By Car in The Southern Coast

To get to Placencia, head southeast from Belmopan on the Hummingbird Highway. The highway is one of Belize's best roads, as well as its most scenic. On your right rise the jungle-covered Maya Mountains, largely free of signs of human habitation except for the occasional field of corn or beans. As you approach Dangriga you'll see large citrus groves.

Although the so-called Manatee Highway or Coastal Road (it actually runs several miles from the coast), which begins at Mile 30 of the Western Highway, is a shortcut to Dangriga and points south, the road is unpaved. It's dusty in dry weather and muddy after rains. Occasionally the wood bridges on the road wash out. The road is so accident-prone that some car rental companies prohibit renters from driving the road, and others increase the deductible you pay if you have a wreck on the road. Our advice: take the Hummingbird Highway.

The Southern Highway is now beautifully paved from Dangriga south, except for a short section near Golden Stream. Work began in early 2008 on paving this section. The turnoff to Hopkins is at Mile 10 of the Southern Highway, and the turn to Placencia is at Mile 22.2. From the Southern Highway to Placencia most of the 25-mi (42-km) road is unpaved and can be treacherous after rains, even for four-wheel-drive vehicles.

There are now two gas stations in Placencia Village, and one at Riversdale. Dangriga has several gas stations.

Two small local outfits, Barefoot Rentals and Peninsula Rentals rent cars in Placencia. Rates are around BZ$160 a day for a Geo Tracker or Isuzu Trooper. Barefoot will drop the car to you at your hotel or the Placencia airstrip. Also, Budget and other rental agencies in Belize City will deliver a car to Placencia, Hopkins, or Dangriga for a fee of around BZ$100-BZ$140.

Contact

Barefoot Rentals (Placencia. 607/5125. www.barefootrentals.net).