Placencia, a village located at the Southern tip of the Placencia Peninsula, is home to an 18- mile beach stretched labeled “barefoot perfect.” Placencia has emerged as an increasingly popular eco-destination in the Caribbean. For those who enjoy outdoor adventures such as snorkeling, swimming, fishing, and diving in pristine waters. Placencia is the place to be. The Southern parts of Belize are also highly known for their lush greenery and beautiful mountains.
When thinking of where to go diving in Belize, there are plenty of places to consider as Belize is home to the second-longest barrier reef in the world. The Barrier reef hugs Belize’s coastline, making it a top destination for diving, snorkeling, and marine adventures.
The coastal village of Placencia, located in the South of Belize, is a destination to consider for your marine adventures.
This sandy peninsula, with a laid-back ambiance, makes for the perfect base for marine excursions. You can check into one of the many beachfront properties like Turtle Inn or Chabil Mar and spend your days exploring the vibrant life of the Belize Barrier Reef. There are pristine offshore islands and cayes not too far from the coastline making for an incredible day out. Laughing Bird Caye and the Silk Cayes Marine Reserve, are the two most popular inner reef hotspots for diving and snorkeling to be considered when down South.
Among the most popular destinations to visit in Belize, is Placencia. It is arguably home to the best coastal beach in the country and is known for its laid-back village vibe. The village is so quaint and unique; it has been featured in many travel publications. Most recently, it boasts a colorful article in Conde Nast’s 2019 Gold List issue. Writer, Horatio Clare, calls the famous peninsula a low-key attraction to “beachcombing” wanderers. Indeed, the 16 miles of brown sugar beach makes you feel like you walked on the set of a Sofia Coppola film. However, the best thing about Placencia is the people. Like the rest of the country, the locals are of different ethnic backgrounds. An interesting mix of born and raised Belizeans and tourists turned residents makes the characters you’ll meet all the more memorable.
Three distinct neighborhoods make up this long tropical slice of land, each offering its blend of ethnicity and lifestyles.
What to do in Placencia
Spend some time getting acquainted with the peninsula. If staying on the outskirts of the village in the Maya Beach Area Seine Bight area, take a golf cart or taxi into the village and have a walk down the Placencia sidewalk. Stop off at local craft stores along the way or stop in at a beach bar to enjoy the sea breeze and ice-cold tropical cocktail.
For your jungle adventure, head on over to Bocawina National Park which covers over 7000 acres of lush rainforest, pristine waterfalls. Spend your morning on a hike through the rainforest learning about the flora and fauna. Go birding and spot various birds, with over 200 species of birds being found in the park. Depending on the hike you have done, you can cool down as you rappel down Antelope Falls or end your hike with a refreshing swim at Bocawina falls. After taking some time to take in all the adventures done for the day, you can end your day with one final adventure – Ziplining. Go ziplining and take in the view from above as you zip across the jungle canopy.
Enjoy the Caribbean Sea. When in Placencia, be sure to book a dive or snorkel trip out to one of the marine reserves in the South. The Silk Cayes or Laughing Bird National Park are the two most popular dive and snorkel spots. Pristine waters and vibrant marine life makes for an exceptional day out.
Fishing is fantastic from Placencia. You can spend your day fly fishing, deep-sea fishing, or inner reef fishing. If you are not interested in fishing, take a scenic boat trip to Monkey River, a small village in Southern Belize. Head upstream where you get the chance to spot amazing wildlife. Iguanas turtles, birds, crocodiles, and black howler monkeys are all possible sightings. As you make your way back to the Placencia Lagoon you have the opportunity to spot majestic manatees. Make most of your time with a morning swim in the Caribbean Sea or enjoy a nice local breakfast – fry jacks, beans, bacon, and eggs – before you hit the road or get a flight to the international airport.
The flight from Placencia to Belize International airport is roughly 45 minutes, or you can take a scenic three-hour drive.
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