Month: March 2018

On March 20, 2018, a collaborative government task force involving the Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Commerce introduced a proposal that was approved by Belize’s Cabinet that will completely phase out the sale and distribution of single-use plastic shopping bags, Styrofoam food items, and plastic food utensils by April 22, 2019.

Currently, single-use food-grade plastic waste and shopping bags are responsible for an estimated 19% of all solid waste in Belize. The new law will work to stem the pollution of the environment by single-use plastic food items and shopping bags, especially in coastal and offshore areas, that are both an eyesore as well as a hazard to animals.

Every year, the government, ,volunteer groups, and local NGOs perform clean-ups of highways, rivers, lagoons, and coastal areas in order to restore the natural beauty of the country and to protect wildlife. Animals and birds often mistake plastic pieces for food, which can pose a choking hazard as well as potentially causing fatal injuries.

Regionally, the issue of Styrofoam and plastic pollution is a major concern for Caribbean nations. Large masses of offshore floating plastic debris have begun to affect the health of coral reefs as well as causing a detrimental effect on the tourism industry. Belize has been a regional leader in responsible environmental stewardship, having previously banned all offshore drilling as well as establishing Central America’s largest wildlife corridor. Over half of Belize’s territory is already designated as a protected environmental area or national park.

“We warmly applaud the government of Belize for taking yet another important step towards the long-term protection of the environment,” said Larry France, marketing manager of Chabil Mar. “Belize’s bio-diversity is one of this country’s greatest attractions, and we welcome eco-travelers to visit Belize to explore the pristine landscapes of this magnificent country.”

Chabil Mar is a luxury resort located on the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize. Chabil Mar is located close to some of the most pristine natural areas of the country, including the Belize Barrier Reef and the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Telegraph, one of Britain’s most widely read newspapers, recently published a list of its top 10 recommended places to visit in Commonwealth. Formerly known as the British Commonwealth, the Commonwealth of Nations is an organization of 53 countries and territories that were formerly part of the British Empire, including Belize, which was formerly named British Honduras.

Much like Canada and Australia, Belize continues to have the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, as its official head of state. Queen Elizabeth’s portrait also adorns all bank notes in Belize. Proud of its history, Belize is now a fully independent nation. Today, Belize’s unique heritage is why the country is the only one of its kind in Central America where English is the official language.

According to the Telegraph, many Britons are only scarcely aware of Belize due to the fact that there are no non-stop flights to the country from Europe. However, the British government maintains strong ties with Belize, and many Britons have made the long trans-Atlantic journey in order to enjoy the fantastic natural beauty of the country.

The Telegraph extolled Belize’s lack of mass-market tourism and overcrowding and strongly recommended visiting Belize during the late spring when whale sharks visit Belize’s offshore reef. Adult whale sharks are approximately the same size and weight as a school bus, yet because they feed exclusively on micro-organisms, they are a popular attraction for snorkelers and scuba divers.

The Telegraph also recommended its readers to visit the ancient Maya site of Caracol in southern Belize. While less famous than other regional Maya sites like Tikal and Chichen Itza, Caracol was once an enormous city that contended for power in Central America. Caracol once covered more than 200 square kilometers and had a bustling population of approximately 150,000 people.

If you’d like to visit the areas highlighted by the Telegraph, book your Belize vacation with Chabil Mar in southern Belize. The recipient of multiple awards and a perennial TripAdvisor favorite, Chabil Mar Resort is an oasis of comfort and luxury on the southeastern coast of Belize.

Chabil Mar offers visitors luxuriously appointed villas, a lush tropical garden, a gourmet restaurant, a private beach, two freshwater infinity pools, and a full complement of modern amenities and services. Chabil Mar is also conveniently close to all of the top attractions in Belize, including the offshore reef where whale sharks gather and ancient Maya sites like Caracol.

For more information about visiting Belize or Chabil Mar, 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.

Summertime is a special season in Belize, not because the weather heats up (Belize enjoys great weather all year long) but because a special group of visitors arrives in the offshore waters as part of their annual circumnavigation of the globe.

Named whale sharks for their enormous size, not because they are actually sharks (technically, whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean), whale sharks can measure up to 41 feet (12 meters) long and weigh up to 21 metric tons (47,000 pounds). Despite their gargantuan size, whale sharks pose little danger to humans as they feed solely on microscopic plankton and fish spawn.

Whale sharks are filter feeders who inhabit the warm waters of the tropics. Beginning in early summer, whale sharks arrive in Belize near the area of Glover’s Spit at the eastern edge of the Belize Barrier Reef. Normally, whale sharks live at deep depths inaccessible to humans, but when the full moon waxes, whale sharks rise to the surface in order to feed.

Whale sharks move surprisingly slowly, allowing scuba divers and snorkelers to get very close. Many whale sharks are curious about humans and enjoy interacting with these strange visitors to their underwater world. Belize is a world-class mecca for snorkeling and scuba diving, but no experience can truly compare to seeing these enormous creatures in the wild.

And after a thrilling day of interacting with whale sharks, you can enjoy exciting activities like Placencia’s Lobsterfest. This three-day non-stop party kicks off in June when the lobster fishing season opens and features live music, fun games, dancing, and plenty of innovative and delicious lobster dishes. Other fun activities you can enjoy include exploring ancient Maya ruins, hiking and bird watching in the vast Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (home to the world’s only jaguar conservation project), and boat tours along the Monkey River.

Chabil Mar

Chabil Mar is a multiple award-winning luxury resort located in Placencia in southern Belize. Chabil Mar offers guests beautifully appointed villas, a gourmet restaurant, open-air dining on a private seafront pier, a lush tropical garden, and easy access to all of the top attractions, including scuba diving and snorkeling with whale sharks.

In order to protect the whale sharks, scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities are strictly limited. If you’d like to scuba dive or snorkel with these gentle giants, book your tour with the Chabil Mar resort today.

For more information about travelling 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.