GENERAL
INFORMATION
GENERAL
Information
In Order To Help With Your Logistics
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If arriving in Placencia the same day as going to Bird Island, we can pick you up at the local Placencia airport; or if coming via rental car or shuttle best to meet at our Privasea Tour office, which is only 100 yards from Ming's Supermarket, where you be food shopping.
If in town a day before going to Bird Island, we can pick you up at your hotel at 11am (or later) on the day of departure to Bird Island, just let us know where you are staying beforehand. Please note this option is available if staying near the town of Placencia, if staying well away from the village, such places normally do have a free shuttle into Placencia.
Either way, you are most welcomed to stop by our Privasea Tour office any time.
The Trip From Placencia Village To Bird Island
Is included in the booking price.
If going to Bird Island the same day as arriving, the shuttle/rental car way works best if one is arriving in Belize International Airport by 2pm or so; it is a 2.5 hour drive to Placencia + 1 hour for food shopping + 20 minutes to get to the island. It gets dark in Belize by 6:30 pm. If arriving to Belize International after 2pm it is best to ~fly~ to Placencia if leaving for island on the same day). Staying a day in Placencia prior to coming to the island is a great choice since the village is a fun place to be also.
General Meeting Place: The Bird Island/Privasea Tour office is right on main street Placencia, where the sidewalk crosses the main road in the middle of town.
Sleeping Accommodations
The island has four separate accommodations; the main house has with a queen-size and single bed and full bathroom.
The 2nd building is an over-the-water cabana, also with queen-sized bed and single bed and bathroom.
The 3rd accommodation is a small cabana with a double-size bed and separate bathroom.
The 4th is an upstairs bedroom with a queen-size bed and bathroom.
The island is best suited for up to six (6) persons.
Extra Guests
When booking, perhaps best to book for only persons you are certain of, but change your reservation as you get closer to actual arrival if you need to.
It is important that the reservation is indeed kept accurately as to the number of guests coming ~before~ arrival since it helps us plan better for your stay.
Side Tours
While staying in town or on the island: there are a few side tours we highly recommend. We now have our own tour company, its emphasis is on quality tours. See our new tour website at www.privaseaadventures.com or visit our new location right on Main Street Placencia.
FUN FISHING ADVENTURE TOUR
With 'Thurman' who has an uncanny ability to put our clients consistently on exceptional fishing as well as just plain fun to be with. He has been running our Bird Island fishing trips for years. All fish and are cleaned and packaged for personal use.
If you are looking for fishing or the excitement of catching your own fish, conch or lobsters, look no further. 2 people to 4 people $400.00 US, 6 people $500.00 US.
LAUGHING BIRD CAYE
Located 11 miles from Placencia or only 5 miles from Bird Island. Laughing Bird Caye is a National Park with white sandy beaches, wide array of fish, rays, corals etc. Fabulous lunch and drinks. $100.00 US per person.
MONKEY RIVER & MANATEE WATCHING
Monkey River (12 miles south of Placencia), is filled with the most interesting exotic flora and fauna in Belize.
Enjoy a relaxing boat ride while taking in the scenery. You will see howler monkeys and crocodiles, birds etc . Also learn about the medicinal plants that grow in this area from a local guide. Enjoy a local lunch in Monkey River village. On the way back to Placencia you get a chance to see the manatees. Price: $95.00 US per person.
We can also arrange all inland tours such as Ziplining, Cave Tubing, Mayan Ruins, Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve & Waterfalls & River Tubing.
You are always welcome to stop by our office right downtown Placencia which is located in the middle of town on main street where the sidewalk crosses over it.
We accept credit cards.
Exclusivity | Security | Cancellation
Exclusivity: Yes, when you book Bird Island, we do not mean it is privately owned, but that you will have the whole Island all to yourself in absolute privacy, there is no staff on the island. Or you can choose to bring friends, family and a cook if you like.
