The Placencia Peninsula, an 11-mile strip of land sandwiched between the Caribbean Sea and the Placencia Lagoon, is a place of white, sandy beaches, clear blue ocean and cooling palms.  Close to several small, idyllic cayes, it is the ideal place for diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking and deep sea or reef fishing. 

The mangrove habitat of Placencia Lagoon is one of the most important ecosystems in Belize.  Though unpredictable, visitors can sometimes spot the endangered manatee in secluded bays or rivers emptying into the lagoon.  Several species of birds, such as the snowy egret, the white ibis, frigate birds, brown boobies and pelicans nest and roost around the lagoon and the cayes.  The marine life around the peninsula is equally intriguing.  Coral gardens abound, around which several colorful fish and a carpet of sea grass and anemones thrive.  

Placencia Town, situated on the southern tip of the peninsula, is almost as remote as an island.  It is a quiet and rustic little town with no streets, just a concrete footpath around which wooden houses on stilts rest underneath palms.  A trip to nearby Seine Bight, a traditional Garifuna village a few miles north of Placencia Town, provides a chance to sample Garifuna cooking and music.

attractions

Placencia Village, creole fishing village with swimming beaches, bars, restaurants

Placencia Lagoon with manatees, mangrove swamps, birding by canoe or kayak (most resorts can rent)

Seine Bight, a traditional Garifuna village a few miles north of Placencia Town (see above)

Diving and snorkeling, off beaches and to nearby cayes such as Silk Cayes, barrier reefs, Scipio Caye, Bird Caye, French Louie and Lark cayes

Maya Beach, with white sandy beaches, seaside bars, 3 miles north of Seine Bight

Kayaking including tours of cayes and campout

Laughing Bird Caye National Park, a World Heritage Site 13 miles from Placencia, for swimming, snorkeling and diving

Monkey River Village, a small creole village on mouth of Monkey River

Fishing for bonefish, permit and tarpon, and deep-sea fishing off boats

Mayan ruins of Nim Li Punit and Lubantuum

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (with its associated Maya Centre Village and 12 self-guided trails, or guided tour with river tubing), a 100,000 acre forest recognized as the only jaguar preserve in the world, great wildlife, and nearly 300 bird species

Birding on the peninsula, where over 54 species have been recorded

Mayflower Archaeological Reserve, in the Maya Mountains foothills, with 3  post-classic Maya ruins (Mayflower, T'au Witz and Maintzunun) and waterfalls Antelope Falls and Three Sisters Fall

Bladden River Reserve for walk on jungle trails and boat tour through mangroves

visitor info
Placencia has plenty of resorts and lodges, each with its own character. Most of these are on the long beach of the peninsula leading up to Placencia Village, so that you can visit bars and restaurants by walking along the beach. There is also a small shuttle service to help you get around the peninsula. As can be seen under the attractions above, there is really plenty to do and Placencia can be a good base.

getting there
The drive with rental car to Placencia from Belize City, via the Western, Coastal, Hummingbird and then Southern Highways, takes about 2-3 hours to cover the 116 miles. The drive is relatively long, windy, and involving gravel roads part of the way, but is extremely scenic. If you go via Belmopan to see more sights, the additional distance is around 25 miles. There are also regular domestic flights with Tropic Air and Maya Airways, the flight lasting about 30 minutes. There are also several buses a day to Placencia from Belize City.