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In less than the last two weeks, Belize has shown up again and again in many sources all over the news. I am one of those who searches constantly for the latest #belize news, so here is the research for you, all on one page!!1.) This one is huge – because Belize isn’t. Belize is a tiny country and is still relatively undeveloped, and is decades behind the tourism-savvy countries it competes with. YET – TripAdvisor ratings found it to be in the top 25 destinations in the world!!!
https://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Destinations-cTop-g12.)Destig.net is a site dedicated to sharing their latest great travel destinations in the world…..and the latest one is a great review of Belize!
http://www.destig.net/travelbuzz/belize-much-more-than-perfect-beaches

3.) Johnny Depp has been slated to play John McAfee – and much of the movie will take place in the time he spent in Belize – this one is a big deal because, the population and size of Belize is tiny, to have a major motions picture featuring Belize is a REALLY big deal! (Yes, there will probably be some negatives about his time here, but you can bet the aesthetics shot in Belize are going to be amazing!)
https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2017/03/29/johnny-depp-play-infamous-john-mcafee/

4.) It recently came to light that the Wyndham is going to be opening a huge mega resort in Belize – this is a BIG deal because Belize has typically not been a place for corporate resorts to land, because of the small population and tourist numbers. The fact that this is the second huge resort to build here (Mahogany Bay is the first) says that the world is taking notice of Belize (this resort is way north of town in Ambergris Caye, although there is a lot of unhappiness about chain resorts in Belize, it is far away enough not to take away the authenticity and charm of San Pedro!)
http://www.sanpedroscoop.com/2017/03/morning-drive-wyndham-grand-belize-ambergris-caye.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GetMySanPedroScoop+%28Get+My+San+Pedro+Scoop%29

5.) Another big deal article – Forbes names Belize as one of the top 10 diving spots in the world!!!
https://www.forbes.com/sites/breannawilson/2017/03/13/10-must-dive-destinations-for-2017/#5669051a67af

6.) Southwest just had their inaugural first non-stop flight arrive, from Denver!
https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2017/03/12/southwest-airlines-btb-celebrate-inaugural-flight-denver-belize/

7.) Oyster.com highlighted Belize in a great article about what to know before you visit!
https://www.oyster.com/articles/57863-8-things-you-need-to-know-before-traveling-to-belize/?platform=hootsuite

8.) Your dad gets elected as the new president….and you can go anywhere in the world….where do you go if you are Tiffany Trump? BELIZE!
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a9124576/tiffany-trump-ross-mechanic-vacation-belize/

9.) VIVA lifestyle and travel agrees that Belize should be your next getaway, thanks to its “undiscovered’ nature!
http://vivalifestyleandtravel.com/belize/travel-and-lifestyle/feature/undiscovered-getaway

10.) Hello Travel also featured a top 10 where to go in Belize article!
http://www.hellotravel.com/stories/10-place-to-visit-in-belize?platform=hootsuite

 

This is a hard question to research or google when you are on vacation…..if you are looking for a tranquil afternoon, you might head to a pool bar, but then find it is a crazy loud place. Maybe you are a vegetarian and you head to a place that specializes in stewed chicken. Here are some helpful hints past guests have reported on, to help you find your perfect vacation spot!If you want to….

WATCH SPORTS
This is a common request. While many of the bars have TV’s, and this isn’t too hard to find, I will say that the award for best place to watch sports is Pickled Parrot. Eugene and Lynn are huge sports fans and there are always fun events and characters to interact with here!

EAT THE BEST LOCAL FOOD
This is an arguable one. However, based on guest feedback, these are not the fanciest places, but the places where people have found the best local dishes….Dawn’s Grill and Wende’s Creole Resaurant.

Mim’s! This is not online, and is very modest looking – you’ll find it on main street if you walk right to the street from CBC, on the right. They have the best authentic stewed chicken, rice and beans, for $5usd. (If you are not staying at CBC, it is located north of the village, just south of Top Value)

MEET EXPATS LIVING IN PLACENCIA
Friday afternoon – Yoli’s – the Lost Reefers are playing, and there is always fun in this lively Caribbean style bar. It is not easy to find online or in person, but it is right by Paradise Hotel on the southern tip of the peninsula.

HAVE THE BEST ICE CREAM
Tutti Frutti – it is not a secret!

HAVE LATE NIGHT PIZZA BY THE SLICE
We finally have a pizza shop that is open kind of late, and sells by the slice! Cha Chi’s right next to Tutti Frutti.

PLAY TRIVIA
Thursday night…..Pickled Parrot again….just put your game face on because this is serious business.

SING KAREOKE
Thursdays at the Tipsy Tuna Sports Bar and Sundays at J-Dees!

HAVE A MEMORABLE MEAL
Get a cab to Maya Beach for one night and visit the Maya Beach Bistro…..it is probably 100% approved by past guests.

WATCH THE SUNSET
Placencia has most of its fun on the Caribbean side, and you have to go to the lagoon side to see the sunset. If you are in town, head to the pier where you can watch the fishermen bring in their catches, people and dolphin watch, and then see the sunset from the southernmost point in the village.

HAVE SOMEONE COOK YOUR FISH FOR YOU
Omar’s right in the village is recommended by past guests.

FIND THE BEST SOUVENIRS
My personal opinion on a great souvenir….go to any local grocery store and pick up some $1 mini bottles of Marie Sharps! Or visit Leo the woodcarver on the sidewalk near Tipsy Tuna.

MEET LOCALS
Head back to the pier and hang out near Brenda’s Caribbean Cooking food stand…you are guaranteed a fun experience!

FIND THE BEST VEGETARIAN MEALS
A guest favorite is Rick’s on the sidewalk, the vegan salad is amazing!

HAVE LOCAL BBQ
John’s BBQ in the area right by the fields, where you will see three wood houses, a great place to hang out!

SEE AN ISLAND RIGHT OFF A CALENDAR
Visit Ranguana Caye for the day.

HAVE THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS EXPERIENCE IN THE COUNTRY
Although it is a long drive, it is one of the most popular activities in the country. At Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave Tour, you will feel like you are Indiana Jones.

HAVE A QUIET AFTERNOON OUT OF THE VILLAGE
Visit the Quarterdeck Bar at Laru Beya, it is almost always quite tranquil, and the restaurant there will serve you right at the pool, well worth a visit out of the village!

PARTY ON A SUNDAY
Barefoot Bar is the place to be!

 

I LOVE seeing the pictures people post of their time here…it is something I look at at least 2x a week. Seeing Belize through the eyes of a first time guest reminds me of how incredible it is, and also lets me in on new things I didn’t know about! My favorite site to see pictures is Instagram, and you don’t have to be on Instagram to see them. You can google #placencia pictures, and you can see several sites that grab the latest Instagram pics and list them chronologically. Here are my top favorites from the last week – I try to pick a group of photos that explains the feel of Placencia, as sometimes pictures can explain it much more than words!

Gracie and the staff are super friendly and fun!