Placencia, Belize is on a secluded peninsula that many miss when making their list of eco-hotspots. With only a few thousand residents, and surrounded by water, this town has invested heavily in safeguarding their marine life. The Mesoamerican Reef is the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere. Locals, with help from organizations worldwide, have developed initiatives to protect the coral environment.
A marine conservation area network of no-take zones, and new fisheries management systems are being implemented to protect the over 500 species of marine life. Thanks to improved surveillance technology, locals and tourist alike are rewarded with one of the only places in the world to swim with whale sharks naturally.
If an island lifestyle is something that sounds enticing, and the spirit inside is eager to explore the world underwater, secure a job in Belize, and let the adventures begin.