Here are six things to do in Placencia:
DIVING/SNORKELING: The longest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere is a 45 minute boat ride off the coast of Placencia. Laughing Bird Caye, a National Park and World Heritage Site is even closer. The local dive centers have comfortable boats offer 2 or 3 tank dives with a lunch break on an island. The lunch consists of chicken, rice, beans, soft drinks, fruits and while doing your surface interval you will enjoy the beautiful white sandy beaches. Splash typically does a barbecue on the beach. On an typical dive you may see turtles, rays, moray eels, barracudas, lobsters and if you are lucky you might spot a nurse shark, hammerhead shark, or Caribbean Reef Shark. You may see a pod of daulphins on the boat ride to the dive site. If you are not yet a diver, all the dive centers offer PADI Open Water Courses as well (including Discover SCUBA Diving which lets you dive almost immediately but under the close supervision of a PADI Instructor),or you just go snorkeling in the clear shallow reef around the islands.
Between March and June around the full moon whale sharks will pass by. These huge gentle giants, feeding just on plankton, are pretty much guaranteed to see on a spot called Gladden Spit. Make sure you arrange your spot upfront.
SAILING: Two of the largest charter fleets in Belize are established in Placencia. They offer day trips, over night or weekly charters with or without crews.
FISHING: Book either a private fishing trip or check out one of the tour operators. The guides are perfectly trained and licensed and will bring you out to the reef or nearby islands and you can do drop-, hand-line fishing or fly fishing with or without your own gear. You can catch Snapper, Grouper, Jack, Permit, Tarpon, Snook and Bonefish.
KAYAKING: Explore the lagoon or kayak to the nearby islands. In the lagoon you might spot a manatee and guaranteed are sightings of a lot of birds.
TOURS: In the village are tour operators who will be happy to give you all the necessary details on all available tours. Also ask in your hotel. A must is a trip to one of the nearby Maya Ruins – explore this amazing old culture which is still vibrant when strolling through the large areas of ruins. Jungle tours offer a safe and guided entrance into an amazing world of nature. See howler monkeys, crocodiles, turtles, anteaters and more. If lucky you will see footprints of a Jaguar. They are nocturnal and very shy. The Cockscomb Basin Reserve, just a 45 minutes drive from Placencia, is a perfect place to be part of Belize’s stunning flora and fauna.
RELAX: The Placencia Peninsula offers the most beautiful beaches in Belize. The weather is mostly perfect with a slight breeze. Stroll along the Sidewalk (once announced as the world narrowest street) and shop for some souvenirs.
Explore also the nearby villages Seine Bight (6 miles) and Maya Beach (8 miles) by bus, golf cart or ride your bicycle. Seine Bight is a Garifuna community and a very gifted artist calls it her home. Visit Lola’s Art just passed the football field. In Maya Beach shop at Spectarte Art Gallery.
