Three hours south of Belize City by car (quicker if you fly) are the palm fringed beaches of the gorgeous Placencia peninsula — aptly named by the Spanish as a most pleasant land. This 16-mile-long strip of paradise is connected to the mainland by a tiny causeway, so staying here gives the visitor a real feeling of 'getting away from it all'. Needless to stay, this formerly sleepy land of fishing villages has in recent years become a very fashionable place to visit, so there are a number of resorts and hotels dotting its silky sand beaches. Below, we have selected the best places to stay in Placencia for you, covering a range of budgets and styles.
One of the attractions of Placencia is the range of activities you can access here. To one side is a gentle lagoon, fringed with mangroves, great for wildlife such as manatees or crocs, while to the east are the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, with its windsurfing, diving in Belize's Southern Marine Reserve, and deep sea fishing for snapper, kingfish and wahoo. An excellent boat excursion — though overnight stays can be arranged — is to Ranguana Caye 20 miles out to sea, a two acre private island with clear waters and white sand. It's a perfect gateway to dive or snorkel the spectacular Belize Barrier Reef, home to more than 500 species of fish and more than one hundred different types of coral,
Meanwhile, inland and easy to access on a day trip are all the attractions of mainland Belize — Mayan ruins, rainforest birdlife, and, not to be missed, the jaguar wildlife sanctuary at Cockscomb Basin. Many visitors, however, add a few days stay on the Placencia Peninsula after a jungle trip of the interior — because it's the perfect place to kick back and decompress. Use our guide to the best places to stay in Placencia and start planning your relaxing beach break.