Month: October 2019

The “Battle of the Drums” has been an annual event within Belize since it began in 2006. This cultural highlight has groups competing to best represent five different categories of Garifuna-style drumming; a form of performance that mixes the musical flow of the Caribbean with traditional African instruments.

History

The first Battle of the Drums occurred in Punta Gorda Town on November 17, 2006 and was well-regarded by Belizeans and visitors. 2007’s Battle drew an even larger audience and “drummed up” even more interest. Since 2008, the event has changed to an international competition for drummers, featuring troupes from Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.

Cultural Enrichment

As one might expect, the Battle’s lengthy presence has made it a major attraction within Punta Gorda, attracting interested parties with money to move the economy. The event occurs on whichever Saturday comes before the national holiday of Garifuna Settlement Day (November 19th). 2018’s winner was Ecumenical Junior College, hailing from Dangriga.

All of the money directly spent on the Battle, such as the $20 ticket price, goes toward funding Garifuna cultural projects within Punta Gorda and other Garifuna communities. These projects include summer camps for children age 5-13, programs to teach the Garifuna language and drums in primary schools, a Garifuna translation contest and so on.

On Garifuna Music and Drumming

The music of the Garifuna people is incredibly energetic and the drums used in such performances are made of hardwood and shrouded in animal hides. Drumming has been a part of the Garifuna identity since before they arrived in Belize and continues to be taught to this day.

For those visitors who still want to rock out and jam on after the Battle concludes, the Belize Garifuna Musical Festival is scheduled to begins bright and early on the day after the Battle. Because Garifuna music covers more than just drums, anyone visiting this follow-up festival will have a chance to experience genres like gunjei, hungu hungu, paranda, punta and even the punta rock subgenre.

If you happen to be a music lover or are otherwise planning to visit Belize when the Battle is going on, you will need a place to stay and recover from being so amped up with energy from the performances. To this end, we suggest Chabil Mar, a top-tier resort located within Placencia Village and which is very close to Punta Gorda.

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.

For avid bird-watchers, there are few better places to be than the beautiful Central American nation of Belize. The country’s lush jungles and rainforests are filled with a wide variety of unique birds, such as the keel-billed toucans, lineated woodpeckers, and gartered trogons.

On October 19th and 20th, 2019, the 2nd Annual Belize Birding Festival promises to take the region’s avian appeal to a whole new level. The event, organized by the Belize Audobon Society (BAS), Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), and the Belize Hotel Association (BHA), will take place at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. Renowned birding experts such as Dr. John Fitzpatrick, Dr. H. Lee Jones, and Serge Arias will be present.

While the inaugural festival took place over just one day, the second iteration of the event is set to deliver two days of tours, presentations, exhibitions, and conferences. The first day will begin with an Urban Bird Walk, a three-hour hike through the bird-filled San Ignacio area. Throughout the rest of the day, visitors will be able to spend time on the exhibition room floor, attend the keynote address, view the panel discussion, and enter competitions and raffles. The day will conclude with cocktails and snacks by the pool.

Day two looks set to be just as exciting. Attendees can begin the day with a birding excursion to Black Rock, Cahal Pech, or the Crested Caracara Provete Teserven Private Reserve. During the rest of the day, visitors can tour the exhibits, attend a Q&A session, and attend a discussion about bird watching in Central America. There will even be another round of competitions and prizes. The day will finish with a thank you address by the organizers and the presentation of awards.

Whether you want to attend the 2nd Annual Belize Birding Festival in October or just want to visit Belize to marvel in its natural beauty, you will undoubtedly need a place to stay. Chabil Mar in Placencia, Belize is an excellent option. Our villas are luxuriously appointed and our location provides easy access to a host of nearby sights and attractions.

Put simply, there’s a lot to love about this amazing resort. If you would like to learn more, contact our team, or make a booking, all you need to do is visit the website.

Tropic Air has introduced weekly air tour flights from Placencia to the Blue Hole of Belize. Starting November 13, 2019, the hour-long air tours will give visitors an aerial view of one of Belize’s top attractions.

The Beauty of the Blue Hole

The Blue Hole is a 300-foot-wide ocean sinkhole located close to the Belize Barrier Reef. It is part of the site that was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Blue Hole is one of the most prized destinations in the world for scuba divers and ocean explorers.

The Blue Hole is recommended as a scuba trip only for the most advanced, experienced divers. Because of this, few people have been able to visit it. The new air flights allow more people to witness a spectacular attraction in Belize.

The Blue Hole extends almost 500 feet below the surface. It is filled with natural stone and coral formations. It attracts colorful fish, sea turtles, several varieties of shark, manatees and dolphins.

Comfortable Travel and Spectacular Views

Topic Air’s new flights allow tourists who do not snorkel or scuba dive to see the Blue Hole in all its stunning and mysterious beauty.

Each air tour holds 11 passengers. The planes feature comfortable seating, air conditioning and large windows. Each pilot is also a tour guide who is knowledgeable about Belize’s natural history.

Placencia is a Popular Destination

The Placencia Peninsula has become an increasingly popular tourist destination in Belize. Part of the reason is its proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef and the Blue Hole.

“The time is now right to offer a scheduled flight for the growing tourism market in the peninsula,” said Tropic Air president John Grieff. “We know visitors to Placencia want the opportunity to experience Belize’s number one attraction the way it should be seen, from the air, and we will deliver.”

Tourists also enjoy the charm and convenience of Placencia Village.

Chabil Mar Welcomes New Arrivals to Placencia

Chabil Mar Villas is pleased to know that Tropic Air’s new flights will allow more people to view one of the most stunning sights in Belize.

We welcome everyone who’s traveling to Belize to stay at our centrally located, luxury resort in the Placencia Peninsula. Our posh resort provides the ideal location for visiting the Blue Hole and charming Placencia Village. Contact us today to schedule your best Belize vacation.