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Belize🇧🇿 | festivalsGarifuna Settlement DayDawn canoe landing, Jankunu masks, hudut, Dangriga | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Garifuna Settlement Day
🌟 Highlightfestival ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 23, 2026

Drums are already rolling through the streets of Dangriga before the sky turns gray, a deep, hand-slapped rhythm that rattles the wooden shutters while women in bright madras head wraps carry cassava bread and steaming pots toward the riverbank. Garifuna Settlement Day takes place in Dangriga, on the Caribbean coast of southern Belize, and it marks the 19th of November, the national holiday honoring the arrival of the Garifuna by dugout canoe. Expect punta rock thumping from speakers, masked Jankunu dancers, sticky heat, fried fish smoke and a crowd that sings along in Garifuna. It is loud, crowded and short on sleep, and that is the appeal. Hopkins, a short ride south, holds a smaller, beach-front version. Dangriga is the national center of the celebration, with the biggest crowds and the most dancers.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 festival in BelizeWhy visitors keep coming back

Garifuna Settlement Day is one of the few Belizean events where the culture is lived by the people hosting it, not staged for you. Dangriga is the spiritual home of the Garifuna, and the town fills with families returning from Los Angeles, New York and Honduras, so the street parties feel like a giant reunion you are invited into. Strike up a conversation at a drum circle and you will likely end up with a plate of hudut and an invitation to dance.

The festival also anchors a southern Belize route well. The dawn re-enactment of the landing by canoe is free to watch, and the punta rock dance contests and street drumming cost nothing beyond a cold Belikin. Compared with ticketed music festivals elsewhere in Central America, you get days of culture for the price of a bed and some street food. … read more 👉
Garifuna Settlement Day is one of the few Belizean events where the culture is lived by the people hosting it, not staged for you. Dangriga is the spiritual home of the Garifuna, and the town fills with families returning from Los Angeles, New York and Honduras, so the street parties feel like a giant reunion you are invited into. Strike up a conversation at a drum circle and you will likely end up with a plate of hudut and an invitation to dance.

The festival also anchors a southern Belize route well. The dawn re-enactment of the landing by canoe is free to watch, and the punta rock dance contests and street drumming cost nothing beyond a cold Belikin. Compared with ticketed music festivals elsewhere in Central America, you get days of culture for the price of a bed and some street food. Pair it with Hopkins beaches, Cockscomb Basin jaguar reserve or the cayes, and the holiday gives a loose itinerary an obvious center.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. The Dawn Landing Re-enactment: Canoes carrying costumed participants come ashore at Dangriga’s waterfront to recall the arrival of the Garifuna in 1832. People crowd the riverbank in the half-light, drums pound, and the landing is followed by a procession to the church for a service. It is the moment the whole festival is built around.
  2. Jankunu Dancing: Dancers in carved wooden masks, rattling shell leg bands and layered costumes stomp through the streets to heavy drumming. The tradition is rooted in the Christmas season, but it appears at Settlement Day. Watch the footwork closely and follow them for a few blocks.
  3. Street Drumming and Punta Rock: Garifuna drumming on the large segunda and primero drums drives the evening sessions, which turn into hip-swiveling punta dancing. Join in if a local
… read more 👉
  1. The Dawn Landing Re-enactment: Canoes carrying costumed participants come ashore at Dangriga’s waterfront to recall the arrival of the Garifuna in 1832. People crowd the riverbank in the half-light, drums pound, and the landing is followed by a procession to the church for a service. It is the moment the whole festival is built around.
  2. Jankunu Dancing: Dancers in carved wooden masks, rattling shell leg bands and layered costumes stomp through the streets to heavy drumming. The tradition is rooted in the Christmas season, but it appears at Settlement Day. Watch the footwork closely and follow them for a few blocks.
  3. Street Drumming and Punta Rock: Garifuna drumming on the large segunda and primero drums drives the evening sessions, which turn into hip-swiveling punta dancing. Join in if a local grabs your hand. Bands also play punta rock, the electric dance music that Dangriga helped popularize.
  4. Hudut and Cassava Bread: Hudut is fish simmered in coconut broth, served with mashed plantain, and it is the dish to eat here. Home cooks and stalls sell plates, and ereba, the crisp round cassava bread, is grated and baked fresh. Go hungry and eat with your hands.
  5. Gulisi Garifuna Museum: This small museum in Dangriga explains the Garifuna story from St. Vincent to Belize, with musical instruments, cooking tools and photographs of local elders. A visit gives the parades context, and the quiet rooms are a welcome break from the noise outside.
Garifuna Settlement Day needs no ticket for the landing, parades or street parties, though the museum charges a small entry fee and rooms in Dangriga should be booked weeks ahead.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Garifuna Settlement Day

Dangriga Town Airport To Hopkins Village

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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Garifuna Settlement Day?

