Welcome to Sirenian Bay
Welcome to Sirenian Bay Resort and Villas! We’re so glad you’re here. You’re on Belizean time now, so kick back and relax!
On this page, we hope you’ll find everything you need to know about the Resort, our amenities and the area. We’ve also included some of our favorite places to go, places to eat and things to do. If we’ve missed anything, just ask any staff member. They’re here to help make your stay a great one – so don’t hesitate to ask!
Enjoy your stay!
Our Family of Brands
Resort Amenities
Experience Luxury
- Complimentary transfers to/from Placencia Airstrip*
- Complimentary welcome drink upon arrival
- Complimentary wifi throughout the Resort
- Concierge services
- Kayaks, paddle boards, and bicycles (subject to availability)
- Daily housekeeping
- Turn down service
* The Placencia Airstrip is scheduled to close for maintenance in the Fall of 2020. During this time, flights will be rerouted to a nearby airport and pick up will take place accordingly.
Sirenian Bay Inclusions
- On-Site Spa Services
- Room Service Options
- Concierge and Butler Services
- Ground Transfers
- Complimentary local ground transfers. Optional ground transfer to/from Belize City.
- Beautiful Resort Pool
- Inky’s Miniature Golf
- Snooty’s Pool Side Bar
- Serving beer, cocktails, and pool-side favorites.
- Inky’s 19th Hole Bar & Grill
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Serving breakast, lunch, & dinner with a full bar
-
Proud Members of
Frequently Asked Questions
Guest Services & Important Numbers
| Service | Dial Number |
|---|---|
| Room Service / Bar Service | 211# |
| Housekeeping | 200# |
| Laundry | 200# |
| Wake Up Call | 200# |
| Concierge Desk | 203# |
| Inky’s 19th Hole Restaurant | 205# |
| Inky’s Mini Golf | 204# |
| Manager on Duty | 999# |
| Security | 224# |
| Emergency Services | Dial Number |
|---|---|
| Placencia Police | 501-503-3142 |
| Seine Bight Police | 501-503-3148 |
| Independence Police | 501-523-2022 |
| Belize Marine Emergency | 999 |
| Fire Department | 501-503-3222 |
| Emergency Response Team | 501-223-3292 |
| BATSUB – British Military Helicopter |
501-225-2164 |
| Medical Services | Dial Number |
|---|---|
| Dr. Alexis Caballero (Cell) | 501-662-7648 |
| Placencia Medical Clinic | 501-503-3326 |
| The Tooth Fairy | 501-503-3736 501-633-0678 |
| Placencia Pharmacy | 501-523-3346 |
Local Services
Banking
The main road through Placencia is paved to the tip with numerous speed bumps to keep traffic at an island pace. Along the road, you’ll find many businesses and restaurants, as well as three main banks.
First, you will find Atlantic Bank, then Scotia Bank (ATM only), then Belize Bank. All have ATMs where you can withdraw Belizean Currency. At the point, there is an Atlantic Bank ATM machine only.
Throughout Belize, many businesses accept credit cards, but some do not (and most do not accept American Express). Cash is accepted everywhere in both US and BZE denominations.
Transportation
We are happy to assist with your transportation needs. Golf carts, bicycles, and kayaks are available for rent. Ask for your guest discount at the office.
If you prefer a taxi, services are widely available. They are typically mini-vans and can accommodate up to six or seven people (sometimes more). Taxi rates are dependent on the distance traveled and we recommend asking for the rate before the journey begins.
For example, rates from the Placencia Air Strip to the end of the village should be anywhere from $6BZ to $10BZ. This is approximate and varies based on the number of travelers and the number of bags.
If you’d like, we can arrange a taxi for you. Our taxi recommendation is Sam’s Taxi Service (501-605-1649).
There is a Water Taxi (the “Hokey Pokey”) which leaves from the MNM gas station and travels across the lagoon to Independence/ Mango Creek. You can also utilize bus services to the southern and northern part of the country. The earliest Express Bus to Belize City leaves at 6.15 a.m.
The current water taxi and bus schedules are easy to find in the Placencia Breeze (newspaper) or ask at the office at Captain Jak’s.
Tipping
If you receive good service, tipping is graciously accepted.
Tipping in restaurants is typically 10%-15% of the total bill, and tips are usually left in cash, but can be added to a credit card bill.
The same rate also applies to taxi services, although it is up to you based on the service provided.
For tours, tipping is done at the discretion of the tourist for great service. Guests often directly tip a specific guide, driver, or any other person who provided excellent service or added to the enjoyment of your excursion.
