Things to See and Do | Shopping | Dining | Accommodations

THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Take the time to laze around the village before venturing out. The Placencia Dictionary doesn’t know the word stress. The only stress people have is deciding what to do tomorrow. If that’s too stressful, grab a cool drink and hit the beach. Soak up the sun; watch boats come and go. Vacationers, who ever lounged on a hammock stretched between palm trees or under a thatched palapa, feel like they stepped into a TV commercial. Visitors say Placencia is home to the most beautiful beaches in Belize.

Visitors will find the villagers warm, gracious and will meet them while taking a walk into the record books. The street in the middle of the village (it’s actually more like a sidewalk) is purportedly recorded as the world’s narrowest in the Guinness Book of Records. Meandering through the village, it passes quaint houses, bakeries and restaurants before ending almost a mile later. Most paths lead to the village center near the waterfront where you’ll find rustic bars and eateries.

The city satisfies anyone’s craving for diving, fishing, snorkeling, sailing, swimming, and kayaking. But aquatic activities are not all. Inland activities include wildlife sanctuaries, rivers, and archaeological sites.

Within 25 miles of shore, diving and snorkeling activities abound within around the pristine cayes, and the outer reef wall, plunging out of sight. Some of the best snorkeling exists less than one mile offshore of Maya Beach, within easy distance of False Caye.

Exciting dive sites include the beautiful  Queen/Silk cayes. Spectacular walls and canyons are found in 60 to 80 feet of water. The Silk/Queen Cayes, part of Gladden Spit/Silk Caye Marine Reserve, occupy an eccentric elbow of the reef, which also contains interesting walls and coral ridges.

Great wall diving exists at Laughing Bird Caye laced with virginal white beaches, and touting great swimming, snorkeling, and picnicking. Brilliant sea life around the caye includes soft and hard corals, tropical fish, goliath groupers, graceful stingrays, playful dolphins, and a tugboat sunk in 90 feet of water.

Under full moons from March to June, in a natural setting snorkelers and divers commune with mammoth spotted whale sharks — at 30 to 40 feet, are the world’s biggest fish — as the awesome marine creatures migrate through Belizean waters.

A once-in-a-lifetime adventure occurred recently in these waters. In spring 2007, a diver was swimming alongside what she had thought to be a single huge whale shark. As she turned around in the shadows, she was astounded to discover the shadows were actually a large group of whale sharks. Surely a moment unlike any other. In the village ask at the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) tourism center for names of reliable operators.

Fly fishermen take note of excellent fishing year-round. Waters teem with bonefish, snook, tarpon and trophy-size permit on the flats. Fishermen spot crocodiles and toucans while plying the backwaters of Placencia Lagoon. Anglers also land barracuda, kingfish, wahoo, grouper, and tuna. Plenty of bottom fishing goes on, too.

Fly fishing mavens have challenged these waters in search of the grand slam for fly fishing, catching and releasing a tarpon, permit and bonefish all in the same day. Professional guides include the Westbys, Cabrals, Garbutts and Eileys whose families have fished these waters for generations.

Visitors may also venture beyond the beach by kayak, sailboat or private charter and enjoy the scenic coastline at their own pace.

From the docks at Placencia Village, boats take visitors across the lagoon or across the Gulf of Honduras. Each weekend, the Express sails to Puerto Cortes, Honduras. Leaving Friday morning, arriving about four hours later, and returns Monday afternoon. Tickets are US$50 each way and available at the tourism center. Just across the lagoon, the Creole village of Independence sits at the center of citrus, banana, and mango plantations. On the lagoon, behind the gas station, a ferry leaves several times a day, starting at 6:45 a.m.

Inland day tours and a variety of sightseeing excursions take visitors to exciting attractions. Favorite tours include the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary where the elusive jaguar roams free in the jungle; ancient Maya archaeological sites; boat trips up the Monkey River complete with sightings of howler monkeys, iguanas, rare birds and tropical fauna; manatee watching in Placencia Lagoon. Be sure to see red scarlet macaws roost in Red Bank, in the foothills of the Maya Mountains, from late-December to March, flying in formations of up to 40 birds.

Things to See and Do | Shopping | Dining | Accommodations

SHOPPING
At the Placencia Peninsula Arts Festival, each Valentine’s Day weekend, 50 artists show their paintings, sculptures, glass, furniture, embroidery, music, and dancing, starting at the Point in the village and running up narrow Main Street.

In Maya Beach, Spectarte Gallery displays original artwork, much of which is created by Belizean artists, exotic plants, garden sculpture and outdoor furniture.

Keep memories of your trip fresh with photographs, available from Muzamanzie Photographs. Many shops in Placencia Village pique a visitor’s interest.

Things to See and Do | Shopping | Dining | Accommodations

DINING
At least 40 restaurants and bars tempt the taste buds from Plantation south to Placencia Village. Many do so with great flair, in extravagant venues, and for celebrated guests.

