Placencia in April: Underrated Activities You Can Enjoy on the Peninsula

Ahhh, April!  The Snowbirds have flown home, and the Spring Breakers have cleared out; it is the tail end of the dry season and temperatures are on the rise.  This is one of my favorite times of the year to visit Belize and particularly the Placencia Peninsula.  The height of the tourist season is winding down in April, but scuba divers know that this is the best month for underwater visibility and possible whale shark encounters.  Avid anglers thrill over the fishing opportunities that the calm seas provide for Permit and Bonefish along the flats.  While it is well known that Placencia is a gateway to these popular aquatic adventures, here are my top picks for underrated activities you can enjoy on the peninsula in April.

1. Seasonal Bounty 

Fresh fruit abounds this time of the year– just take a stroll anywhere along the peninsula and you’ll see trees burdened with heavy loads of mangoes, coconuts, and breadfruit.  Tantalize your taste buds and explore the exotic offerings on display at the roadside produce stands. 

Tropical treats you’re likely to discover include the Custard Apple which has a unique flavor and a creamy texture akin to Soursop, as well as the Star Apple with its smooth deep purple exterior and milky pulp inside.  The Mamey Sapote is a local favorite.  Don’t be discouraged by its brown, sandpaper-like skin, the flesh is sweet and granular like a pear with a flavor profile somewhere between pumpkin, honey, and apricot.  The typical tropical treats like pineapple, papaya, and citrus are in quick supply too so indulge in a fresh fruit feast- a splurge you needn’t feel guilty about.

2. Hit the Courts

It’s a global craze at this point, but Pickleball is gaining popularity on the peninsula; so whether you’re a skilled player already or just learning, you can find a worthy opponent to vie against.  Reserve your own court time at Inky’s at Sirenian Bay Resort or meet up with other ballers during one of the Open Play times.  

3. Beyond Happy Hour

For friendly competition requiring no physical exertion, try making the rounds of Placencia waterholes that host Bingo or Trivia nights.  These weekly events draw an even mix of visitors and locals and the mood is jovial and welcoming.  Thursday Bingo at the Green Parrot is hosted by the local Rotary Club and proceeds help fund community initiatives such as feeding needy families, holiday toy drives, and maintaining school libraries.  Trivia challenges are primarily general knowledge questions but can range in degree of difficulty depending on the facilitator.  A favorite game for music fans is Name-That-Tune at The Flying Pig Sports Bar. 

4. Cool Off in a Cave

While most day trippers are heading out on snorkeling and island-hopping excursions, this is the perfect time to venture inland for cave exploration without the crowds.  April is a spectacular month for spelunking.  Dry caves are at their driest and wet caves are not at risk of flooding as they sometimes do with heavy rains.  Plenty of peninsula tour guides can arrange to take you trekking to caves. Plus, there is a cave adventure for all comfort and physicality levels.  Take an easy lazy river ride through a subterranean labyrinth. Or, push your limits with a demanding hike and cave rappel into the abyss.  A fortuitous benefit to caving is the cooler temperatures within the caverns—a truly unique way to beat the heat!

5. Kayak the Placencia Lagoon

While most visitors focus their attention on the peninsula’s long swaths of sandy beaches and the crystalline water of the Caribbean Sea, the Placencia Lagoon should not be ignored.  A diverse and important ecosystem, it is home to a variety of aquatic, amphibious, and avian species.  Take a peaceful paddle through the maze of mangrove forest and keep an eye out for manatees breaching the surface for a breath. 

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April is the beginning of their breeding season, and you may be lucky enough to witness a romantic tryst. Just remember to keep a respectful distance.  If you take to the lagoon at night, you may observe a shimmering glow when your paddle agitates the water.  Conditions must be just right for bioluminescence to be observed in the lagoon. April’s dry nights and warm days create the best scenario for this sparkling phenomenon to occur.

The natural beauty, rich culture, exciting cuisine, uncommon adventures, and unique activities of Belize await visitors any day of the year, but I encourage you to try some of these underrated experiences on the Placencia Peninsula in April.

Featured Photo by ROEming Belize Travel Agency (@vacationbelize on Instagram)