Month: April 2018

Belize is much more than just a beautiful destination for tourists from the United States, Canada, and around the world. In coordination with our guests, Chabil Mar and the Pack for a Purpose organization have worked to help improve the lives of disadvantaged families in the Placencia region of Belize.

Since 2015, Chabil Mar has been a proud participant in the Pack for a Purpose initiative which encourages tourists to pack much-needed medical and educational before embarking for Belize. Founded in 2010, Pack for a Purpose is an American non-profit organization that has helped deliver more than 200,000 pounds of critical equipment and supplies to developing nations around the world.

Thanks to the generosity of guests staying at Chabil Mar, the St. John’s Anglican Memorial school in Placencia has received much-needed school supplies, including paper, pens, books, chalk, and other basic educational materials.

Unfortunately, due to government shortfalls, many schools in Belize rely on funding from parents in order to cover basic expenses like chalkboards, pens, papers, and utility bills. Many disadvantaged families are unable to cover the costs of these fees, and a disproportionately high number of children in Belize drop out before completing high school.

St. John’s works with disadvantaged families in the region, including children who come from chaotic and unstable backgrounds. Much more than just a place of learning, St. John’s and other schools also play important social roles that would have, in the past, been fulfilled by families.

In addition, guests of Chabil Mar have also brought much-needed veterinary supplies for the Placencia Humane Society (PHS). These supplies included medicines and other medical equipment to help care for, house, and spay/neuter animals in the Placencia region. Thanks to noble contributions by guests of Chabil Mar, the Placencia Humane Society was able to set up a full-time veterinary clinic.

The PHS now has a fully-equipped surgical room, storage area, and all the basic office necessities to provide spaying/neutering services and other basic veterinary care in Placencia as well as the nearby communities of Santa Cruz, Independence, and Georgetown.

On behalf of the people of the Placencia region, Chabil Mar would like to thank all of our guests who participated in the Pack for a Purpose program for their generosity. Long after they have returned home from their vacation, these humble yet noble contributions will continue to help create a better future for all of Belize.

Once an isolated backwater that was difficult to reach, in recent years, Belize has emerged as one of the top destinations for American travelers seeking an alternative to overcrowded vacation spots in Mexico and across the Caribbean.

In a recent article published by CNBC, Belize was identified as a top destination for travelers wishing to avoid both overcrowded beach destinations as well as Caribbean tourist hotspots that suffered damage during last year’s hurricanes. Located just south of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Belize was untouched by 2017’s spate of hurricanes and has hundreds of miles of pristine beaches and offshore islands to explore.

If you’re looking for an alternative to Mexico and Caribbean destinations, here are five great reasons to choose Belize:

Friendliness

In Belize, the locals are world-renowned for their genuine friendliness and hospitality. Instead of being treated as a meal ticket, visitors in Belize are warmly welcomed as part of the family. Oh, and everybody speaks English as Belize was formerly a British colony.

Natural Beauty

More than half of Belize’s territory is in the form of a national park, protected conservation area, or a wilderness sanctuary. Simply put, Belize’s greatest asset is its incredibly diverse nature, including pristine rainforests, thick jungles, and vast broadleaf forests that are home to a cornucopia of tropical birds, flowering plants, and exotic wildlife.

Diversity

Belize has fewer than 380,000 residents, but the country is home to several diverse cultures, including the living descendants of the Maya who built enormous pyramids and temples all across the landscape. Visiting Belize is a great chance to learn more about local cultures and traditional handicrafts, music, and food.

Outdoor Adventures

Whether it’s snorkeling and scuba diving on the offshore reef or horseback riding, bird watching, and zip lining on the mainland, there’s no shortage of amazing things to do and see in Belize. Other popular activities include cave tubing (floating down underground rivers), sea kayaking, rock climbing and rappelling, and visiting animal rescue centers and organic farms.

Fun

In Belize, it’s really easy to have fun. Life in Belize follows a laid-back, Caribbean approach, and it seems like there’s always a party, festival, or holiday going on. If modern life has you stressed out, there’s no better cure than a vacation in Belize!

If you’re coming to Belize, be sure to book your reservations with Chabil Mar Resort. With luxuriously appointed villas, Chabil Mar is an oasis of lush tropical beauty located on the Caribbean coast of southeastern Belize.

For more 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.