Garifuna Settlement Day is held every year on November 19, a single-day public holiday in Belize, with the heart of the action in Dangriga, the Stann Creek District town on the coast, where the arrival reenactment happens at the waterfront and the party spreads through the streets.
  • Best part of the day: Be on the waterfront at dawn, when dugout canoes land on the beach in a reenactment of the 1832 arrival, drummers and singers meet them, and the procession moves into town. The afternoon and evening bring street drumming, punta dancing and long sets of music.
  • Weather: Expect warm, humid days of about 27 to 30°C (81 to 86°F), with a real chance of a passing shower since the rainy season is only just ending. Bring a light rain shell, sandals that can get muddy, sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent
… read more 👉
Garifuna Settlement Day is held every year on November 19, a single-day public holiday in Belize, with the heart of the action in Dangriga, the Stann Creek District town on the coast, where the arrival reenactment happens at the waterfront and the party spreads through the streets.
  • Best part of the day: Be on the waterfront at dawn, when dugout canoes land on the beach in a reenactment of the 1832 arrival, drummers and singers meet them, and the procession moves into town. The afternoon and evening bring street drumming, punta dancing and long sets of music.
  • Weather: Expect warm, humid days of about 27 to 30°C (81 to 86°F), with a real chance of a passing shower since the rainy season is only just ending. Bring a light rain shell, sandals that can get muddy, sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent for the evening.
  • Booking: Dangriga has limited rooms, so reserve beds two to four weeks ahead. Rates often rise 20 to 40 percent around the holiday, and many guesthouses fill the night before.
  • Crowds and transport: Arrive on November 18 to skip morning road congestion on the Southern Highway. Buses to Belize City and Placencia fill after dark on the 19th, so leave on the 20th by mid-morning.
Arrive the evening before and sleep close to the waterfront so you can walk to the dawn landing.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: excellent for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Belize

Dangriga itself is the best place to stay, because everything happens within a short walk of the riverfront and the main drag. Book a guesthouse in the central blocks near Commerce Street and the Stann Creek riverfront. You can reach the dawn landing, the drumming stages, and the bus station on foot, and the streets stay busy and well lit while the celebrations run. Solo travelers do best here, since you will meet other visitors and locals at the street food spots and drumming circles within an hour of arriving.
The southern edge of town, toward the Southern Highway, is quieter and cheaper, but … read more 👉
Dangriga itself is the best place to stay, because everything happens within a short walk of the riverfront and the main drag. Book a guesthouse in the central blocks near Commerce Street and the Stann Creek riverfront. You can reach the dawn landing, the drumming stages, and the bus station on foot, and the streets stay busy and well lit while the celebrations run. Solo travelers do best here, since you will meet other visitors and locals at the street food spots and drumming circles within an hour of arriving.
The southern edge of town, toward the Southern Highway, is quieter and cheaper, but it means longer walks at night. Stick to the center after dark and use a local taxi for anything beyond a few blocks, usually US$3 to 5.
If Dangriga sells out, Hopkins village is the best fallback, about 30 to 40 minutes south by road. It has a beachside, social hostel and guesthouse scene, with plenty of travelers swapping rides back to town and its own smaller Garifuna drumming nights. Expect to pay roughly US$15 to 30 for a dorm bed or basic room there during the holiday. Placencia is farther and works only if you have a car or an early shuttle. Whatever you choose, book weeks ahead and confirm check-in times for late arrivals.
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👛 Costs (as of 23 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Garifuna Settlement Day costs roughly US$85 per day for a backpacker on a high-season holiday budget, mostly because Dangriga beds jump in price. The street celebrations are free to watch, so your money goes to a bed, food, and getting there.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 10Parades, the landing re-enactment, and street drumming are free. Some evening cultural shows or stage events charge a small entry fee.
AccommodationUS$30 to 60A basic guesthouse room or dorm in Dangriga runs higher than normal over the holiday, and cheaper rooms sell out early.
Local transportUS$5 to 15Intercity buses from Belize City or Belmopan cost about US$5 to 10 each way. Local taxis in town cost about US$3 to 5 per ride.
Food & drinksUS$15 to 25Stall plates of fish, rice, and beans cost US$4
… read more 👉
Garifuna Settlement Day costs roughly US$85 per day for a backpacker on a high-season holiday budget, mostly because Dangriga beds jump in price. The street celebrations are free to watch, so your money goes to a bed, food, and getting there.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 10Parades, the landing re-enactment, and street drumming are free. Some evening cultural shows or stage events charge a small entry fee.
AccommodationUS$30 to 60A basic guesthouse room or dorm in Dangriga runs higher than normal over the holiday, and cheaper rooms sell out early.
Local transportUS$5 to 15Intercity buses from Belize City or Belmopan cost about US$5 to 10 each way. Local taxis in town cost about US$3 to 5 per ride.
Food & drinksUS$15 to 25Stall plates of fish, rice, and beans cost US$4 to 8. A Belikin beer costs about US$2 to 3 and a shot of gifiti about US$2.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 10Drum or craft souvenirs, small tips for guides and musicians, and sunscreen or a rain poncho.
Total Daily BudgetUS$55 to 120Per person, per day, in high season.


