Placencia, Belize Attractions

With 239 miles of coastline and 200 islands coral reefit’s easy to see why tourists flock to Belize. As Belize reopened to tourists during the Covid-19 pandemic, it provided a home away from home during my three-month break from working in the hospital. reduce Cross-border Sports allow some Outback residents to vacation in their own “backyard” and learn why Placencia is one of the most popular attractions in the country.

Even better, it's a quick 22-minute flight from Belize City to Placencia.

Guest blogger: Gail Clifford, ABLE Travel & Photo

Table of contents: “Why I love my vacation in Placencia, Belize”

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“Waving to Belize City as you fly by. No need to stop” – Photo by ©Gail Clifford

“Belize City is from this Air” – Photography: ©Gail Clifford

When you arrive in Placencia, get ready to embrace beach life. Whether you're having lunch at The Shak, dinner at The Quarterdeck, or breakfast at your apartment or hotel, slow down, swap your shoes for flip-flops, and let your worries melt away.

At sunrise, my first day in the city, the empty pier and moored motor boats yes As I started walking on the beach, a light rain fell against my tropical backdrop.

The palms sway in the breeze. Walking along the sidewalk reminded me of the Guinness Book of World Records for being the narrowest main street in the world. over the sand, teal As you look further out into the Caribbean Sea, the water turns aqua, with only the rare speedboats disturbing the aquamarine blue.

“Palm Trees” – Photo by ©Gail Clifford

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, is located on the east coast of Central America, southern Mexico, and northeastern Guatemala. It became an independent country in 1981.

Perhaps best known for scuba diving and blue holes, this country has become popular among American expats staying in Belize due to the falling cost of living and favorable tax incentives. Residency is granted by living for 50 out of 52 weeks in a year. With that comes the ability to work in the country. Still, it's easy to fly to your grandchildren.

“Don’t win the world and lose your soul” – Photography: © Gail Clifford

Although the rainy season lasts from June to November, equatorial temperatures are typically a humid 72 degrees Fahrenheit to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it an ideal place for Americans to escape the cold winters.

Placencia is a fishing village on the south coast that attracts visitors with its ecotourism thrills offered by water sports and historical hikes through Mayan ruins or tropical jungles. And some of the best soft white sand beaches in the country.

Expats stay for a simpler, less materialistic lifestyle that still retains a variety of restaurant options, an active lifestyle and great places to invite friends and family. And, for added convenience, the official language is English, the currency is the US dollar, and the current is the same as in the United States. No adapters or converters required.

Colorful beach huts – Photo by © Gail Clifford

From Placencia, there are plenty of excursions to enjoy in addition to diving on the Belize Barrier Reef (second in size only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef), including sport fishing (start early and you'll get all the protein you need for your stay), monkey river tours, Mayan ruins and a surprising number of delightful restaurants.

Spending a few months there gave me the opportunity to experience most of it while still staying on track with my project.

The Placencia Peninsula is a 16-mile-long stretch of land that stretches from north to south, shrinking to just 80 feet in some places. To the east, white sandy beaches and lush palm trees surround the Caribbean Sea. Placencia Lagoon is a natural and water playground to the west on the foreground of the Maya Mountains, with a protected manatee area and a great place for early morning kayaking.

No matter where you land on the peninsula, you'll notice its laid-back attitude. This is one that Placencia has consciously cultivated. All while adding the amenities you want in a boutique space.

Settled by Puritans from Nova Scotia in the 1700s, the Spanish-American War in the 1820s wiped out the population. In the late 1800s, the Spanish are said to have named it “Punta Placencia” as it was re-founded and now adapted to Placencia.

However, its Mayan history dates back 3,000 years, and the Placencia peninsula is said to have been an important source of salt.

At the crossroads of cultures, Placencia's cuisine spans traditional Mestizo, Garifuna, Creole and Mayan origins.

Eleanor Ford Coppola and Francis Ford Coppola chose Placencia as one of their family vacation destinations, and it remains one of the most charming places to stay – both for dining and lodging. We love their Cuban burgers, refreshing watermelon salad, and great options from their well-stocked bar.

Whether you choose to head to Barefoot Bar, Tipsy Tuna, Cozy Corner or The Shak on Placencia Sidewalk or Wendy's, Omar's, Ruth's, Rick's or Tutti Frutti on Placencia Road, there are enough options to keep you going somewhere different every day.

“Fruit Ice Cream” – Photo by ©Gail Clifford

Then it's a short drive along the village road to restaurants serving delicious meals, including the Turtle Inn, The Quarterdeck and Maya Beach Resort.

“Back Deck” – Photography: ©Gail Clifford

Try some Belizean specialties that I haven't seen elsewhere:

• Specialty meats and seafood: Gibnut (also known as royal rat), lobster, iguana (also known as bamboo chicken), conch. Fried conch fritters are a popular appetizer across the country.

• Belize Fruit Cake: Traditional Belizean rum cake, popular during the holidays, is a cake baked with preserved fruits and then stored for several days after being generously doused with dark local or Caribbean rum.

• wine: Belizeans make wine from a variety of local fruits, including cashews, crab, blackberries (not the northern berries), star fruit, sorrel (hibiscus), and soursop. Many of them are homemade, overly sweet, and the alcohol content is uncertain.

People arrive in Placencia ready to enjoy the white sand beaches and enjoy sunbathing, snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving or kayaking.

“Footprints in the Sand” – Photography: ©Gail Clifford

You can take off your flip flops or put on your sneakers. As the sun quickly sets in for a new day, enjoy a most relaxing 90-minute sunrise walk (or run) along the crescent-shaped beach (the average sunrise here takes 3 minutes).

“Beach Chair Lounge” – Photography: ©Gail Clifford

It's easy to see why people focus on the dreamy beach lifestyle Placencia has to offer.

But there is more to do. Hiking. horse riding. Explore Mayan ruins. Explore the Monkey River and see howler monkeys (and maybe crocodiles).

“Monkey River Village” – Photography: ©Gail Clifford

Wildlife tours include viewing of jaguars, macaws and anteaters.

When you're ready for some “reel action” on the water, rent a boat and go fishing.

Pro tip: If you have access to kitchen facilities and fish, plan your fishing trip early in your stay – you'll get all the protein you need for the rest of your visit.

Typical catches include tuna, snapper, grouper and barracuda. When my neighbor brought over some tuna, I made a pineapple poblano salsa to serve with rice or tortilla wraps and it was the perfect accompaniment.

Placencia is just 20 miles from the second largest barrier reef system in the world (after Australia's Great Barrier Reef). It’s easy to see why scuba diving and snorkeling are so important in Placencia.

Whether visiting Silk Cay, Blue Grotto or Half Moon Island, you'll find different reef structures creating different environments to explore. Placencia Tours caters for all levels of experience.

“You better be Belize” – Photography: ©Gail Clifford

It’s also a great place for ecotourism, with mangroves offsetting our carbon footprint.

“Hank and Mary in the Mangroves” – Photo by ©Gail Clifford

Whether you're visiting Placencia for a working vacation, staycation, or retirement, you'll find there's plenty to see, do, and eat, along with a welcoming community who want to embrace an active lifestyle close to nature.

this is a Belize Travel Guide and Placencia Guide. To start planning your trip to Dublin, check out these helpful travel tips and travel resources:

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Gail Clifford, MD, has been practicing medicine for over 25 years on all five continents and in all 50 states. She was an avid traveler and enjoyed traveling with her parents, siblings, and daughter despite her modest income in school. She happily goes on new adventures, blog On her discoveries as a traveler writer With the photographer ABLE travel and photography.