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.

The best places to stay in Placencia

Luxury

• For the ultimate in pampering, check in to the Itz'ana Belize Resort. With its large pool, luxurious beachfront suites and villas, fine dining and chic spa, it's an excellent place to unwind. It's family friendly too, though one of the pricier resorts in Placencia.

Budget

• For a simpler stay, Robert's Grove ticks all the boxes. It's right on Placencia beach, with a small pool, two restaurants, and its own pier with access to diving and boat trips, which they can arrange. Choose ocean view rooms with balconies or the family suite, though garden view rooms are perfectly fine and great value.

Romantic

• Romantics and style gurus will appreciate the second of Francis Ford Coppola's properties in Belize, the magical Turtle Inn. Choose from garden, poolside or ocean view cottages, each with a private walled garden with outdoor shower, Balinese hand-carved décor, and ceiling fans. There are also a number of independent, family size pavilions and cottages to rent with private pools. You won't want to leave.

For a self catering holiday apartment or villa

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• December to May offer the best weather of the year, with temperatures in the 27-30 degree range, making Placencia a great place to escape winter in North America and Europe. While August and September are best for fishing, snorkeling and diving, the weather can be muggy and hot. September/October can be wet.
• An alternative to driving from Belize City is to fly to Placencia — a 35 minute flight in a Cessna. You can also fly in from San Ignacio.

Still not sure?

• Check out the full list of all our Belize recommendations
• Feel free to call or email one of our gurus for advice.