≡ Menu

Days in Placencia

Placencia, BelizeThe following are some random thoughts and events from the two days I spent in Placencia.New Friends:I spent part of an afternoon meeting some of the locals; Belican Lighthouse, Belican and Belican Premium. Belican Premium and I quickly became best friends as he’s the first that I’ve met with any real kind of personality [...]

Placencia, Belize

The following are some random thoughts and events from the two days I spent in Placencia.

New Friends:
I spent part of an afternoon meeting some of the locals; Belican Lighthouse, Belican and Belican Premium. Belican Premium and I quickly became best friends as he’s the first that I’ve met with any real kind of personality in Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. We hung out a lot during my time in Belize.

From Belize
The locals of Belize

The Belize Currency Seems Like a Joke:
I’m not sure why Belize just doesn’t use American currency like El Salvador or Panama. The currency works on a fixed exchange rate of $2 BZ to $1 US. Half of the prices are given in US dollars and half are given in Belize dollars. They need to either state prices in terms of Belizian dollars only or just use US dollars. All it does at the moment is confuse you as to what currency is being used and you always end up clarifying if the stated price is in Belizian or US dollars. It also doesn’t help that US dollars are commonly used and accepted as a second currency.

If you haven’t noticed from my last post things here in Belize are expensive and I’m not exactly thrilled about it. Even if the price is given in Belize dollars all prices are essentially the price you would expect to pay in the US for the same item and then doubled. For example, my first morning here I paid $14 BZ for two cinnamon rolls and an ice coffee. I would expect to pay a similar price in the US.

Hostel Hot Spot:
It surprises me that this place doesn’t have a hostel. The town serves as a border crossing (granted, the crossing is by boat costs $110 BZ) and is also close to Punta Gorda which is a border crossing with Guatemala. If a hostel was set-up here business would boom. The absolute cheapest room I’ve found is for $25 BZ a night and is not exactly paradise but serves its purpose (i.e. it has a bed, bathroom and place to shower). There is also a lot to do in the area and is easy to get here. A hostel would be a booming business if it offered reasonable rates so I’m not sure why there isn’t one here already.

Doggy Style:
I was laying on the beach the other morning reading my book when two dogs approached and mounted one another near where I was reading. They went at their business on the beach until the male finished. The male dog stumbled in the sand on the dismount and somehow became entangled inside of the female. The two just stood their looking like Siamese twins joined at the rear not quite knowing what to do but moan in helplessness. They tried various combinations of twists and pulls but each failed attempt left them, especially the female, moaning a little bit louder. I felt like I should do something but, seriously, what am I going to do? Instead I just laughed and felt a little sorry for their situation.

After ten minutes they found the right combination of twists and pulls that unlocked their unfortunate circumstance. Heads down, they wobbled a few feet from each with a walk like a man who just got off a horse and promptly began licking themselves.

From Belize
Two dogs joined at the rear

Thanksgiving Caribbean Style:
My favorite holiday came and went this year but not without a feast to go along with it. There were several places in Palencia offering some turkey but I wanted a seafood feast. I was down by the docks searching for options and met my favorite Belizian woman, Brenda, who cooked me up a Thanksgiving meal Caribbean style. For the first time my Thanksgiving meal consisted of lobster tails, gumbo and lemon tarts.

Filed under: Belize, Cubicle Ditcher, Random Thoughts

About the Author:

Sam Langley left a comfortable and profitable job with an insurance company in the USA to travel the world. He has been going for years, and has not stopped yet. Keep up with his travels on his blog at Cubicle Ditcher. has written 147 posts on Vagabond Journey. Contact the author.

3 comments… add one

Leave a Comment

  • Anonymous December 9, 2010, 4:30 pm

    you didn't write anything about meeting a cool white female rapper and her mother.

    Also, Placencia is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Belize, second only to San Pedro. So that's why everything is listed in US dollars and there are no hostels.

    Link Reply
  • Sam December 9, 2010, 10:25 pm

    Good to know. I didn't mention anything because some things are too cool to put into words. Good to hear from you.

    Link Reply
  • Adil November 27, 2011, 10:56 pm

    I’ve got to say I’m amazed by coincidences sometimes. I’m in Placencia exactly one year day for day after you wrote the post !

    Link Reply