Located in southern Belize and often referred to as “the island you can drive to,” the Placencia Peninsula is one of the top tourist destinations in the country.
If you’re planning a vacation to Belize, here are five great reasons why you should definitely visit Placencia:
1 – The Amazing Placencia Village
With just 1,500 inhabitants, you may be surprised to learn that Placencia Village is a proud holder of a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Located on the southern tip of the peninsula, Placencia has the world’s narrowest main street which is actually a four-foot-wide (1.2 meters) pedestrian-only sidewalk lined with colorful street murals, boutique shops, bars, and lovely cafes and restaurants.
2 – Beautiful Beaches
Placencia Peninsula is often voted as having the most amazing beaches in a country jam-packed with beaches, long stretches of soft, golden sands with gorgeous views of the Caribbean. Best of all, there’s more than enough beach to go around to ensure some quiet solitude if that’s what you prefer.
3 – Garifuna Culture
The village of Seine Bight is located about halfway up the Placencia Peninsula and is populated primarily by the Garifuna people, members of an ancient Afro-Caribbean culture with a rich heritage of music, dance, and drumming. The Garifuna culture was born more than 400 years ago when imported slaves intermarried with local Carib and Arawak peoples on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent. In 1802, after being harried by British forces, the Garifuna arrived on the shores of Belize where they have been a proud component of the local culture ever since.
4 – Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
The Placencia Peninsula is located just a couple of miles from some of the best diving and snorkeling spots on the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site brimming with many different species of coral, fish, sharks, sea turtles, rays, manatees, and dolphins. From April to June, whale sharks, the largest non-mammalian species in the world’s oceans, arrive off the coast of Placencia, giving divers a unique opportunity to interact with these friendly creatures.
5 – The Monkey River
The Monkey River is located just 12 miles south of Placencia. Boat tours along this well-named river are a great way to learn more about the local flora and fauna of Belize, including dozens of different species of birds. Of course, the main attraction is the large number of black howler monkeys who live on the banks of the river whose cries can be heard from several miles away.
One of the finest places to stay in Placencia is Laru Beya Beach Resort. Located just steps from the beach and regularly given high marks by guests for its best-in-class customer service, Laru Beya is the perfect place to stay when enjoying a vacation in Placencia.
If you will be visiting Belize and Placencia soon, book your accommodations and adventure tours with Laru Beya Beach Resort.
