# Placencia

Placencia is a tourist village of about 750 people (2010) at the southern tip of the resort Placencia peninsula in Belize. It offers tourist bars, kayaking, snorkelling, diving, saltwater fly fishing, and whale shark watching.

## Get in

If coming from Punta Gorda or anywhere to the south, take a bus to Independence (Mango Creek), then a taxi or 20mins walk to the Hokey Pokey Water Taxi dock. The boats supposedly leave to a schedule, but actually really leave when they have around 20 passengers. The 15-minute ride costs Bz.$10, the last boat is 5:30PM - except on Sundays when it is 4:30PM.
Flying from Belize City with Tropic or Maya Island Air is easiest. You can also ride a bus into Placencia from Belmopan. The road from Southern Highway to the village is rough and dusty - alternately take the bus past Placencia road to Independence and Mango Creek in Stann Creek and then the Hokey Pokey water taxi across to Placencia.

## Get around

Just wear comfortable shoes. There are taxis, but you shouldn't need them except perhaps to/from the airstrip, which is only 10 minutes from town. "The Sidewalk" is a concrete pedestrian-only path that runs most of the length of the village, ending at the seashore. It is interesting to walk up and down and there are many businesses of all types along the way.

## See

Rent a kayak and snoop around the lagoon. Manatees, crocodiles, dolphins and birds.

## Do

* Chill out on the beach.
* Sailing Two of the largest charter fleets in Belize are established in Placencia. They offer day trips, over night or weekly charters with or without crews.
* Fishing Book either a private fishing trip or check out one of the tour operators. The guides are perfectly trained and licensed and will bring you out to the reef or nearby islands and you can do drop-, hand-line fishing or fly fishing with or without your own gear. You can catch Snapper, Grouper, Jack, Permit, Tarpon, Snook and Bonefish.
* Kayaking: Explore the lagoon or kayak to the nearby islands. In the lagoon you might spot a manatee and guaranteed are sightings of a lot of birds.
* Take a sailing trip with Nextwave Sailing, or one of the other sailing charters in town. Go fly fishing. Take an eco-tour and go snorkeling with D-tourz or Nite Wind.
* Relax: The Placencia Peninsula offers the most beautiful beaches in Belize. The weather is mostly perfect with a slight breeze. Stroll along the Sidewalk (once announced as the world narrowest street) and shop for some souvenirs.
* Jungle tours offer a safe and guided entrance into an amazing world of nature. See howler monkeys, crocodiles, turtles, anteaters and more. If lucky you will see footprints of a Jaguar. They are nocturnal and very shy. The Cockscomb Basin Reserve, a 45-minute drive from Placencia, is a perfect place to be part of Belize’s stunning flora and fauna.
* A must is a trip to one of the nearby Maya Ruins - explore this amazing old culture which is still vibrant when strolling through the large areas of ruins.
* Explore also the nearby villages Seine Bight (6 miles) and Maya Beach (8 miles) by bus, golf cart or ride your bicycle. Seine Bight is a Garifuna community and a very gifted artist calls it her home. Visit Lola’s Art just past the football field. In Maya Beach shop at Spectarte Art Gallery.
* Universal Energy Dome, Main Street, Harbour Place (behind Michelo), ☏ +501 523 3519. 8AM-6PM. Yoga, meditation, meditation and healing techniques. free.

### Diving and snorkelling

The longest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere is a 45-minute boat ride off the coast of Placencia. Laughing Bird Caye, a National Park and World Heritage Site is even closer. The local dive centres have comfortable boats offer 2 or 3 tank dives with a lunch break on an island. The lunch consists of chicken, rice, beans, soft drinks, fruits and while doing your surface interval you will enjoy the beautiful white sandy beaches. Splash typically does a barbecue on the beach.
On a typical dive you may see turtles, rays, moray eels, barracudas, lobsters and if you are lucky you might spot a nurse shark, hammerhead shark, or Caribbean Reef Shark. You may see a pod of daulphins on the boat ride to the dive site.
If you are not yet a diver, all the dive centres offer PADI Open Water Courses as well (including Discover SCUBA Diving which lets you dive almost immediately but under the close supervision of a PADI Instructor), or you go snorkelling in the clear shallow reef around the islands.
Between March and June around the full moon whale sharks will pass by. These huge gentle giants, feeding just on plankton, are pretty much guaranteed to see on a spot called Gladden Spit. Make sure you arrange your spot upfront.

## Buy

Buy from the locals. Maya women and girls typically line the sidewalk from the early morning hours.

