Archaeological evidence suggests that the Maya in this area produced salt and traded it with other settlements along the coast.

[1] In the 17th century, Placencia was settled by English Puritans, originally from Nova Scotia and Providence Island.

On October 8, 2001, Hurricane Iris hit southern Belize with 145 mph (233 km/h) winds causing major damage to nearly 95% of buildings in Placencia.

[4] The eastern side of the Peninsula is a long expanse of white sand beach and heavy mangrove in some areas; the western side is bounded by a long narrow north–south trending bay of the Caribbean Sea.

[8] Placencia is known for the longest main street which is a sidewalk with many local gift shops, beach bars, hotels and cabanas.