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Placencia, Belize

Moving to Placencia, Belize

By Betsy Burlingame

Last updated on Jun 27, 2023

Summary: Placencia, Belize is a popular destination for expats due to its stunning beaches, laid-back lifestyle, and low cost of living. The town is known for its friendly locals, diverse culture, and abundance of outdoor activities. Before moving to Placencia, it is important to be aware of the tropical climate, the need for a valid visa, and the limited access to healthcare. Additionally, it is important to research the local laws and regulations to ensure a smooth transition.

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What do I need to know before moving to Placencia?

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Placencia, they said:

"The Placencia Peninsula is approximately 14-16 miles long. The Placencia Road that connects to the Southern Highway is about 24 miles long, with the northern most 8-10 miles on the mainland. Riversdale, a tiny community right on the ocean is the most northern habitation on the peninsula itself. A few homes, a small resort, and that is about it. The "Plantation" area starts just south of Riversdale. It is all residential on the sea side of the peninsula, but toward the southern end of the area residences and lots are available on the lagoon side. There is no city or private water supply to this area. Everyone who lives there has cisterns or other water catchments to collect rain water. In dry season, there are people who provide water tanker service to fill cisterns or pools. There are no grocery or other types of stores until you reach Maya Beach, about 15 miles south of the Southern Highway. Between Plantation and Maya Beach you will find a lot of homes, lots, and a couple of resorts, but no commercial activity. Maya Beach is a popular residential community, with mostly homes, several small resorts, a few restaurants with bars, two small grocery stores, and a police station. A few miles south of Maya Beach is Seine Bight. A Garifuna community, and home to many workers from other countries such as Guatemala, Mexico, and Honduras. There are a couple of small groceries and restaurants, a large grocery with pharmacy, and just outside the village some large resorts. It is another 8 miles or so south to reach the village of Placencia (Punta Placencia). Between Seine Bight and Placencia Village there are a multitude of residences, lots, a number of commercial entities, and just outside of the village is the Placencia airport (airstrip). The village is where you will find almost all shopping amenities, medical services (government clinic and a private doctor practice), restaurants, bars, pharmacy, nice beaches, hotel accommodations, gift shops, clothing (mostly re-sale) shops, coffee houses (2), hardware stores, and service locations for phone and cable. I have been living on the peninsula for over 6 years, and love it," said one expat who made the move to Placencia.

"Before moving to Placencia, expats should be aware that the official language is English, although Spanish and Kriol are also spoken. Expats should also be aware that the currency is the Belize Dollar, and that US Dollars are widely accepted. Additionally, expats should be aware that the climate is tropical, with temperatures ranging from 75-90 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Finally, expats should be aware that the cost of living in Placencia is relatively low, and that the area is known for its laid-back lifestyle and friendly locals," explained one expat living in Placencia, Belize.

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About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.

Placencia, Belize

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