The Academy Awards. Nobel Prize. The Pulitzers. You probably know these names because they’re awards given to the best of the best every year, and it would be difficult to find people from around the globe who weren’t familiar with at least one of them.

But did you know that there are also prestigious honors awarded to destinations that are internationally recognized for excellence by industry peers? It’s true—which is why being tapped by Travel and Leisure editors as one of the world’s top travel destinations for 2016 came as such a surprise to Placencia tourism movers and shakers.

In case you haven’t heard of Travel and Leisure, it’s an established, award-winning magazine owned by Time, Inc., so when editors were browsing the planet in search of top destinations, putting Placencia on that list was huge news throughout Belize. For folks in the travel industry, that’s equal to winning an Oscar!

It’s no mystery to Belizeans why Placencia was singled out for recognition. The peninsula is home to every type of activity and attraction in area, so whether tourists want to stroll ancient Mayan ruins, scuba, fish, see exotic wildlife in their natural surroundings or take in the beauty that is unique to this still-unspoiled Caribbean nation, they can count on Placencia to deliver all of this and more.

But, Travel and Leisure editors didn’t pick Placencia based only on its natural sights, sounds and experiences. Resorts in this district have received unprecedented reportage and attention over the past few years. Even hard-to-please veteran travelers are won over. If Placencia’s accommodations weren’t top notch, it would hardly have gotten the attention of Travel & Leisure editors–and few lodgings maintain so lofty a reputation for service, luxury and amenities as the Villas of Chabil Mar, no stranger to travel awards, either.

“We were completely caught off guard when word of this amazing Travel and Leisure news reached us,” said Chabil Mar Marketing Manager Larry France. “Imagine being a popular resort located in an area proclaimed an “outstanding destination” by a network of writers and correspondents who are likely hard to please in light of the fact that they cover travel topics all day, every day!”

Accommodations and amenities alone at Chabil Mar are Travel and Leisure reviewer-friendly and regular guests of Chabil Mar don’t have to think long to come up with their favorite resort features: 400 feet of private Caribbean beachfront, 19 luxury villas—each beautifully appointed and furnished—seductive sea-facing verandas and endless, lush gardens into which infinity pools and resort amenities deliver the ultimate in guest privacy. The private dining pier and award-winning Café Mar restaurant are reasons some guests don’t leave the resort during their stay in Placencia.

“We know that it can be bad manners to brag too much,” adds France, “but after nine consecutive years of winning TripAdvisor awards, Fodor’s “Choice for Luxury” designation and being chosen as a site for so many magazines, movies and TV shows, it’s hard to keep from bragging about Chabil Mar! I’m afraid that this latest news—that Travel and Leisure designation given to Placencia—is going to test our mettle big time, but in a way, this latest honor inspires our staff and resort to keep striving for even more awards in the years ahead!”

For more information about visiting Belize or Placencia in 2016 , feel free to chat with our Concierge at: concierge@chabilmarvillas.com or contact our Reservations Manager at: reservations@chabilmarvillas.com. Or perhaps you would like to call toll free from the US or Canada: 1-866-417-2377.

Belize Is Now Closer Than Ever

Starting December 8, 2015, COPA Airlines will add two weekly flights from Panama City, Panama to Belize City, Belize, making it now easier than ever for visitors from South and Central America to visit the tropical paradise of Belize.

The new route will depart from Belize on Fridays and Tuesdays at 2:17 pm (arriving in Panama at 5:30p) and depart from Panama on Fridays and Tuesdays at 11:30 am (arriving in Belize at 12:52 pm), with a duration of about 2 hours and twenty minutes.

With the latest expansion in route coverage, COPA Airlines will now connect more than 31 countries in the Western Hemisphere to Belize, making the country easily accessible to travelers from North, Central, and South America. For details about the new Panama-Belize route, and to buy your ticket to a paradise vacation in Belize, visit the official website of COPA Airlines.

Now that Southwest Airlines has a direct flight to Belize, competition is heating up, making tickets more affordable than ever!

Placencia, the Jewel of Belize

The Placencia Peninsula is one of the most beautiful regions in Belize. Just a short domestic flight away from the Belize International Airport, the Placencia region is home to pristine white sugar sand beaches, with ready access to tranquil turquoise waters and gentle sea breezes. Visitors can soak in the sun, or take guided tours of the nearby rivers and dense mangrove forests, untouched natural areas teeming with colorful tropical birds and other exotic wildlife.

The main village of Placencia is home to around 1500 locals, but this once-tiny fishing hamlet now offers a number of world-class amenities for visitors. Bars and seafood restaurants offer a wide variety of entertainment and local delicacies, and the town boasts many festivals and live concerts. Visitors to Placencia can also take advantage of the superior fishing, snorkeling, and diving on offer in the crystal clear waters, and for the more adventurous, guided trips to spot whale sharks are available in the months of March, April, May and June.

Where to Stay in Placencia
Chabil Mar is the premiere destination for visitors to the Placencia Peninsula. With gorgeous accommodations and five-star guest services, Chabil Mar is the perfect destination for newlyweds, honeymooners, and family vacations. A Chabil Mar shuttle van is available to pick up guests at the Belize International Airport, or a short domestic flight with Tropic Air can be booked through to the Placencia Airstrip.

If you are interested in experiencing a true tropical paradise, do not hesitate to contact the friendly staff at Chabil Mar. The resort has a number of Belize vacation packages on offer that include both lodging and air/ground transportation to Chabil Mar.

While some guests prefer to spend their days lounging in a hammock or dipping their toes in the surf, the resort also offers a number of adventure packages. Guests can explore Mayan archeological sites, trek through tropical rainforests, or plumb the depths of some of the world’s most spectacular caves. Special Belize family packages are also available upon request.

For more information about visiting Belize or Placencia in 2016 , feel free to chat with our Concierge at: concierge@chabilmarvillas.com or contact our Reservations Manager at: reservations@chabilmarvillas.com. Or perhaps you would like to call toll free from the US or Canada: 1-866-417-2377.