Joyce & Frank's Luxurious Bed & Breakfast is located on Placencia Peninsula in the district of Maya Beach. Maya Beach is about six miles down the 14 mile long Peninsula, and only six miles north of the airport.

Our private, ocean-front beach house has two levels. On the first floor you will find your beautifully decorated bedroom just feet from the beach voted "the best beach in Belize".

Your room features central air conditioning, refrigerator, microwave, closet, double bed and tropical décor.

Our spacious upstairs dining room provides the comfort and convenience of home in a tropical paradise!

You will love the breathtaking view of the Caribbean as you lounge on your spacious porch or enjoy the soft, white beach...

...or dive, hang out or fish from our magnificent pier.

In addition to our beach front property, enjoy our lagoon waterway grounds which overlooks one of Maya Beach's many parks. You can observe tropical wildlife. Paddle peacefully beneath the rich overhanging jungle.

Maya Beach has several restaurants and bars, all within easy walking distance. Enjoy idyllic beach-combing and picnicking. Many local restaurants provide transportation. A rental car agency is just a minute's walk from the house.

Belize has the perfect combination of beaches and coral reefs (at 185 miles long, Belize has the world's second-longest barrier reef) and tropical rain forests.

Whether your interests include diving, snorkeling, fishing, birding (Belize is home to more than 540 species of birds), exploring ancient ruins, hiking or just relaxing in the sun, you can do it all in Belize.

Activities:

We cater to guests who enjoy boating, bicycling, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, wildlife, swimming, walking the beach, or just relaxing in a tropical paradise.

Just off our beach is False Caye, with coral heads and an abundance of reef fish that make for great snorkeling. Our private boat dock features a thatched cabana for relaxing in the shade, a sun deck, and a diving board.

Two miles south of our house is Seine Bight, a small Garifuna village. Following the ancient cultural traditions, the villagers are proud of their heritage and their unique "garinagu" dialect. There are many shops (including grocery stores), restaurants and other places to make new friends between Maya Beach and Placencia.

Stroll though the picturesque Placencia Village with the world's longest sidewalk, unique houses and quaint shops.

We offer free use of our bicycles, horse shoes. volleyball and assorted games. Kayaks are available for renting.

To see more of beautiful Belize, take advantage of one of the following Belize Tourist Board certified guided tours:

• Fishing
• Snorkeling
• Scuba Diving
• Manatee watch
• Jaguar Preserve
• Monkey River Tour
• Motor tour of Dangriga
• Motor tour of Placencia
• Tikal (includes 1 night in St. Ignacio)
• Mayan Ruins:
  • Lubaantun, Nim Li Punit, Xunantunich

Getting Here:

International flights to Belize go through Miami, Dallas, Houston and Los Angeles. The major airlines servicing Belize from the U.S. are:

• Grupo TACA*
• American Airlines
• Continental Airlines

*Grupo TACA flights from Miami to Belize City arrive too late to make same-day connections to Placencia. Their Belize-Miami flights leave too early to make connections from Placencia. If you book on Grupo TACA, arrange for accommodations in Belize City.

These airlines service the Placencia area several times a day:

• Tropic Air
• Maya Island Air

Please ask for current rates for airport fees, departure tax, airport security fees and conservation tax. Taxes and fees are payable in Belize dollars.

Driving To Placencia:

You can rent a car and drive from Belize City. You will need a valid driver's license and a major credit card or cash deposit

About Belize:

Belize is located in Central America, at the base of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Formerly known as British Honduras, Belize became an independent country in 1981. While Columbus sailed along the coast and named the area Honduras, the history of Belize is much older.

Recent discoveries have led many archeologists and cultural anthropologists to conclude that the center of Mayan civilization was, in fact, Belize! Belize is a treasure trove of ancient Mayan temples, towns and cities, only a few of which have been uncovered.

Climate:

Belize enjoys a sub-tropical climate, tempered by trade winds. Temperatures along the coast range from 50° F (10° C) in Winter to 95° F (35° C) in Summer.

Rainfall varies from an average of 51 ins. (1,295 mm) in the north to 175 ins (4,445 mm) in the south, with the main dry season usually extending from February to May.

In coastal districts temperatures range from about 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit); inland the range is greater. The coolest months are November to January.

The People of Belize:

The population of approximately 250,000 people consists of a mixture of Creole, Garifuna, Spanish, Maya, English, Mennonite, Lebanese, Chinese and Eastern Indian. Due to racial harmony and religious tolerance, all of these different elements have mixed and blended successfully and Belize has gained a widespread reputation for its friendly people.

English is the official language of Belize although Spanish, Creole, Garifuna and Mayan are widely spoken throughout the country.

What To Wear:

Belize is a very informal country with a very casual life style. Leave your expensive jewelry at home because you will not need it. If you must wear a watch, bring an inexpensive one that is suitable for diving and hiking.

Bring your shorts, T-shirts and bathing suits, and comfortable tennis shoes or deck shoes. As the sun is probably more intense than what you are used to, bring a cap to protect your head from the tropical sun when you are boating or fishing. In addition to protecting your eyes from the sun and the glare off the water, a pair of polarized sun glasses will also enhance the variable colors of the coastal waters of Belize.

Loose fitting, light-colored cotton pants and campaign shirts, along with a comfortable pair of hiking shoes or boots are appropriate for exploring the mainland or trekking through the rain forest. When visiting the Maya ruins or traipsing through the jungle, a hat with a wide brim will provide shade from the tropical sun as well as provide protection from a tropical shower.

Water, beverages and snacks are not always readily available while sightseeing, so a day pack is useful to carry a water bottle, insect repellant, snacks, energy bars, camera, film, binoculars, poncho, hand towel, etc.