The small peninsular village of Placencia, is ideally located in the South to be closest to the healthiest and most vibrant sections of the Belize Barrier reef. From Placencia, snorkelers have short boat rides to the UNESCO world heritage Laughing Bird Caye National Park or an excursion to Silk Cayes where you are almost certain of close encounters with rays, sharks and huge turtles.
We invite you to see the best of what Belize has to offer both above and below the water by coming to Placencia village. Placencia is the real Belize, with a caring and friendly English-speaking community, beautiful beaches, affordable and authentic restaurants and a variety of tours and services.
The Belize Barrier reef system is the second largest barrier reef system in the world, after the Australian Great Barrier Reef, and is the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. The Belize Barrier reef runs for 320 kilometers/200 miles, and it encloses 450 islets and islands, that are known locally as cayes. Belize has one of the lowest population densities in Central America, and around 25% of it is protected as parks and reserves. Due to the lack of development on the shoreline, and the distance of the reef from the mainland, the corals and aquatic life are some of the most diverse and abundant in the Caribbean.
Although the Northern parts of Belize, such as Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, have seen commercial development and mass tourism, the Southern parts of Belize have retained their authentic charm and developed a tourism infrastructure in a sustainable manner, offering services and accommodation from budget to the highest luxury standards.