Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2018 Edition in Belize

The 2018 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition features a number of photographs that were taken in Belize.

The 2018 SI Swimsuit edition was shot on location in Belize in November 2017, and excited locals greeted famed photographer Yu Tsai and six models, Tabria Majores, Iyonna Fairbanks, Olivia Jordan, Haley Kalil, Camille Kostek, and Allie Ayers, as they traveled across the country to shoot photos for the legendary publication.

The models were chosen following an open casting call by Sports Illustrated on Instagram. More than 5,000 women applied, but only 35 were chosen for the final round. Ultimately, only six women were chosen, including both first-time models and women with previous pageant and modeling experience.

The models were chosen to showcase women of all colors and sizes. Model Haley Kalil, age 25, won the Miss Minnesota pageant in 2014 and has graduated with honors from St. Cloud State University with a degree in biomedical sciences. She is currently married to Matt Kalil, an offensive tackle with the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.

Olivia Jordan, age 29, is originally from Oklahoma but now works in Los Angeles as a full-time model. She won the Miss USA pageant in 2015. Tabria Majors, age 27, was formerly a movie production assistant in Los Angeles but has been modeling full-time since 2015. Allie Ayers, age 23, is a former real estate investor who has never worked a professional model before but plans to launch a size-inclusive line of swimwear later this year.


Camille Kostek, age 25, is a former New England Patriots cheerleader. Iyonna Fairbanks, age 25, grew up in Cincinnati and now works as a security guard. Although she modeled as a teenager, she felt pressured to straighten her hair and never thought she could pursue a full-time career in modeling. She has praised Sports Illustrated for its commitment to diversity.The photos shot in Belize appear in a section of the Swimsuit Edition entitled “Beauties, Beaches, and Bikinis.” Several islands and beach locations across Belize were used for the photoshoot, including areas in and around the town of San Pedro on the island of Ambergris Caye. The 2018 Swimsuit Edition is the first time that the magazine has featured Belize since 1972. It is estimated than more than 23 million people will read the 2018 Swimsuit Edition.
Chabil Mar congratulates all of the models and the wonderful photographs of Belize that appeared in the 2018 Sports Illustration Swimsuit Edition.

5 Things to do in Belize this Summer

From diving the great blue hole of Belize to exploring Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave (one of the most sacred caves in the world), these 5 Belize tours will certainly immerse you in the beauty and wonder of Belize this summer.

Great Blue Hole of Belize

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The world famous Blue Hole is an incomparable natural wonder in Belize. It is located at the center of Lighthouse Reef and measures 1000 feet across and 412 feet deep. Giant stalactites, dripstone sheets and columns, and colorful marine life are the enchanting geological wonders that will fascinate you if you decide to dive this site this summer.

It is interesting to note that Jacques-Yves Coustea, the popular ocean explorer revealed the secrets of the Blue Hole to millions of viewers in 1971 through the television serious The Undersea World of Jacques-Yves Coustea.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Globally recognized as the world’s first jaguar preserve, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is a top rated nature reserve to visit in Belize this summer. Cascading waterfalls, panoramic mountain views, nature trails, furry mammals, colorful insects, scaly reptiles and a variety of neotropical birds are just a few of the things you will experience at this sanctuary.

Although the jaguar, the largest spotted cat in the world is what the reserve is famous for, you are unlikely to see one as the cat is nocturnal. However you will see its tracks along with tracks of tapir, deer, and other wildlife that inhabit the nature reserve.

Cockscomb Basin is also home to one of Belize’s highest points — Victoria Peak.

Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave (ATM Cave)

ATM cave in belize

Actun Tunichil Muknal or the ATM Cave as it is locally known is one of the most breathtaking caving experiences you will have in Belize. The cave is located in the karstic limestone terrain of Roaring Creek Valley in the Cayo District and is approximately 5 km long and contains a perennial stream that runs through it including a ledge with two stelae and a large chamber full of intact human remains and Maya pots.

According to Director of Archeology Jaime Awe, Actun Tunichil Muknal was a sacred place to the Maya who utilized the cave during the classic period AD 250-909. Thousands of people are attracted to this cave annually due to its remarkable history, elegant stalagmites and stalactites and the Crystal Maiden, the intact skeleton of a young woman who was sacrificed to the gods.

Annual Placencia Lobsterfest

lobsterfest in placencia 2014

If you will be visiting Belize in June, it is a must to attend the Placencia Lobsterfest. This year, the festival is scheduled from June 22-24, 2018 and is organized by the Placencia Village Council and the Placencia Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association. Thousands of local and international visitors are expected to attend this event.

Kayaking in Belize

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Crystal clear waters, tepid sunshine, balmy Caribbean breezes, thousands of coral reefs, and colorful marine life are just a few of the things that make kayaking in Belize a joy. With more than 200 stunning islands, Belize makes an idyllic kayaking destination and cayes such as Glovers Reef, Half Moon Caye and Laughing Bird Caye are favorite destinations for reef kayakers.

For more information about traveling to Belize this summer, 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.

Chabil Mar Wins TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award

Chabil Mar Resort in Placencia, Belize has just been awarded the Travelers’ Choice Award by TripAdvisor for the year 2018. This marks the 11th consecutive year in which Chabil Mar has been recognized by TripAdvisor for providing outstanding customer service and hospitality in the travel industry.

Chabil Mar has previously been recognized by TripAdvisor in a number of key categories. Currently, Chabil Mar is rated number five in Belize for small hotels and number eight overall in Central America for small hotels. Chabil Mar has also been awarded numerous times by TripAdvisor in a number of categories, including Top 10 small hotels in Belize, top 10 family resorts in Belize, the top 10 romantic destinations in Belize, the top 10 in hospitality service in Belize, and the top 25 small hotels in Central America.

“We wish to thank all of our guests who took the extra time to post a review of their Belize vacation experience and to congratulate our wonderful staff for another year of providing superior service,” said Larry France, marketing manager of Chabil Mar. “We are always proud to receive an award at any given time and any year, but marking 11 consecutive years of excellence is a very special treat for us this year.”

Chabil Mar is a luxury beachfront resort located on the southern coast of Belize. With well-appointed villas, a lush tropical garden, and a gourmet restaurant, Chabil Mar has consistently been recognized by TripAdvisor and other travel information publishers for providing superior customer service to its guests.

Chabil Mar is located close to many of Belize’s top attractions as rated by TripAdvisor, including, the ancient Maya sites of Xunantunich (number four in Belize), the ruins of Caracol (number eight in Belize), and the ruins of Cahal Pech (number nine in Belize). Chabil Mar is also just a few miles from the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and first-class destination for snorkeling, swimming, sailing, fishing, and sea kayaking, while benefiting from a stroll along the beach to the traditional fishing Village of Placencia where guests enjoy the daily culture and life of Belize.

TripAdvisor is the world’s most popular website for travel information, customer reviews and opinions, accommodation bookings, and other travel-related content. Since its founding in February 2000, TripAdvisor has grown to 315 million members and has recorded more than half a billion reviews, opinions, and ratings.

The Travelers’ Choice award is TripAdvisor’s highest honor and is presented every year to the top 1% of businesses on the site as determined by user rankings.

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