AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Belize by District Stann Creek Manatee/Coastal Road

Has anyone driven the Manatee/Coastal Road recently? We were thinking of taking that shortcut to Placencia and points south next week and wondered if it was in decent enough shape. We'll have a 4x4 truck and plenty of daylight, though no cell phone. Are there any daylight safety concerns besides breakdowns and road conditions to think about? Thanks.

It's road that is dirt and not regularly maintained. In the dry season the dust is horrible and you won't see any "coast" if that's what you're after. Not a road I'd call a shortcut. A cell phone isn't much help because there are no towers to carry the signal. Very, very little traffic so if you break down, you wait until who-knows-when for help.

Do not stop for anyone or anything. Take it slow 35mph tops. Not alot to see and definitely no seaview if that is what you are hoping. The Hummingbird has a much nicer view the whole way.

Thanks. Have you been on the road within the last few weeks? It was impassable a month ago which is why I posted.

We have been having very dry weather the last 3 weeks or so. Have not been on it but it should be dry, now smooth is another matter!

Note that some car rental companies now prohibit renters from taking their vehicles on the coastal road, and others, including Budget, increase the deductible amount that the renter is responsible for if there's an accident on this road. (Check your rental agreement.)

It's not because of any danger from bandits, but because the number of accidents on the road is very high compared with other roads. A lot of people drive it fairly fast, and you can unexpectedly start drifting or sliding on the gravel.

--Lan Sluder
www.belizefirst.com

It's a blast on a motorcycle.
Hummingbird Hwy is a much more scenic drive though.