Month: March 2017

The 2017 World Happiness Report published by the United Nations gave Belizeans a lot to smile about. Although Belize was only ranked 50th on the list out of 155 countries, this is considered a positive achievement locally in the face of a sluggish economy.

The World Happiness Report broke down measurable happiness into six categories, GDP per capita, social support, healthy life, generosity, perceptions of corruption, and freedom to make choices. Belize gained its strongest scores in the categories of social support and GDP per capita. Unfortunately, Belize lost points in the categories of perception of corruption and healthy life.

Many Belizeans responded by reinforcing their belief that they are very happy in their country, remarking on their gratefulness to live in a free country that has ample natural resources. Belizeans are renowned for maintaining a positive outlook on life even in the face of social and governmental challenges. Reinforcing this idea, John Helliwell, a lead author of the report and an economist at the University of British Columbia, stated that happiness and “human things” matter more to people than monetary gain that comes at the price of losing trust in relationships with other people.

Norway was the clear winner in the 2017 World Happiness Report alongside neighboring Scandinavian countries such as Iceland and Finland. The United States, a country with close ties to Belize, was ranked 14th on the list. Although Belize came in 50th on this year’s UN World Happiness Report, it was ranked the fifth happiest place in the 2014 Happy Planet Index published by the MoveHub company.

The United Nations’ World Happiness Report was first published in 2012 and is designed to provide a tool for the private sector, civil societies, and governments to help focus on improving the wellbeing of citizens, according to Jeffrey Sachs, director of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network division of the UN that published the report.

Chabil Mar

Some of the happiest people in Belize are the guests of the Chabil Mar resort on the Placencia Peninsula. Located just steps from the Caribbean, Chabil Mar is an award-winning resort featuring luxury accommodations set amidst a lush tropical garden. Known for its world-class customer service, guests of the resort can also improve their happiness from the onsite pool, fresh cocktails made to order at the bar, and delicious gourmet meals that can be enjoyed al fresco on the resort’s seafront pier.

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Belize Featured on Viva Lifestyle and Travel

The March edition of Viva Lifestyle and Travel magazine contained a featured article entitled “Why Belize Should Be Your Next Undiscovered Getaway.” Written by Bridget Kapinus, the article focused on the many attractions available to travelers in Belize.

Although Belize is a small country in Central America located between Mexico and Guatemala, the country contains an astonishing variety of pristine landscapes, including tropical forests, coral reefs, and sugar sand white beaches. The Viva Lifestyle and Travel article highlighted the many benefits of vacationing in Belize, including the fact that it’s just a few hours’ flying time from the United States and that it’s the only country in the region where English is the official language.

One of the top Belize vacation activities recommended by Viva Lifestyle and Travel was exploring ancient Maya ruins. One of the most prominent of these is Xunantunich, an ancient city-state that still contains 26 enormous temples and palaces. Another top Maya destination recommended by the magazine was Caracol. The secluded location in Belize’s pristine jungles give visitors a unique opportunity to “see the area and local wildlife as the Mayans once did.”

Not to be outdone, the diversity and beauty of Belize’s rain forests were also praised in the Viva Lifestyle and Travel article. Belize is home to more than 2,500 flowering plants, including 250 varieties of orchid (the Black Orchid is Belize’s national flower). But it’s the fauna that truly make the rainforests of Belize come alive, including “enormous tapirs” (Belize’s national animal is Baird’s tapir), anteaters, jaguars, and black howler monkeys. The Viva Lifestyle and Travel also highlighted the fact that more than 500 species of birds have been recorded in Belize, including harpy eagles, keel-billed toucans, and scarlet macaws.

Last but definitely not least, Viva Lifestyle and Travel extolled the beauty of Belize’s offshore islands and reef. Described as “prime territory” for scuba diving and snorkeling, Belize is a world-class destination for exciting marine activities, including the Belize Blue Hole that was one of legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau’s favorite diving spots.

If you want to enjoy a truly unBeliezeable vacation this year, book your travels with Chabil Mar. Located on Belize’s gorgeous Placencia Peninsula, Chabil Mar is a multiple award-winning resort featuring luxury villas, a lush tropical garden, beachfront dining, and a full range of modern conveniences.

Chabil Mar has years of experience in helping plan and organize dream vacations in Belize. If you’d like to see and experience the Belize described in the Viva Lifestyle and Travel magazine article, contact Chabil Mar today.

As the 20th anniversary of the Tulum Declaration approaches, more than one million people have signed an online petition that calls on the heads of state for Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras to continue their commitment to protecting the MesoAmerican Reef System and conserve its resources and natural beauty through sustainable means.

The Mesoamerican Reef System (MRS) is the second-largest barrier reef in the world after the Australian Great Barrier Reef. Measuring more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) from north to south, the MRS is home to hundreds of fish species, endangered sea turtles, avian species, sharks, and a number of endangered species like the brown Pelican.

June 5, 2017, will mark the 20th anniversary of the Tulum Declaration that was signed as part of the International Year of Reef. The Tulum Declaration was the foundation for the Mesoamerican Caribbean Reef System initiative that built a multilateral framework for promoting the sustainable conversation of the reef. The online petition is designed to push the four cooperating governments to increase their commitment to protecting the reef, including preventing toxic discharges in the area, work to eliminate the destruction of mangrove forests, and address climate change impacts on the reef.

Belize, one of the original signatories of the Tulum Declaration, has made tremendous progress in preserving and protecting its stretch of the MRS, known as the Belize Barrier Reef. Belize has more than 200 miles of reef included in the larger MRS and has established several protected marine areas and national parks to control and regulate sustainable tourism and fishing practices in the area. In 1997, then Belizean Prime Minister Manuel Esquivel declared that the Tulum Declaration is proof positive of the collective will of regional governments that will allow better management of the reefs and their biodiversity.

