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The latest top 10 news stories out of Belize – get caught up here!!!

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

 

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Where to go in Placencia, Belize – for whatever you are in the mood for!

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!

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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.

Wendy’s front porch – tripadvisor.com
wendy s restaurant bar
HAVE THE BEST AUTHENTIC, CHEAP LUNCH

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)

stew chicken and a local

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.

tripadvisor.com
yoli s from the dock

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

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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.

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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!

tipsytuna.com
Tipsy Tuna Deck

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.

traveldew.com
Bistro1

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.

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

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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.

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

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

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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.

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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.

bernardoni.com
ATM Cave Belize1

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!

larubeya.com
belize dive resort laru beya placencia

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

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Top 10 best Placencia, Belize pictures posted by guests in the village this week!!

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!

This is the Placencia Lagoon….well worth a look during your trip, to see the sunsets over the Mayan mountains, or check out the boats and houses!
Instagram, thegirlandglobe
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 Placencia is one of the few places where you can walk ALL of the beach…it is all public, and you will often see people walking for miles on the shore. You’ll see a lot of this in the village – small, rustic, Caribbean-colored wood houses….
Instagram, bmbruno
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 Guest favorite….Ranguana Caye!
Instagram, aurel.ian
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 Another guest favorite…Barefoot Bar….one of the most photographed places in the village 🙂
Instagram, alicia_jane80
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 A common sight on shore….but it NEVER gets old…
Instagram, bmbruno
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 Right up there with most photographed in the village…Tipsy Tuna. Barefoot Bar and Tipsy Tuna are right next to each other in the heart of the village….you can see why they are so popular!
Instagram, tcalloway19
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 You see a lot of this throughout the village, the rustic, artistic feel adds a great experience to your walk through the streets!
Instagram, bare.foot.blue
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The new pizza shop at night! This is turning into a gathering place….with pizza and a really nice outdoor bar on one side, and Tutti Frutti gelato on the other!
Instagram, chachispizza
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 You see a lot of people doing this on vacation….pool & a hammock 🙂
Instagram, rustypartch
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 Swimming with turtles is always a main attraction here…
Instagram, explore_more1
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What to do EVERY night of the week in Placencia, Belize! Oh, and the new PIZZA SHOP!

Remaxvipbelize: Belize Dinner Specials
Keep this post in mind when you come down! You can also see this in the Placencia Breeze, they will keep it updated on their site!
MONDAY
Pickled Parrot– Art Bar – Every 3rd Monday, 3pm
Tipsy Tuna – Martini Monday and live music after 6
Turtle Inn – Indonesian Rijsttafel dinner
Plus $1 wings at the Casino (that’s BZD!) and $4 beers all night (also BZD!)
TUESDAY
Barefoor Bar – Travelers Tuesday -$3bzd rum drinks from 5-close
Tipsy Tuna – Mojito Tuesday, plus sushi and live music
Habanero’s at Robert’s Grove – Mexican buffet with Mariachi band 7-9
WEDNESDAY
Barefoot Bar – Fun & Funky Jam session, visiting musicians welcome, starts at 5
Mariposa – Yahtzee night 4:30
Pickled Parrot – Live music 6pm
Tipsy Tuna – Garifuna Drumming 7-9pm, plus $1 bze wings all day
THURSDAY
Barefoot Bar – Dirty Thursday – tell the bartender a dirty joke, get a free shot!
Pickled Parrot – Trivia at 6pm – prizes and free jello shots
Turtle Inn – Indonesian Rijsttafel dinner
Tipsy Tuna – Live Reggae, Soca, dancing, plus karaoke in the sports bar @9pm
FRIDAY
Yoli’s – The Lost Reefers – live acoustic music 4pm
Barefoot Bar – Live Caribbean music at 5pm
Turtle Inn – Silent Movie Night
Tipsy Tuna – Free Zumba Dance Party 7-9, all ages welcome
Plus Ladies Night at the Casino and DJs at Street Feet after 10pm
SATURDAY
Barefoot Bar – Horseshoe Tournament – 4pm, plus live music 5-9
Live music at Pickled Parrot and Tipsy Tuna, late night at Street Feet
SUNDAY
Barefoot Bar – Daytime Beach Party, BBQ and live music 1-6pm
Turtle Inn – 2 for 1 pizza
Belize Ocean Club – Sunday Pool Party
J-Dee’s – karaoke at 8pm
Pickled Parrot – NFL Sundays
Also – go check out the brand new Cha Chi’s Pizza Shop!! It is fantastic, and located right next to Tutti Frutti. Here is the menu:
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Gracie and the staff are super friendly and fun!

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 Featured Photo Credit: Dominick Spolitino