Placencia: Tropical jungles and Caribbean waters – Belize
Bite-sized trip
Day 1 – Arrival in Placencia
If you’re coming from Belize City, you can either catch a local bus or we can arrange a private transfer across the Hummingbird Highway, arriving in the colourful town of Placencia after around three hours. Although catching the local bus takes longer and may be a little cramped, you will be immersed in the Belizian culture, experiencing a typical journey the way the locals do with the opportunity to interact with people from rural communities.
Your accommodation in this vibrant town is a simple, but charming hotel situated right on the beach, within walking distance of the local restaurants and shops. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the white sands, take a dip in the warm Caribbean waters and end the day with a delicious meal at one of the laid-back beachfront restaurants.
For an adventure with a little more freedom, we recommend travelling by hire car which we can also arrange for you.
Day 2 – Monkey River
Aside from the soft, powdery sands and crystal-clear waters, Placencia is also known for its abundant wildlife with rainforests, rivers and nature reserves all close by. This morning, you’ll dive into the natural beauty of this area, travelling to the pristine Monkey River where you’ll board a boat and glide along the river, through lush mangroves and dense vegetation. You’ll head into the jungle on foot, along with your friendly, knowledgeable guide who will tell you all about the area and you’ll likely hear some of the local ‘residents’ as the howler monkeys call echoes through the jungle. As this area is home to a diverse range of wildlife, you will also be looking out for coatis, iguanas, crocodiles and colourful birds nesting in the trees.
Day 3 – Freetime in Placencia
We have not arranged anything for you today, but as Placencia is a base for many adventurous activities, there is plenty to keep you busy. If you’d like to explore the jungle more and visit a nature reserve teeming with wildlife then we can arrange a day trip to Cockscomb Wildlife Reserve, where you can spot coatis, anteaters, armadillos and many birds and flower species. To explore the calm, warm waters of the Belize Barrier Reef, you could arrange a snorkelling trip where you’ll likely see vibrant coral reefs, tropical fish and sea turtles. If you’d prefer to kick back and embrace the laid-back atmosphere of Placencia, then there are plenty of beautiful beaches to explore and local Garifuna communities to visit.
Day 4 – Departure from Placencia
Today you’ll be leaving Placencia and continuing your journey in Belize. If you’re searching for more laid-back beach vibes then Caye Caulker could be your next stop, or for more adventure head to San Ignacio where you can canoe through an ancient Mayan cave or go cave tubing. If you’re flying out of Belize then you can return to Belize City for onward travel connections.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Cockscomb Wildlife Reserve
If you’d like to explore the jungle further then we can arrange for you to visit the Cockscomb Wildlife Reserve, home to coatis, anteaters, armadillos and of course many bird, plant and flower species. You’ll be collected from your hotel in the morning and taken to the reserve, where you’ll take a walk through the jungle alongside a knowledgeable guide who will tell you all about the reserve and help you spot the abundant wildlife that lives here.
