Month: April 2015

Belize, just two hours from the US in Central America on the Caribbean sea. Belize is a unique blend of pristine nature, diverse geography, Maya mystery, endless adventure and romance.

Be one with Placencia Village. A traditional fishing village, whose unique setting provides the perfect blend of activities, from flats and deep water fishing, exploring Maya archaeological sites, world class diving, snorkeling, birding, jaguar reserves and howler monkeys, all from one central location. Take a leisurely stroll down Placencia sidewalk, once called the world’s narrowest main street. Be immersed in Belize culture. Visit the many restaurants, gift shops, bakeries and home to Chabil Mar.

Chabil Mar, Maya for “Beautiful Sea”, is The Only Guest Exclusive Resort of Placencia. A private boutique resort of 19 Villas and 1 Honeymoon Suite and a stroll along the beach to Placencia Village (the closest full service resort to the Village).

At Chabil Mar each villa on this lushly landscaped property is uniquely designed and furnished, appointed with original artwork, and feature excellent views of the Caribbean from personal verandas. In addition, two infinity beach-side pools, nestled in lush tropical gardens, grace the property, along our 400 ft. of private beach and pier.

Intimate open-air al fresco beach-side dining at Café Mar or on our private pier is a hallmark of the Chabil Mar experience. Chabil Mar gives new meaning to table with a view. You choose:  The beach, your veranda, the pier, or a candlelit table beneath a black velvet star scattered sky? This is room service and al fresco dining re-defined! Our entire property is your kingdom; you choose where and when you will dine.

Privacy, luxury accommodations, access to all of Belize’s adventures, and our premier location all result in a one-of-a-kind “Barefoot Luxury” Resort adventure vacation.

Planning a destination wedding or honeymoon? As a boutique guest exclusive resort, we are uniquely positioned to create your dream destination wedding or honeymoon. Whether an intimate affair for the two of you or reserving the entire resort as your private oasis for just your guests and family, our on-site wedding planner is available to serve up that one-of-a-kind experience!

The unique setting of Placencia and Chabil Mar Resort provides the perfect blend of activities, from luxury to barefoot, modern amenities to local culture, adventure to romance.

Guest-Centric exclusive service in barefoot luxury, all just five minutes from Placencia Village in the World’s Best Kept Secret . . . Belize.

On behalf of the Chabil Mar Family, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr Peter Tonti who passed away on April 16, 2015. Peter was a hard working trailblazer who played an instrumental role in contributing and developing tourism in Belize.

Below is the Belize Tourism Industry Association farewell to Mr. Tonti whose work in the tourism industry of Belize will never be forgotten.

It is with tremendous sadness that we inform you of the passing on April 16, 2015, of Mr. Peter Tonti.  Mr. Tonti was the CEO of Cahal Pech Village Resort and former 2nd Vice President of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA).

Mr. Tonti arrived in Belize in the late 1970’s as a Peace Corps Volunteer.  After completing his term as volunteer, Mr. Tonti remained in Belize to work in Belmopan for the Reconstruction and Development Corporation, which built and operated the new capital of Belize before it had a municipal government. He later joined the Belmopan Convention Hotel in 1983.  From those early days, Peter saw the opportunity Belize held as a thriving tourism destination. He quickly became one of the pioneers at the forefront of the development of the Belize tourism industry.

Peter’s accomplishments and contributions for over the past 30 years are countless and immense. He rendered his service to the BTIA wholeheartedly from the inception of the Association as standing member, advisor and later as a Board Member.

As a true tourism professional, Peter’s passion and dedication for the sustainable growth of the tourism industry was always at the forefront. He participated as BTIA’s representative on various national committees including the most recent, on the Inter-American Development Bank’s Civil Society Consulting Group for Belize (on which he was still serving at the time of his passing), and on the Board of the Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) from 2010 – 2013. In addition to his vast contributions to the tourism industry, Mr. Tonti was also the Administrator at the Lodge at Chaa Creek for 15 years before joining the team at the Cahal Pech Village Resort in San Ignacio, Cayo District.

BTIA President, Mr. Osmany Salas says, “Peter Tonti will be greatly missed. Just a few months ago, he called me several times to persuade me to offer myself to serve as BTIA President. Peter was very persuasive and inspirational. You could sense his love for Belize in everything that he did. I am happy for having had the opportunity to know him. As a pioneer of the tourism Industry in Belize, Peter’s contribution will be felt for a very long time.”

On behalf of the BTIA President, Board of Directors, Staff and Members, we extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends. The details of his funeral services will be announced shortly.

Mr. Peter Tonti will be greatly missed!

Megan Scherer and Derek Pinkham didn’t always follow a traditional path in life, so their families weren’t surprised when they informed everyone that they planned to marry on December 13, 2015, at one of the top wedding destinations in the world: picture-perfect Chabil Mar in Placencia, Belize.

While their love story started much further north when the pair attended chiropractic school together in Marietta, Georgia, Megan and Derek actually hooked up for the first time while on a Red Top Mountain hike, so it’s only natural that the climbing enthusiasts are putting down roots in a place with an impressive number of scenic mountains: Maine. That’s where their family practice is headquartered.

In addition to being romantics, Megan and Derek share a decidedly practical side, which is why they made a decision to tie the knot on December 13, 2014. They loved the idea of marrying on an iconic date (12/13/14), and this put to rest name change issues for the busy pair. We have a hunch neither will forget to pick up anniversary gifts after marrying twice on the same day!

Megan and Derek are bending over backward (apologies for the chiropractic pun, but we couldn’t resist) to make their upcoming destination wedding memorable and easy for those who plan to attend. They’ve hired a wedding travel agent to do everything but open gifts on their behalf, and their Chabil Mar wedding planner will take over to assist the couple stage their storybook wedding, reception and the social events surrounding the big day.

What can you expect if you’re the lucky recipient of an invitation? An ambience and luxury you may not have experienced in your lifetime, plus the opportunity to help launch Megan’s and Derek’s marriage within one of the most intimate and private enclaves in Belize. The Chabil Mar Villas community consists of just 19 individually designed villas and a magazine-worthy bridal suite that, for obvious reasons, has already been booked.

In addition to watching the adorable couple take their vows, guests will be treated to the good life while on premises: there are 400-feet of unspoiled, isolated beachfront, a private pier for sunning and al fresco dining, two infinity pools and lush tropical gardens to be explored. Look around and you’ll quickly understand why Chabil Mar is profiled in prestigious travel magazines, and when TV show producers needed vacation prizes, Wheel of Fortune and The Price is Right winners won trips to what Fodor has designated their “Choice for Luxury” destination.

Happily ever after never had such a sweet beginning, and we have a hunch Megan and Derek will return down the road. After all, when you get married on December 13th two years running, that establishes a trend, right?