The Placencia Lobster Festival is a vibrant and exciting event that celebrates the opening of lobster season in Belize.
The country of Belize is becoming a big tourist attraction with the beautiful beaches, tropical weather, and delicious foods. People seem to be flocking there more and more. I love visiting myself, but if you are looking for something different, the Placencia Lobster Festival is a must-visit event for seafood lovers and travelers looking for a unique cultural experience.
I had been to Belize earlier this year to vacation in the village of Hopkins. During my stay, I took a trip to Placencia to tour several properties and was informed of the Placencia Lobster Festival. I was told that I needed to come and check it out. Being a seafood lover, I decided I wanted to come back, explore this festival & village, and see what the hype is all about. I was not disappointed! So, I want to share my experience with you. Maybe you too will be inclined to visit and experience this event.
Traditionally, the summer months had been a slow season for businesses in Placencia, due to the annual lull in tourist arrivals. That is until a small chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) decided to team up with Green Parrot Resort to host an event that marked the opening of lobster season. The result was the first Placencia Lobster Fest, held in June 1998.
What started as a humble gathering, has now grown into one of the most anticipated events on the Belizean Calendar, attracting both locals and tourists for this three-day event.
If you are a lobster lover, this is the event for you! Come experience some delicious foods, and tasty beverages. There are many lobster dishes, including but not limited to lobster pies, grilled lobster, lobster fajitas, lobster ceviche, and the list goes on.
If lobster is not your jam, there are over 50 booths serving a variety of mouthwatering Belizean cuisine.
Although this is a lobster festival and people come for the food, they stick around for the entertainment also. There is live music on the beach which turns into a party at night. The bar is stocked, the beer is cold, and the drinks are flowing. Let’s join in the fun and kick up some sand.
Looking for something other than a party? Try your luck at some games, such as Cast Net and Reel in the Dinghy- the games that started it all. You can also book excursions out of the marina for lobster diving, fishing, party cruises, etc.
Now, for the fisherman in you, don’t miss the Lionfish Tournament that takes place on Saturday morning. The contestant who catches the largest lionfish takes the prize. As a fisherman myself, I found this to be pretty cool seeing the many different kinds of fish that were caught out on the waters.
Not only will you have a great time indulging in the cuisine and enjoying the entertainment, but you will also be supporting several causes. The festival is a fundraiser for the Placencia Village counsel and the Placencia Chapter of Belize Tourism Industry Association. Amazingly, all the proceeds from this festival go towards improving the local economy and providing scholarships for local youth. Now how great is that? Lastly, you are helping to support local businesses during the low tourism season. Pat yourself on the back for that!
This festival is not a standalone celebration. The festival was planned to coincide with the start of the Placencia Fisherman’s Cooperative annual Fisherman’s Day festivities.
The festival typically takes place in early July. The 2024 event was scheduled for July 5-7 but was postponed due to Hurricane Beryl coming towards the country. As they say, “one monkey don’t stop no show”, so the event was rescheduled for July 19-21 and was successful.
Getting to Placencia can be accomplished in several ways, but it starts with a flight into Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, Belize City. From there, you have options.
- You can catch an island hopper on 1 of 2 airlines, Maya Island Air or Tropic Air, straight to Placencia. The cost of a roundtrip starts at around $280 per person but can be higher. An adventure of its own, you will fly a small 14-seater plane where you may even get to sit next to the pilot! You’ll fly over the Caribbean Sea and the length of the home peninsula. Once there, you are now a short cab or resort shuttle ride away. Depending on your accommodations, the shuttle may be courtesy.
- The more adventurous may choose to rent a car and take the scenic, almost three-hour drive that takes you west through the coastal plain and then winds southeast through the scenic hills of the Hummingbird Highway before heading south to Placencia. Best done during daylight hours, the mini road trip will see you pass through the mysterious and magical Maya Mountains, a mountain range that runs through Belize and eastern Guatemala. The roads are in fairly good condition and speed bumps are usually marked.
