Placencia, Best Beach Destination to visit in Belize
With more than 400 offshore islands and 200 miles of Caribbean coastline, it can be difficult agreeing on which beach in Belize is the most beautiful.
Much of the country is pristine and untouched, brimming with wildlife and gorgeous flowering plants, so finding the ultimate beach destination in Belize isn’t easy. Add in the fact that the islands have their own inescapable charm, many of the beaches front gorgeous mangrove-lined lagoons, and stretches of white sand are common, making crowning one beach the best an extremely difficult task.
But after carefully reviewing all of its features, benefits, and location, the beaches that reign supreme in Belize are found on the Placencia Peninsula.
The Island You Can Walk To
In Belize, islands are known as “cayes” (pronounced “keys”), and Placencia is often called “The caye you can walk to.” Except for a narrow strip of land measuring just half a mile wide, the Placencia Peninsula is separated from the rest of the mainland in the southeastern part of the country.
Placencia was given its name by the Spaniards, who called this lovely 16-mile long strip of land “Punta Placencia” or “Pleasant Point,” an apt name. Less than a mile wide, the western edge of Placencia is a pristine, mangrove-lined lagoon teeming with fish, birds, and wildlife. On the eastern shore, Placencia fronts the beautiful Caribbean Sea.
Only around 1,500 people live full-time in Placencia, so the peninsula has retained much of its idyllic charm. Most locals are employed in traditional occupations of fishing or farming. There are two villages in Placencia, Seine Beight, a community primarily inhabited by the Garifuna people, and Placencia Village at the southern tip.
Placencia Village serves as the unofficial capital of the peninsula and is the holder of the Guinness Book of World Records title for the smallest main street on the planet, a 4,000 foot-long pedestrian-only sidewalk renowned for its lovely shops, boutique coffee houses, and colorful street murals.
Placencia Village also serves as the gateway to the Belize Barrier Reef.
Adventures Abound
Placencia is a great place to stroll along the beach or enjoy a swim, but it’s also famous for being the access point to the islands of the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with many protected national parks and marine reserves. The reef abounds with spectacular places to scuba dive, snorkel, fish, and sail.
Placencia’s beaches are formed of pure white sand and offer enough space that you can easily find a secluded spot to relax and unwind or simply admire the stunning views.
Chabil Mar
Chabil Mar is an award-winning resort located on the Caribbean coast of the Placencia Peninsula in southern Belize. Chabil Mar features elegantly appointed villas, a gourmet restaurant, a lush tropical garden, and a seafront pier ideal for enjoying meals under the stars.
The resort is conveniently located just a few miles from the Belize Barrier Reef and offer guests Belize vacation packages that include scuba diving and snorkeling on the reef. Chabil Mar also organizes diving and snorkeling tours during the springtime to see migrating whale sharks that visit Belize each year near Gladden Spit on the reef.
Visit our website chabilmarvillas.com for more information on Belize, and don’t hesitate to send us an email, or call US/CAN Toll Free: 1-866-417-2377, Local: (011-501) 523-3606, if you have questions or need help in planning a Belize vacation.
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