Customs and Courtesies
Belize is a melting pot of traditions, culturally diverse, and accepting of newcomers! You will find the people to be friendly and polite and almost all speak English, with the second most common languages being Creole and Spanish.
Creole is a lot like English and can often be understood as such. Many locals can speak all three fluently. Belize, for the most part is very casual with dress codes, although shirts and shorts are generally expected to be worn in restaurants and bars. Shoes are, for the most part, optional everywhere, although one should take care while walking anywhere barefoot.
Safety and Security
In general, Placencia Peninsula and Placencia Village are very safe and secure. However, you should always exercise the same amount of caution as you would on any vacation.
Keep your valuables locked away and do not carry all your cash and cards with you at one time. Bring out only the amount you need for your day and do not leave your personal belongings unattended.
Should you need assistance, the Placencia Police Station is located in the middle of town on the lagoon side of the main road. The phone number is listed under Emergency Numbers above. There are members of the Government Police Force as well as the Tourist Police whose job it is to deal with all matters involving tourists.
The Beach and Waterfronts
Placencia boasts not only an ocean side, but a lagoon side as well.
On the ocean side of the beach front you will find some days to be breezy with clear waters that are safe to swim and play and cool off! Depending on the currents, you may find that some days there is a great deal of seaweed build up. While harmless, this sargassum gives the water a brown appearance, especially for the first ten feet or so. This can change throughout the day, so if the water does not look a perfect blue when you see it, wait a few hours and you may see a change! The public beach is raked every couple of days and many properties along the beach maintain their areas daily.
The lagoon side of the Peninsula is more sheltered by mangroves and the water is still and green in color. Manatees often seek shelter here and water traffic must maintain a slower speed in this area to protect the wildlife. The lagoon side offers the most beautiful sunsets to be enjoyed!
Laundry Services
In before 10:00 a.m. – same day service
In after 10:00 a.m. – next day service
To request services, ask your personal concierge or text LAUNDRY to 18338915334.
**All prices are in Belize dollars and include General Sales Tax of 12.5% **
| Garment | Cost |
|---|---|
| Dress Shirt / Blouse | $2.00 |
| Undershirt / T-Shirt | $1.00 |
| Dress | $2.00 |
| Jeans / Pants | $3.00 |
| Shorts / Skirt | $2.00 |
| Socks | $1.00 |
| Underwear / Bra | $1.00 |
| Pajamas | $3.00 |
| Swimming Trunks / Bathing Suit | $3.00 |
| Sweater / Jacket | $4.00 |
| Robe | $4.00 |
Resort Map
Please refer to this map to locate accommodations and amenities around the Resort.
Emergency Floor Plans
In case of emergency, exit your accommodations and meet on the Sirenian Bay beach. Further instructions will be provided at that point.
About Belize
AREA OF THE COUNTRY: 22,966 km² (8,867 sq. miles)
POPULATION OF THE COUNTRY: 383,071 (2018)
Placencia Peninsula population: 3,500 (approximate)
HIGHEST POINT: The highest peak in the country is Doyle’s Delight at a height of 1,124 meters (3,688 ft.), is located 57 kilometers (35 miles) southwest of Victoria Peak in the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.
CLIMATE: Sub-tropical consisting of a rainy season from June through December and a dry season from January through May.
SUGGESTED CLOTHING: Light, informal clothing is recommended. However, for jungle & sea excursions it is advisable to use insect repellent. Long pants and long sleeves are also recommended for jungle excursions. Closed toe shoes are often required for hiking; shoes with straps (i.e., no flip flops) are often required for water activities such as river tubing.
LANGUAGE: English is the official language of Belize. However, Spanish, Creole, Maya, and Garifuna are also spoken throughout the country.
MILEAGE FROM PLACENCIA TO:
Belize City / PSW Golden International Airport: 185 km (115 miles)
Belmopan: 153 km (95 miles)
Nearest Maya Site (Nim Li Punit): 119 km (74 miles)
Great Blue Hole: 125 km (78 miles)
GOVERNMENT: Belize was a part of the British Empire from 1862 – 1981, known as British Honduras until 1973 when it was officially renamed Belize.
Belize was granted independence from Great Britain on September 21, 1981 and has maintained its independence despite ongoing hostilities from Guatemala (who claims the country belongs to them).
Belize is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy based on the British parliamentary system, with a legal system modelled after the common law of England. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title Queen of Belize. Because she resides in the United Kingdom, she is represented in Belize by a Governor-General.
Executive authority is exercised by the Cabinet, which advises the Governor-General and is led by the Prime Minister of Belize (the head of the government). Cabinet ministers are members of the majority political party in parliament and usually hold elected seats within it, concurrent with cabinet positions.
