Why Cocoplum?
One of the original Villas at Cocoplum.
Cocoplum is set in a natural paradise…a beautiful oasis that’s quickly (and quietly) becoming a haven for the discerning wealthy. Think of Key West without the crowds. It’s artsy and vibrant.
A place where you can enjoy world-class dining…dive with loggerhead turtles and Whale Sharks…or simply relax in a hammock under swaying palm trees…
The luxury condos sit right on the white sands of what’s universally regarded as the best beach in mainland Belize.
Being within the Naia Resort and Residences community, one of just two private gated resorts in Placencia, owners will get a mile of this pristine beach almost to themselves—shared only with fellow owners.
This is a place where people pay $900 a night to stay. Last year, Sports Illustrated even shot one of their swimsuit issues on this beach. It’s private and tranquil.
From the palm-lined beach, you can see a broken line of islands grazing the horizon. On the other side of the resort is the Placencia Lagoon, where you can moor a boat or set sail on the Caribbean with the distant Maya Mountains ruffling the tropical sky behind you.
Unlike other condos in Placencia, Cocoplum community is not on the main road. In fact, it’s so private that most people don’t even know it exists. You get to it through a gated entrance following a windy tree-lined road, and thanks to height restrictions, it’s tucked away beneath the tree line.
Amenities At Cocoplum
Cocoplum is steps from the beach, where you can catch glorious sunrises each morning.
The community is surrounded by lush gardens with its own infinity-edged pool, outdoor grille area, volleyball net, pier, and more…there are views of Victoria’s Peak in the stunning Maya Mountains…and the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere is just offshore…
Next door, surrounded by greenery, you have a range of amenities. Owners can treat themselves to a tranquil spa set in a lagoon dotted with lily pads, or retreat to a beachside restaurant that serves up fresh fish caught locally that same day.
And the best part is, Cocoplum is the only condo project allowed in the entire 224-acre, low density resort. Meaning there is no competition. The developer has exclusive rights.
Things To Do Near Cocoplun
Naia’s beachfront bar and grill is just a short stroll from Cocoplum
There is a lot to choose from, whether you want to fish, swim, paddleboard, go diving, or simply relax on the warm white sand…
The crystal-clear waters off your private beach make for an ideal kayaking expedition.
Gliding across the warm waters, you can observe untouched coral reefs, white sandy beaches and abundant marine wildlife like the amazing sea turtle. Or stop over on one of the many cayes (small islands). Laughing Bird Caye National Park for example, is a mini atoll and is a favorite stopover for reef kayakers.
The island of False Caye is just offshore from Cocoplum and offers excellent snorkeling…
Another popular tour is the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, just an hour from your door. It’s the world’s first jaguar preserve and packed with cascading waterfalls to swim in, panoramic mountain views, nature trails…
Take a boat to Monkey River Village and head up Monkey River and into the jungle to pay a visit with the resident howler monkeys and exotic birds.
You can visit Mayan temples…go fishing in rich reef waters…snorkel with giant whale sharks at the second largest barrier reef in the world.
At the end of the day, you can return through the gates of your private community to your paradise escape in Cocoplum for a sundowner with your neighbors…and a dinner of pineapple coconut shrimp at 1981, Naia’s signature restaurant.
Or head into Placencia to enjoy exquisite local flavor at any number of restaurants, like Tipsy Tuna, Rum Fish, Barefoot, La Dolce Vita, Secret Garden, Yoli’s, or Pickled Parrot…
Getting To Cocoplum
Fly into Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport and take a connecting flight to Placencia
Belize has just one international airport, officially known as the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport. It’s located in Belize City, the capital city of Belize.
It’s a short flight from several U.S. cities. Miami is just over 2 hours flight, and New York is just over 4 hours away.
As of 2023, the international airport is serviced by these U.S. based airlines:
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- Delta
- JetBlue
- Southwest
- Sun Country
- Tropic Air
- United
- WestJet
It’s also served by:
- Air Canada
- Copa
- TAG
Once you arrive at Belize City, the best way to reach Cocoplum is to take a connecting flight to Placencia, which is a 30-minute flight from Belize. Once you land, Cocoplum is around 10 minutes drive.
Background To Belize
Belize has around 450 islands, called Cayes, moany of which are now sold to private individuals who have built private retreats.
Setting aside the obvious allure of its white-sand beaches and turquoise water, the draw of little Belize is magnetic.
It’s one of the few unspoiled destinations left on earth.
Hundreds of pristine Caribbean islands dot its 240-mile coastline. Its rich marine life is complemented by the lush, wild jungles of the Maya Mountains, with tumbling rivers, mysterious Maya ruins, and awe-inspiring rainforests.
Its interior is a menagerie of wildlife—you’ll find jaguars, scarlet macaws, and tapirs. And its sea is home to the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere.
It’s a place that begs to be explored. You can be Jacques Cousteau exploring the coral in the morning, and by evening you’re climbing ancient Maya ruins, like a latter-day Indiana Jones.
The peninsula of Placencia is approximately 16 miles from north to south but is just half-a-mile wide—100 feet at its narrowest.
Belize is a place that’s many things to many different people. For years it’s been a haven for tech millionaires, environmentalists, celebrities, budget-minded retirees, and big-time investors in search of a simpler, freer, more private way of life.
Despite being a tiny country (sandwiched between Mexico and Guatemala, with a population of just 405,272), it has diverse landscapes and destinations.
The people are friendly and welcoming. It’s a former British colony, so the official language is English. They use the U.S. dollar. And the legal system is based on English common law, too.
Why Placencia?
Placencia has remained small and boutique, attracting adventurous tourists and expats in search of a laidback Caribbean lifestyle.
It was only in the 1970s that Placencia finally hooked up the electricity. Then, pioneer expats and tourists started to come. The quickest route was a puddle-jumper plane from Belize City. The drive to Placencia was a disaster for decades. The road was little more than a dirt track that got washed out in heavy rain.
All of that kept the crowds away.
In 2011, the last section of the road to Placencia was paved. That’s a game-changer for this area. It’s now only about two-and-a-half hours drive from the international airport in Belize City.
Some of Placencia’s early, pioneering visitors have built beach homes here. Others started businesses—restaurants, guesthouses, and boutique hotels.
Well-known film director, producer, and screenwriter Francis Ford Coppola built an upscale eco-lodge on the peninsula. And small residential communities started popping up. It was still low-key, low-rise, and small-scale development.
Because of the historic access challenges in Placencia, and the lack of large lots to develop, the peninsula has grown in a different way than better-known destinations in Belize.
Placencia village is expanding but still retains is low-key charm.
Unlike, for example, Ambergris Caye, in Placencia things move at a slower pace. The communities here are small in scale. There are no shopping malls…no branded coffee shops. It isn’t cookie-cutter.
While big-brand hotels like Marriott’s Autograph Collection have opened Ambergris Caye (Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Resort is set to open there within weeks), you won’t find big-name hotels in Placencia. There simply isn’t the space for them.
Because of its history and geography, the entire peninsula is divided into single family lots. The biggest hotels have just 10 or 20 rooms. This ensures that it stays small, boutique, and very exclusive.
Placencia’s market has continued to move high end. It attracts well-heeled clientele who buy big beach homes, stay at Naia or the Sirenian Bay Resort (right next door to Cocoplum) and spend their days island hopping and relaxing.
