Embrace Placencia, Belize
“The Island You Can Walk To”
Like most ideal destinations, location is paramount to a truly unique experience!
The Placencia Peninsula, in the Stann Creek District of Belize, is ideally located on the mainland of Belize, with a lagoon to the west and the Caribbean to the east, providing visitors with access to all of Belize’s adventures . . . sea, jungle, culture and ancient history from one central location.
Placencia Village (pop. 2500), home to Chabil Mar, is located at the end (mile 1) of the 18 mile-long Peninsula. This Village, one of three Villages along the Peninsula, includes Seine Bight, 6 miles north and Maya Beach, 8 miles north. It is the center of culture on the Peninsula where the local airport, grammar school, multiple dining options, beach bars, outdoor markets, gift shops, banks, as well as the football (soccer) field & basketball court, are located. . This is your opportunity to immerse in the culture and daily life of Belize.
Chabil Mar is the closest full service resort to Placencia Village, is located on 400 feet of private, “Barefoot Perfect” beach, where a leisurely stroll along the beach or five minute bike ride brings you to the center of the Village . . . a picture perfect location. Chabil Mar’s exquisite dining at the resort, hosted by Chefs Ryan and Savino, is complimented with easy/leisurely access to Placencia Village’s many eateries along the sidewalk, once renowned as the “World’s Narrowest Main Street” by the Guinness Book of Records.
The location of the Village, it’s access to “All of Belize” and an authentic Belize cultural experience, along with Chabil Mar’s convenient and guest exclusive location, create a combination of locales that is paramount to a truly unique experience.
Village Beach Bars
Home to Festivals
Gift Shops and Food Stands
Once a sleepy fishing village, Placencia has emerged as an increasingly popular destination on the Caribbean.
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“Barefoot Perfect” Placencia Village
Stroll along the beach to the Village Center. Complimentary evening shuttles are also provided from Chabil Mar. Enjoy your evening leisurely. It’s our pleasure to be of service to you, day and evening.
Dining in Placencia Village
Want dining options? They are moments away. We’d love that you enjoyed all your meals at Chabil Mar, but we also want you to take advantage of our premier location and get a local Taste of Belize.
ArtShops and Festivals
Placencia Village is the site of festivals, events and parades to celebrate special occasions throughout the year, including Art in February, to Lobsterfest in June, fishing tournament in September and a marathon in December.
Placencia Village is a small, idyllic fishing village that serves as the unofficial capital of the Placencia Peninsula, a 16-mile stretch of golden sands on the southeastern Caribbean coast of Belize. Population 2000. Placencia proudly lives up to its motto of “barefoot ready”, a laid-back charming Caribbean community where bicycles and golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation. Far from the maddening crowds of northern Belize, Placencia is a largely undiscovered little gem of tropical paradise.
Calendar of Events in Placencia Village, Belize
Combine one of the following Placencia annual events with your Belize adventure for a remarkable Belize vacation!
January: Check off your bucket list with a “Kickoff the New Year” spectacular Belize vacation in Placencia! It’s summer in January in Belize.
February: Placencia Sidewalk Arts & Music Festival – Have fun at the fastest growing event in the Southern (Stann Creek) Region. Visual and performing artists from Placencia and across Belize showcase their best along Placencia’s historic sidewalk. Shop for Belizean art and explore Belize’s vibrant music scene.
March: Taste of the Peninsula – Sample a wide range of cuisine contributed by participating Peninsula restaurants and home cooks; dance the night away to live music and participate in fun raffles and more.
April: Spring Break Parties throughout the Peninsula and Village. Get Lost in Paradise.
Let the Summer Begin and The Adventure Continue
May: Summer begins in Belize and Chabil Mar Resort – Kick off the summer early by taking advantage of continuing great weather and price reductions on all Villa accommodations.
July: Placencia Lobsterfest – A mega beach party like no other in Belize organized by the Plcencia BTIA and Placencia Village Council. Celebrate Placencia and its bounty of good food and people. Enjoy live musical performances, games and take a chance in the legendary Placencia Lobsterfest Raffle.
September: Battle of St. George’s Caye Day (September 10) and Independence Day Celebrations (September 21) – Enjoy small festivities like patriotic pageants and parades, to large celebrations and the Placencia BTIA’s (Belize Tourism Industry Association) Saltwater Fishing Tournament, wher anglers can win large cash prizes.
October: Halloween! – Join Halloween enthusiasts from Placencia and all over Belize at the Barefoot Bar, the biggest Halloween party in the area. Costume prizes, drink specials and visiting DJ.
November: Garifuna Settlement Day – In Seine Bight Village, about 7 miles north of Placencia Village, enjoy cultural pageants conducted in the Garifuna language and watch re-enactments of the Garifuna people arriving on Belizean shores followed by parades, punta dancing, live drumming and more. Date: November 19.
December: *End of the World Placencia Marathon and Half Marathon – Come for the run and stay for the fun. The marathon course begins at the football/soccer field in Placencia Village Center goes, through Placencia Village, past Chabil Mar (3/4 mile point), through Seine Bight and Maya Beach with multiple views of the Maya Mountains to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The 1/2 marathon starts at the mid-point of the marathon and both end back in Placencia Village. Date: First and second week of December. Contact Us to learn more about the Placencia, Belize marathon.
Dec. 31:
*Placencia Mistletoe Ball – Glam up and celebrate the year at this formal affair. Eat, drink and dance the night away to a headlining party band.
*New Year’s Eve Party – A local village affair and all are welcome. Fireworks show at midnight, food, dance, music and domestic Beliken beer.
Placencia History and Aerial Photo Today
The Placencia Peninsula was inhabited by the ancient Maya starting around 3,000 years ago with at least 14 known sites situated on the perimeter of the Placencia Lagoon. The name “Punta Placencia” or “Pleasant Point” was given by the Spanish, but the first permanent settlers of European origin were primarily English-speaking Puritans from Nova Scotia in Canada. In the half of the 19th century, the original Puritan settlement was later abandoned. Towards the end of the 19th century, however, the Garbutt family settled on the Placencia Peninsula. Later, a Portuguese family from Brazil relocated to Placencia followed by the Leslie family, originally from Roatan in Honduras, also moved to Placencia.
Throughout its entire modern history, Placencia has relied on fishing and other activities related to the sea and it wasn’t until the 1970s that electricity came to Placencia. Only in 1993 did Belize Electricity provide a consistent power supply from the mainland.
Today, Placencia has successfully managed to preserve its idyllic charm and traditional lifestyle. Placencia has emerged to become a leading eco-tourism area with residents from all walks of life in Belize as well as visitors from around the world. Placencia Village has gained global fame after being awarded a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the smallest main street, a lovely, four-foot wide pedestrian-only sidewalk framed by cafes, colorful murals, and boutique shops. Copy credit to Cave Branch Jungle Lodge, Belize.
Chabil Mar is a proud member of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travelers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination. If you save just a few inches of space in your suitcase and take supplies for area schools or medical clinics in need, you’ll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local, Placencia, Belize children and families. Please click here to see what supplies are needed for our project/projects.