source: travelbelize.org
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodLocal Flavors for Backpackers

Food at Garifuna Settlement Day is as much the event as the drumming. Street stalls and home kitchens around Dangriga serve hudut, a fish stew in coconut broth with mashed plantain, and it is the dish to try first. Look for cassava bread (ereba), crisp and flat, baked fresh and sold in stacks, and for sere, a coconut and fish soup that is richer and sweeter than you expect. Fried fish plates, rice and beans, and grilled chicken fill the rest of the street.
For drinks, locals pour gifiti, a herbal rum infusion that is bitter, strong, and tied to ancestral ceremonies, so sip it slowly. Cold Belikin beer, fresh coconut water, and sweet seaweed shakes keep the afternoon heat manageable.
A few quirks help. Cash rules, and small US or Belize dollar bills make buying easier, since few stalls take cards … read more 👉
Food at Garifuna Settlement Day is as much the event as the drumming. Street stalls and home kitchens around Dangriga serve hudut, a fish stew in coconut broth with mashed plantain, and it is the dish to try first. Look for cassava bread (ereba), crisp and flat, baked fresh and sold in stacks, and for sere, a coconut and fish soup that is richer and sweeter than you expect. Fried fish plates, rice and beans, and grilled chicken fill the rest of the street.
For drinks, locals pour gifiti, a herbal rum infusion that is bitter, strong, and tied to ancestral ceremonies, so sip it slowly. Cold Belikin beer, fresh coconut water, and sweet seaweed shakes keep the afternoon heat manageable.
A few quirks help. Cash rules, and small US or Belize dollar bills make buying easier, since few stalls take cards and change can run out late in the day. Portions of hudut are large, so share a bowl with someone if you want to taste more than one thing. Lines form at the best-known cooks by midday, and the good ones sell out by evening, so eat early. If a family invites you to a bowl or a dance, accept politely and keep it simple, as hospitality is part of the day.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Garifuna Settlement Day takes place every year on November 19, a national public holiday in Belize. The main celebrations are in Dangriga, where the dawn landing re-enactment happens on the riverfront. Festivities start on the evening of November 18 and often continue through the weekend, so plan for two to three days.
Watching Garifuna Settlement Day costs very little, since the parades, drumming, and landing re-enactment are free in the streets of Dangriga. Most backpackers spend about US$55 to 120 per day, with a bed at US$30 to 60 being the biggest expense. Food at stalls runs US$4 to 8 a plate and a bus from Belize City costs about US$5 to 10 each way.
Garifuna Settlement Day needs no tickets for the main events, because the dawn landing, parades, and street parties in Dangriga are open to everyone. A few evening stage shows or cultural events may charge about US$5 to 10 at the door. What you do need in advance is a bed, ideally booked four to six weeks ahead, since Dangriga fills up around November 19.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Belizean festivals near Garifuna Settlement Day

Explore more nearby:

  • Caye Caulker Lobster Fest—Spiny lobster, Front Street smoke, The Split, July weekend| 90 km away
  • San Pedro Carnival—Feathered bands, morning paint party, soca trucks, Ambergris Caye| 111 km away
  • Costa Maya Festival—Miss Costa Maya pageant, San Pedro Town, early August, street parades, beachfront nights| 111 km away

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Garifuna Settlement Day trips up travelers who roll into Dangriga on the morning of the 19th and find the landing over and every bed taken. Get it right by sleeping in town the night of the 18th, setting an early alarm and following the drums to the water. I would bring small bills and cash for food stalls.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Belize. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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