Car Travel

To get to Placencia, head southeast from Belmopan on the Hummingbird Highway. The highway is one of Belize's better roads, as well as its most scenic. On your right rise the jungle-covered Maya Mountains, largely free of signs of human habitation except for the occasional field of corn or beans. As you approach Dangriga you'll see large citrus groves.

A small local outfit, Barefoot Rentals, rents cars in Placencia. Rates are around BZ$160 a day for a Geo Tracker or Isuzu Trooper. Barefoot will drop the car to you at your hotel or the Placencia airstrip. Also, Budget and other rental agencies in Belize City will deliver to or pick up a car at Placencia, Hopkins, or Dangriga for a fee of as much as BZ$300.

Contact

Barefoot Services (Caribbean Travel and Tours Office, Main St., Placencia. 607/5133 or 629/9602. info@barefootservicesbelize.com. www.barefootservicesbelize.com. Closed Sat. & Sun.)

Jagz Auto Rental (Placencia Airstrip, Placencia. 604/7471. www.genietravelbelize.com/auto_rental_placencia.htm.)

Car Rental of Placencia (Placencia Rd., 1 mi (1 2/3 km) north of the airstrip, Placencia. 625/9573. www.carrentalofplacencia.com.)

Budget (Placencia. 223/2435 in Belize City. reservations@budget-belize.com. www.budget-belize.com.)