Top Placencia Art & Culture

Take a break from beach combing and water sports to explore the ancient ruins and mysterious caves of the Cayo district on this full-day combo tour from Placencia. Visit the remnants of a once-mighty Mayan city at Xunantunich — where you can see all the way to Guatemala from the top of a pyramid — and then float through an underground network of caverns on a cave tubing adventure.

Venture into a remote jungle in southern Belize near the small settlement of Monkey River Village, an area known for its troops of black howler monkeys and other wildlife. Glide through a mangrove forest on a boat before trekking on foot through wild, undeveloped terrain with an expert guide. You’ll also look for manatees, turtles, and crocodiles in this unique ecosystem where river meets the sea.

We will visit one of the most impressive Mayan Ruins in Belize, Xunantunich! Float through mysterious limestone archways beckoning you into the mouths of centuries-old caves, holding untold stories of Maya rituals. Explore the many breathtaking formations designed by only nature and learn about the ancient rituals and ceremonies that are a part of their mystique and magic.

We will visit one of the most impressive Mayan Ruins in Belize, Xunantunich! Float through mysterious limestone archways beckoning you into the mouths of centuries-old caves, holding untold stories of Maya rituals. Explore the many breathtaking formations designed by only nature and learn about the ancient rituals and ceremonies that are a part of their mystique and magic.

Learn about the Garifuna culture during a hands-on experience on this half-day tour in Placencia. After exploring Garifuna artifacts, you will cook and enjoy a traditional specialty called “hudut,” which is made with mashed plantains and a creamy coconut fish stew. Following lunch, participate in drumming lessons with a local musician.

The Garifuna people make up just four percent of Belize’s population, but they are one of the country’s most iconic cultures. An Afro-Caribbean people, the Garifuna are renowned for their traditional drumming, iconic foods, and music. This tour includes a trip to the Garifuna village of Seine Bight in Placencia or the Garifuna village of Hopkins located on the Caribbean coast. Participants will enjoy authentic, home-cooked Garifuna foods while enjoying a live performance of traditional Garifuna drumming. An introductory Garifuna drumming lesson is also included.

Visit English-speaking Mayan homes in the village of Big Falls with the Living Maya Experience on this guided tour. Learn how the local Kek'chi Mayas live off the forest, from food to furniture to medicine, and hear about their beliefs, traditions, and other cultural activities. Plus, get hands-on food prep experience; traditional Mayan dishes are served for lunch. The tour also includes a stop at the Nim Li Punit ruins.

Take a break from the beaches to see two highlights of Belize’s lush Cayo District, all without renting a car. Stand atop the massive El Castillo temple and and peer into Guatemala at the Xunantunich archaeological site, where a guide shows you highlights of the ruins and reveals secrets of ancient Mayan life. Later, cool off with a swim in the Blue Hole, a natural swimming pool surrounded by tropical forest.

A must-visit, even when on the shortest stays in our beautiful country. Xunantunich is a national treasure that fills its visitors with a sense of time travel. You’ll depart from your Hopkins where our guides will meet you before your drive to this temple. You'll know you're arriving when you spot the little falls of the Mopan River winding alongside the road through the village of San Jose Succotz. You're hit with how green and lush everything is. Some visitors will get to see a group of women doing laundry in the river while their children swim nearby.The temples are nestled in between lush rain forest whose trees may bloom vibrant red, yellow, orange, or pink in season. Bring along a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, along with an open heart to experience simplicity and visiting another world for a few hours. Join us on this half-day tour towards Xunantunich Maya Ruins with lunch and hotel pick up included from Placencia.

Come and enjoy the sights and scents of Southern Belize on this great adventure. Once at the Spice Farm A trolley train that takes around the property, making stops at the more interesting sites. Next up we head down to Ixcacao Chocolate, a small-indoors chocolate facility, here you will experience how to make your own chocolate on traditional grinding stones just like the ancient Mayans did. Choose between visiting a smaller Southern Mayan Ruins or a nearby popular waterfal

A must-visit, even when on the shortest stays in our beautiful country. Xunantunich is a national treasure that fills its visitors with a sense of time travel.. You'll know you're arriving when you spot the little falls of the Mopan River winding alongside the road through the village of San Jose Succotz. You're hit with how green and lush everything is. Some visitors will get to see a group of women doing laundry in the river while their children swim nearby. After a couple hours of exploring, you’ll head off to the Inland Blue Hole for a dip. Not to be confused with Belize’s iconic Blue Hole in the Caribbean Sea, this woodland natural pool offers a lovely and refreshing stop on the Hummingbird Highway.Once at the bottom, the jungle opens up to the sky’s canvas revealing limestone rock walls and vegetation, forming an attractive 25-foot (8-m) deep swimming hole. The water in the Blue Hole is part of an underground cave system that flows into the Sibun River.

Actun Tunichil Muknal is known as the ATM Cave is one of Belize most sought after Adventure in our country. The tour is not just an adventure but one of the most interactive Maya history Cave Adventure available.

Be prepared for one of the most scenic days of your life. From the moment you leave, your guide will be more than happy to take photos of you in the many picture perfect locations. Enjoy the tranquility of the cave systems and the beauty of its famous "cenotes".

Immerse yourself Mayan culture on this half-day guided excursion. After a convenient hotel pickup in Placencia Village, spend the day with Ernesto and Aurora Saqui and learn about Mayan traditions like herbal medicine and how to prepare tortillas and tamales on a hearth. Visit a cacao farm and discover the old-fashioned method of making chocolate—then enjoy the memorable experience of making your own.

MONKEY RIVER & MANATEE WATCH The most popular tour out of Placencia! Take a 40-minute boat ride through the mangroves and Caribbean Sea to enter the mouth of Monkey River at Monkey River Village. On your boat ride down the Monkey River, watch for the wildlife of Belize - birds, iguanas, snakes, crocodiles and the stars of the tour - howler monkeys. Jump in for a swim in the river...if you dare! Then return to Monkey River Village to enjoy a native lunch. Top off the trip with a stop for manatee watching on the way back to Placencia. See how many you can spot before they go back under!

Classed as National Geographic's "Number one sacred cave in the world;" this cave was only discovered in 1989. However, it has quickly grew a name for itself as one of the top destinations in the world for its rich Mayan culture and heritage. You can look forward to witnessing 14 skeletal remains, pottery, stone tools and even Mayan hieroglyphs which date back to 700-900 A.D.

A must-visit, even when on the shortest stays in our beautiful country. Xunantunich is a national treasure that fills its visitors with a sense of time travel. If that isn’t appealing enough, how about saddling up a horse and riding into the shadow of this Mayan temple. You're hit with how green and lush everything is. Some visitors might get to see a group of women doing laundry in the river while their children swim nearby, this is where you will board the hand-cranked ferry that has carried many thousands to and from the calm beauty of this Maya Temple. Here, you’ll dismount your horse and the journey to Xunantunich begins on the other bank of the river.. The temples are nestled in between lush rainforest whose trees may bloom vibrant red, yellow, orange, or pink in season. Bring along a hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, along with an open heart to experience simplicity and visiting another world for a few hours.

An excellent choice for all ages in your family. There is something for everyone to do and enjoy from the moment you are picked up; with unlimited sight-seeing until you are returned to your drop off point. Experience two of Belize's top three rated excursions in one trip.

Xunantunich is one of the largest ancient Maya cities ever built, the rulers of Xunantunich clashes with other powerful rivals in the area, including Tikal. In 2016, the largest Maya royal tomb ever discovered was excavated in Xunantunich, and the site remains an impressive display of pyramids, palaces, and other grandiose buildings.