Placencia is one of Belize’s top tourist destinations, with excellent beaches and various water activities. Visitors can dive the coral-encrusted reefs, snorkel through caves and swim near manatees in the Placencia Lagoon. But if diving, snorkeling, or kayaking isn’t your thing, just relax on a secluded beach or explore the mangroves down the peninsula. These are just some of the things to do in Placencia.
Have you ever dreamed of having a relaxing summer without spending much money? Then, Placencia is the place to go! No doubt, as it’s affordable and there are things to do for all people. From young teenagers to retired business people, you’ll find plenty of adrenalized and relaxing activities.
The best time to explore is between December and April when it is the dry season and perfectly blue sky. Expect the prices of the hotels to be slightly higher during this time, however. You can move around with golf cars, bikes, taxis, or on foot. Prepare for the vacation of your dreams!
Visiting other destinations in Belize? Check out our other guides:
- 11 Best Placencia Restaurants
- 9 Best San Pedro Belize Restaurants
- 14 Fun Things To Do In San Pedro Belize
6 Best Things To Do In Placencia
Monkey River Tour
Monkey River Tour – Monkey River Village, Monkey River Town, Belize // +501 601-6359
The Monkey River Tour is an exciting activity to do in this region. It is fun, adventurous, and has lots of learning experiences for your little ones. Visitors can take the Monkey River Tour during any month of the year, with the possibility from any part of Placencia Village.
If you are planning a vacation in Placencia, then the one thing that you should include in your list is a Monkey River Tour. All you need is an adventurous heart and a boat.
The Monkey River in Belize is one of the most popular tourist destinations. You can take a day trip to this place or stay at the available jungle lodges for a night or two.
Locals usually run the kind of lodges that you’ll find, so expect no-frills from their facilities.
Tikal Maya Ruins
The ancient Mayan city Tikal was built around 3,000 years ago and is recognized as the most powerful one in the ancient world. Nestled in a National Park, the dominant Tikal occupies 23 square miles, with over 2,000 impressive buildings. UNESCO protects this archaeological site as a World Heritage, and once you step foot there, your breath will be taken away. Undoubtedly, this visit is one of the most memorable things to do in Placencia.
This place was even featured in movies like Star Wars and New Adventures of Tarzan. So it does look like a movie place indeed, especially the area known as “Mundo Perdido” (Lost World). While walking and admiring Tikal’s prominent temples, a knowledgeable English-speaking tour guide passionately described the past and shared facts about all flora and fauna in here.
What marked my visit here was the insanely beautiful sunrise we witnessed over the pyramids. I purposely scheduled my departure from Placencia early in the morning, before dawn, and I recommend this time as probably the best for visits here.
Art n Soul Gallery
Art n Soul Gallery – Placencia, Belize // +501 503-3088
Art n Soul Gallery is the best place to visit in Placencia if you are into art and unique, hand-crafted things. I found the place full of life, breathing art produced by the local community. You will be able to purchase them and learn a lot about them if you are an art lover.
This gallery in Placencia is focused on bringing beautiful artwork, excellent quality, and affordable prices to tourists who visit here. The gallery is just a stone’s throw away from the main Pier and operates from Monday through Saturday, from 9 am to 6 pm.
The owner and artist, Greta, is such a talented lady who entertained me during my visit and shared her different inspirations for the paintings. I visited the gallery a couple of times and each time felt like an adventure. The pieces, once you bring them out in the light, become even more lively. Visiting the Art n Soul Gallery is one of the most memorable things to do in Placencia, even multiple times.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving has been a fascinating thing for me ever since I remember. The underwater world is something not everyone gets to experience. If you find yourself looking for things to do in Placencia, then you should go scuba diving and see for yourself the vibrant and colorful sea life.
Placencia is among the best places in the world for this type of wild encounter. Prepare to witness whale sharks during your sea exploration if you visit between March and June. The underwater is full of rays, turtles, and eels inhabiting the corals, and if you are lucky, you may even see the majestic Manta Ray. Bring your camera with you to capture the undersea paradise.
The best site for diving is the Blue Hole. It will take you around three hours to reach there, and one of the most productive sites you can enjoy for scuba diving is located on the most extensive barrier reef in the western hemisphere. You’ll find the whole experience spectacular.
And If you are not certified for diving, there are plenty of shops that offer certification courses.
Snorkeling
At the Placencia Peninsula, the rich marine life and scenic beauty offer the visitors a fun-filled holiday. If you just don’t want to go diving, you can always choose snorkeling. It is more relaxing and doesn’t require any kind of training or learning.
Even if you are a first-time diver, it is safe for everyone since snorkeling is swimming with goggles and breathing air from your mouth. You will get to discover different kinds of sea creatures up close, even animals that you cannot find anywhere else.
On the way to the coral areas, you will pass through mangroves. The fascinating thing is that you can swim between mangroves and be close to crocodiles, water buffalos, and monkeys. Here, snorkeling would be fun but take care of your belongings since this place is a perfect hiding place for monkey swimmers.
Packed with local flavor, sea breezes, and tropical accents, Placencia, Belize, is slowly emerging as the paradisiacal destination hit on this side of the region. It is a delightful place that exudes a quiet charm and an enduring sense of delight and discovery.
Kayaking
Is there a better way to start your day than enjoying the best kayaking in the Caribbean waters? Kayaking in Placencia is a true paddler’s paradise!
You can easily learn how to paddleboard or go kayaking during your stay at Placencia. Different companies provide you this service by hiring boats. You can either keep it for the whole day or an hour, depending on your preference.
Laughing Bird Caye National Park is the center of attraction for the area. You will find a lot of spectacular things to explore in these mesmerizing natural surroundings. Many people go kayaking during their stopover, and they always have a perfect time over there.
Ending up the list with kayaking, as it should be the highlight of your stay in beautiful Placencia, taking you on a memorable exploration of Cayes, crystal blue waters, and coral gardens.
Wrapping Up On The Best Things To Do In Placencia, Belize
Placencia is a lovely destination located on the southern coast of Belize. It is most famous for the long, white-sandy beaches, just steps away from restaurants, bars, and the town center. The peninsula stretches from Laguna north to the Monkey River in the south and encompasses 11 villages.
Plenty of fresh, delicious seafood will satisfy all your senses. But, for those who have not tried fried conch yet, do yourself a favor and order some!
I wish I had more time to enjoy this paradise on earth. Placencia is genuinely something to be explored. The coastal village has developed to stand shoulder to shoulder with all the high-class world destinations for vacationing, with exclusive luxury resorts and restaurants. Solo, with a group of friends, or with your kids, Placencia will not disappoint, and you will pack a whole suite of beautiful memories from here.
Igor Jovanovski is an aspiring digital nomad, travel blogger and graphic designer who really loves food. He also has a creative side, and he works as a freelance graphic designer in his spare time. He has traveled across Europe quite a few times since he was young and recently started his mission to visit every country in the world! Igor’s favorite thing about traveling is the way he gets to know new people, food, places and cultures.
This exciting experience helps him create his own stories and make memories that will last forever