Nomadic Matt, the travel blogger who operates http://www.nomadicmatt.com/ considers the following tours and activities the top things to see and do in Placencia:
Go sailing – Sailing is an incredible way to see Placencia Village, with boats and catamarans going on day trips to the islands on the reef and further afield to the Honduran and Guatemalan Bay Islands. For something a little different, take a full moon cruise.
Go diving – The Belizean Barrier Reef is the world’s second largest barrier reef just 45 minutes from the shore. If you’re new to diving, consider a trip to Laughing Bird Caye—the gentle waters are perfect for novices and offer the chance to swim with hawksbill turtles and lemon sharks. For something more adventurous, head to The Elbow at Gladden Spit. For the two weeks following a full moon, whales sharks feed on the small fish that spawn here.
Sea kayaking – Go sea kayaking for a chance to explore secluded beaches and caves. Bring your snorkel gear to take advantage of the amazing snorkeling in the region. There are also guided kayaking tours if you don’t fancy going alone.
Fishing in Placencia – A day’s fishing is quite expensive, usually around $275 USD, but is well worth it if it’s your thing as you’re likely to catch barracuda, tuna, and more. Fly fishers can hook tarpon, snook, and bonefish.
Snorkeling – Many of the diving sites are also great for snorkelers too. Snorkeling day trips often include a beach barbecue with trips to Laughing Bird Caye being the most inexpensive. Look into whale spotting!
Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary – Just a 45 minute minute drive from Placencia is Cockscomb Basin, Belize’s prime jaguar spotting territory. The sanctuary covers 150 square miles of tropical forest, including a small Mayan ruin and mountain area. Cockscomb is renowned for its bird watching with over 200 species being recorded here, including macaws and toucans.
Visit Nim Li Punit – Nim Li Punit is one of the smaller Mayan sites but is well known for the large amount of stelae found there. The site also consists of pyramids, tombs, and plazas, but the intricate carvings on the stelae steal the show—they’re the tallest in Belize. Trips to Nim Li Punit are usually combined with a visit to Lubaantun.
Visit Lubaantun – Lubaantun, translated as “place of fallen rocks,” is the largest Mayan site in Southern Belize. Strangely, the structures have a rounded shape and unlike Nim Li Punit, there are no stelae at the site. However, there are ball courts, temples, pyramids, and tombs. Historically, Lubaantun was famed for its ceramic artifacts, many of which are displayed in the small on-site museum.
Explore Placencia Lagoon – This is the perfect place to catch a glimpse of manatees, saltwater crocodiles, and numerous species of birds. The mangrove forests are ideal for exploring via canoe or kayak.
Whale Watching – The months of May and June are prime time for spotting the gentle whale sharks that swim down here. It’s one of the most amazing experiences ever.
Hike – The Cockscomb basin is a subtropical rainforest located between the Maya mountains. There are many guides available to lead you through the vast land of orchids, tree ferns, air plants, vines, and trees.
Please visit https://www.larubeya.com for more information about visiting or traveling to Placencia Village.
