We often fit vacations into the free time we can spare: long weekends, school holidays, off-season sales, and even just 4-day jaunts of approved PTO. In case you were wondering, yes—that bit of inconvenience is always worth a Caribbean vacation. So when that Google Flights alert pops up with a price drop to Belize, don’t fret; there are beaches a dime a dozen across this Central American gem that’s but a two-hour flight from the U.S., though one, in particular, stands out against the rest. In Southern Belize, there’s an 18-mile-long stretch of soft, sugary sand that culminates with a once-sleepy fishing village. Although it’s not as busy as other popular destinations like Ambergris Caye, in this corner of the country, it’s a good thing. Even in the slow season during the months of June to October, there’s always something fun to do in Placencia, any day of the year, starting with these 3 things. Regardless of when you come to Belize, just make sure you get here.
1. With A Revolving Happy Hour At Tipsy Tuna Seaside & Sports Bar
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When the Tipsy team propped their ‘Why limit happy to just an hour?” sign on the lead-in sidewalk, they really meant it. On any given day—for the entirety of their opening hours—Tipsy Tuna offers a daily drink promo, like $2 off all coladas on the menu every Saturday, $5 rum punches on Wednesdays, and a cultural performance with Garifuna drummers every Thursday. It’s most locals’ go-to beach bar, spilling out past its colorful beach chairs, which means you can head in right off the beach itself or the village’s world-famous Placencia Sidewalk. Not to mention, there are daily lunch and dinner specials too, and its rooftop patio makes for a fun spot to people-watch for Placencia passersby on the beach and sunset gaze with a sundowner in hand (like a craft Two5 beer!) any time of the year, too.
2. By Playing Pickleball Or A Round Of Mini Golf at Sirenian Bay Resort
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Yes, the latest sporting craze to sweep the world has made its way to Placencia, Belize! Swing a paddle while sipping a beer at the only true all-inclusive resort option on the Peninsula with Sirenian Bay’s activity side, which also houses a full-service restaurant and 18-hole mini-golf course, Inky’s. It’s a popular sport in every expat enclave, mostly because you can be as competitive and intense as you like given it’s a lot easier than other racketball sports. There’s complimentary access to all guests of Sirenian’s resort and villas, but you can grab a drink from Inky’s and play in the dark too—drop-ins start at US$20.
3. While Island-Hopping to the ‘Caye Of The Day’, With Splash Dive Center
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The Southern Belize Barrier Reef beckons as your ‘offshore backyard’ while staying in Placencia, so why not see it with the district’s largest dive operator? And no, you don’t need to go scuba diving to! Year-round, Splash Dive Center shares a weekly schedule for their ‘island of the day’ for tours from Placencia where guests can island hop, enjoy a bbq lunch on the beach, and simply soak in every bit of fun, tropical Caribbean bliss. After all, it can be a bit overwhelming to explore the (by no exaggeration) world-famous Belize Barrier Reef, and where exactly to start on the 185-mile coastline. The usual suspects include islands as close as 11 miles away, like the recently rehabilitated Silk Caye, Laughing Bird Caye, and Moho Caye.
Header image via Kevin Quischan Photography/BelizeMyTravels.