“Belize has benefited greatly in the 20 years since the signing of the Tulum Declaration, and we strongly support the petition to continue pushing for sustainable practices all along the reef system,” said Larry France, marketing manager of Chabil Mar Villas in Placencia, Belize. “Fish and other marine species are now thriving in the Belize Barrier Reef, and a biodiverse reef is a tremendous asset for the tourism industry. Visitors will continue to visit Belize and the reef if we protect the natural environment.”

Chabil Mar is an award-winning resort located on the Caribbean coast of the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize. Chabil Mar offers guests a number of Belize vacation packages and organized tour options for exploring the best that the Belize Barrier Reef has to offer, including snorkeling, sailing, fishing, and scuba diving.

Beginning on Saturday, March 11, 2017, Southwest Airlines will begin operating its brand-new non-stop route between DIA airport in Denver, Colorado, to Belize City, Belize (BZE). Southwest only has plans to operate the new route until April 22, 2017, based on rising demand from Colorado area residents to vacation in the Central American nation of Belize. In 2016, more than 13,000 passengers flew from Denver to Belize, and those numbers are expected to rise with the new non-stop Southwest flight.

Southwest will be operating its Belize route once a week on Saturday during the peak travel season. The flight will depart DIA at 10:30 AM and arrive in Belize City at 2:50 PM using one of the company’s signature Boeing 373 aircraft that can carry up to 143 passengers. The new Denver-Belize route will join Southwest’s existing service from Houston, Texas (HOU) and a new route from Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood, Florida (FLL) scheduled to begin on June 4, 2017.

Belize is a small country located near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula that has hundreds of offshore islands, rainforests, waterfalls, and jungle in a pristine, biodiverse landscape teeming with exotic birds and wildlife. Belize is also the only country in the area where English is the official language. Once the heartland of the ancient Maya empire, Belize has more Maya sites than anywhere else, including soaring pyramids and mysterious sacred caves.

One of the best features of Belize is the ability to enjoy a fabulous reef and rainforest combination vacation. Going birding or wildlife spotting in a pristine rainforest one day and then enjoying the sea and sun of the offshore reef the next day is easy thanks to Belize’s diverse landscape and small size.

Even if you’re not traveling from Denver, it’s easier and more affordable than ever to get to Belize. Along with Southwest, American, United, and Delta operate non-stop flights from across the United States to Belize and WestJet now flies directly from Toronto’s Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Canada.

With the new Denver route, fares are expected to fall even further, making this year a great time to visit Belize during the four-day Easter holiday in April. May is a fabulous season for bird watching and June is when the country’s big lobster festivals are held.

The national calendar is packed with other festivals and holidays, including Independence Day in September, so there’s always something fun and exciting going on in Belize.

Where to stay in Belize

Chabil Mar

A multiple award-winning resort located just minutes from Placencia Village, Chabil Mar is an oasis of tranquility and luxury that welcomes guests with well-appointed villas, a lush tropical garden, and a gourmet restaurant where diners can enjoy their meals al fresco on a private pier.

Visit our website chabilmarvillas.com for more information about Belize, and don’t hesitate to send us an email, or call US/CAN Toll Free: 1-866-417-2377, Local: (011-501) 523-3606, if you have questions or need help in planning a Belize vacation.

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Wanderlust Travel Magazine has just published an article highlighting the greatest wildlife experiences in Belize. Ranging from seeing jaguars in the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area to watching manatees play and frolic in the waters of the South Lagoon, Belize is a country bursting with amazing opportunities to enjoy wildlife.

Some of the options recommended in Wanderlust Travel Magazine include scuba diving or snorkeling the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Located just off the coast of Ambergris Caye, the reserve allows divers and snorkelers to see a myriad of eels, turtles, dolphins, rays, and fish in their natural habitat. Other underwater adventures highlighted in the Wanderlust Travel Magazine include diving with whale sharks in Gladden Spit. Every spring, migrating schools of whale sharks arrive in Belize to feed on fish spawn, giving divers a unique chance to interact with these enormous fish that can weigh up to 12 tons.

For more traditional wildlife experiences in Belize, Wanderlust Travel Magazine recommends bird watching in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary. A slew of avian species that include parrots, woodpeckers, raptors, kites, kingfishers, jabiru storks, and herons proudly display their plumage in this enormous protected area. For mammals, Wanderlust Travel Magazine recommends seeing black howler monkeys at the Community Baboon Sanctuary (these monkeys are called “baboons” locally) and white-collared manakins in the Cockscomb Basin Nature Reserve.

“Once again, it is truly wonderful to see the independent press sit up and take notice of our beautiful country,” said Larry France, marketing manager of Chabil Mar. “We welcome Wanderlust Travel Magazine readers, and we look forward to helping you plan an unforgettable vacation in Belize.”

Chabil Mar is a multiple award-winning resort located on the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize. Renowned for its world-class customer service and gorgeous tropical garden, the Chabil Mar resort features luxuriously appointed villas, a gourmet restaurant, and beachfront pier ideal for al fresco dining. Conveniently located close to all of the top attractions of the Belize Barrier Reef, including snorkeling, diving, fishing, and sailing, as well as to the top destinations on the mainland, Chabil Mar is named for a Maya term meaning “beautiful waters.”

Wanderlust Travel Magazine was founded in 1993 by two British travelers who were frustrated by a lack of the right mix of wildlife, activities, and cultural insights in travel publications. Dedicated to providing a community of people who are passionate about travel. Combining photographs, videos, and testimonies from fellow community members, Wanderlust Travel Magazine serves as a digital scrapbook to help travelers store planning information and discover some of the finest destinations in the world.

For information about Belize, 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.