Travelers to Belize now have a new flight to choose from. Southwest, the world’s biggest low-cost airline, currently has three non-stop flights from American cities to Belize City. This month, Southwest began flying from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL) Airport to Belize City (BZE), following their initial foray into the market with Houston (HOU) and Denver (DIA) routes that were launched earlier.
The new Fort Lauderdale flight is designed to provide greater accessibility for East Coast travelers wanting to enjoy a fabulous vacation in Belize. This includes two hours of flying time and a convenient departure schedule (flights leave at 11:30 AM), giving travelers plenty of time to catch onward connections to popular destinations in Belize like the Placencia Peninsula. According to Southwest’s website, prices for the new Fort Lauderdale-Belize City route start at just $79 per segment.
A scenic three-hour drive or short 45-minute flight from Belize City, the Placencia Peninsula is a 16-mile long stretch of white sandy beaches on Belize’s southern Caribbean coast. Home to idyllic fishing communities and traditional Garifuna villages, Placencia is rapidly becoming the eco-tourism destination of Belize, a region where “barefoot perfect” is the watchword.
Laru Beya, located on the beach in Placencia, is a charming boutique resort offering personalized service. The infinity pool, restaurant, bar and mini golf are mere steps from your Oceanfront Suites. Laru Beya is also home to the Quarterdeck Restaurant, one of the top gourmet eateries in the peninsula, and has exclusive spa services and a conference center.
Visitors love Placencia because of its close proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef, an enormous UNESCO World Heritage site teeming with exotic bird species and colorful marine life. Snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, and fishing are all popular activities on the reef, and many visitors enjoy playing “castaway for a day” on the gorgeous palm tree-lined islands with their crystal clear lagoons.
Placencia is also a popular destination because it is home to exciting activities like Lobsterfest, a three-day celebration of crustaceans, music and fun. Garifuna Settlement Day celebrates the country’s unique Afro-Caribbean Garifuna culture, and the famous End of the World Marathon held each December. Indeed, there’s a festival, parade, or holiday to enjoy every month of the year in Placencia.
Other popular mainland activities in the Placencia area include exploring ancient Maya temples and ceremonial caves, boat expeditions up the Monkey River, and hiking through pristine wilderness areas like the Cockscomb Basin Nature Reserve.
