The year was 2019, and my two college friends and I decided to head to Belize. We were living in the Boston area at the time and we tried to escape the harsh winters at least once a year.
We decided to check out the Placenia Pennisula in Belize, which is known for its beautiful beaches, snorkeling, and scube diving. Continue reading to learn more about this incredible place!
How to Get to Placenia Peninsula
There are several ways to get here from the Belize airport, including the following:
By Plane
This is perhaps the easiest way to get to and from the main airport. You’ll board a small plane (ours only had about 15 people on it) and take a short flight to a very small regional airport. I am terrified of flying, but actually loved going this way. The views were so pretty, so I was very distracted.
By Shuttlebus
There are several shuttle buses a day and the route will span 3 hours. I did not take this way, so I recommend asking your hotel directly what they would recommend. This is perhaps the cheapest option.
The View from our hotel
5 Things to See in Placencia
1. Go to Silk Caye
If you do nothing else on this list, go here!
This is probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and we were lucky to meet some people at a restaurant who recommended it to us. This protected land is located about 22 miles off the shore. However, not only is the beach stunning, but the wildlife is too. We recommend going snorkeling here. There are so many fish along the reefs and the water is so beautiful, it feels like there is an Instagram filter on top.
Silk Caye
2. Swim with Sharks
Another highlight of our snorkeling adventure was swimming with nurse sharks. This was completely voluntary, but was so cool!
3. Visit the Maya Ruins
Visiting the ruins will require an excursion away from the peninsula, but there are so many tour companies that offer this (and many times, hotels will also offer this directly if you want to book with them).
There are a lot of places you can visit. However, not all of them are close or convenient to get to. We chose to go to Xunantunich, which takes between 3-4 hours driving. This site is particularly well-known for the pyramid El Castillo, which is 130 feet tall and the second-tallest structure in the country.
4. Visit the Beach
Many people come to the Plancencia Peninsula, and it’s easy to see why. Many of the hotels are along the beach and have swimming pools, making it perfect for relaxation and getting a tan.
5. Go Scuba Diving
I don’t have my scuba diving certification, so in full transparency, I did not do this. However, Placencia is really well known for its scuba diving. The most famous place to go scuba diving in all of Belize is The Great Blue Hole, so be sure to check that out if this is something you want to do!
Tips for Staying in Placenia
Wear Sunscreen
I did get the worst sunburn of my life while in Belize, since I didn’t reapply my sunscreen enough while snorkeling. Wear sunscreen and reapply often. If you are pale (like me), I’d recommend going snorkeling with a t-shirt. Since your back is facing up and the sunlight is reflecting off the water, you could end up lobster-colored like I did.
You Can Usually Use Dollars
While we usually recommend getting at least some foreign currency before leaving on a trip, this isn’t completely necessary in Belize if you are coming from the US. Most places will accept the dollar and there are also ATMs in many locations, in case they do not.
English is the Official Language
English is Belize’s official language, making it incredibly easy to get around. (Fun fact: It is the only country in Central America where it is the official language. This is because the British used to occupy it.)
Please note: Many Belizians do speak another language (for example: creole patois for example).
Final Thoughts
Have you been to Belize? What are your favorite sites? Leave them in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Placencia, Belize, worth visiting?
Placencia is incredibly beautiful with tons of fun activities. It’s definitely worth visiting!
Can you swim in the ocean in Placencia, Belize?
You can absolutely swim in Placenci,a and this is one of the main reasons people come and visit.
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