One Eyed Jack’s, at Calico Jack’s Village in Plantation, serves Belizean specialties alfresco, with a side of cool music. The Placencia Hotel hosts three restaurants: indoor Capriccio and outdoor Palm and Azure Pool.

Bella Maya Resort features an ala carte restaurant featuring the best of Caribbean and Mediterranean food. In Maya Beach dine by romantic candlelight under a thatched roof at Green Parrot. Other good choices in Maya Beach are Hungry Gecko and Mangos.

Enjoy innovative East Asian food at Blue Crab Beach Resort near Seine Bight. Reservations are required. Heading south, diners will discover the Inn at Robert’s Grove serving international favorites with a Belizean flair in a romantic seaside setting and hailed as “some of Belize’s best cuisine” by Travel+Leisure.  Give the taste buds a kick-start at the inn’s Habanero Mexican Café & Bar, on the lagoon side. Nearby, dine under a palapa with a sea view at Laru Beya, serving authentic Belizean food.

Nearing Placencia Village, Turtle Inn Beach Grill serves Italian fare, employing fresh herbs and vegetables from its own garden. Enjoy Niebaum-Coppola wines while relaxing in the sand-floor bar.

The Village offers a variety of fine cuisine, including an award-winning chef at French Connection, La Dolce Vita (Italian), and Trattoria Placencia (Italian). Wendy’s features Spanish and Belizean dinners and healthy salads. The Barefoot Beach Bar serves light fare and a great burger. The Gallery serves authentic Belizean cuisine. Enjoy pizza at the Pickled Parrot, a great hangout.

The Crow’s Nest Café at South Waters Resort has a fine selection of American and Creole dishes, including fresh seafood. In the Secret Garden is the Garden Brew, a coffee house, bar, and restaurant featuring Thai specials, fresh seafood, and espresso. Other interesting eateries include Cozy Corner, DeTatch Seafood, and Café Merlene. Start the day at The Purple Space Monkey with a tasty breakfast and espresso.

At Gelateria Tuttifrutti, Italian ice creams to die for include stracciatella (vanilla with chocolate chips), tiramisu, banana, and chocolate. The Shak sells healthy smoothies. Condo and villa dwellers with kitchens stock up at Peckish, a deli with imported cheeses and fine wines.

Nightlife here is casual, like everything else on the peninsula. Tipsy Tuna has pool tables, big-screen TVs, and karaoke on Thursday until 2 a.m. Its bar — a well-known Sunday night party spot with a live band — earns fame for delicious blended drinks, day or night. Put on dancing shoes and head to the Barefoot Beach Bar for Sunday night fun. Cozy Corner and J-Byrd’s have good reputations too.

Things to See and Do | Shopping | Dining | Accommodations

ACCOMMODATIONS
From north to south the Placencia Peninsula runs the gamut from posh properties to budget accommodations. Heading from north to south on the peninsula, stop for a drink and get a feel for the various resorts.

The master-planned Ara Macao Resort & Marina, the largest new development in Belize, spans nearly 600 waterfront acres. It plans a scarlet macaw preserve, and will include a marina and golf course.

Calico Jack’s Village in Plantation offers rustic tropical elegance in a romantic setting. Nearby is Placencia Hotel & Residences, a luxury beachfront property that hosts three special events: a yoga retreat, international musical festival and a Maya temple-to-temple bicycle competition.

The new and posh Bella Maya Resort & Residences is set on six acres of beach-and lagoon-front luxury. Another up market spot is the Villas at Cocoplum, part of a 254-acre beachfront development with a five-star boutique resort, 100 homes, and a tropical reserve.
Maya Beach, a great place to escape the crowds, features more than eight properties, including beach bed and breakfast and hotel accommodations.

South of Seine Bight, a Garifuna community, the five-star Inn at Robert’s Grove impresses guests with extreme pampering, attention to detail, spa treatments, and fine wines. Swing in a hammock on the veranda and enjoy a front-row view of the Caribbean at Laru Beya (“on the beach” in Garifuna). Wild Orchid Properties are new Mediterranean style condominium units located on three acres of lagoon property.

Movie director Francis Ford Coppola presents the five-star Turtle Inn resort, with a first-class spa. Guests can even rent his private villa and butler. Chabil Mar Villas, a luxurious new development, delivers “room” service anywhere on the grounds — dock, palapa, beach, pool, wherever.

At the end of the road, in Placencia Village, Miramar Apartments offer a new colonial-style resort on the beach.

Along a stretch of sandy beach is South Waters Resort, a stone’s throw from the harbor and tourism center.

Luxury properties continue to pop up and down the peninsula. But despite the ubiquity of fabulous resorts, Placencia has a comfortable room for everyone and every budget. More than 80 properties offer more than 600 rooms. Rates at guesthouses start at US$20. Exclusive resorts go to US$350. Or stay at Coppola’s private digs for up to US$1,800 a night.

Return to Top