• Beach, Belize

Highlights and main attractions of Placencia

Highlights and main attractions of Placencia

Whilst Placencia may not technically be an island, the peninsula is home to sixteen miles of sandy beach, with the Caribbean Sea on one side and the Placencia Lagoon on the other. Here you have the tough choice of relaxing on the beach, heading out into the emerald waters or into the wildlife rich jungle reserves.

This beautiful beach setting is home to three communities: Maya Beach, Seine Bight and Placencia Village, which boasts one of the oldest continually inhabited villages in Belize. This charming place can be easily explored on a beach cruiser bike and the south is where you will find a majority of the coffee shops, bistros and guesthouses. In the north, the Garifuna Village of Seine Bight is less densely populated, with clear cooling waters and a little surf.

Reef Shark, Indian Ocean

Wildlife and diving

The mangrove-frilled Placencia Lagoon is an important home for saltwater crocodiles, marine turtles and rare, endangered manatees. Whereas on the other side, the gentle waves of the Caribbean Sea are home to abundant marine life, with some excellent dive and snorkel trips that can be arranged. Laughing Bird Caye is a mini atoll with protected snorkelling and swimming, as well as a nice relaxing beach, complete with shady palms and hammocks. Between May and June Whale Sharks feast on the eggs of cubera and snapper at the elbow of Gladden Spit and you can embark on day trips to reefs such as Glovers. Marine life you might spot includes parrotfish, needlefish, rays, blue tangs and turtles.

For those with an interest in land mammals, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Reserve, a protected sub-tropical rainforest surrounded by Maya Mountains, was the first sanctuary created specifically for jaguars. They are still elusive here, with a population of between 40 and 50, but this stunning area is worth exploring with rare species such as red eyed tree frog and the outstanding Victoria Peak. There are howler monkeys here too, or you can head out by boat approximately 20 kilometres due south east where, after navigating a maze of mangroves you will reach the mouth of Monkey River. The mangrove roots are home to turtles, fish and juvenile marine life and on land you may spot iguanas and birds as you search for Howler Monkeys. Fishing is another popular activity, especially deep sea and you can set out on sailing trips if you so desire.

In Placencia you can mix up diving, snorkelling, wildlife tracking and park exploration.

We recommend the luxurious Turtle Inn, owned by Francis Ford Coppola, which offers a range of activities, including romantic sunset cruises.

BOOK YOUR BELIZE SAFARI

Contact one of our Destination Specialists to start planning your journey to Belize. Please note we recommend a budget of from £7,000 / $10,000 USD per person for our style of trip to this destination.

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