The answer to whether the famous Hummingbird Highway in Belize is paved or not requires looking at the history and current state of this scenic road. The Hummingbird Highway connects the capital city of Belmopan to the southern district of Dangriga, winding through the Maya Mountains and offering spectacular views. While parts of it remain unpaved, efforts in recent years have gone towards paving more sections to improve accessibility along this important transportation route.
History of the Hummingbird Highway
The Hummingbird Highway was built in the early 1950s by a German agricultural company as a farm road to transport produce and equipment. It followed a route used by the Maya for trade between the coast and inland regions. The winding, rugged road provided access through an area of Belize that was previously difficult to reach overland. It was named after the native hummingbirds seen flying along the route.
In the 1960s and 1970s, the Hummingbird Highway underwent improvements to become a public highway. It was completely graded and widened. Bridges were added in areas prone to flooding and washouts. Even with upgrades, the majority of the road remained unpaved well into the 1980s. Paving efforts progressed slowly due to the challenging mountainous terrain.
By the 1990s, the southern section from Dangriga to Middlesex was fully paved, while the northern half between Middlesex and Belmopan remained gravel. In the early 2000s, paving projects continued with assistance from international funding. The completion of the paving was seen as crucial for encouraging tourism and economic growth in southern Belize.
Current State of the Highway
Today, approximately 75 miles of the 90-mile Hummingbird Highway is paved with asphalt. This includes:
- The full southern section from Dangriga to Middlesex
- The area north of Middlesex to St. Margaret’s village
- Some portions north of St. Margaret’s to Belmopan
Unpaved parts remain between St. Margaret’s and Belmopan and some stretches in the Caves Branch area. While pavement now exists along most of the route, many sections are prone to damage due to natural elements and the aging infrastructure. Heavy rains can wash out asphalt or undermine road edges.
Paved Portions
On the paved parts of the Hummingbird Highway, drivers can expect the following conditions:
- Single lane in each direction with some occasional wider sections
- Steep grades and sharp switchback turns in the mountains
- Narrow shoulders or none at all along edges
- Susceptibility to floods, rockfalls, and washouts during storms
- Peeling asphalt and potholes requiring frequent repairs
- Lack of painted lane markings in most areas
While paved, these sections require vigilance by drivers to watch for hazards and be prepared to yield along the very narrow but scenic mountain road.
Unpaved Portions
On unpaved areas, the road conditions consist of:
- Dirt and gravel passage
- A single, uneven lane used by traffic in both directions
- Very steep and winding slopes
- Loose gravel, muddy spots, and washboards
- Narrow eroded edges with steep drop-offs
The gravel and dirt roadbed requires slow speeds to navigate safely. Erosion from rainfall presents challenges. Passing other vehicles can be extremely difficult. While scenic, the unpaved parts demand heightened care and alertness to avoid accidents.
Future Development Plans
Completing the paving of the entire Hummingbird Highway remains a priority for Belize’s government and infrastructure authorities. Several projects are in development or underway, primarily focused on the northern parts between St. Margaret’s and Belmopan. These include:
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Paving a 3.6-mile section from Junction Tam to Middlesex, funded by the Kuwaiti Fund with completion aimed for 2023.
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Finalizing a 5.5-mile stretch from Middlesex to St. Margaret’s, with construction potentially beginning in late 2023.
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Upgrading parts north of St. Margaret’s to Belmopan pending secured funding.
Authorities also plan to carry out repairs and drainage improvements along existing paved sections. They acknowledge fully paving the Hummingbird Highway remains constrained by technical challenges and costs, but they intend to incrementally pave more of this vital transportation link.