## Eat

The best seafood is at Lost In Paradise Beach Shop & Pirates Grill, located on the sidewalk in Placencia. Great baja fish tacos, ceviche, shrimp cocktails, nachos, burritos, tapas and philly cheese steak subs, vegetarian meals. Great affordable meals, small location, great food on the go. Breakfast, Coffee and Wifi available.
Actually, you can find quite a bit of good food and a few places for great food. A few suggestions would be Barefoot Beach Bar for burgers, smoked fish, smoked chicken and cold beer. French Connection offers limited seating and astonishingly good food. Tratoria offers good Italian, there is another Italian place above Wallens Market, that's also quite nice. If you want to spend a lot of money you could visit one of the resorts, though it's not the best way to spend your money. De Tatch is the best place for local food. Seafood, chicken and daily specials reasonable.
* 16.5633-88.36521 $^{[formerlydeadlink]}$ Danube, Austrian Restaurant, Main Road, Seine Bight (South End of Seine Bight, 2½ miles from Airport), ☏ +501 610 0132. 4:30-10:30PM. Viennese Schnitzel, Goulash, Dumplings, Apple Strudel, Sacher Cake and other Austrian Specialties. Candle light, AC indoors, lounge area outdoor. Cuban and Mexican Cigars for sale US$4-25.
* Belgian Cafe, Main Street, Harbour Place (north end sidewalk), ☏ +501 523 3519. 8AM to 2.30PM. Breakfasts and lunches: espresso, latte, eggs, toasted sandwiches, salads, waffles, crepes, cream puffs. Free WiFi internet for patrons, speak English, Spanish, German, French, Dutch

## Drink

Belikin Beer (they also make a decent stout), or One Barrel rum, both products of Belize.
The local coconut rum is surprisingly good, and happy hour at the Barefoot Beach Bar (6-7PM) is the best place to be. They also have an excellent band on a Sunday evening, Inner Vibrations.
The very good artesian water from the tap.
* Boson's Chair Internet Cafe (Laundromat), Placencia Sidewalk (South end sidewalk near Ice House), ☏ +501 523-4063. 7AM to 6PM. Drip Coffee, Latte, Mocha, Belikin or add a Coco rum to your Latte Sit and chill watching the boats or check your e-mail while you wait for your Laundry

## Sleep

Accommodation ranges from huts with shared "bathroom" to cabanas on the beach to guest houses to resorts. The resorts are north of the airstrip in Seine Bight and Maya Beach, and not really part of the village.
* $^{[formerlydeadlink]}$ Harry's Cozy Cabanas, ☏ +501 523-3155.
* Coconut Cottage, ☏ +501 523-3234.
* $^{[deadlink]}$ Sunset Pointe, ☏ +1-352-394-0952. Private condo unit on the Caribbean. US$200.
* Alan's Paradise Hotel (on the waterfront, west of town). Small hotel resort owned by American Alan Stamm and run by locals. Very clean and comfortable. Free use of bicycles, kayaks, fishing gear and more. Dive shop, fishing boats, tour guides and great information about the area. $50-70.
* Colibri House, Harbour Place Placencia Village, ☏ +501 6050586, colibrihouse@gmail.com. In a peaceful area steps away from the Caribbean Sea. An octagonal cottage. It is built from hardwood with windows on all sides, and fully furnished with handmade hardwood furniture. The upstairs apartment sleeps 2-3 and includes bathroom with hot and cold water, fully equipped living/dining/kitchen area, fan, dining table, TV with cable, DVD player, CD player, and a cell phone. There are two beachfront verandah overlooking the water. The downstairs studio apartment offers windows on all sides. It accommodates 2-3 people. It is fully furnished. Amenities include hot and cold water, stove/oven, cookware, full-size refrigerator, coffee maker, blender, toaster, TV with cable, radio with CD player, fans and a cell phone. $45-95.
* 16.52116-88.371281 Michelo Suites, Main Street, Harbour Place, ☏ +501 523 3519, harbour21@gmail.com. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 10AM. central location for diving on coral reef, fishing, sailing and excursions to rainforest and Maya temples, virtually bug free super protected villa steps away from the beach from Placencia with 4 elegant hygienic suites with porch for 2 to 4 people to rent with equipped kitchen, AC, TV, Wi-Fi internet, on 500 m from bars, restaurants and supermarkets, free sailing trip with snorkelling for sympathetic guests. $65-100.
* 16.619505-88.3533422 Maya Beach Hotel, Maya Beach, ☏ +501-533-8040, info@mayabeachhotel.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. Enjoyable 10-room beach resort with award-winning restaurant on site. All rooms have A/C, beach views, and a balcony or porch. Also has a bistro, open from 7AM-9PM every day. (updated Oct 2015)
* Bulls Beach Cabanas (Bulls Beach), ☏ +501 628-0106, bullscabana@yahoo.com. As the name suggests “Bulls Beach Cabanas” is less than a stone throw away from the beautiful beach of Placencia. Two of our beach cabanas offer breath-taking views of the Caribbean sunrise, which can be enjoyed without leaving the comfort of your cabana. (updated Jul 2017)
* 16.5256-88.367233 The Village Inn, Placencia Road, info@thevillageinnbelize.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11PM. All cabanas have: A kitchen, with stove and refrigerator. A private bathroom with hot and cold shower. Clean, comfortable beds. Views of the beach and Caribbean Sea. TV, Hammocks, Wifi. 350 Bz$. (updated Mar 2024)

## Stay safe

You can drink the water; it's plumbed in from an artesian well on the mainland.

## Go next

* If heading north you have three choices - fly, take a bus, or take a water taxi to Independence & bus from there. If headed south take the water taxi & catch a bus from Independence.
* Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Preserve. It's back on the mainland in Stann Creek and well worth the effort to get there.
* Monkey River Town. Several outfits can hook you up with a boat trip south for manatee and howler monkey watching.