My Favourite Day Trips from Placencia, Belize (And Why I’d Do Every One Again)

July 21, 2026 · Heather Crozier

Discover the best day trips from Placencia—Monkey River, Maya ruins, cave tubing, zip lining, reef snorkelling, diving, and why each is worth repeating.

Discover the best day trips from Placencia—Monkey River, Maya ruins, cave tubing, zip lining, reef snorkelling, diving, and why each is worth repeating.

If you're staying in Placencia, don't make the mistake of spending your entire vacation on the beach. As much as I love relaxing by the ocean, some of my favourite memories in Belize happened on day trips that took me deep into the jungle, up ancient Maya ruins, and flying through the treetops.

One of the things I love most about Belize is that you can have a completely different adventure every single day. Whether you're travelling as a couple, with family, or joining a group tour to meet other travellers, there's something for everyone.

Here are a few of my favourites — some of the best Placencia excursions and things to do near Placencia that I'd happily book all over again.

Monkey River Tour

If I could only recommend one excursion from Placencia, this would probably be it.

The Monkey River tour is such an authentic Belize experience. It's not flashy or commercialized, and honestly, that's exactly why I love it.

The day starts with a boat ride along the coast before heading up the river into the jungle. Keep your eyes open because you never know what you're going to see. We spotted crocodiles, beautiful tropical birds, and even a manatee!

Once you arrive, you'll head into the jungle with your guide. It can definitely be hot, humid, and a little buggy, so come prepared with lightweight clothes, comfortable shoes, and bug spray. If you're okay with a little jungle adventure, I think you'll absolutely love it.

Before the hike, the guides stop in a tiny village where you order lunch. I still remember having to choose between chicken or fish.

When we returned from the jungle, lunch was ready.

It wasn't a fancy restaurant by any means. It was a simple homemade meal, and to this day it's honestly one of the best meals I've ever had. Every time I think about it, my mouth waters. Maybe we just had an incredible cook that day—I don't know—but it was unforgettable.

After lunch, you have time to check out the local market where you'll find handmade bracelets, wood carvings, artwork, and other beautiful souvenirs created by local artisans. It's one of those experiences that feels genuine from beginning to end. If you prefer a combined Monkey River and manatee-watching excursion, that's another excellent way to spend the day.

Xunantunich Maya Ruins

I've visited a lot of beautiful places, but there's something special about standing on top of an ancient Maya temple surrounded by jungle.

The climb isn't exactly easy, especially on a hot day, but the views at the top are absolutely worth it — you can see so far out, including into Guatemala. We spotted bats inside the ruins and watched howler monkeys swinging in the trees nearby. All kinds of amazing ancient history, right there in front of you.

Walking through the ruins and imagining what life was like thousands of years ago is incredible. I honestly can't wait to go back and explore even more of Belize's Maya sites. A guided Xunantunich Maya Ruins tour makes the history come alive in a way you simply can't get from a guidebook — and if you want more inland nights instead of a day trip, base yourself in San Ignacio.

If you're making the trip inland, I also highly recommend stopping at St. Herman's Inland Blue Hole. Not the famous one out in the ocean!

The water is some of the freshest, clearest I've ever seen. It was pouring rain when we went — but who cares, we were going to get wet anyway. It felt like being in a movie: cool, unreal, and one of those experiences I still think about.

Zip Lining and Cave Tubing

I'll be honest…

Cave tubing and zip lining with Zipline BZ were both firsts for me — and I was a little nervous, especially before the zip line.

I seriously questioned whether I wanted to do it.

Thankfully, the instructors made me feel comfortable and confident. They encouraged me, explained everything, and gave me the confidence to take that first step.

I'm so glad I did.

Flying through the jungle ended up being one of my favourite memories from Belize — so worth it, and so much fun.

Pair it with cave tubing, where you'll gently float through ancient caves surrounded by incredible rock formations, and you've got an adventure you'll be talking about long after you get home. A combined cave tubing and zip-lining tour is one of the easiest ways to experience both in a single day.

Belize has no shortage of adventures if you're willing to step a little outside your comfort zone. Among day trips from Placencia, Belize, this one still ranks near the top for pure thrills.

For the Scuba Divers

Scuba diving isn't really my thing…

But my husband absolutely loves it and has been on nearly two hundred dives, so if you're curious about diving in Belize, I can always get the goods from him.

He's done several dives in Belize — including with Splash Dive Center out of Placencia — and can't stop talking about them. One of his favourite experiences was spearing lionfish for the first time. Splash also took us out on the water for my first reef day from Placencia, and they were amazing all around.

Belize is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, so if diving is on your bucket list, you're in the right place.

Group Tours Make It Easy

One thing I really appreciate about Belize is how easy it is to join group tours.

Whether you're travelling solo, as a couple, or with friends, Belize group tours are a fun way to experience the country without worrying about transportation or planning every little detail. Plus, it's a great chance to meet people from all over the world who are just as excited to explore as you are. You can browse Belize excursions and group tours to see what fits your travel style.

There's So Much More to Explore

These are just a handful of my personal favourites, but the list of adventures in Belize goes on.

You can spend the day snorkelling along the Belize Barrier Reef, swimming with sea turtles and colourful tropical fish, visiting beautiful cayes, taking a chocolate-making class and learning how cacao is turned into delicious Belizean chocolate, or joining a local cooking class and learning how to make traditional Belizean dishes.

If fishing is your thing, there are reef and deep-sea fishing charters, as well as opportunities to try spearfishing. You can go kayaking, paddleboarding, horseback riding, waterfall chasing, birdwatching, or simply spend the day exploring Placencia Village at your own pace.

Whether you're looking for adventure, wildlife, culture, amazing food, or just a relaxing day soaking up the Caribbean sunshine, Belize truly has something for everyone. Combining beach time with inland days is one of the best ways to see the country — and it's exactly the kind of mix I plan on a personalized Belize vacation.

Still choosing a base? Read where to stay in Belize, start with 25 things to know before visiting Belize, or skim the Belize FAQs.

Ready for Your Own Belize Adventure?

Every time I visit Belize, I leave with another favourite memory.

Some involve beaches.

Some involve jungle hikes.

Some involve conquering fears.

And some involve unforgettable homemade meals in tiny villages that I still think about years later.

That's the magic of Belize.

If you're thinking about visiting and aren't sure which excursions are worth your time, I'd love to help you build an itinerary that's the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure.

Now I'd love to hear from you.

Have you been to Belize? Did you do any of these excursions?

Or if Belize is still on your bucket list, which adventure would you try first?

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