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To the south of Belmopan , Belize is at its wildest. Here the central area is dominated by the Maya Mountains , which slope down towards the coast through a series of forested ridges and valleys carved by sparkling rivers. As you head further south, the climate becomes more humid, promoting the growth of dense rainforest, rich in wildlife. Population density in this part of Belize is low, with most of the towns and villages located on the coast. Dangriga , the largest settlement, is home to the Garifuna people, descended from Caribs and shipwrecked Africans. The villages of Gales Point , north of Dangriga, and Hopkins , on the coast to the south, are worth visiting to experience their tranquil way of life, while offshore, the beautiful cayes of Glover's Reef offer budget and luxury accommodation in Belize's largest marine reserve. Further down the coast, Placencia is the focus of coastal tourism in southern Belize, and the departure point for yet more idyllic cayes, some of which sit right on the top of the Barrier Reef. Inland , the Maya Mountains remain unpenetrated by roads, forming a solid barrier to land travel except on foot or horseback. The Belize government, showing supreme foresight, has placed practically all of the thickly forested mountain massif under some form of protection. The most accessible area of rainforest, though still little-visited by tourists, is the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary , a reserve designed to protect the area's sizeable jaguar population. The Southern Highway comes to an end in Punta Gorda , a final outpost, from where you can head over the sea to Guatemala or inland to visit Maya villages and ruins in the southern foothills of the Maya Mountains.
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