Road tripping to Placencia? Plan your drive with stops along the way. I wrote about must-see spots between Belmopan and Dangriga in this post: Road Trip: Hummingbird Highway, where to stop along the way. Now to continue south; where to stop on the Southern Highway between Dangriga and Placencia.
Mayflower Bocawina National Park
I’ve said it before, this is my favorite hike in Southern Belize- Antelope Falls. This park has loads of lovely trails, oodles of wildlife, multiple waterfalls and vistas to explore, plus great onsite adventures like zip lining and rappelling. Even if you don’t have hours and hours to spend at this pitstop, it is easy enough to quickly jump off the highway and take a fast hike (if you are motivated you could make it up to the top of Antelope and back out in under 2 hours).
Hopkins
Fun and funky beach town. Pop off the Highway and down in to Hopkins for a wander around, a slice of pizza on the beach at Driftwood Beach Bar, or a cold treat at Nice Cream Ice Cream Shoppe. A casual and lively little village- worth a few days of exploration but if you only have a few hours, that’s a start!
The Ya’axkin Butterfly Farm at Maya Center
A brief but enchanting stop at the community of Maya Center, the entrance to Cockscomb Jaguar Reserve, is the family run Ya’axkin butterfly house. Several varietals share the garden and the proprietors are pleased to share the process with you from egg to pupa to beauty. Read more about it here in a previous post.
Mayan King Bar and Grill aka: North Pole Beers
They really do have the coldest beers you could hope to find along this stretch of road. The nachos are excellent and big enough to share.
Photo-op at Mayan Sky “Temple”
At the entrance to Mayan Sky Adventure Park is an obviously fake mayan temple that lacks authenticity but still makes for a great picture. Climb the steep steps of the structure for a snapshot silhouetted by jungled mountains.
Jaguar Lanes
Belize’s only proper bowling alley, Jaguar Lanes in Maya Beach is a worthy respite. Relish the cold beers, air conditioning, and top-notch pizza while you bowl a few frames.
Inky’s Miniature Golf
Another novelty the peninsula can boast, Inky’s is a professionally designed mini golf course. Located at Sirenian Bay Resort, Inky’s bar and restaurant and golf is open to the public and a fun stop for families.
