be on the
lookout for birds.
Barranco is a traditional Garifuna village, with a population
of about 200 people. Also known as “Black Caribs”,
they are a mixture of Arawak Indians, Caribs and Africans.
The Garinagu came to Belize in 1832, originally from the
island of St. Vincent. They had moved to the island of Roatan
in
 |
Easter
Sunday Mass |
Honduras, followed
by the migration to then British Honduras. Their first
arrival in Toledo on November 19, 1832 is celebrated as
an annual holiday in Belize. Barranco is one of the earliest
Garifuna settlements in Belize. In fact, the people there
speak Spanish as a second language to Garifuna. Most of
the older residents speak no English at all.
The residents of Barranco participate in the Toledo Ecotourism
Association (TEA) Guesthouse program. Visitors can experience
village life, and learn more about the Garifuna culture.
Activity seems to surround the family, and deep religious
traditions abound.
Places nearby: 
Interests:
