Fly Fishing in Placencia, Belize

With miles and miles of undisturbed flats, it’s a good reason that Southern Belize is considered the permit capital of Belize. There is wonderful habitat for these permit to thrive in and not as many anglers and people for that matter in the south. Nestled on the southern coast the quaint little fishing village of Placencia has become an under the radar destination for many adventure seeking tourists, more specifically anglers pursuing Belize fly fishing and sport fishing opportunities.

What’s unique about Placencia is it located on a thin peninsula with a large lagoon on one side and the ocean on the other, the isolated village is a must-see for any traveler. “The sidewalk” on the tip on the peninsula has numerous smaller resorts, BandB’s, local restaurants and bars perfect for a couple of day stay for any angler.

The Travel to Placencia Village:

The small village is perfect as travelers do not need any sort of transportation to access all the amenities and services. Many of the accommodations offer complimentary shuttles as well as free bikes. A lot of tourists also like to utilize golf carts while staying in Placencia. The easiest way to get to Placencia is to take a commuter flight from Belize International Airport. Airlines like Tropic Air or Maya Island Air offer flights every hour or so throughout the day and the cost is around $265.00 per person roundtrip. The flight time is around 35 minutes as driving could take 4-5 hours, so for most the flight is the way to go.

Accommodations in Placencia Village:

Since the small tourism boom in Placencia, the locals and hospitality companies have created many different lodging options to meet each traveler’s needs. On the tip of the Peninsula, there are many different vacation rentals as well as a small resort called the Brisa Oceano. This resort has wonderful rooms, complete with full kitchens. It is located on the very tip of the Peninsula on the sidewalk and on the beach. So this makes it perfect for travelers looking to enjoy all the local cuisine and culture the Peninsula has to offer. It is also located next to the two well-known bars where most people wind down there day. The bars are called the Tipsy Tuna and Barefoot Beach Bar. Definitely check these out and enjoy the beach views and tropical drinks.

If you are looking for accommodations with a little more amenities and services, a little bit farther out of the main village there are some wonderful resorts including the Placencia Resort. This resort is complete with multiple restaurants onsite, a pool, exercise room, variety of room types and full harbor.

Another option that many tourists prefer is to do a combo trip where they stay 3-5 nights on the mainland and then head out to a caye or island to stay 3-5 nights. This way you get the full Belizean experience of the culture on the mainland and then escape to the beauty of a Caribbean island. One island I recommend highly due to its location of wonderful fishing and snorkeling is Ranguana Caye. This Belizean island has a great flat for DIY fly fishing for bonefish.

The Fly Fishing in Placencia Belize

Like most other areas on the mainland of Belize, the fishing right off the beach in Placencia is not that productive as the reef is located about 20 miles offshore. The reef is where phenomenal fishing occurs. So hiring a guide is essential to your fishing adventure when you're in Placencia. While at certain times of the year and certain conditions there can be some beach fishing for jacks, tarpon, snook, and barracuda. Don’t count on this as it can be a bit finicky. But the true draw to this village is the reef right off the coast. The fishery is just endless with pancake flats, cayes, and lagoons in islands that tarpon frequent (Tarpon Caye). As well as some blue water right off the reef that can be productive for deep sea fishing.

Many of the guides at Blue Horizon Belize, are born and raised in Placencia or the nearby village of Independence. These Placencia fly fishing guides are the real deal and will take you on an unforgettable fly fishing experience for permit, tarpon, bonefish and much more. To book your fly fishing adventure in Placencia, reach out to us at info@bluehorizonbelize.com. We offer package specials with lodging, food, and guided fishing.