Driving Conditions and Safety Tips
Until it is entirely paved, drivers will need to exercise caution along the Hummingbird Highway, adapt to changing road conditions, and follow these tips:
- Obey speed limits, especially on steep downhills
- Drive slowly on unpaved sections
- Watch for animals, people, and vehicles around blind curves
- Yield to uphill traffic on narrow sections
- Stay clear of eroding road edges
- Expect delays during floods and other weather events
- Fill up gas tank and check spare tire before setting out
- Bring supplies and spare food/water in case of breakdown in remote areas
- Use caution passing on narrow pavement and gravel
- Be prepared to stop for rockslides and downed trees
By using prudent driving habits, motorists can more safely navigate the Hummingbird Highway in its current mixed paved and gravel state, while taking in thenatural beauty surrounding this famous road.
Significance for Tourism
The paving of the Hummingbird Highway holds major significance for expanding Belize’s vital tourism industry. Key facts about its importance include:
- Provides overland route to reach top attractions like Xunantunich ruins, Caves Branch, and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
- Connects inland regions and archaeological sites to coastal areas and cruise ship ports
- Opens up southern Belize’s beaches, reefs, and islands for easier access
- Allows an iconic driving experience through the Maya Mountains
- Reduces travel times and improves safety for tour buses and visitors
As the only major highway spanning Belize’s interior, the upgraded Hummingbird Highway makes it easier for tourists to explore the country by road. Paving the remaining sections will further boost the vital tourism industry by reducing transit times to key sites and opening new areas for development.
Time Savings
Paving the highway has reduced driving times substantially between Belmopan and Dangriga from well over 2 hours to under 1.5 hours today. Completing the paving could cut the time further to around 1 hour, saving tourists over an hour of travel compared to the original gravel road.
Safety Improvements
The paved surface offers a safer, more reliable driving experience for visitors touring southern Belize’s top destinations. It prevents flat tires, provides more consistent traction, and gives tour bus drivers greater control compared to hazardous gravel routes.
Access to Attractions
All-weather asphalt access makes it faster and easier for tourists to reach remote ruins, cave systems, national parks, and protected reserves located off the Hummingbird Highway. This opens up new areas to expand tourism activities and itineraries.
Economic Impact
Completing the Hummingbird Highway paving will provide significant economic benefits for Belize, including:
- Boosting construction and infrastructure jobs to pave remaining sections
- Reducing vehicle maintenance costs from wear and tear of gravel roads
- Lowering fuel costs for transportation companies and drivers
- Improving access for agriculture and resources from inland regions
- Supporting expanded tourism industry and increased visitor numbers
- Encouraging new hotels, restaurants, shops near improved access roads
The upgraded highway also positions inland parts of southern Belize for more growth and development. Areas along the route will benefit economically from having a modern, reliable transportation link.
Environmental Considerations
As efforts continue to pave sections of the Hummingbird Highway, careful environmental reviews are needed to minimize ecological impacts in the sensitive mountain forests and river habitats found along the route. Considerations include:
- Preventing contamination or sedimentation of rivers from road construction runoff.
- Designing adequate drainage and culverts to allow animal crossings.
- Limiting vegetation clearing and controlling erosion on steep slopes.
- Using wildlife crossings and warning signs in areas with high animal activity.
- Developing facilities for managing solid waste from increased visitors.
Proper planning and mitigation measures can help ensure paving and highway upgrades do not come at the expense of surrounding natural areas that make this scenic drive so unique.
Conclusion
The question posed was whether Belize’s famously beautiful Hummingbird Highway was fully paved. The answer is that paving efforts continue, but about 25 miles remain as gravel road. While the majority is now paved, the sections between Dangriga and Belmopan still vary between asphalt and rough dirt and gravel passages. Completing the paving has been constrained by challenging terrain and costs, but steady progress has improved drivability and opened the region for tourism expansion. The remaining unpaved portions can create hazardous driving situations that demand extra care. But the rewards for drivers are the spectacular scenery and adventures along one of Central America’s most famous scenic highways. With continued paving and upgrades, the Hummingbird Highway will further establish itself as a world-class drive and integral transportation route for showcasing Belize’s inland wonders to growing numbers of visitors.