A Foodie’s Guide to Placencia

Where to Eat on the Placencia peninsula

If you are reading this, chances are you are heading to Placencia or already here. So first of all, welcome. Around here, time moves a little differently. People call it island time, but technically, this is a peninsula. So, let us call it peninsula time. Eat when you are hungry, nap when you are full, and repeat until you have to pack up your suitcase and cry a little because you do not want to leave.

I have been coming to Placencia for years to dive. Laughing Bird Caye, Silk Caye, the outer reef, you name it. After trying just about every stay in the area, I found my home base.

Kalimera Beach Hotel may be the new kid on the beach, but after one trip, I was hooked. Between the views, the people, and the food, this is where my Placencia trips begin and end.

Breakfast

Staat yuh maanin right

Breakfast here is less of a meal and more of a ritual. I start with a Greek-style iced coffee, smooth and frothy, and watch the waves roll in while I decide what to eat.

Some mornings it is fry jacks, golden and fluffy pillows served with beans and eggs that are basically Belize on a plate. Other mornings, it is the tostadas with ranchera sauce, fresh and vibrant and made right on the spot with just-picked tomatoes and peppers. No spice, just pure flavor.

HONESTLY, they should bottle that sauce and sell it. Until they do, I eat it every single morning.

Insider Tip: Ask for a side of fresh, seasonal fruit like papaya, pineapple, or whatever is just in season. It is always perfect.

Lunch

Here is the thing. You do not really have to leave for lunch. You can, but why would you?

Their ceviche is bright and zesty, made with the freshest catch of the day. The tacos are perfectly seasoned little bundles of happiness. And the Mediterranean plates are light, colorful, and just right for a beachside lunch. Add a Belikin beer or a crisp glass of white wine, and you will forget you ever thought about leaving. Order lunch, grab a hammock, and call it poolside productivity.

Stay Close: Maya Beach Favorites

There are a couple of must-stops right in Maya Beach.

• Pelican Pub is my casual go-to. It is just a 30 second walk down the beach with icy drinks and hearty plates with your toes in the sand.

• Then there is Maya Beach Bistro, the neighborhood legend. Sure, the lobster grilled cheese gets a lot of hype, but my personal obsession is the chowder, their take on the Garifuna dish hudut. It is rich, creamy, and loaded with flavor. It is comfort in a bowl, especially after a morning out on the water.
• Book a table if you are heading there for dinner. It fills up fast and for good reason.

Eat Like a Local

That's what we travel for, right? To meet people, try new foods, and taste the real flavor of a place. This is not an all-inclusive vibe, and that is exactly why Placencia is so special.

• Rum Bum is as real as it gets. It is unassuming with zero frills, but the food keeps people coming back. The menu changes daily, so always ask what is fresh. And if they have rice and beans with stewed chicken and coleslaw, do not hesitate. It is the national dish of Belize and an absolute treasure.
• Note that Rum Bum is closed on Sundays

• Then there is Omar’s Creole Grub , my go-to for seafood in town. It does not look fancy from the outside, but the seafood is out of this world. Everything is fresh, but the coconut curry lobster is on another level. Rich, creamy, and so full of flavor, it is the dish that ruins seafood everywhere else for you.

• When the craving for smoky, finger-licking barbecue hits, I make a beeline for SmoQiz. The ribs are tender and perfectly smoky, and the sides are so good you will want a second helping. Staying clean is not an option, and that is half the fun.

Insider Tip: Belize has two major food seasons, lobster season from July to February and conch season from October to June. What is in season determines what is on the menu, so always check and order accordingly.

Date Night Vibes

When it is time to swap sandy toes for something a little more polished, there are a few places I have really enjoyed - even if they are a bit on the pricier side.

• Mare by Turtle Inn  is pure romance. Soft lighting, ocean breezes, and dishes that are almost too pretty to eat. Almost. It is owned by Francis Ford Coppola  yes, the director of The Godfather  and serves elevated Italian cuisine paired with wine straight from his private vineyard. It feels like a movie set, only with candlelight and a quiet beach as your backdrop. Perfect for a slow, indulgent evening that feels a little bit magical.

• Then there is Prana Maya, which is more of an experience than just dinner. You will need a reservation, but do not worry because the team at Kalimera will make it happen for you. On the night of your dinner, they will have you picked up at the municipal pier in Placencia Village. A sleek boat will take you across the water to a nearby island. The ride feels straight out of a movie, it feels like you have discovered something secret and luxurious.
  

A little nighlife

Placencia is a quiet, chill kind of place, so do not expect wild parties or all-night chaos. What you can expect is a fun, relaxed night out at one of the local bars where everyone feels like a friend by the end of the evening.

Head down to the Tipsy Strip in the village and hit the beach bars in town.

• Start at Barefoot Bar for colorful cocktails and laid-back beach vibes.
• Then wander over to Tipsy Tuna, where the music is live, the sand is soft, and suddenly you are dancing barefoot under the stars.

Insider Tip: Stick to the local rums. They are cheaper, the bartenders know exactly what they are doing, and nothing feels more Caribbean than sipping a strong rum drink with your toes in the sand. Check the events calendar too, because sometimes Garifuna drumming groups perform live. It is an experience you will not forget.

One LAST TIp: TRY THE HOT SAUCE

No matter where you eat, whether it is Kalimera, Rum Bum, Turtle Inn, or anywhere else, do yourself a favor and ask for Marie Sharp’s Hot Sauce. It is a Belizean classic made just up the road, and it goes on everything. Eggs, tacos, ceviche, even pizza. One taste and you will be hooked. I now travel with a bottle in my carry-on, and you will too.

Placencia is more than just beaches and sunsets. It is a place you taste as much as you see and feel. Stay at Kalimera and you can spend your entire trip eating right on the property, or step out and explore the neighborhood for a deeper taste of Belize.



Because at the end of the day, that is what traveling is about. To meet people, to try new foods, and to really experience a place. Once you have eaten your way around Maya Beach and Placencia, you will already be planning your next trip back before you even leave.