Security: Though Bird Island is 6 miles away from town and inside its own atoll, it is on a main thoroughfare of tourist boats traveling from the Placencia mainland to the main Belize Reef; everyone knows Bird Island locally and keeps a close eye on it. The new Coast Guard station is now in a nearby island.
Communication: We do have a local phone and WiFi in the island and unlimited, high-speed internet.
Cancellation: To confirm a reservation you can pay in full or make a 50% deposit when making your reservation and then send 2nd payment later 90 days before arrival. Payments should be send to birdislandbz@gmail.com via Paypal. We have a 100% refund for cancellations made more than 90 days prior to arrival; 50% if made less than 90 days.
Recommended Gear & Equipment To Bring
Wading slipper-type shoes: The island is surrounded by hard sand flats and within 100 feet by live coral; bringing soft shoes that cover your toes and ankle are a good thing to have when walking about. WE do have some in our tour office and some pairs in the island that may fit you, but no guarantee to do so.
Snorkeling equipment: We have every size of good-quality Cressi snorkeling sets at our tour office including ever size of fins which are usually cumbersome to bring.
Fishing equipment: The island is usually surrounded by constant marauding schools of fish (jacks, snappers, etc) feeding around it. If you want to fish for them, make sure to buy shrimp bait when food shopping. The island has a few fishing rods and hand fishing reels that you can use. The island has a fishing dock.
Buying Food: Bird Island is a self-catering scenario (if opt not to hire our cook), so plan to bring only meats, vegetable and drinks (especially liquor) for your stay. We will be shopping with you. The island does have a very well-stocked kitchen with a myriad of condiments such as cake mixes, flour, rice, spices, oils, paper towels, garbage bags, etc., so you are not required to think of such things. Close by where we take off for the island while in Placencia, there are excellent food stores and vegetable stands. Food shopping is a very simple step and is left to the last moment.
Refrigeration: The island has a new large electric refrigerator. Bringing at least a 4-6 bags of ice is always recommended.
Water: The island has a well-filtered rain-water system for all general uses. However, we still provide purified bottled drinking water for drinking. Meaning no need to worry about bringing water.
Communication: A local phone is at the island so you can make local calls. The island has a very good, reliable WiFi. As to music, the island has a two Bluetooth speakers to play your own music.
Power: The island runs on solar-power and a wind generator; and a whisper-quiet back-up generator available just in case of long cloudy weather. When on you can run whatever you need.
Getting Around: There are 2 single-person and 2 new double-person kayaks to cruise the atoll that surrounds the island. Also 2 paddle boards.
Sun Tan Lotion and Bug Spray: Remember, it is the tropics; the best type of suntan lotion is one of a high Block Factor (50), either lotion or spray type.
As to bugs (i.e. sand flies), Bird Island just doesn't have them, unlike the mainland or most other islands. This reality is one of the best aspects of Bird Island.
Places To Stay In The Mainland (Placencia)
There are many good places to stay in Placencia, and many of them are right on the beach. We do suggest staying close to town versus up the peninsula, since you may find yourself constantly coordinating transportation to Placencia just about every day. Today, Placencia is a very happening village while the rest of the peninsula is still sparsely populated.
General Weather Pattern
January-June 15th: is considered the 'dry season'.
June 15th-July 20th: the first seasonal rains tend to occur. Daily short thunderstorm.
July 20th-September 15th: usually is very nice weather, interrupted by the occasional 30-minute passing shower.
September 15th-October 30th: the second period of seasonal rains tend to occur, again daily short thunderstorm.
November 1st-December 30th Occasional scattered thunderstorms here and there but great weather in long stretches between them.
(Please note that weather in Belize tends to be pleasant, specially at naturally-protected Bird Island which is in a rain shadow and protected by a reef, so its surrounding waters stay relatively calm and crystal clear even if windy. Weather. needless to say, we could never guarantee, so the above is only a rough guide.)
Last Note
Bird Island is always undergoing improvements each year.
We reserve the right to make changes without notice since each Fall we undergo many renovations all done for the betterment of our guest's stays.