The best of Belize in the Placencia Peninsula

The Placencia Peninsula is a part of the Stann Creek District of the wonderful nation of Belize. This small village is home to some 750 residents.

With a population of under a thousand people, you may think the place will offer limited attractions, however, that’s not the case, the Placencia village offers the best of Belize in one neat small package. The village is home to some of the best tropical pastimes, the Central American region has seen, also the village has some very affordable hotels for you to spend a day or two. There are also some good restaurants on the beach area along with diving, snorkeling and fishing opportunities.

The village is not about just white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters, there is much more that Placencia has to offer. There are jungles, waterfalls, Punta Dancing, and ancient ruins which are very easily accessible from the main village. A tour of the River Monkey is a must along with the Jaguar Preserve Tour.

Besides, the village offers another bonus which major tourist attractions fail to; it has pure drinking water facilities. Hence, there’s no need to carry your own water or spend unnecessary cash on bottled water.

Last and not the least, the village also boasts of a vibrant night life with karaoke singing, pools and dancing etc. In short, Placencia has something for everyone.

Let’s go through some of the popular spots and other tourist attractions of the village in brief.

Placencia Village:

This village has come a long way. It wasn’t a long time ago when fishing was the main occupation of the locals. Today, the village is full of tourists and the noise has definitely gone up by more than a few decibels.

The main reason for this transformation is attributed to the fact that Placencia houses the only sandy beach of the entire country of Belize. Hence, it is a common site to see bars, and activities such as diving, snorkeling, kayaking and saltwater fly fishing. Another popular attraction here is whale shark watching during the full moon days in the months between April and July annually.

The village also houses some popular restaurants along with an art gallery. The village also sees some festivals as well. Popular among the festivities are Placencia Lobster Fest and the Placencia Peninsula Arts Festival, which is held annually during the Easter week.

Placencia Lagoon:

This is a marvelous spot and a must-visit on your future trip. The lagoon is famous for some unique species of rays; besides, you will also find dolphins, mangrove forests, sea grass beds, wetlands and manatees. Bird watching is very popular here and the best part is one can view these wonderful creatures via kayak or canoe.

Mayan Ruins:

The ancient Mayan ruins are in Nim Li Punit and Lubantuum in the Toledo District and are easily accessible from Placencia.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary:

This sanctuary is also easily accessible from Placencia and is spread over an area of 400 sq km. The sanctuary is all about forests, fauna and watersheds.

Mayflower Archaeological Reserve:

This historical site dates back to 250 AD and features temples and marvelous artwork from jade and stone.

Bladen River Reserve:

This huge reserve is undoubtedly the country’s most pristine protected rainforest. The rainforest in short is a remote haven for wildlife and features lofty trees, massive lianas, flowering plants and towering palms. It is estimated over 300 animal species are found here.

Belize Zoo:

This is a place you need to visit. Belize is famous for some unique animals, which are rarely found in other parts of the globe. This zoo houses the very noisy howler monkeys, besides spider monkeys.

Listed below are some of the questions which may be on your mind.

How do I reach Placencia?

The Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City operates daily flights to the US and other countries. This airport also hosts domestic flights to Placencia airport (PLJ). Carriers such as Maya Island Air and Tropic Air operate some 16 daily services between the two towns.

Residents of the US and Canada can enter the country without a visa. However, visitors belonging to other countries have to compulsorily carry a visa.

If you wish to enjoy nature at its best you may also take a boat journey to Placencia. The Hokey Pokey Water Taxi operates between south Placencia and the town of Independence. Besides, there’s the Gulf Cruza between Puerto Cortés, Honduras and Placencia as well.

Where do I stay during my Placencia trip?

There are accommodation facilities available in various budgets in Placencia. Some of the more popular landmarks are Laru Beya Resort & Villas, Maya Beach Hotel, Paradise Vacation Hotel, Chabil Mar Villas, Singing Sands Inn, Green Parrot Beach Houses, La Chapelle Suites, Casa At Last, Westwind Belize and Ranguana Lodge.

When is the best time to visit Placencia?

You can visit the place at any time of the year. However, there are some disturbing facts about the weather as well. Hence, it is recommended that you visit the place during the months of January through May. Secondly, I would like to request you guys to please avoid the place during the September-December period as this period sees tropical storms and hurricanes, which results in devastations all around.

In conclusion, the Placencia peninsula is the place to be in. The village may be small and so may be its population, however, the best part of the locals is they understand and can even converse in English. The locals can also be trusted as they are known to be amongst the most co-operative people in the world. The place has something for everyone, be it a teenager or a young couple or a single person visiting or even a complete family visiting. So, without wasting any further time, please go ahead and book your ticket to the wonder Placencia peninsula in the ever to great Belize.