Belize

Placencia is a gorgeous emerald peninsula in southern Belize with 16 miles of sandy beaches. The Caribbean Sea is to the east and the charming Placencia lagoon lies to west looking towards the Maya Mountains on the mainland. Placencia is essentially divided into two parts: south of the airstrip and north of the airstrip. The entire peninsula can be easily navigated on a beach cruiser bike. The busy part of Placencia lies in the south where the visitor will find the greater concentration of coffee shops, bistros, internet cafes, the harbor, guest houses, taxi and bus station, banks and local restaurants.

Land on the peninsula is low-lying and flat. The Maya Mountains are visible to the west. Placencia, a Creole village is at the southern tip of the peninsula. A long concrete sidewalk runs up the center of the village. A stroll up and down the sidewalk will give you a good introduction to life in the village. The 16 miles or so of beaches on the peninsula are a beautiful resource, a narrow, long loaf of toast-colored sand.

The northern portion of Placencia includes the Garifuna village of Seine Bight, is less densely populated and has many of the more expensive resorts. Because of its distance from the reef , it also has “real’ though not very high surf. The water is clean and clear; the trade winds gentle and cooling. There are few sights more calming to the spirit than a Belizean sunset on a deserted Plaencia beach.