Where is Placencia, Belize?
Originally known as “Punta Placencia,” or Spanish for “Pleasant Point,” Placencia is the name of a peninsula in southeastern Belize as well as the eponymous village at the southern tip of the peninsula that serves as its unofficial capital.
Primarily a sleepy fishing community throughout most of the 20th century, the Placencia Peninsula has emerged in recent years to become the third most popular destination for international travelers visiting Belize. Yet Placencia has managed to hold onto its idyllic charm and laid-back Caribbean pace of life. Indeed, visitors entering Placencia Village are advised that the area is “barefoot ready,” a place where bicycles and golf carts are the predominant modes of travel.
The Placencia Peninsula measures approximately 16 miles from north to south but just half a mile wide. It is connected to the mainland by a narrow land bridge. On the western, interior side of the peninsula is a large, mangrove-lined lagoon that is teeming with fish and wildlife while the eastern, coastal side of the peninsula has some of the most beautiful Caribbean beaches in the world.
Placencia Village is a popular launching point for fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving expeditions to the reef which begins just a mile or two offshore. Placencia Village is also where visitors can stock up on souvenirs, enjoy a tasty seafood meal, or sip on fine wines, fresh juices, and fancy coffees. Placencia Village is also listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the smallest “main street” in the world, a pedestrian-only narrow sidewalk running through the middle of town that is lined with colorful murals and charming shops.
Placencia is also located very close to some of the top destinations on the mainland, including national parks, animal refuges, caves, and ancient Maya ruins. The enormous Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (CBWS) is just a short distance away and offers hikers a chance to explore thick jungle landscapes, mountain slopes (including Victoria Peak, the second-highest peak in the country), and waterfalls. The CBWS is also home to the world’s only dedicated jaguar conservation program that tracks more than 200 jaguars as well as four other indigenous species of big cats.
If you’re interested in visiting Placencia, be sure to book your travels with Adventures in Belize (AIB). AIB works with all of the finest hotels, lodges, and resorts in Placencia and across the country to create bespoke vacation experiences for travelers from around the world.
