Top Things to Do in Placencia:
- Walk the Sidewalk, beach bars, shopping, dining, sunset, rum tasting
- Snorkeling at Silk Caye, Moho Caye, or Laughing Bird Caye
- Monkey River Day Tour
- Fishing (inner or outer reef)
- Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Preserve
- Golf, Pickleball, Miniature Golf
- Day Trip to King Lewey Caye or Ray Caye
See Also:
- Belize Trip Report — Placencia, Ambergris Caye, San Ignacio
- Belize Hotels
- Belize Things to Do
- All Belize Trips
1) Walk the Sidewalk, beach bars, shopping, dining, sunset, rum tasting
The Sidewalk is almost 1 mile long that goes from the harbor to the north following the coastline. There are many restaurants and shops along the way as well as local color.
The main beach bars are the Barefoot Bar, Tipsy Tuna, and Cozy Corner (next to each other). Be sure to check out the Big Titty Rum Bar near the harbor.
Recommended Restaurants:
- Rumfish — Can be a long wait
- Koi Sushi — Sushi and ramen, next to Rick’s Cafe, a/c
- Rick’s Cafe — Pasta and pizza
- Secret Garden — Romantic setting, under/behind Rick’s Cafe
- Muna Restaurant — 4th floor of the Ellysian Hotel
- Turtle Inn — There are 3 fancy restaurants at this Francis Ford Coppola Hotel just north of town.
2) Snorkeling at Silk Caye, Moho Caye, or Laughing Bird Caye
Some of the best snorkeling in Belize is by the reef near Placencia. You can do a half-day or full day snorkeling excursion.
3) Monkey River Day Tour
This is a full day tour and includes lunch. You will see local wildlife including howler monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles, turtles, tropical birds, and hopefully manatees. It is a boat ride along the coastline and then inland on a river plus and easy walk in the jungle.
4) Fishing (inner or outer reef)
You will need to charter a boat and guide. You can stay inside the reef where it is calm and fish with light tackle, or you can go outside the reef in search of marlin, wahoo, dorado, and tuna.
5) Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Preserve
You can arrange for a half-day guided tour, or you can rent a car and drive on your own. The dirt road as you get closer to the park office is a bit rough. Go early before it gets too hot. Cockscomb is famous for its large concentrations of jaguars, but you would have to get there very early in the morning to have a chance at seeing them.
There are many hiking trails to choose from. Many of them have pools and waterfalls to dip into. You can rent a tube there and float down the river. Be sure to do the short walk into the crashed airplane — interesting story! There is a $5/person entry fee.
6) Golf, Pickleball, Tennis, Miniature Golf
Inky’s Recreation Area is located mid-peninsula and offers tennis, pickleball, and mini golf. It also has a restaurant, martini bar, and ice cream.
Balam Golf, located next to Inky’s, opens a 9-hole golf course starting February, 2026. It also has a restaurant, pool, and 3rd story golf range.
7) Day Trip to King Lewey Caye or Ray Caye
King Lewey Caye is about a 40-minute boat ride from Placencia. It is set up like a pirate island with eating, drinking, lawn games, water slide, water swings, and friendly parrots.
Ray Caye is about a 1-hour boat ride from Placencia. They have a pool, restaurant, kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkeling.
Both islands also offer overnight stays.
