Mango Creek & Independence Village Life

Board your awaiting air-conditioned bus at Malacate Landing after a short tender ride from Harvest Caye. Within a couple of minutes of departing from Malacate Landing, you are entering the twin villages of Mango Creek and Independence. Your entertaining bus guide will point out the sights of Mango Creek and Independence and give you a detailed history of how the villages got their start. You will pass churches and schools, then a ride down to "Water Side", the local water taxi landing on Mango Creek. Then it's back through the village of Mango Creek and the other side of the street......Independence. All the while your guide will be showing you points of interest and describing Belizean village life, then and now.

Your bus will now head to the commercial port of Big Creek, only two miles away, Big Creek Port is the only natural deep water port in all of Belize. Here is where all the bananas are loaded onto ships and transported to Europe, crude oil is stored and shipped from this port as well and also bulk sugar has just begun to be exported from the Big Creek port.

It's off to Savannah Forest Station, a short 4 miles from Big Creek where on the way you will pass the Savannah Airstrip where the local airlines land with passengers and cargo and is home to the agricultural planes that service the banana industry.

Upon arrival to the Mango Creek / Independence Village Market, you will disembark your bus and be greeted by the melodious sounds of local musicians. At this venue, you will have a chance of observe the hand crafting of a large wooden dory as it’s carved from a solid hardwood log by a skilled dory builder. There will be other artisan’s present working on their crafts. During these activities you can also explore the craft market where you will find tasty snacks and drinks and purchase an authentic Belizean made souvenir.

Before you know it, it's time to re-board your bus and head back to the pier at Malacate and the tender back to Harvest Caye. It's been a fun and educational tour of rural Belizean village life.