Belize is a small country located on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, so it’s no surprise that many Europeans are unaware of this great vacation destination. A former British colony, Belize is the only English-speaking country in Central America. And, today, Europeans can easily get to Belize via trans-Atlantic flights that connect via Canada or the United States.
Belize is much more than just golden sand beaches and stunningly beautiful offshore islands. Belize is also home to majestic waterfalls, thick jungles, and lush rainforests teeming with an exotic kaleidoscope of birds, plants, and animals. And, if that weren’t enough, Belize is also home to more ancient Maya temples, palaces, causeways, ball courts, and pyramids than anywhere else on the planet.
All international flights into Belize land at Belize City, and the country is small enough that it’s easy to get just about anywhere in three hours or less. And one of the top destinations in Belize that Europeans love is the idyllic Placencia Peninsula.
Named by the Spanish as “Pleasant Point,” Placencia is, indeed, one of the nicest places in the country. In a land with hundreds of kilometers of beaches, Placencia has some of the finest, including secluded stretches of golden sand. But perhaps Placencia’s greatest attraction lies just a short distance offshore, the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef system in the world, a popular choice for divers and snorkelers.
When you visit Placencia, you’ll get a chance to meet interesting local people, including villages that are home to the Garifuna people, an Afro-Caribbean culture that was recognized by the United Nations for its contributions to the intangible heritage of humanity. You can also walk down Placencia’s pedestrian-only sidewalk, stopping to admire colorful art murals or sip on a fresh-squeezed juice.
There’s always something to do and see in and around Placencia, including arts festivals, lobster festivals, chocolate festivals, mango festivals, and learning more about the traditional foods, lifestyles, and music of the people of Belize. And Placencia is also close to protected conservation areas such as the very aptly-named Monkey River and the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, home to more than 200 indigenous jaguars.
If you’re heading to Belize from Europe and want to know more about all of the exciting things to do and see in and around Placencia, be sure to contact Barefoot Rentals and Services.