Located on the tip of the Placencia Peninsula, in the southern half of Belize, this Caribbean coastal town boasts palm tree-lined beaches, a lagoon with manatees and saltwater crocodiles, and dive sites dotted among the Belize Barrier Reef. Here, travelers can escape the larger crowds that flock to the country’s northern coast while still enjoying plenty of things to do, from exploring the Coxcomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and its resident jaguar preserve to sunbathing at nearby Maya Beach.
Placencia’s high (and dry) season starts in mid-December and lasts until April. During the full moon periods between March and June, whale sharks come to feed in the waters just offshore; April and May are considered the best months to see them. The rainy season lasts from May to November, but it’s rare for Belize to get hit by hurricanes. However, they’ve been known to cause serious damage in the past; keep that in mind if you’re traveling during this period.
To get to Placencia, you’ll first fly into Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport near Belize City. From there, you can rent a car or take a domestic flight, taxi/shuttle, or local bus. If driving, you can reach Placencia via a paved road that branches off the Thomas Vincent Ramos Highway. Golf carts are a popular mode of transportation for getting around town, but they can be expensive to rent and the narrow roads are tricky to navigate. Taxis are also readily available.
A lot of places in Placencia do not accept credit cards. While you can withdraw local currency from an ATM, many businesses—including stores, bars, and restaurants—also take US dollars. Travelers recommend bringing small bills since large denominations can be hard to break, and plan to bring cash in mint condition—some establishments won’t accept ripped or wrinkled bills. If you choose to pay in USD, however, be prepared to get Belize dollars in change.
