Is it really worth it to go all the way to Placencia?
 

Going to Belize for 2nd time next Feb. Will be staying a Duplooys (hopefully) for several days in the beginning of trip for birding, etc and then finishing at Ambergris. We need a middle....
We have friends who plan on retiring in Placencia and would like to take a look at it. It seems kind of far, so wanted to get opinions on whether it is worthwhile and what the drive down there is like? And what to do/see down there? Thank you for any insight. Or other suggestions for the middle of our trip...or other suggestions for outstanding birding locations. Thank you !!

4 yrs ago we stayed at Robert's Grove and it was nice. The people in Palencia yelled at my husband to "Go Home" and they said they didn't like the N. Americans coming into their space. A lady stopped my husband just this year at the airport in Houston (he had a "You better Belize it" t-shirt on) and she went on about how badly they were treated there last year. For what it's worth.

www.cozcorner-belize.com

www.robertsgrove.com

based on budget closest decent option from BZE

Plancencia better jungle/wildlife/beach vibe for me

than more touristy Ambergris but to each his own...

www.cozycorner-belize.com sorry for typo

www.cavesbranch.com really nice for jungle adventures too..

The drive from duPlooys takes a little over 3 hrs and is very pretty, passing thru jungle covered hills, citrus and banana plantations, small villages, over small creeks and rivers. Greati birding in Placencia, especially at the Jaguar Preserve with 535 spieces of birds, hiking trails and waterfalls. Placencia village is quaint and friendly, interesting cultures in this area, including the Toledo district futher south. Well worth taking the time to visit, especially if your friends are thinking of moving to this area.

Ok, I can just tell you that I remember placencia from when I was there years ago and its one of the best places I have ever been. I can honestly tell you that i loved it. I was there with a friend who I wasnt even that close too and I still loved it and the weather didnt totally cooperate either. If its the place I remember, its an all sand peninsula right? It was soooo nice. Just the most relaxing little place ever. beautiful, wonderful. I LOVED it and have always always wanted to go back. GO THERE!

We spent last winter on Ambergris, and decided to take short road trip to Placencia. Took the bus from Belize City to Independence, then the water taxi across the lagoon.

We enjoyed our short stay there. It's enough different from Ambergris that it was like a different destination. The beaches are prettier, but the sand is darker and coarse. It just has a different 'vibe'.

I like staying in the village itself. I've only been to Placencia twice, have never experienced anything but kindness and friendliness from the locals.

Bookmarking. :)

Thank you for the encouraging comments. I think we will spend some time in Placencia, maybe even some places on the way as we will be driving.

We have visited Placencia and loved it.-far less touristy than other places and we were treated with great kindness. IL do not know if its still there, but there was a fabulous gelato place in Placencia.

I'm planning a trip to Placencia for November - any suggestions on how to get there from Belize City? Bus? Fly? Drive?

30 mins flight or a 3 hrs drive or a longer bus ride to Independence village and Hokey Pokey water taxi across the lagoon to Placencia. Yes, Tutti Frutti is still serving some of the best gelato I've ever had.

I've been to Placencia three times now and each time, I've heard more and more anti-American sentiments by locals. We did another trip with the kids to Placencia last week, which was actually the worst yet, we likely won't go back.

We used Ocean Motion Guides, they were AWFUL and we discovered too late they are truly spiteful towards Americans. The owner (Deleverne) called us "greedy Americans" when we asked for a refund for a half day snorkeling because all the gear was broken and the kids couldn't snorkel. She charged us $250 US for half a day trip that we never got to do despite acknowledging the gear "isn't new".

I think for the same price, I would lean towards Caye Caulker or even one of the tour guides out of Punta Gorda. Definitely as Placencia is becoming more touristy, it's losing its charm.

Added to a thread that's been abandoned for nearly 6 years...

Placencia was our first stop when we arrived in Belize. We didn't drive down though. It is a quiet, sleepy little town. It was perfect for just relaxing and winding down and taking in some beach and jungle. I saw more wildlife there than in the Amazon. Nice place to start for us.

Wow, talk about an old thread.

Odd, since so many gringos live in the area and people get along pretty well. That interaction is not the norm, to say the least. Shame it happened to you