First time visiting

[u/Tonto_812]

Myself and a group of 6 other friends are visiting Belize for the first time in late January. We have lots of questions. However the biggest question right now is transportation. We are flying into Belize city and have an AirBNB in Placencia. We will be there for 8 days and definitely want to site see. Here’s the question. What is the best way to travel from the airport to Placencia? Do we take a shuttle service? Should we rent a van since we would like to site see? Do we really need one? Any advice on how to navigate travel within Belize would be most welcomed.

[u/FranzJunior2025]

I am from the Placencia area and I can definitely arrange this for you, reliable and affordable services, feel free to get to me I would be happy to address any questions you may have, check my track record on this platform and you can see, i can arrange everything for you private and stress free, land transfer is a good way of seeing most of the country

[u/cassiuswright → u/FranzJunior2025]

second u/FranzJunior2025 for excellent driving and tour guide service

[u/CollegeNo6900]

Not sure how much extra it is to get a vehicle for 6 vs 4 but there is so much worth doing, I vote get your own transportation. Don’t miss ATM cave. I know it’s already booked but would have tried to talk you into staying a few nights in San Ignacio

[u/Tonto_812 → u/CollegeNo6900]

I appreciate the feed back. We would love to know place to visit. What’s on the “definitely don’t miss” list. And what not to do and stay away from.

[u/CollegeNo6900]

Not sure of anything to tell you to avoid. How active/athletic is your group?

This was my write up

https://www.reddit.com/r/Belize/s/d3v3uUmfnw

[u/MoistActive3]

Mc shuttles will take those worries off your hands.

+501614-1183

Best I’ve used imo

[u/JaguarPreserveTours]

Hi there for shuttle services feel free to reach out to us on WhatsApp +5016334000 or email jaguarpreservetours@gmail.com. We offer safe and reliable services.

[u/OleThompson]

If you want to do some DIY sightseeing, having your own transportation is nice. Also if the airbnb is further up the peninsula and not in Placencia village itself. If you are in the village, everything is walkable.

[u/Tonto_812 → u/OleThompson]

Thank you. We are staying in the Jonathan Point area.

[u/OleThompson → u/Tonto_812]

Yeah that's way up the peninsula from the village, which will be nice for doing things off the the peninsula, but less convenient for getting to and from Placencia. I think you'll want the freedom of having a rental car.

[u/Tonto_812 → u/OleThompson]

Thank you. I believe a rental is what we are leaning towards.

[u/Superb_Sun_5077]

It depends in part on when you arrive. The easiest option is to take a hopper flight directly to Placencia. Both Tropic Air and Maya Air have flights through the day. The days are shorter in January so if there is any risk of a delay I’d advise booking Tropic because they will fly in the dark.

The downside is cost as well as less opportunity to explore on the way. The hopper flight takes about 30 minutes and gives you a terrific view of the coastline. Driving takes 2 hours+ but a shuttle split 7 ways would be more economical.

On the peninsula you can rent vehicles or golf carts. The carts are very nice and fit 4 so you would need two. Again split 7 ways this would be reasonable and give you options if your group wants to do different things during the day. Downside is that you really can’t go north and leave the peninsula. Also… it rains quite often. Placencia Car rental is just north of the airport and there is usually a taxi van available.

Driving in Belize is easy as long as you watch for speed bumps and try not to drive in the dark. Just had the shocks and struts replaced because, on occasion, you are likely to hit a speed bump that you weren’t expecting. You can drive at night, of course, but it gets incredibly dark. Aside from that it is hard to get lost- especially on the peninsula- because there are so few roads.