Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
on-site la
undroma
t and gift shop. Studio
US$71
,
apartment
US$109
★
Ford Coppola's Caribbean resort is every bit as sumptuous
as his
Blancaneaux Lodge
in Cayo (see p.133) and
La Lancha
in Guatemala (see p.159). The thatched seafront “cottages”
have lots of varnished wood and Indonesian art, plus
fabulous bathrooms and a screened deck. Garden cottages
are just as comfortable and less expensive, while
beachfront villas hold up to three bedrooms. The
atmosphere is more relaxed than at
Blancaneaux
, and
there's a soothing spa as well as a pool and dive shop;
complim
entary kayaks
and bike
s. G
arden c
ottages
US$534
, seafront cottages
US$570
, villas
US$832
Westwind Hotel
Sidewalk, Placencia Village
T
523
3255,
W
westwindhotel.com.
An eccentric but attractive
wooden family-run hotel, across from the Beach Bazaar gift
shop, offering ten bright rooms with private bath and decks
with a beachfront view. A/c costs US$15 extra per night.
You can “crack back” in one of many hammocks arranged
around
a large
and spacious
palapa
out on the beach. Wi-fi
access.
US$71
The Yellow House
Placencia Village
T
523 3481,
E
info@ctbelize.com.
This conspicuous bright-yellow
wooden building, in the heart of the village, holds two
rooms with comfortable beds, sharing a bathroom, living
room and kitchen, plus balconies festooned with
hammocks. The French-speaking owners prefer to rent out
the entire house, but when it's not occupied walk-ins can
rent o
ne room
only, for a negotiable rate. Two-bedroom
house
US$109
Ranguana Lodge
Sidewalk, Placencia Village
T
523 3112,
W
ranguanabelize.com.
Five white
cabañas
,
set in a beautiful tropical garden, each with hammocks on
the porch and optional a/c, all close to or on the beach very
near the village centre. Comfortably furnished with
hardwood floors and fittings, fridge and coff
eemake
r;
bathrooms have tubs. Beach
palapas
for relaxing.
US$85
Sea Glass Inn
South Beach, Placencia Village
T
523
3098,
W
seaglassinnbelize.com.
A very comfortable two-
storey hotel with clean, well-furnished rooms, all with
private bathroom, a/c, fridge and coffeemaker. The wide,
breezy verandas with hammocks are great for relaxing and
you can borrow a cooler to take to the beach. L
aundry
service
and local tours, plus kayaks and bikes for rent.
US$86
Seaspray Hotel
Sidewalk, Placencia Village
T
523 3148,
W
seasprayhotel.com.
Placencia's first hotel, built in 1964
and still run by the same family, the Leslies. Popular and well
run, in a great location, it holds assorted excellent
accommodation options that range from economy rooms set
well back from the beach to a seafront
cabaña
complete with
veranda and swinging hammock. All have private bath and
fridge, some also TV, kitchenette and balcony. Don't miss
De
Ta t c h
re
staurant on th
e beach
(see bel
ow). E
conomy room
US$27
, standard room
US$55
,
cabaña
US$71
Turtle Inn
1 mile north of Placencia Village
T
523
3244 or
T
800 746 3743 in US,
W
turtleinn.com.
Francis
6
EATING
MAYA BEACH
Bonefish Grille
Singing Sands Inn, Maya Beach
T
533
3022,
W
singingsands.com.
Intimate beachside
restaurant, owned by two Korean sisters, with exceptionally
romantic lighting and superb, creative Southeast Asian
food. Try the Korean beef, Thai fish or rice noodles with
shrimp; a table-top mixed Korean grill, shared between
two, costs Bz$79. The breakfast menu is also good.
Daily
7.30am-9.30pm.
★
baked cakes and cookies, free wi-fi, book exchange, and,
above all, great Guatemalan coffees (Bz$3-9).
Mon-Sat
7am-4pm, Sun 8am-noon.
Brenda's Caribbean Cooking
Beside the pier,
Placencia Village.
Simple barbecue shack right by the sea,
with shaded-open-air seating alongside the grill, Brenda
herself, a big local character, will prepare a full meal of jerk
chicken or seafood gumbo for Bz$15-18, including dessert,
and also offers irresistible coconut cookies.
Daily
7am-6pm.
Brewed Awakenings
Main Rd, Placencia Village.
Friendly roadside stall, attached to a little farmers' market
at the northern end of the village, serving excellent fresh
espresso coffees and smoothies for Bz$5-6.
Mon-Sat
6.30am-5pm.
De Tatch Restaurant and Bar
Seaspray Hotel
Sidewalk, Placencia Village
T
503 3385,
W
seasprayhotel.com.
The best Belizean-owned
restaurant in town is right on the beach, just north of the
centre, with a lovely, thatched open-air dining room and a
scenic view of the ocean.
De Tatch
serves Caribbean cuisine
at very affordable rates - the Bz$12 lunch specials, such as
fish balls with rice and beans, are a real bargain - and
delicious seafood mains (Bz$25-30) at all hours, while the
Maya Beach Bistro
Maya Beach Hotel, Maya Beach
T
520 8040,
W
mayabeachhotel.com.
Charming and
delightful beachfront restaurant, romantically open to the
ocean breezes and specializing in delicious, creative Caribbean
seafood such as grilled or nut-crusted fish fillets, shrimp and
lobster, typically priced around Bz$39. Smaller tapas-style
starters cost half that, while meatier options include pork rib
and roast chicken. Entirely unpretentious, and also great for
breakfast or evening cocktails.
Daily 7am-9pm.
PLACENCIA VILLAGE
Above Grounds Coffee
Placencia Village
T
634 3212,
W
abovegroundscoffee.com. Nestle
into a window seat
in this cosy treehouse café, near the south end of the
village, and watch the world go by down below. Freshly
