Most tourists who fly to Belize don’t venture too far away, ending up in Ambergris Caye not far across the water from Belize City. For those who want a more laid-back location with better beaches, there’s a peninsula further south that’s idea and there are plenty of things to do in Placencia if you want to venture beyond the beach chair.
We’ve been to Placencia multiple times now and can understand why foreigners fall in love with the place and end up buying real estate there. Part of the charm is the laid-back atmosphere and the welcoming village of the same name.
If you stay at Chabil Mar Villas, which is the closest luxury resort to the village, you’re a short bike ride or long walk from town. You’re also right across the road from a lagoon with a dock. That’s where we boarded a boat for a Monkey River tour last time I visited. So we hit them up to ask about nearby excursions in Placencia they offer to their guests to give you an idea of what’s on offer.
A Walking Food Tour in Placencia Village
Take a guided tour for a dinner time exploration of Placencia Village’s dynamic food scene. This food tour explores Placencia Belize’s famous seafood (non-seafood options available upon request), surprise ingredients, and some favorite sit-down venues. You might try bar food, seaweed smoothies, rainforest-infused drinks, fresh-caught seafood, local pastries, wine, and Belizean chocolate.
Our lunchtime tour focuses on Belize’s amazing street food and traditional Creole midday meals that you can’t find in the evening. From salbutes and garnaches to classic rice and beans platters, plus seafood, bar snacks, and of course dessert.
Both come complete with history and cultural discussions as you stroll between the venues you will sample along the way.
A Rum Tasting Experience That Comes to You
Welcome to Rum Country! It won’t take you long to notice that in Belize, rum is King. The country grows its own sugar cane and distilleries produce an array of rums in the north of the country. Even Placencia Peninsula is now home to a micro-distillery turning out smooth and complex flavors worthy to enjoy.
Join local rum expert Frankie Galiano as he explores the history, origins, culture, and flavors of rum in the region. Enjoy a rum tasting and a couple of classic rum-based cocktails, finishing up with rum-based liqueurs. There is a four-person minimum to book this private class which takes place in the comfort of your hotel suite or vacation rental, though it kicks off at Chabil Mar’s Kaleidoscope Bar and Lounge.
Belizean Pub Crawl
This guided walking tour explores the history and culture of Belize’s best rums, beers, and cocktails in downtown, by the beach in Placencia Village. You sample local specialties like cashew wine and Placencia’s very own coffee liquor and learn all about Belize’s best beers, rums and cocktails (Panti Rippa anyone?).
Snacks are included to get some food in your stomach. There’s a two-person minimum to book. The starting point is Taste Belize Tour Shop in downtown Placencia.
Learn to Cook like a Belizean!
Want to learn how to make some of the delicious food you have been reading about or sampling? Our hands-on (mouths-on) Cooking Tours are guided excursions that give you the opportunity to learn about traditional Belizean home cooking in Maya, Garifuna and Creole (Kriol) cultures. Learn how to cook like a Belizean or, if you prefer, enjoy a cold beverage and simply watch as our culinary instructors show you how they prepare delicious local dishes.
Don’t feel like leaving Placencia Peninsula, or perhaps even the comfort of your fabulous vacation resort? Are you looking for an activity that is just a couple of hours long? Then explore traditional Garifuna and Creole cuisine with close-by cooking classes. These classes, in true Belizean spirit, are family-style and take place in and around the homes of our instructors. This is one of the top things to do in Placencia if you want to get a real look into local culture.
This Kriol cooking class can also come to your vacation rental. No need to dress up and some classes are so close to the beach that you can take a dip afterwards.
Beach-Side Breakfast & Coffee Experience
Start your day off with breakfast on Chabil Mar’s pier or beachside at al fresco Café Mar. Then meet Rick Feldman, Placencia’s very own coffee guru, at his village home on the beach where you explore every aspect of your favorite morning drink. Learn about the origins of coffee and its arrival in the new world.
Participate step-by-step in roasting and grinding, learn the fine art of brewing the perfect cup of coffee, and sample several different varieties including Belizean shade grown. Then we get hands on with another fun project: making our very own coffee sugar scrub with Belizean coffee and sugar. Finish the class with a taste of Rick’s hand-crafted coffee liquor.
Guided Kayak Tour of Placencia
The Placencia Lagoon is a natural habitat of all mangrove species found in Belize and is a great place to check out this amazing ecosystem. This kayak tour is led by knowledgeable and experienced guides.
Set out by kayak on a sunset tour of the Lagoon—a wonderfully unspoiled ecosystem. Keep an eye out for manatees, herons, and iguanas while paddling through many mangrove channels. Use binoculars to search for other wildlife in nearby trees or watch stingrays and other marine life glide gracefully by in the surrounding shallow waters.
Garifuna Cultural Tour
This tour takes participants to the village of Hopkins situated on the beautiful Caribbean coast of southeastern Belize. (One hour north of Placencia. Transportation provided.) Participants wear traditional Garifuna clothing while learning about life in this traditional village and the history of the Garifuna.
Participants also get hands-on experience in cooking a traditional Garifuna dish known as hudut. Hudut is the Garifuna variant of a coconut fish stew, cooking local fish in a creamy coconut milk mixture and then served with a side of delicious boiled plantains.
Culminate your Garifuna Cultural & Culinary experience with sensational drum rolls learning the basic techniques of Garifuna drumming & Music.
Red Bank Scarlet Macaw Spotting Tour
This tour is a bird watchers paradise and non-birders thrill alike. An awesome eye-catching delight to spark the senses.
As you hike through the trails of Red Bank, you will have the opportunity to observe the Scarlet Macaws, as well as several other species of Central American birds including Keel-billed Toucans, White Hawks, and various species of parrots including the Mealy Parrot and the Red-Lored Parrot Sometimes you may have the opportunity to see Howler Monkeys as well.
Sunset Cruise with Dinner & Wine
Sit back, relax and experience the beauty of a true Caribbean sunset “Belizean Style” with some light snacks (chips and salsa and fruits) & rum punch or wine! Enjoy the view with your family and the captain/guide on board a 22-foot exquisite houseboat. There is also an option of having dinner on the lagoon while watching the sunset. (Can be a private reservation upon request)
These are just a few of the top things to do in Placencia while you’re there. Stick around for a while and you’ll find plenty more options, especially if you want to head out on a boat to get to the reef or a private island.
Photos by Timothy Scott and Chabil Mar Villas. See our full review of the resort here.
