Placencia

Travel Guide
Maya Beach showing tropical scenes
Go diving at one of the cays in this charming beach town and take a boat tour of the national park.

Find golden beaches, warm Caribbean seawater and exotic birds in the picturesque town of Placencia. Its highlight is the Laughing Bird Caye National Park, where snorkeling and scuba diving are popular ways of seeing colorful marine life. Bring your swimming goggles or mask to this lively part of the world to witness extraordinary features of nature.

Visit the Laughing Bird Caye National Park to see outstanding natural beauty. Take a tour with one of the area operators. This generally includes a boat ride to the national park as well as lunch.

Learn about one of the main local harvests at the Bunches of Fun Banana Farm Tours. Guided tours make the trip through the banana farm really enjoyable and funny.Learn about the fascinating process of growing bananas it will change the way you think about the fruit. Try the local specialty of fried green bananas.

Visit Lola’s Art Gallery to get an insight into the creative minds of Placencia. That creativity continues to the bright colors used to paint the wooden structures of bars and restaurants. Nearby you will also find a gym and a nightclub.

This area essentially has two seasons: wet and humid from June to November and dry and hot the rest of the time. The mood is generally fun and friendly, as can be seen from the comical names and colorful décor of the bars and restaurants. The name of the town comes from the Spanish for “pleasing,” which sums up how the Spanish colonists felt when they arrived.

Find the small town on the southern part of the peninsula. It is a 20-minute drive south along Placencia Road from Maya Beach, which is 8 miles (13 kilometers) away. The town has its own airport for small connections. For far-flung destinations, go to Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport.

Placencia is primarily known among snorkelers for its cays. Visit its cute cafés, shops and galleries for a touch of Caribbean flair added to the attraction.

Where to stay in Placencia

Maya Beach

Maya Beach

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Maya Beach and surrounding area, you can visit Maya Beach and Placencia Peninsula.

Maya Beach
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Plantation

4/5(5 area reviews)

When in Plantation, you can plan a visit to Maya Beach and Placencia Peninsula, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Plantation
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Cocoplum

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

While visiting Cocoplum, you might make a stop by sights like Placencia Peninsula and Maya Beach.

Cocoplum
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Caribbean Way

4/5(2 area reviews)

You might consider checking out Maya Beach while you're exploring Caribbean Way and the larger Placencia area.

Caribbean Way
Holy goodness! This place serves THE BEST Indian food. The chef is from Mumbai, worked at a 5🌟hotel in Dubai, as well as India. 
For the record my boyfriend hates curry and has never eaten Indian food but loved this place. The Naan is just the best thing ever. The staff is great, and they even have a tuk tuk that will pick you up from your hotel and drive you back and forth.

Surfside

When in Surfside, you can plan a visit to Placencia Peninsula and Maya Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Surfside
Umaya Resort & Adventures
Umaya Resort & Adventures
4 out of 5
Maya Beach, Stann Creek, Placencia
The price is ¥17,746 per night from Apr 29 to Apr 30
¥17,746
per night
Apr 29 - Apr 30
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Placencia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (822 reviews)
"Very friendly staff and super attentive. Unit could use more kitchen items and the bathrooms need a major overhaul. Pool needed maintenance, as well. Amazing, clean beach and staff were constantly working to keep it clean. Housekeeping did not come until dinner, but when asked for extra pillows, ..."

Reviewed on Apr 17, 2024

Umaya Resort & Adventures
Brisa Oceano Resort
Brisa Oceano Resort
4 out of 5
Placencia Rd., Placencia, Stann Creek District
The price is ¥31,658 per night from Apr 30 to May 1
¥31,658
per night
Apr 30 - May 1
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Placencia. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and onsite spa services. Popular attractions Placencia Beach and Jaguar Bowling ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (159 reviews)
"I liked the location. Staff was excellent. My biggest complaint is that they desperately needed to clean their beachfront. Lots of bottlecaps and plastics."

Reviewed on Apr 7, 2024

Brisa Oceano Resort
The Placencia
The Placencia
4 out of 5
Placencia Rd, Placencia, Stann Creek
The price is ¥20,862 per night from Apr 29 to Apr 30
¥20,862
per night
Apr 29 - Apr 30
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Placencia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (223 reviews)
Stay here!
"This is a delightful place. Its right on the beach and has a terrific pool with waterfall and swings! Cocktails and food are lovely and well priced. Some of the room was a bit tired looking but to be expected in a coastal resort. I would stay here again for sure!"

Reviewed on Apr 7, 2024

The Placencia
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Julia´s Cabanas
Julia´s Cabanas
3 out of 5
CENTER OF PLACENCIA VILLAGE, Leslie Lane, Placencia
Stay at this 3-star beach cabin in Placencia. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and a terrace. Popular attractions Placencia Beach and Jaguar Bowling Lanes are ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (152 reviews)
"I loved my stay at Julia's Cabinas. Shelly and her staff were fantastic. The property outside is kept very tidy. The location of beachfront is wonderful. I stayed in Cabina 5 which has a view of the ocean from the deck where I enjoyed daily laying in my hammock enjoying the beautiful view. The location ..."

Reviewed on Apr 22, 2024

Julia´s Cabanas
Little Harvest Caye - Your Own Private Island
Little Harvest Caye - Your Own Private Island
Placencia
Stay at this beach villa in Placencia. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and private pools. Popular attractions Placencia Beach and Jaguar Bowling Lanes are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (103 reviews)
Paradise Island!
"This was our family's 2nd stay at Little Harvest Caye, and we're already planning our 3rd! Pictures and words don't do justice to the island, the accommodations and the amazing staff. We felt welcomed from the first minute, and our time flew by. The staff were unfailingly kind and thoughtful, our ..."

Reviewed on Feb 29, 2024

Little Harvest Caye - Your Own Private Island
Sirenian Bay Resort - Villas & All Inclusive Bungalows
Sirenian Bay Resort - Villas & All Inclusive Bungalows
4 out of 5
Manatee Bay Estates, Placencia Rd, Seine Bight, Placencia, Stann Creek District
Stay at this 4-star beach villa in Placencia. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Placencia Beach and Inky's Mini Golf are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (21 reviews)
We Love Love Love Belize and Sirenian Bay!
"Absolutely fabulous resort with amazing staff!! We loved our stay in Placencia Belize at Sirenian Bay!! Everyone from the time we booked our stay to our last day in Belize made us feel welcome and a part of their family. The food and drinks were delicious and abundant. The Conch and Lobster dishes ..."

Reviewed on Feb 22, 2024

Sirenian Bay Resort - Villas & All Inclusive Bungalows
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Placencia

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
134
" "5 - Excellent 57.02127659574468%
4 - Good
86
" "4 - Good 36.59574468085106%
3 - Okay
12
" "3 - Okay 5.1063829787234045%
2 - Disappointing
3
" "2 - Disappointing 1.2765957446808511%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
May 11, 2020

We loved Placencia and will return in the future. We stayed for 8 days, however we would recommend splitting your vacation between the beach and the interior.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 16, 2020

If you like seafood you MUST go to Omar's in Placencia Village. Outstanding! Best ever!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 1, 2020

This was the first I traveled that made me seriously consider staying. It is slightly more expensive than other areas in Central America but in my opinion it is worth the cost.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 29, 2020

Only problem is the shuttle runs certain times, I feel they should add more rides.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 26, 2020

Placencia is a lovely chill beach town with plenty of good local food. The place is full of friendly, helpful locals, and retired expats. Although there was seaweed and some trash ashore, most hotel properties cleaned their part of the beach daily.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 26, 2020

Fun, quiet, friendly, funky beach town!