Placencia Peninsula
The Placencia Peninsula in Belize is a breathtaking 16-mile stretch of white sandy beaches along the Caribbean coast, located about 100 miles south of Belize City. Carefree, scenic and very laid-back, this popular destination is picture-postcard perfect. Vacationers of all ages will find this glorious stretch of sugary beach a perfect spot for both relaxation and adventure. It is said to be the prettiest beach in all of Belize, and has the best offshore swimming.
Once a quiet fishing village, Placencia remains a top destination for visitors looking to experience the best of Belize from a single base.
The nearby exotic cayes offer exceptional opportunities for scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing. Just a few miles southeast lies Laughing Bird Caye, which is a short boat ride away and perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and enjoying a picnic. Further offshore, you’ll find the stunning Silk Cayes triplets and a marine reserve, considered one of the most beautiful in Belize. Additionally, a variety of thrilling inland tours are available, including visits to Mayan ruins, cave tubing, ziplining, and more.
Placencia History
Before European colonization of the Americas, the Placencia Peninsula was home to the Maya, who harvested salt from seawater. They traded both salt and seafood with other Maya settlements in the region. Fragments of clay pottery and other artifacts left by the Maya can still be found on the peninsula, especially on Placencia Caye, just off the point.
In the 17th centaury Placencia was settled by English puritans originally from Nova Scotia and Providence Islands. The settlement died during the Spanish-American wars of indolence in the 1820’s.
The Spaniards that traveled the southern coast of Belize gave Placencia its name which was originally Placentia. The point of the peninsula was called Punta Placentia (pleasant point). In the late 1800’s the point, now known as Placencia Village was resettled by several families. The village became a prosperous fishing village.
Throughout the whole era from the 17th to 18th centuries, Placencia village was also a buccaneer (pirate) heaven. The caye located just off the point of the peninsula provided them with a safe harbor and an ideal hideout. Over time, the descendants of those adventurers and former African slaves also became inhabitants of the village.
Today, Placencia Village is a melting pot of cultures, with people from all over Belize and the world. Renowned for its laid-back vibe, warm and welcoming locals, and its iconic narrow main street, the village offers a unique charm. This street, originally recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s narrowest, has since evolved but remains a beloved feature of Placencia’s character. (Note: It no longer holds the record!)
Nightlife
This cozy peninsula is not only a great spot to experience Belize’s rich culture but also its vibrant nightlife. In addition to Placencia Village, there are two other settlements on the peninsula; Maya Beach and the Garifuna settlement of Seine Bight Village. As the sun sets, excitement would shift to local bars and watering holes at nearby resorts. The nightlife, like everything else here, is relaxed and casual. Bars are lively from opening to closing, so there’s never a bad time for a drink. Food lovers will also enjoy Placencia, home to some of the finest restaurants in the country.
Tours & Activities
Placencia’s coastline is home to numerous exotic cayes and exceptional dive and snorkel sites, each showcasing a unique marine ecosystem. Just beyond, Belize’s Great Barrier Reef enhances the underwater experience with its vibrant fish and coral systems.
Notably, whale sharks migrate annually to The Gladden Split, a site off the main barrier reef near Placencia, during April, May, and June.
While farther away, the atolls of Glover’s Reef and Lighthouse Reef are also accessible from Placencia, though trips require a minimum group of divers or snorkelers.
Popular dive & snorkel sites include:
- Silk Cayes and Moho Caye
- Laughing Bird Caye Snorkeling
- Local Barrier Reef
- Glover’s Reef
- Whale Shark Diving
- South Water Caye
- Shark Hole
- Lighthouse Reef Blue Hole
Snorkeling & Beach BBQ to offshore cayes starts at $100 per person
2 Tank dives starts at $150 per person
A day trip to Trolling and Spin Casting the Barrier Reef is the best way to ensure that you will come home with a prize fish.
