Placencia

Travel Guide

Placencia Beach which includes general coastal views and a beach
Maya Beach showing tropical scenes
Placencia Beach featuring a marina and general coastal views
Placencia Beach featuring a river or creek and a house
Placencia Beach as well as an individual male

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

So beautiful! Edge of the island, Sunset Point. Placencia, Belize.

Placencia Village

While visiting Placencia Village, you might make a stop by sights like Placencia Beach and Jaguar Bowling Lanes.

Placencia Village
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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
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Cocoplum

4.5/5(5 area reviews)

While visiting Cocoplum, you might make a stop by sights like Maya Beach and Inky's Mini Golf.

Cocoplum
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 Inky's Mini Golf.

Maya Beach
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Plantation

4/5(5 area reviews)

When in Plantation, you can plan a visit to Maya Beach and Inky's Mini Golf, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Plantation
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 Maya Beach and Placencia Beach, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Surfside
Maya Beach Hotel

Maya Beach Hotel

3 out of 5
Maya Beach Placencia Stan Creek
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Placencia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (240 reviews)
All

Reviewed on Nov 24, 2025

Maya Beach Hotel
Mariposa Belize Beach Resort

Mariposa Belize Beach Resort

3 out of 5
Placencia Village Placencia Stann Creek District
Book a stay at this beach hotel in Placencia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (171 reviews)
The staff was incredible from start to finish We were greeted by Gladis and Jose and others. Our rooms were spotless and they were great at anticipating our needs. It was my birthday and they made very special accommodations to make it very memorable.

Reviewed on Nov 19, 2025

Mariposa Belize Beach Resort
Umaya Resort & Adventures

Umaya Resort & Adventures

4 out of 5
Maya Beach, Stann Creek Placencia
Book a stay at this beach resort in Placencia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (952 reviews)
We found hair in the beds and shower before we had used it. The welcome community was great. But once we checked in the service wasn't that fast. We had to wait quite awhile till someone unlocked the canoes and water boards. Other than that it was a great little get away. And we would come back ...

Reviewed on Nov 16, 2025

Umaya Resort & Adventures
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 Placencia
Book a stay at this beach cabin in Placencia. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (232 reviews)
Fantastic location, some noise from storm.

Reviewed on Nov 19, 2025

Julia´s Cabanas
Easy Living Apartments

Easy Living Apartments

3 out of 5
Placencia Sidewalk Placencia Stann Creek District
Stay at this apartment in Placencia. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions Placencia Beach and Jaguar Bowling ...
9/10 Wonderful! (17 reviews)
Great walking location. Much much nicer to have apt over hotel room

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025

Easy Living Apartments
finca beach house and cabana

finca beach house and cabana

3 out of 5
1305 Placencia Rd Placencia Stann Creek District
Book a stay at this beach vacation home in Placencia. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Placencia Beach and Jaguar Bowling ...
6/10 (2 reviews)
The staff are friendly and helpful. There was an ocean breeze and I could hear the waves crashing. The cabana had everything you need for a comfortable stay. I’m definitely going back there again!

Reviewed on Apr 9, 2025

finca beach house and cabana
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

Reviews of Placencia

4.5
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
134
5 - Excellent 57%
4 - Good
86
4 - Good 37%
3 - Okay
12
3 - Okay 5%
2 - Disappointing
3
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

Fun, quiet, friendly, funky beach town!