One of the most asked questions we get from potential guests at Bella Sway Belize is: “How hard is it to get to Placencia?” And honestly . . . it’s much easier than most people expect.
With approximately 23 non-stop flights into Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) from cities across the United States, Canada, Central America and beyond, getting to Belize has become quick, easy and surprisingly convenient.
Once you land in Belize, getting down to Placencia is really about:
- How long you’re staying
- How much exploring you want to do
- Your vacation style and budget
OPTION 1: Fly to Placencia
This is personally my favorite option.
After arriving at BZE International Airport, you can hop on a short domestic flight with either Maya Island Air or Tropic Air to Placencia Airport. The flight is only about 20–30 minutes and gives you beautiful aerial views of Belize along the way.
Once you land in Placencia, Bella Sway is just:
- 16 minutes away
- 6.5 miles / 10.5 km up Placencia Road
- On the right-hand side — just look for the Bella Sway sign
One of the nice things about arriving directly into Placencia is that vacation mode starts almost immediately.
Should You Rent a Car or Golf Cart?
This is another question we get all the time.
While golf carts can absolutely be fun, the majority of our guests who stay at Bella Sway say that having a car is the better overall option - especially for longer stays or guests who want to explore the peninsula.
Placencia Village is about a 20-minute drive from Bella Sway (the speed bumps keep things slow and easygoing), so having a car simply makes:
- breakfast, lunch and/or dinners out easier (And trust me . . . we always say we’re going to cook at home more than we actually do because the food all over the peninsula is just that good)
- explore the peninsula on your own
- take day adventures
- grocery runs quicker
- driving to excursion start points
- exploring night life restaurants and beach bars more flexible
That said, some guests still prefer golf carts for shorter stays or a more laid-back island vibe.
At Bella Sway, we’re happy to help connect guests with both options.
Everything You Need Is Nearby
One thing guests are often surprised by is how conveniently located Bella Sway is.
If you zoom into the area on Google Maps, you’ll see:
- restaurants
- beach bars
- grocery stores
- a bakery
- deli options
- bowling
- sports bars
- coffee spots
. . . all within close distance.
We also partner with tour and scuba/snorkel companies that will pick guests up directly at Bella Sway for excursions and adventures.
OPTION 2: Drive from Belize City to Placencia
The second option is to rent a car, arrange a shuttle or private transfer, and drive from BZE International Airport to Placencia.
The drive takes approximately 2.5 hours depending on traffic and stops.
This is typically the more economical option and can work especially well for larger groups.
Some guests enjoy making the drive part of the adventure, while others prefer getting to the beach as quickly as possible.
(And yes . . . I think the scenic drive deserves its own future blog because there are definitely some amazing stops along the way.)
NOTE: We discourage driving at night into Placencia. So if your flight arrives late at BZE, consider a shuttle or transportation service.
The Bottom Line
Getting to Placencia is no longer the complicated journey people sometimes imagine.
With more direct flights into Belize than ever before, easy domestic connections to Placencia, and several transportation options depending on your travel style, getting to paradise is actually pretty simple.
And once you arrive at Bella Sway Belize . . .
you’ll understand why everyone says the trip was absolutely worth it.