The bicameral National Assembly of Belize is comprised of a House of Representatives and a Senate. The 31 Members of the House are popularly elected to a maximum five-year term and introduce legislation. The Governor-General appoints the 12 members of the Senate, with a Senate President then elected by those members. The Senate is responsible for debating and approving bills passed by the House.
Legislative power is vested in both the government and the National Assembly. Constitutional safeguards include freedom of speech, press, worship, movement, and association.
The Judiciary is independent of the executive (Cabinet) and legislative (National Assembly) branches. Members of the Judiciary are appointed and includes Magistrates’ Court, Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeals. Defendants may, under certain circumstances, appeal their case ot the Caribbean Court of Justice – the judicial institution of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) located in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Since 1974, the party system in Belize has been dominated by the People’s United Party and the United Democratic Party, although other small parties exist.
Belize is a full participating member of the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations; Organization of American States; Central American Integration System; Caribbean Community (CARICOM); CARICOM Single Market and Economy; Association of Caribbean States; and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), which currently serves as a final court of appeal for only Barbados, Belize, and Guyana.
Belize is also an original member (1995) of the World Trade Organization and participates actively in its work.
The Belize Defence Force (BDF) serves as the country’s military and is responsible for protecting the sovereignty of Belize. The BDF, with the Belize National Coast Guar and the Immigration Department, is a department of the Ministry of Defence and Immigration.
About Placencia
Sixteen miles of natural sandy beach, a virgin mangrove-fringed lagoon, a wonderland of coral-studded cayes, nearby jungles, rivers and pristine rainforest, Garifuna, Creole, Latin and Mayan cultures, and ancient Mayan ruins make Placencia the ideal location for the adventure traveler.
Placencia Village offers an array of gift shops, small clothing stores, and small stands and shops to buy fresh products. You will find different styles of restaurants, from street vendors to fine dining and everything in between.
The beach front that runs along the Village and up to the point of the peninsula boasts beautiful white sand and the clear warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. The beach area is public and can be walked all the way up the Peninsula while passing resorts, boutique guest houses, restaurants, and bars.
Just steps inland from the beach is the famous Sidewalk! This narrow yet long stretch of boardwalk leads you through a path of gift shops, local restaurants and bars, through the school grounds and up to the fish Co-Op and docks at the point!
Restaurant & Bar Options
Snooty’s Pool Bar
Swim up or grab a stool – either way the drinks are cool and fresh at Snooty’s. Located at the main resort pool and featuring a full bar menu and snacks, Snooty’s is the gathering place for your day in the sun.
Inky’s 19th Hole
Enjoy a quick lunch or a family-friendly casual dinner at Inky’s. Overlooking the mini-golf course, Inky’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and features a menu with American favorites, a taste of Belize, and local specials.
Tutti Frutti Gelato
Located on the main road after Wallens Hardware. The best ice cream and gelato around! Using fresh, local fruits and flavors to make creamy and cold desserts you won’t want to miss. The perfect place to stop on a hot. They are closed on Wednesdays. Not going into the Village? We also have Tutti Frutti across the street at Inky’s! Call 501-620 9916 for more info.
Singing Sands Inn – Bonefish Grill
Another Maya Beach favorite! Tropical gourmet meals are served in a cool thatched roof bar and restaurant. Beautiful setting on the sea. Call 501-523-8017 for more info.
Vern’s
Located up the road in Seine Bight Village, Vern’s is another truly local spot that will give you a taste of how Belizeans like to eat. Call 501-503 3202 for more info.
Maya Beach Bistro
Located in Maya Beach, the Bistro is worth the drive. Great place for a Mimosa or Bloody Mary – they offer a nice wine list, as well. A fusion of Caribbean flavors – fish tacos and curried pumpkin soup are favorites! They have wonderful homemade breads, cinnamon rolls, and banana coconut muffins that can be purchased to go. Happy Hour is perfect with drink and appetizer specials. Call 501-520-8040 for more info.
Experience Belize
Adventure Awaits
Captain Jak’s Tours offers inland tours and ocean tours and we have an adventure for everybody! Choose from Monkey River (the most popular tour out of Placencia), zip lining, Mayan ruins, cultural experiences, jungle hikes, snorkeling, fishing, diving and more! From the experienced diver to Discover Scuba Diving and other courses, we offer scuba adventures according PADI standards.
With a private dock on the lagoon side and our fleet of boats, Captain Jak’s can customize tours and meet the needs of individuals and groups. Please visit our Captain Jak’s Concierge desk in the Inky’s lobby to book your next adventure. If we are unable to take a tour due to weather, we offer the option to reschedule, choose a different tour, or accept a refund. Call 501-628-6447 to schedule a tour.
