Placencia is NOT a port of entry. Big Creek, which is located west south west of Placencia is the port of entry. For inbound clearance you may leave the yacht at anchor in Placencia, go to Big Creek in your tender and take your documentation. The officials may, especially for the larger yachts insist on being taken to the yacht at anchor in Placencia to do the clearance, as this is actually the proper way. Normally the officials in Big Creek are very friendly and the inbound clearance procedures in Big Creek are not difficult.
Placencia Peninsula, located in southern Belize is a 16-mile long sandy beach with the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Placencia Lagoon and Maya Mountains to the west.
Placencia is about a 3 hour drive from Belize City and it is the most developed village on the Peninsula is a laid back village located on the southern tip of the a 16-mile long by ¼-mile wide peninsula with about 1,200 permanent residents, so it is nothing approaching a real city. The village itself is nothing too special, but it is always a hit with both guests and crew alike. The Placencia Peninsula is fast catching up with San Pedro as one of the most popular holiday destinations and becoming a settlement area for North Americans in the country. Despite area development, this town still seems as it will remain the tranquilo, ramshackle village it is today for years to come.
The peninsula is basically divided into two parts: south of the airport and north of the airport, though the whole thing can easily be biked on a beach cruiser. Generally, the southern portion is where the action is closer together, with the harbour, coffee shops, guesthouses, hotels and restaurants are. The northern half includes the Garifuna village of Seine Bight, is a bit more spread out and where many of the more expensive resorts are.
Unless making trips to the airstrip or visiting north of the airstrip, there is very little need for a vehicle or taxi. Most establishments are within walking distance. There are also numerous docks on the inside of the lagoon. Golf carts are also available for rental and there are taxis ashore at the end of the dock for the tender.
SHOPPING
In the last year or two larger Chinese owned stores have been opening in Placencia making it possible to get a few more things available to purchase and not just the very basic items. Belize City, however still remains your best spot for picking up dry goods, fruits and vegetable, flowers, etc. Fresh milk, water and soft drinks can be found.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
Placencia Peninsula has more than 40 restaurants, bars, snack shops as well as a very popular gelato shop for when the sweet tooth hits. Belizean, American, Italian, Austrian and Chinese food can be found. In Placencia Village, most dining is very casual, under a thatched roof, a screened porch or simple diner. If you are looking to spend a bit more or want something different, many of the four and five-star resorts north of the airstrip offer meals in their restaurants. Placencia also has a few ice cream and coffee shops. We have a listing of the top 10 restaurants in Placencia. Turtle Inn, which is Francis Ford Coppola’s Resort and Restaurant in Placencia is in a entire league and cannot be compared with the other restaurants in Placencia. As such we would consider it as being the number 1.
GOLF CART RENTALS
Golf carts are available for rental in Placencia from
Barefoot Rentals
501 523 3066
Charges are as follows:-
US$10.15 per hour
US$36.00 for 8 hours
US$55.15 for 24 hours
SCHEDULED flights from Belize International Airport to Placencia
Departure Arrival Flight Flight
Time Time Duration No
08:10 08:45 35 Mins MY1030 US$116.00 – Cost per person for a 1 way ticket
10:10 10:45 35 Mins MY1070 US$201.00 – Cost per person for a round trip ticket
11:00 11:35 35 Mins MY1090
12:10 12:55 45 Mins MY1110
12:30 13:15 45 Mins MY1130
13:30 14:20 50 Mins MY1150
14:40 15:15 35 Mins MY1170
15:30 16:20 50 Mins MY1190
16:40 17:15 35 Mins MY1210
17:00 17:35 35 Mins MY1230
SCHEDULED flights from Placencia to Belize International Airport
Departure Arrival Flight Flight
Time Time Duration No
07:15 07:55 40 Mins MY1000 US$116.00 – Cost per person for a 1 way ticket
09:00 09:35 35 Mins MY1020 US$201.00 – Cost per person for a round trip ticket
10:00 10:35 35 Mins MY1040
12:00 12:35 35 Mins MY1080
13:00 13:35 35 Mins MY1120
14:00 14:35 35 Mins MY1140
16:30 17:05 35 Mins MY1180
If you are visiting during the summer (April to June) keep in mind the docile whale sharks that congregate off the coast around the full moon and are incredible to see while snorkeling or diving.