Fun Things to do in Placencia, Belize in 2024

Xunantunich Mayan Ruin and Cave Tubing from Placencia

The first exciting thing you need to do in Placencia is get a taste of the awe-inspiring ancient Mayan culture. Set off with a local guide and travel to the border of Belize and Guatemala to see the Xunantunich Mayan Ruin. This imposing structure is situated high on top of a hill with spectacular views over the border into Guatemala. The name Xunantunich means 'Stone Woman' and belongs to a ghost that ancients claimed to have seen roaming amongst the stone walls. These ruins were used as a ceremonial centre and the site is rich in history and culture. Reaching the ruins involves a fun trip in a hand-cranked ferry across the massive Mopan River! Your knowledgeable local guide will update you with fascinating information about the Mayan culture. After exploring Xunantunich the tour continues to the Belize Caves. Enjoy a hike through the lush rain forest to the entrance of the cave. Then, put on your safety gear, climb into your rafting tube, switch on your head lamp and float off into the cave tunnels! This tour is a fabulous experience for the whole family and will make memories to last a lifetime.

Ranguana Tropical Island Experience From Placencia

Want to escape with the family to a magical tropical island that dreams are made of? This is something you can do in Placencia! The Ranguana Tropical Island Experience is the tour to join. Set off over the water on a boat with your local guide. As you approach this private two acre island you will be awed by a picture-perfect scene of white beach sands, calm azure waters and swaying palm trees. Disembark and experience a day in paradise. You can relax, swim and take a walk along a pristine shore. If you enjoy water sports, try some snorkeling and be wowed by the most amazing colorful marine plants and creatures. You can also paddle board, row out in a kayak or play beach games with the kids. When you are tired, have a nap in a hammock swinging from a shady tree. Then, enjoy the delicious traditional Belizean Barbeque lunch that is laid on! Don't forget to bring along a towel, hat, water shoes, sunglasses, sun screen and your camera! The day ends as you sail back to the mainland with a view of this little paradise disappearing over the horizon, but leaving wonderful memories to share!

Scuba diving

Whether you are an experienced certified scuba diver or want to try out this fabulous water sport for the first time, this is the thing to do in Placencia. For experienced divers, the Two Tank Barrier Reef Scuba Diving experience at Silk Cayes gives you the opportunity to spear live lion fish. The dive site is located along the barrier reef which is a world heritage site and the lion fish are not native to the area. Being aggressive feeders, they upset the delicate balance of marine life. Spearing them is part of a program to control and preserve the region and its natural creatures. You will taught how to use the spear and when you snag a lion fish, your guide will remove it for you and hand the spear back.

For beginners, the PADI Open Water Diver Certification Course will soon have you diving! A private dive instructor will give you theory lessons and then you will test out your skills in an indoor pool. Once you are comfortable, your small group will set out under the watchful eye of your teacher to try a shallow dive and then it is off into the deeper waters! The course takes 3 days and you will leave as a certified diver. If you don't have the time to spend getting certified, the Private Discover Scuba Diving Course will take you deep sea diving on a quick, uncertified, but well controlled dive experience.

Snorkeling

Looking for exciting things to do in Placencia? Join a snorkling tour and discover the most amazing underwater life full of color and variety! Licensed guides will take you out to tropical island of Silk Cayes where you can see lobsters, shrimp, arrow crabs, snapper and barracuda. These beautiful coral reefs are teeming with marine life, corals, sponges and exotic sea creatures. After a fabulous traditional style Belize picnic lunch, you will head off to where the local fisherman clean their daily catch. Here you are sure to come face to face with huge turtles, rays, and even a few nurse sharks!

For an unforgettable experience, book the Private Day Tour that goes to the Silk Cayes and Turtle Alley. This small intimate tour will accommodate only your family or group, offering a unique and personal experience with a knowledgeable local guide. Sail from Placencia over the turquoise waters to Cayes Island and spend the day exploring the waters and learning about the amazing ecosystems of the region. This is the perfect family bonding experience, it is also ideal for beginners and includes a delicious traditional lunch.

Water sports

When making a list of things to do in Placencia don't forget the amazing range of water sports that are available. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned water sports fan, there is something for all ages. Snorkeling is the easiest and most relaxing way to explore the magical reefs that lie just below the surface of the crystal clear waters. Discover colorful corals, exotic marine plants and beautiful fish. If you are a certified scuba diver, Belize offers some of the best diving sites in the world. If not, take a course and dive down into the depths with a professional dive guide. For those wanting to catch the big one, fishing tours will take you out to find Sailfish, Wahoo, Dorado and the mighty Marlin. Join a private charter and experience deep sea fishing at its best. For the ambitious, underwater diving to explore ancient deep caves makes for a spine-tingling adventure. Finally, fulfil a life dream of swimming and interacting with dolphins. You can also include a swim with mantra rays and nurse sharks if you are brave enough!

Laughing Bird Caye National Park

A visit to Laughing Bird Caye National Park must definitely be on your list of things to do in Placencia. It is located on a beautiful Belizean island a short boat ride of eleven miles off the coast. Declared as a protected region and World Heritage Site, this little piece of paradise offers an abundance of marine life, coral reefs, crystal clear waters and endless white sandy beaches. It takes its name from the Laughing Gull, Larus Artricilla, a bird that once bred on the Caye. Join a tour with a local guide and sail out on a boat. You will spend the day immersed in nature. Bird lovers can spot Brown Pelican, Green Heron and the Melodious Blackbird. Water sports lovers can kayak, snorkel and scuba dive. Plant lovers can spot coconut trees and explore the coastal mangroves. Look out for Spider Lily, Seaside Purslane and Morning Glory. When you are done, set out your blanket and basket and enjoy a picnic lunch. Then walk around and soak up the natural environment, it is stunningly beautiful and relaxing.

Taste Belize Tours

If you are looking for food tasting tours like no other, there are so many things to do in Placencia to ensure a tummy-pleasing experience! Taste Belize Tours is an award winning tour company owned by Belizean food expert and tour guide, Lyra Spang. Here you will find personalized tours that take you into the heart and culture of authentic Belize food. Join a tour to learn all about chocolate and how it is made, a must for those with a sweet-tooth! If you want to get hands on, the Cooking Tours will take you to remote regions where you will soon be preparing and eating traditional Belizean home cooked meals with the locals. Then head into the rain forests and learn about the Mayan culture with a visit to a banana farm, a spice farm and a habanero hot sauce factory! Love seafood? Combine a mouth-watering taste experience of lobsters, shrimps and mussels with a deep sea dive or snorkeling adventure. These unique and well organized tours offer so much more than just food and are not to be missed!

Cultural tours

With so much rich history and culture, your choices of things to do in Placencia are endless. Get immersed in the Mayan traditions on a cultural tour. Visit a living and working KekÕChi Maya village and speak to the inhabitants who are descendants of the tribes that built the awe-inspiring Xunantunich. Learn how the people live by using natural products from the jungle, such as medicinal remedies and parts of trees to make musical instruments and building materials for their homes. Learn how to grind corn and cook tortillas and then make a traditional Maya chocolate drink with locally-grown cacao. You will go with your guide into the jungle to learn about spices, herbs and plants. If you enthralled by this experience and want to know more, join the Garifuna Cultural Immersion Tour which takes you to visit a local tribe that descended from African slaves and intermarried native Caribbean islanders. They still have their own language, musical and cultural traditions. Try on some traditional clothing and learn how to prepare Hudut, a fish stew cooked in coconut!