- Another option is a private shuttle. You and your crew can sit back, relax, take in the sights, and enjoy it while someone else does the driving. This option has a starting price of $150.
- Alternatively, you can take a bus, which costs $7 and takes 4h 30m. The bus is operated by Dalmon Ritchie and arrives at Placencia station.
There are many places to stay while visiting Placencia and partaking in the Lobster Festival. I will tell you about a few of the places I either stayed at or toured.
NAIA Resort and Spa – Nestled within a private 224-acre community on the Placencia Peninsula, Naia is an intimate, natural playground that sets the stage for uncommon adventures and personal growth. Whether paddleboarding in the beautiful Caribbean Sea, indulging in a customized spa ritual, or relaxing among the resort’s secluded beach houses and swimming pool, you will find your peace at this resort. The resort boasts two restaurants, great food at a great price, and courtesy shuttles to/from the airport and Placencia. This resort is more luxurious and attention to detail oriented. You can rent anything from a Beachfront Studio to an Ultimate Beach House. A luxury 3-story house that sleeps 15 people with a 3-night minimum. Come and lose yourself on NAIA’s 1-mile-long beach or continue for miles along the coast. Naia is about a 12 min drive from Placencia Village, the heart of the Lobster Festival. NAIA Resort & Spa
Ocean Breeze Beach resort – An ultimate luxury beachfront resort in Placencia Village, is a family-owned and managed boutique-style resort. Ocean Breeze is an 8-room hotel that gives you that cozy, budget-friendly feeling. It is located in the heart of the village, just a few minutes’ walk to all the great spots. This prime location is right off the famous sidewalk, so you won’t need your own transportation while staying here. Experience the perfect blend of comfort, relaxation, and adventure. Ocean Breeze Beach resort
The Ellysian Boutique Hotel – Located in the heart of Placencia village rests this luxury beachfront paradise. With picturesque beachfront ocean views and its back patios perch in Placencia Village, this chic 13-room hotel of unfettered elegance celebrates the feminine spirit as it reflects the strength and confidence of women and their history to stand courageously, empathetically and lovingly. Its serene charm offers the splendor of a modern stay with easy access to the local village life. The Ellysian Boutique Hotel
From the first time I’ve visited Belize to this most recent trip, I have felt nothing except good vibes form this country. Spending 6 days in Placencia on this last trip gave me an opportunity to really engulf myself in this village. I felt at home. Walking the streets to get breakfast in the mornings, catching a refreshing drink at one of the many bars or restaurants, or just hanging out at the pier looking out at the water. Placencia is inviting, safe, and worth paying a visit. Come Join the locals and other tourists at the Placencia Lobster Festival an experience an event you didn’t know you needed or wanted. Come for the food. Come for the people. Come for the experience. Stay for a while and see if this is your cup of tea!
I must say that I am still tasting those grilled lobster tails, those succulent whole lobsters that were so big they couldn’t even fit the box they were served in. The refried beans, Coleslaw, cabbage, or whatever you decide to have to accompany the lobster is just icing on the cake.
When night falls and the largest bar, Council Bar, at the festival turns into an outdoor beach party complete with live music via a band or DJ, get ready to dance in the sand and have a good time. Saturday night is even equipped with a fireworks show that can be seen from far away. This is an event I needed to experience for myself, I was very satisfied with attending, and I do plan to go back again! I think you should do the same and let Lyric’s Destinations Travel Group get you there.
In summary, if you are looking for a fun place to spend a few days, (or longer if that’s your desire), eat some really good seafood and not break the bank, come to the Placencia
Lobster Festival. Spend time hanging with the locals and tourists and see just how inviting they really are in Placencia. I am confident that you will not be disappointed.
If you are someone that has experienced this event in the past, please share your own experience with us and let us know how you feel about it.
If you have any questions about something you have read in this blog or just questions in general about the event, please ask us and we will try to answer to the best of our ability.