Spin Casting:
Artificial lures, jigs, and live bait will be used to comb through almost any area within the barrier reef. The approach will be tailored to meet the needs of the anglers, and access to a variety of game fish will be ensured, making this one of the best ways to enjoy non-stop fish-catching action all day.Trolling:
The use of light tackle, cut or live bait, and artificial lures is employed to target kingfish, jacks, and other varieties of pelagic species. This method provides an easy and fun way to enjoy an exciting day of fishing.
$600USD up to 4 people
Fly Fishing:
The flats within the Barrier Reef near Placencia range from 50 yards to half a mile wide, bordered by 100 feet of the Caribbean Sea. These flats, with nearby deep water, rank among the world’s best habitats for Permit and bonefish. While Permit fishing often takes center stage, the bone fishing here rivals any destination for fly casting. Tarpons inhabit the channels, lagoons, and rivers, providing anglers with abundant opportunities for a grand slam alongside Permit and bonefish. These prized species are present year-round.
Price: $500USD 2 people
Just north of Placencia lies the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, the world’s first jaguar preserve.
While spotting a jaguar is rare, visitors can enjoy river tubing, refreshing waterfalls, and exploring the lush subtropical rainforest.
The sanctuary is a bird watcher’s paradise, home to endangered species like the Scarlet Macaw, Keel-Billed Toucan, and King Vulture. It also hosts an array of wildlife, including Red-Eyed Tree Frogs, Coatis, Tapirs, and jaguars, along with diverse plant life like Ceiba and Mahogany trees, orchids, and bromeliads.
The Tour
Guided tours lead you through well-maintained trails under the forest canopy, showcasing medicinal plants, animal habitats, and possibly resident howler monkeys.
After lunch, float down the South Stann Creek River, hike to a waterfall for a cool dip, or try the natural limestone waterslide before returning to Placencia.
$125USD per person, 2 people minimum
The ATM Tour, is also available
The Monkey River tour takes you on a 15-mile boat ride from Placencia to Monkey River Village and the river’s mouth, passing through mangrove estuaries teeming with wildlife like shorebirds and manatees.
At the river’s mouth, a local guide joins to lead the cruise upriver, where you can spot diverse bird species, crocodiles, iguanas, orchids, bromeliads, and the famous Howler Monkeys. Along the way, the guide will highlight fascinating sights and answers your questions.
Hiking
Hike forest trails along the river to spot howler monkeys, learn about medicinal plants and local wildlife from your guide, or swim in the cool, refreshing Monkey River.
After the hike, you will enjoy a Creole lunch at a local restaurant, explore the village, and return to Placencia by mid-afternoon.
$90USD per person. 2 Persons minimum
Upon arriving at the majestic Mayan Ruins of Xunantunich, meaning ‘Maiden of the Rock,’ your local guide will lead a 2-hour tour, sharing the rich history of the mysterious Mayan people. Afterward, enjoy lunch at a local Belizean restaurant.
On the way back, stop at The Blue Hole National Park, a stunning limestone cave filled with vibrant blue water. Part of Belize’s vast, largely unexplored cave system, it’s a perfect spot for a refreshing swim and admiring this natural wonder.
After the swim, it’s time to head back to Placencia to enjoy a relaxing evening at the beach.
$150USD per person, 2 people minimum
The ATM Tour, is also available
Itinerary
On your scenic journey from Placencia to Bak-a-Bush’s Big Hill Station, your tour guide will give a brief history of Belize, its people, and culture. After a short orientation and safety briefing, your journey continues across the Savannah Pine Ridge, through the untouched Belizean jungle.
Your final traverse takes you to a rock shelf, protruding from the side of the large tunnel-like entrance to the cave where your tour ends with an exciting rappel to the floor.
Embark on an exhilarating adventure with Belize cave tubing, where rivers vanish into a mysterious underworld. Guided by a professional and illuminated only by your headlamp, you’ll float on inner tubes through stunning underground river caves. Marvel at glittering stalactites and stalagmites studded with mica, and uncover ancient treasures, including 1,000-year-old pottery shards, statues of fertility gods, and preserved Mayan footprints.
$225USD per person. 4 People minimum
The ATM Tour, is also available