Placencia: Getting there & around

Placencia airport (PLJ) is 1.6km (1mi) north of Placencia. Maya Island Air and Tropic Air share 16 daily flights to Belize City, 12 to Dangriga and eight to Punta Gorda - big time savings over the bus option.

The Hokey Pokey Water Taxi services Mango Creek on the west side of Placencia Lagoon. This also enables travelers to connect with buses on the Southern Hwy in the town of Independence - an alternative to taking a bus in and out of Placencia. The 45-passenger Gulf Cruza sails from Placencia dock to Puerto Cortés, Honduras. Tickets are sold at the Placencia Tourism Center.

Novelo's bus line stops at Hotel Hello, and the James bus line stops at Sherl's Restaurant. There are southbound services to Punta Gorda and northbound services to Dangriga and Belize City.

The road into Placencia from the Southern Hwy (39km/24mi) is unpaved except for two stretches: through Seine Bight and just before Placencia. Rent a car from Nautical Inn (tel: 523 3595).

Many hotels north of the village offer free airport transfers and free use of bicycles for guests.

Taxis meet many flights. A one-way trip costs around US$2.50 . From Placencia, expect to pay around US$10.00 to reach Seine Bight, and US$15.00 for Maya Beach.

Dianni's Guest House (tel: 523 3159) rents good bicycles.