It only takes 30 minutes to fly from Belize City to Placencia, a charming fishing community located on the country’s southern coast. Just half a mile wide, the Placencia Peninsula is a 16-mile long stretch of golden sands sandwiched between the Caribbean Sea on the east and a mangrove-lined lagoon on the west. With a laidback attitude, this coastal area is becoming one of the top destinations for visitors interested in enjoying a wonderful beach vacation.

The “capital” of the peninsula is Placencia Village, home to around 1,500 people and a charming collection of juice bars, yoga studios, cafes, and Instagram-ready street murals. But it’s Placencia’s proximity to so many of Belize’s most beautiful natural attractions that makes it a popular destination for visitors.

On the mainland, Placencia is located just a few miles from the vast Cockscomb Basin Wilderness Sanctuary (CBWS), home to the world’s very first jaguar conservation project. The CBWS is also home to an incredible variety of terrains, including mountain slopes, wetlands, and tracts of virgin rainforest that teem with an incredible variety of flowering plants, birds, and animals.

Also on the mainland near to Placencia is the well-named Monkey River, a pristine watercourse that wends its way through some of the most spectacular jungle scenery in the country. Boat tours on the Monkey River allow visitors to explore the jungle while learning more about the plants and animals that thrive there.

Many visitors to Placencia, however, prefer to head east, out into the shimmering waters of the Caribbean Sea. Belize is home to hundreds of islands strung out like jewels along the length of the world’s second-largest barrier reef. National parks and protected marine areas such as Laughing Bird Caye and the Silk Cayes are where some of the best scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing spots in the world can be found.

And last, but definitely not least, the reef is also where you’ll find whale sharks. The largest non-mammalian creatures in the oceans, whale sharks visit Belize every year in the springtime, giving divers and snorkelers a unique chance to interact with these gentle giants.

Looking for the perfect beach resort to stay on your summer vacation in Belize? Chabil Mar is a boutique seaside resort in Placencia with its own private beach, lush tropical garden, and features luxuriously appointed villas. Chabil Mar in the local Maya language means “Beautiful Sea,” the perfect description for this little corner of paradise located in Placencia, Belize.

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.

May is the official start to the summer season in Belize and the perfect time to enjoy a fantastic vacation in this gorgeous country. Whether you’re looking for a getaway destination to celebrate Mother’s Day, want to enjoy an unforgettable honeymoon, or are searching for a great place for your next family vacation, Belize has it all.

And no place in Belize is better than the fabulous Placencia Peninsula, home to the most beautiful beaches in a country with hundreds of miles of Caribbean coastline. Called the “Island You Can Walk To,” Placencia is a narrow isthmus of land on the southern coast of Belize.

Here are some of the amazing things you can enjoy in Placencia, Belize in May:

Great Weather

In the mood for a swim? Or just want to enjoy a relaxing stroll along the beach? Well, the month of May is the perfect time to visit Placencia. This area of the country sees water temperatures of 81° F (28° C) and air temperatures of around 82° F (28° C) during the day and pleasantly cool evenings.

Perfect!

Whale Sharks

Whale sharks are the largest non-mammalian creatures in the world’s oceans, approximately double the size and weight of a semi truck. But they feed exclusively on microscopic plankton and fish spawn, so whale sharks don’t pose any danger to humans.

Whale sharks only visit Belize once a year, and May is the perfect time to see them in the wild. Scuba diving or snorkeling amidst these gentle giants is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Chocolate Festival

Did you know that the Maya have been making chocolate in Belize for thousands of years? It’s true. And few events garner as much excitement as the annual Chocolate Festival in southern Belize.

From May 18-20, 2018, the town of Punta Gorda will be home to all things chocolate, including interesting items like chocolate beer and chocolate soap. Every Belizean chocolate producer will be on hand to tempt your taste buds with their finest creations. This three-day festival also features live music, street fairs, cultural displays, and games for the whole family to enjoy.

On your Belize vacation, why not stay at the lovely Chabil Mar resort? In the Mayan language, Chabil Mar means “Beautiful Sea,” the perfect description for this boutique beachfront resort located just a short stroll from Placencia Village. Chabil Mar has two infinity pools, a tropical garden dripping with flowers, and is immersed in the natural beauty of Belize.

For more information about travelling to Belize this May, 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.