Placencia Travel Guide
Placencia lies at the southern end of Belize and is a thin 16-mile (26-kilometer) long stretch of land with the best beaches in the entire country.
If you’re backpacking Belize, you’re likely to visit here as it’s a major stop in the country. It is the perfect location for divers, snorkelers, and those who wish to explore the Mayan ruins in the south of the country.
The town still has a laid-back Caribbean feel and life here centers around the main street where you will find most bars and restaurants.
I loved my visit to Placencia so much that I ended up staying an extra week. (In Placencia, you’ll find a lot of travelers who end up doing the same.)
There isn’t much to “do” here aside from eating seafood, relaxing on the beach, and drinking beer as the sun sets.
This Placencia travel guide will give you all the practical information you need to help you plan your visit!
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Top 5 Things to See and Do in Placencia
1. Visit Lubaantun
Lubaantun is the largest Mayan site in Southern Belize. Located outside the village of San Pedro Columbia, it dates back to 700-900 CE. The area comprises 11 large structures, including 5 plazas, 3 ball courts, temples, pyramids, and tombs that archeologists believe were used for religious ceremonies, trade, and sports gatherings. One interesting aspect that differentiates these structures from other Mayan structures across the region is that the stones are stacked and fitted together tightly without the use of mortar. Lubaantun was famed for its ceramic artifacts, many of which are displayed in the small onsite museum. Admission is 10 BZD.
2. Go Sailing
Hire a boat or catamaran for a day trip to the islands on the reef or those further afield (such as the Honduran and Guatemalan Bay Islands). Laughing Bird Caye National Park is one of the top destinations as it’s located on a breathtaking island in the southernmost part of the Belize Great Reef. It’s the perfect tropical paradise to explore crystal blue waters that are home to an abundance of marine life as well as brown pelicans, green herons, turtles, and of course nearly vacant, beautiful beaches. A one-day trip is around 250 BZD while a 3-day/2-night tour is 900 BZD. If you’re on a budget but still want to enjoy a boat tour, a 3-hour sunset sail with drinks and delicious eats like ceviche and shrimp costs around 160 BZD. Bring plenty of sunscreen for these trips!
3. Visit Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
This is the largest protected area in the world for jaguars (though it’s unfortunately quite rare that you’ll spot one). Nonetheless, this beautiful sanctuary is home to roughly 200 jaguars and covers 150 square miles (388 square kilometers) of tropical forest with dozens of lush jungle trails where you can take a dip in one of the waterfalls and hopefully catch a glimpse of the howler monkeys, pumas and ocelots, tapirs, and other wild animals that call the jungle home. Cockscomb is renowned for its bird watching as there are over 330 species here including the Keel-billed Toucan, Macaw, and Great Curassow. Some hikes are best done at night with a headlamp as you have more chances to see wild cats, owls, snakes, toads, and wild pigs. The River Overlook and Warrie Trails are said to be best for seeing wildlife, especially during the rainy season in June and July when the animals are most active. Spend a night at one of the many guesthouses or family cabins that line the entrance to get the most out of your hiking. The entrance fee to the park is 10 BZD.
4. Visit Nim Li Punit
Nim Li Punit is one of the smaller Mayan sites located near Indian Creek village in the Toledo District at the foot of the Maya Mountain. The site is famous for the carvings on 25 “stelae” discovered there, which are a kind of stone slab or columns. At one time, up to 7,000 inhabitants may have lived here. Today, you can wander around without a tour exploring the pyramids, tombs, and plazas, but the intricate carvings on the longest stelae steal the show. They are the longest in Belize at 55 feet (17 meters) long with intricate carvings of a figure with a headdress. The “South Group” is where you can visit the Plaza of the Stelae, which historians believe allowed the Mayans to keep track of time by observing the sunrise and sunsets, equinox, and solstices, and create their well-known calendars. Trips here are usually combined with a visit to Lubaantun. Admission is 10 BZD.
5. Go diving
The Belizean Barrier Reef is just 45 minutes from shore and is the largest reef in the Northern Hemisphere. If you’re new to diving, consider a trip to Laughing Bird Caye, a stunning, unpopulated island with a myriad of plant and marine life species, from colorful fish, sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, and manta rays. This area has drop-offs that are perfect for diving with high visibility if you’re a bit more experienced. For something more adventurous, head to The Elbow at Gladden Spit, a steep drop-off and an incredible place for underwater photography as there are schools of fish of every kind, sponges, gorgonians, and perhaps even dolphins. Barrier Reef 6-hour tours with two dives start at 300 BZD with lunch and equipment included. You can also dive with whale sharks here, with dives costing around 300 BZD.
Other Things to See and Do in Placencia
1. Go sea kayaking
You can rent a sea kayak for around 70 BZD per day to explore secluded beaches and caves. Bring your snorkel gear to take advantage of the amazing snorkeling too. There are also guided kayaking tours if you don’t want to go alone. Guides cost around 130-200 BZD per day.
2. Go snorkeling
Many of the diving sites are also great for snorkelers too. Snorkeling day trips often include a beach barbecue and cost around 175 BZD with trips to Laughing Bird Caye being the most inexpensive. Silk Caye Marine Reserve is located just 22 miles (36 kilometers) east of Placencia Village. Stop by this island to snorkel among some of the most colorful fish you’ll ever see. Snorkeling trips start at 175 BZD, lunch included.
3. Explore Placencia Lagoon
This is the perfect place to catch a glimpse of manatees (which are endangered), rays, saltwater crocodiles, and numerous species of birds. The mangrove forests are ideal for exploring via canoe or kayak rental.
