I RECENTLY SPOKE TO A WOMAN WHO VISITED BELIZE IN JUNE, AND SHE TOLD ME THAT I WILL DISAPPOINTED WITH PLACENCIA.. SHE GOT THERE & SAID "THIS IS IT?" ANY OPINIONS WELCOME...I'M COMING TO BELIZE IN JAN & I'M CONSIDERING SPENDING A FEW DAYS THERE.

It totally depends on what you expect...I didn't expect anything special, but after meeting the people and getting out on the ocean, (scuba &exploring) I found it to be far more interesting than say Florida, Calif. or Hawaii. IT is just different. If you go with an open mind and soak up the atmosphere as it comes you will have a fabulous and relaxing time. That's my opinion, but judge for yourself!!

Stay on Ambergris Caye; it's the best!

It depends on what you're looking for. If you want serious partying and nightlife, wild happy hours, a wide variety of restaurants and accomodations, I would advise Ambergris. Also, there's a wide variety of dive/snorkeling options on Ambergris. If you want peace and quiet, serious relaxing and lazing on the beach (the prettiest beach in Belize is in Placencia, in my opinion) and in a hammock, mellow, quirky locals and fellow visitors, I would recommend Placencia. Placencia has some diving and snorkeling options, but not as many and as good. Also, Placencia was hit very hard by Hurricane Iris, and it's recovery has been slow. Placencis is in a fairly remote locale, so it's difficult to get construction supplies there; also, all that rebuilding costs money. I have been to many parts of Belize on two trips, and there is charm that can be found throughout. Life moves at a slower pace: I love it there.

Rick and I always stay on AC...we took a trip to Placencia and stayed for 2 nights, 3 days....VERY laid back and quiet. We did a couple tours-river etc...Monkey River Village and enjoyed ourselves alot. But the 2 nights was enough...would have gotten bored after that.....C

WE HAVE BEEN TO BELIZE THE PAST TWO YEARS AND ARE MAKING OUR THIRD TRIP THIS FEB.---I PERSONALLY CAN'T IMAGINE STARTING ANYWHERE OTHER THAN PLACENCIA. IT GETS MY PACE ADJUSTED AND ALLOWS SOME DOWN TIME BEFORE ALL THE EXCITEMENT I GET IN AC. I WOULD HIGHLY RECO EVERYONE TO GO THERE JUST KEEP IN MIND IT'S LAID BACK AND SLOW. LOVE TO ALL IN PLACENCIA AREA AND SEE YA SOON DUANE AND BARB

My wife and I were in Placencia last June and we loved it. We actually started our trip with a week on AC and then finished with a week in Placencia, we felt it was a great way to wind down our vacation. Yes it's laid back, but last time I checked being laid back on vacation was a good thing.

Ditto

Thanks to everyone, I know decidied I will definitely visit Placencia

For a good look at whats going on in Placencia have a look see at www.destinationsbelize.com/index.html Plenty of pics of post Iris Placencia as well as Resturants Lodging, Guide, and Fishing services. Be sure to check out the "news" link, You will get a good idea of whats going on as well as current pictures of the sidewalk rebuilding project and so on..