Placencia is a 20-mile long peninsula located in southern Belize. With the Caribbean on one side and the Placencia Lagoon on the other, it is the perfect place to search for the shy Manatee. Arrange a guided tour into the lush mangroves of the lagoon with the Inn at Robert's Grove to increase your odds of connecting with the animals early European settlers once mistook for mermaids.
The Inn at Robert's Grove
Placencia, Belize
Central America
800-565-9757
robertsgrove.com
Belize is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world next to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. One of the best ways to experience the country is by hopping to several of the unique and beautiful cayes (islands) that line the Belizean coast. The shallow waters around the islands are an excellent place to find the West Indian Manatee. Seaduced by Belize, the 2009 Belize Tourism Board Tour Operator of the Year, will take you from San Pedro town on Ambergris Caye to tiny Swallow Caye for some of the best manatee watching in Central America. From there you'll make stops at several other cayes for a full day of snorkeling, picnicking, and playing in the sand.
Seaduced by Belize
Vilma Linda Plaze
San Pedro Town
Ambergris Caye, Belize
011 +05-01-226-2254
seaducedbybelize.com
Combine your manatee watching with an adventure tour. Starting in Placencia Village, Splash Dive Shop will take you to the mouth of the lush Monkey River. After cruising up the river for a bit, you'll embark on a slow float down. Even if you don't see a manatee on this trip, you'll see plenty of other wildlife including several species of birds, howler monkeys, iguanas, and quite possibly, crocodiles and a boa constrictor or two.
Splash Dive Shop
c/o Patricia Ramirez
Placencia, Belize
011 +05-01-523-3058
splashbelize.com
