By Last Updated on July 10, 2021
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239 miles of coastline and 200 islands and cayes put Belize on ex-pat radars, but it was the salt-of-the-earth-kindness of Placencia’s fishing villagers that make it feel like home. Not for just a week. But for a lifetime.
When I was looking for a 6-week vacation rental in Placencia, Belize, the Placencia Point townhouse had everything I was looking for and more!
About Placencia, Belize
Belize, formerly known as British Honduras is situated on the east coast of Central America just south of Mexico, and northeast of Guatemala. It became its own nation in 1981.
The country is perhaps best known for its incredible Blue Hole, a giant marine sinkhole, declared one of the top five scuba diving sites in the world. Placencia has also become popular with American ex-pats looking for a less expensive place to live.
The Placencia peninsula is a 16-mile spit of land running north to south and only 80 feet wide at its narrowest point. The east side sports stunning white-sand beaches backed by palms swaying in the breeze. A protected bay, a nature-and water-lover’s playground is located on the west. And on the southwest side is a narrow lagoon where manatees play at the head and kayakers move from the mouth into the Bay to the Caribbean Sea to relish in another glorious sunrise.
At the base of the Placencia peninsula, the fishing village thrives with a lobster fest in June and a recent boon of fish population and coral regrowth following decreased tourism from the COVID pandemic.
Getting to Belize
Flights to Belize City are a mere two to four hours from many southern U.S. hubs. From Belize City, both Tropic Air and Maya Island Air offer 22-minute flights to Placencia. With luggage in tow, the best way to reach Sunset Pointe is by taxi, all along dirt roads.
Taxi drivers all know Edwin, the townhouse caretaker, so they’ll take you to the appropriate landing on Sunset Point. Pressing the doorbell, Edwin responded promptly. I got his WhatsApp number on arrival to easily arrange trips back to the mainland when needed.
Edwin or one of his children were available throughout my stay to cast off the pontoon boat, swing around for an 80-foot trip across the lagoon, pick me up, and swing around again to take me back to the townhouse.
About the Placencia Point Townhouse
Sunset Pointe rests at the southernmost tip of the Placencia Peninsula affording privacy and the best scenery in the area.
Owned by Lisa DuVernay, an Australian expat currently living near Sedona, Arizona, she welcomes you to “our three-story Belize townhome where you are surrounded by water on all sides, where the Caribbean Sea meets a blue-green lagoon, and where dolphins and manatees make frequent appearances, just for our viewing pleasure, I’m sure!!”
As a woman traveling alone, my safety concerns were well assured.
As Lisa described, “Our town home complex is very safe, and when I say complex there are only four units. This means our gorgeous, private swimming pool is never ever crowded. It’s always kept at 72 degrees, and always inviting after a long day of sightseeing.”
Not only is the home in an isolated across the lagoon, limiting any unwelcome guests, the pool is only shared between eight townhomes and Edwin’s children’s visits.
Unit #6 is a downstairs 2-bedroom, 2.5 bath townhouse. This vacation home was spacious, comfortable, light, and breezy, perfect for couples, families, girls’ getaways, or sport fishermen trips.
When I stepped into the unit, I saw a brand new, modern and clean well-appointed space that fit my needs for a home away from home. Rooms are large with several windows filling the place with lovely, soft natural light.
About the Bedrooms and Baths
Bedrooms are on the ground level. The master, located in the front room sports French doors leading to a ground floor patio from which you can enter the staircase to the lagoon. This is also where bicycles are stored. Pump the tires and they’re ready for use, complete with a lock and key for riding into the village.
Expecting my daughter to visit, I left the roomy master bedroom with king-sized bed, dressers, and spacious closet for her use. The in-suite bathroom contains two sinks and a shower.
I chose the back bedroom suite with a queen size bed. Closets have plenty of storage space, and the townhome offers every guest amenity needed. My bathroom had a blown glass-appearing sink fixture and luxurious shower. The comfort and convenience of each bedroom allows privacy for friends or family traveling together.
The Living Room and Kitchen
The main level of the home contains a living room with cable TV and a kitchen with an island. A binder located on the side table included helpful suggestions. The kitchen is fully equipped with a stainless-steel stove, refrigerator, microwave, toaster, and coffee maker with appropriate cookware and dishes provided.
Lisa said she hoped “my inner chef comes out.” I enjoy cooking and having the neighbors over. They brought the freshly caught tuna, I supplied the pineapple salsa, rice, tortillas, and propane grill.
We grilled on the rooftop deck, but as it was a little too humid to stay outside, so we enjoyed the air-conditioned living room for our after-lunch chat. During warm afternoons, this living space is the heart of the home, but in the morning or evening hours, we were frequently on the balcony or under the palapa.
A balcony facing the lagoon was a great place to enjoy my morning tea or have an early Zoom meeting.
Other Important Features
Tile floors throughout the house helps reduce damage from sand and water, and provide for ease of cleaning. Especially important to me, the unit has a full-size washer and dryer. A clothing line hangs just outside the kitchen for air drying. The unit is also fully air-conditioned with ceiling fans in each room.
The Rooftop
The lighted rooftop palapa was the perfect for toasting the sun setting behind the Mayan Mountains. This would be quite romantic with a significant other. For me, there’s a peacefulness found in a quiet sunset. In the morning, the birds are quite active, but as the sun sets, bird calls shorten, then become silent, waiting for another dawn.
With few lights to interfere, a star-studded moonlit sky provided an opportunity to identify constellations in much different places here on the equator. Searching for my favorite constellation, I thought about my loved ones viewing the same sky from the U.S.
And of course… hoping they’d visit soon.
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