Big Creek / Placencia - General Info
Description:
Located about 80 miles south of Belize City, the combined villages of Independence and Mango Creek are found on the mainland (typically the whole area is called Mango Creek). Just south of the village center is Big Creek, the deep water container ship port that is the hub of the oil and fruit industries.
All the clearance offices are located in Big Creek within a few hundred feet of each other. Note: Big Creek is a secure port of entry, so the offices must be accessed from the land outside the gates of the port – not by water.
Most vessels moor in Placencia, a beach resort and tourist fishing village on a long, narrow bight of land across Placencia Lagoon from Mango Creek. Placencia has a variety of mooring options including anchoring, marinas and yard space. The village itself has a distinct Caribbean feel with colourful buildings, funky bars and restaurants.
Cruiser Highlights:
Customs and Immigration; marinas; fuel; marine supplies; hardware; restaurants; water taxi and bus service; provisioning; tourism options.
There are many small islands called cayes scattered within an area of 10 square miles of Big Creek. These islands are easily accessible and provide an abundance of marine life and white sandy beaches.
Entry notes and cautions:
There is a very shallow shoal just to the south of Little Harvest Caye, before entering the lagoon.
Position:
16°30′N, 88°22′42″W (Lagoon entrance)
Last updated: January 2024
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Related to following destinations: Belize, Big Creek (Placencia)
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Reported by Brian Simm:
After 30 days in Belize, you need to extend or sign out. For those heading south, the possible checkouts are Big Creek from Placencia or Punta Gorda. The latter is a rolly anchorage in the trade winds and so we chose to stay in the popular sheltered anchorage of Placencia town.
You can not now take a boat or dinghy to the port of Big Creek, you will be turned away by security so: –
– water taxi to Mango creek $US 12 return for 2.
– taxi to take you round the offices $US 12.50
– immigration, environment charge $US 7.50 for 2 and boarding charge ( without leaving office) $US 45.00.
– post office to check that you are up to date with your daily fee.
– Customs for Zarpe, 24 hours to leave.
All painless but allow 3 hours or so, the best time is 10.00AM water taxi and back for lunch.
Placencia and the southern islands are popular with the large cruising community who keep their boats up the Ria Dulce in Guatemala. The estimate is c. 1000 yachts in the area.
Brian Simm
Scraatch, 56 ft Sundeer.
Reported 23 March 2016 by CSSN:
Three men in a dinghy attempted to take our dinghy at around 2:00 AM. They cut the two lines that secured our dinghy to our boat. They must not have seen the cable and lock which made their attempt unsuccessful.
When clearing in or out, you will be asked the time you are departing or arriving. be sure to give them time within business hours otherwise they will charge you an overtime fee – even though you’re in their office during business hours. i.e. don’t say you’re leaving at dawn; say you’re leaving at 9:00 a.m.. and you can check out a day in advance if you ask nicely.
Placencia is a charming little village. Good supermarket and great restaurants.