by Laura Diffendal 
With two locations in Belize now, San Pedro and Placencia, our team has really had our eyes opened to how much new stuff happens and/or opens each season!! There are a lot of very smart and hardworking locals or people who come to Belize with good intentions, and see a lot of unmet needs, and many of them are successful. While we wish every great new place would stick around forever – and many great ones do – we will try to keep you updated on the very best experiences you can have while you are here!!So just in little Placencia – here’s a taste of the already opened or coming soon new places to try! If you were here even last high season, you would have a ton of memorable new stuff to try!
Tranquilo – Tranquilo broke our hearts when it closed a couple years ago – it happens, but we all crossed our fingers that it would open again soon. YAY! It opened back up this month, better than ever! We are so thrilled that our guests get to experience taking a little boat over to Placencia Caye to watch the sunset – it is such a simple yet memorable and unique experience.
Placencia Beach Club – another heartbreaker was Fusion Beach – a super popular, Miami Beach style club that was a go-to for an afternoon on your vacation here. The open air concept, modern feel, great infinity pool and location were all perfect. We were all worried as it sat vacant for the last year or so….until now! It is not open yet but it looks like there are super committed and energetic new owners who look like they are doing all the right things. We will definitely be there opening day to support you! Yay!
Little Wine Bar – Ah, not brand new – but for returning visitors who haven’t been here in a while – this is a can’t miss. Between Jana’s warmth, artistic talent, and hospitality – and wine knowledge – and the coziness of this place – you’ll find yourself there before dinner every night :).
Mon’s Kitchen (Old Brenda’s 
) – A huge part of the Placencia experience for many visitors was seeing Brenda down at the pier. The village lost this legend this year, but her daughter Mon has picked up the torch and you can visit her in the same spot!!!
Mariposa Breezeway Beach Bar – Mariposa has quietly grown and grown over the last many years, with great owners Bruce and Sharon. They are adding some super fun things and they allow outside visitors to use their pool! Recently, they added this Pool Bar to make it an even more appealing place to spend an afternoon!!!
Mango’s reopening – Mango’s is a staple up in Maya Beach and everyone freaked out when it closed for a while. It is just such an amazing location and space/experience, we need it! Good reviews on the re-opening!!
Omar’s Paint Night (and remodeling) – Omar’s was super charming to look at before – at first I was sad to see the change, but now I have to admit – it looks even more amazing! This is a true Placencia staple. He also added “Wine and Paint” Nights to the Placencia activities and people are going nuts for it. You can see all the identical artwork in everyone’s homes now 
Mademoiselle French Bakery plus Bistro seating outside Afrodite – if you have walked the Placencia sidewalk, picture the new line of Tipsy Shops, where Afrodite Cafe is – arguably the new heart of the village. So recently there is a new pergola, bistro seating, and a freakin’ French bakery opening there!! It is an amazing change and the perfect use for that space. It is still a bit of a work in progress but so close – if it were me I’d schedule a whole afternoon to just plop down right there and people watch. I’m not seeing the new bakery online yet but have seen some pics of the food – wow. Pics to come.
Placencia E-Bikes – this lil village is just getting super trendy. Check out this new option for getting around – combine a bike and a golf cart and you get…E-Bike!
Pyramid House – Ok also not brand spankin’ new but a newer addition. There was so much moaning about the lack of wine bars in Placencia that two opened this year – and frankly, people don’t know what to do with themselves. This one has amazing views and great reviews – a must do!
Potliquors – This IS brand spankin’ new up in Maya Beach. Super cute name (that’s the local name for the beach dogs…with a twist…..) Lagoon front sunset beach bar, super Maya Beach location….super tranquil!
In Ambergris Caye, which has about 1/3 the population of Placencia peninsula….there is ALWAYS a ton going on and changing….it makes your head spin.
K’s Diner – “South your Mouth” – This one, I DO happen to know the owner and she is totally sassy and so is this place. Perfect concept, perfect location – and it looks so adorable everyone is chomping at the bit to south their mouth. If you combine the tropics, plus 50’s diner, plus southern food, which we all know is the best = we all win.
FIRST Ambergris Caye Half Marathon & 10K – When an island in Central America, in the Caribbean, organizes for a half marathon, this is huge deal and something to be very proud of!!! Everyone is super excited for this coming April…
Sunset Lounge – this bar on top of Sancas’ Plaza recently opened – just put it in your must do list. Everything about it is perfect – location, views, style, atmosphere, drinks. You do have do walk up several flights of stairs (and then back down, so don’t get too sloppy). You can drop your kids off at Kidtopia in the same plaza, or stop for a workout beforehand at the gym in the floor beneath….orrrr…..just go straight to the bar.
French Kiss at Sunset (French) Restaurant – this adorable place also opened recently – there were so many cute photos I couldn’t pick which one….but definitely put this on your list. French food plus totally creative atmosphere = not at your local Applebee’s
Losers – OK, so this place got a rough start being the first official “chain” on the island, this is the “Losers” out of Nashville. However – they did bring in a ton of new people who never would have checked out Belize, as they have their own following….and the place is pretty darn adorable. While you won’t pry a lot of hands away from Palapa Bar and Wayo’s, at least give it a shot, but, my one complaint – I personally got kicked out for bringing my dog in. Since I don’t go many places without him, I have to watch from the shore for now. A lot of people are saying nice things though!
Rain is now Aqua – we used to tell everyone to go to Rain for their special dinner – it just changed over to “Aqua” and word is the sushi is awesome. You can’t beat the view and atmosphere!!
Bon Appetit – All you can eat meat? French Belizean Steakhouse? This is a brand new restaurant, and, as you can see, super unique….plus great views and atmosphere!
Runner’s Up to keep an eye on……word on the street is that there is a super cool looking new Daiquiri Bar opening across from Truck Stop….and we also hear that the old Palapa Bar/Tiki Maya is being renovated into RumDog…..will keep you posted on these!! (Both north of the bridge.)
In other hot news, Margaritaville is starting a new round of groans by opening in 2020 about 10 miles north of the bridge. They are taking over a previously unfinished site and turning into a Jimmy Buffet wonderland….like all huge new projects, it has a lot of eyes/thoughts on it, and everyone wants to see that it is done properly, eco-friendly, and with local support. No doubt we will all be hearing a lot about this, chains are slowly being introduced to the island and with that, comes worry about losing the vibe that brings people here again and again.
Boogie’s and Maxi’s also reopened in the heart of San Pedro to major cheers 
Go to Maxi’s for the excellent people watching and small plates….and check out Boogie’s for their legendary meat pies!