4. Meet the whale sharks
The months of May and June are prime times for spotting the gentle whale sharks that swim down here. It’s one of the most amazing experiences ever. If you want to snorkel or dive with them, tours start from around 530-545 BZD. Just make sure you keep your distance; wild animals shouldn’t be touched or interfered with.
5. Tour a spice farm near Nim Li Punit
This spice farm and botanical garden was created in 1990. Now, the farm is one of the largest black pepper and vanilla farms in the country and is also covered with beautiful teak, mahogany, and rosewood trees. You can come here to wander the grounds or learn about how pepper is made. Open daily from 7am-4pm and tours with tastings cost 50 BZD.
For more information on specific cities in Belize, check out these guides:
How to Stay Safe in Placencia
Placencia is a safe place to backpack and travel. It’s a small town with a low crime rate. Petty theft is your only real concern and even that is really rare. As a general rule, don’t flash around your expensive belongings and don’t bring anything valuable to the beach just to be safe.
Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).
Scams here are rare, but if you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about the common travel scams to avoid here.
If you experience an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.
The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.
Where to Stay in Placencia
Budget accommodation is limited in Placencia. Here are my suggested places to stay:
Placencia Travel Costs
Accommodation
- Hostel Dorms – 45-60 BZD per night
- Hostel private rooms – 115 BZD per night
- Budget hotels – 175-250 BZD per night
- Airbnb private rooms – 80-180 BZD per night
- Airbnb apartments – 150-300 BZD per night
Food
- Casual restaurants – 15 BZD
- Sit-down restaurants – 50 BZD
- Western restaurants – 70 BZD
- Fast food (think McDonald’s) – 15 BZD
- Groceries for a week – 75-90 BZD
Placencia Suggested Budgets
Backpacker – 100 BZD Per Day
If you’re backpacking Placencia, this budget covers a hostel dorm, getting around on foot, cooking all of your meals, and sticking to mostly free and cheap activities like enjoying the beach.
Midrange – 240 BZD Per Day
A mid-range covers staying in a private Airbnb, cooking most meals but eating out a bit, renting a bicycle, taking the odd taxi, and doing more tours and activities. If you want to snorkel or dive, add another 175-200 BZD per activity.
Upscale – 425 BZD Per Day
On a “luxury” budget, you can stay in a nice resort, eat out for all your meals, take taxis to get around, do private guided tours, and enjoy plenty of drinks. This is just the ground floor for luxury though!
Placencia Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips
There aren’t many ways to save money in Placencia as it’s already quite affordable. But, if you’re looking to stretch your dollars as far as possible, here are some ways to save when you visit:
Pack a water bottle – A reusable water bottle with a filter will come particularly in handy here. Not only will you save money but you’ll reduce your single-use plastic usage as well. My preferred bottle is LifeStraw since it has a built-in filter to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
Shop around – There are many activity and tour providers so be sure to shop around for the best price.
Bike around – Placencia itself is small enough to explore on foot, but many hotels offer guests free bike rentals.
Travel off-peak – The most expensive time to visit is between October and April. By traveling in the off-season, you can significantly reduce prices for accommodation and flights.
Combine trips – Many tour operators offer trips that combine popular excursions. These are a good way to save on transfers to each tourist destination as well as possibly get dropped off in your next destination.
Happy hour – Most bars have a happy hour in the late afternoon and offer cheap drinks. Ask your hotel/hostel staff for suggestions.
Stay with a local – If you plan ahead, you might be able to a find a Couchsurfing host in the area. This way, you not only have a place to stay, but you’ll have a local host that can tell you the best places to go and things to see. There aren’t a ton of hosts, however, so be sure to start your search early.
How to Get Around in Placencia
On foot – You can walk everywhere since Placencia is pretty small. This is the best way to explore if you’re on a budget.
Bicycle – Your best option for getting around Placencia (other than walking) is to rent a bike for about 15 BZD for 4 hours or 25 BZD per day. Many hotels even offer them to guests for free. Otherwise, Captain Jak’s has the best rates.
Golf Cart – You can also rent golf carts from Captain Jak’s. Rates for a four-seater start from 70 BZD per four hours. An eight-hour rental is 100 BZD, and a 24-hour rental is 130 BZD.
Taxi – A taxi around town shouldn’t cost more than 6 BZD per person. A taxi from the town to Seine Bight is around 25 BZD, and from town to Maya Beach it’s about 40 BZD. Recent fuel prices have been volatile so these prices can change.
Car rental – As the area is so small here, a car rental really isn’t necessary. If you do want a car, rentals start at around 70 BZD per day for a multi-day rental. Drivers usually need to be at least 25 and have an IDP (International Driving Permit), though drivers 21 and up might be able to rent a car for an extra fee.
For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars.
Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking is possible but not very common since it’s so easy to walk or bike everywhere.
When to Go to Placencia
November to July is the dry season, and this is definitely the best time to visit Placencia. It’s hot, the skies are constantly blue, and it’s the prime season for diving, snorkeling, and enjoying other watersports. This is also peak season, so prices are inflated and you’ll find more crowds everywhere. The average daily temperature is usually around 80°F (26°C).
If you want to see whale sharks, come between March and June. For fun-filled festivals celebrating the lobster season, come in July for Lobster Fest.
Placencia’s wet season is from August to October and this is when the weather is warmest with temperatures between 82-84°F (28 or 29°C). It’s very humid, and although it rains almost daily, it usually only lasts for a few hours. Prices for activities and accommodations are much lower.
However, there’s a greater risk of hurricanes at the end of the wet season so plan accordingly and buy travel insurance.
Placencia Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources
These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.
- Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
- Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
- Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
- Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
- SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
- LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
- Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
- Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
