The location is perfect, the furnishings are great, the bed is comfortable and the beach is right out the door. But security is an issue in Placencia, as we found out on the first night of our stay when we woke at 4:30 a.m to discover an intruder in our bungalow. He ran off with my wallet containing cash and credit cards. We noted from previous reviews of the Ocean Front Bungalow that other guests enjoyed the ocean air during the night, so perhaps we were a bit too trusting when we left the windows open. The intruder cut the kitchen screen and reached in to open the door, which did not have a deadbolt lock. Had we not awakened, we might have lost more.
When we’ve stayed in Placencia on previous trips, we’ve been in cabanas that had security bars on the windows, meaning we could sleep with the windows open and not worry. Coconut Beach bungalows did not have such bars, and the screens were not much protection. After the burglary, Carolyn and Tricia were attentive and concerned, working with police to try to identify the burglar from video surveillance cameras on the property (although by the time we departed, no identification was made). They bought us a bottle of wine and eventually refunded one night of a 12-night stay. They brought someone out to measure for security bars, but by the time we left, those bars had not yet been installed. That meant we slept every night after the first with all the windows and curtains closed, shutting out the wonderful ocean breezes and the sound of the waves. Carolyn indicated that the kitchen window was to receive security bars on the day we left. But if the ocean air is important to you, you might want to verify that ALL windows in the bungalow are protected.
We love Placencia, and we enjoyed our visit in spite of what happened. We watched sunrises on the beach and sunsets from the private roof-top deck. We appreciated that the owners supplied ample towels (including beach towels) and a hammock. We also liked the modern kitchen and bathroom, especially the shower.