May 2022 - Chabil Mar Villas

The Best Months to Travel to Placencia Belize: Planning Your Visit

Posted on May 23, 2022

If you come from a big family, you know that siblings are cut from a different cloth – unless they are identical twins. One says the perfect vacation is beach time. Another insists that only activities like hiking will do. A third won’t go anywhere that doesn’t include museums and cultural arts. Sound like your family? Don’t fret. There’s a vacation solution everyone will applaud: Come to Belize.

For the most amount of variety, stay in the middle of the action at Chabil Mar on the Placencia peninsula where a mix of onsite and offsite activities are guaranteed to delight even the pickiest traveler.

Chabil Mar’s Belize vacation packages mean carefree stays because you pay a single price for lovely accommodations, meals, recreational opportunities, and more. While browsing that page, don’t miss current special deals that save guests even more.

When to come to Placencia Belize? Any time the spirit moves you

By sojourning at Chabil Mar along the 16-mile-long Placencia peninsula you’ll have access to the nation’s most popular attractions and celebrations, so there is no bad time to come to Belize, as you’ll see when you browse this list:

•January 1: New Year’s Day. Break out the spirits. Chabil Mar packages include your fill of local spirits.

•February 14: You’ll fall in love with the Placencia Peninsula Arts Association Sidewalk Arts Festival.

•March 7: National Heroes and Benefactors Day. Can people who shaped Belize be celebrated too often?

•March 9: Baron Bliss Day. This Brit is a hero, too, after willing a large fortune to the Belize people.

•April 15-18: Spend Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter at houses of worship throughout the nation.

•May 2: You can attend Labour Day festivities recommended by your resort host.

•May 23: Commonwealth Day pays homage to the consolidation of 54 nations belonging to the British Empire.

•June/July: Lobsterfest starts. Look for raffles, fishing tournaments, and festivals, and eat your share of shellfish!

•August: Summer games include a Country Fest soccer tournament, beach volleyball meets, and more.

•September 10: Saint George’s Caye Day commemorates an important 1798 British/Spanish battle.

•September 21: Independence Day: Full autonomy returned to the Belize people in 1981 is a reason to rejoice.

•October 10: Indigenous People’s Resistance Day memorializes continental struggles for independence.

•November 19: Garifuna Settlement Day: Celebrates the deep impact made by Afro-Caribbeans who invite the world to dance, sing and drum with wild abandon.

•Early December: The End of the World Marathon is a tradition embraced by visitors and citizens that also raises funds for high school scholarships.

•December 25: Christmas Day for folks who live in northern climes is heavenly.

•December 27: Boxing Day. This public holiday is best known for sporting events and shopping.

There’s plenty more to celebrate and your Chabil Mar resort host is happy to update this list, get you anywhere you want to go, and bring you back to your beautiful digs. As you can see, every month is the best month to visit – and when you discover how delighted Belizeans are to have tourists join in the fun, you’ll want to keep coming back year-round just to see what you might have missed during your last visit!

For more information about Belize and 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 or WhatsApp us at +501-633-7547.

Belize Garifuna Settlement Day Celebration 2022

Posted on May 23, 2022

Every year on November 19, Belize commemorates Garifuna Settlement Day in remembrance of the epic journey of the Garifuna people to the shores of Belize. Originally descended from imported African slaves who intermarried with local Carib and Arawak peoples in the Caribbean, primarily on the island of St. Vincent, the Garifuna rose up against the British at the end of the 18th century. Britain, after winning several wars against France, began putting down the Garifuna rebellion, only succeeding in 1796.

Hounded by the British, the Garifuna made their way westward through the Caribbean Sea, stopping on the island of Roatan in what is now Honduras. Using dugout canoes, the Garifuna pushed on to avoid British maritime forces, eventually arriving in Belize on November 19, 1802. Their contributions to Belizean society were formally recognized in 1975 when Garifuna Settlement Day first became a national holiday.

Garifuna Settlement Day is a chance for visitors and locals throughout the country to taste Garifuna food favorites like cassava bread, hudut (a fish stew made with bananas) and darasa (similar to tamales but with green bananas and coconut milk), watch traditional dances like the Jankanu Dance, and listen to both traditional and Garifuna music.

The Garifuna have made substantial contributions to the musical scene in Belize, creating and shaping popular genres like punta and punta rock. Garifuna drumming, using instruments made from locally-sourced hardwoods and animal skins, is one of the most iconic features with its steady percussion of African rhythms and beats. In 2001, UNESCO proclaimed that the dance, music, and language of the Garifuna was a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

In towns with a significant Garifuna population, the holiday begins at dawn with a re-enactment of the epic voyage across the water in dugout canoes, followed by dancing, music, drumming, parades, games, and lots and lots of food. Look for the Garifuna flag with black, white, and yellow horizontal stripes that represent the sun, peace, and pride.

Chabil Mar is an award-winning luxury resort located on the Placencia Peninsula and is near some of the best Garifuna towns to celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day like Seine Bight, Dangriga, Punta Gorda, and Hopkins. With elegantly appointed villas, a lush tropical garden, and Cafe Mar, one of the country’s finest restaurants, on-site, Chabil Mar is the epitome of Beauty by Belize, Luxury by Design.

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Belize’s Chabil Mar Resort Lands Tripadvisor Best of the Best Designation for 2022

Posted on May 17, 2022

Charlotte and Ian grew weary of counting on friends and family for vacation recommendations because their suggestions seemed always to fall short of the holiday experience for which the couple longed. Then one day, they learned about Tripadvisor and decided to take a chance on following this travel authority’s suggestion after selecting Belize as their next destination.

Talk about excellent timing!

The pair, hungry for a truly enriching holiday after so many disappointments, were convinced of the merits of Chabil Mar on the Placencia peninsula as soon as they learned that this resort had just been awarded a 2022 Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice “Best of the Best” designation in the category of Top Small Stays in Central America.

Small stays, defined by Tripadvisor as “intimate hotels that make big impressions,” were just what Charlotte and Ian wanted and they acted on the recommendation. You will feel the same way because these honors are based on guest feedback – and you know the public isn’t shy about sharing opinions!

What is Best of the Best?

It’s the highest recognition Tripadvisor confers each year after top selections are culled from reviews put forth by travelers weighing in on the top 1% of international properties evaluated based on scientific methods used to make sure every accolade is properly awarded.

“Tripadvisor reigns supreme,” noted Nancy Huang, Pegasus senior marketing director. Her research proves that while Google, Facebook, and Yelp exert some sway, Tripadvisor not only has the most significant influence over folks trolling for vacation information, but its influence is growing. For that reason alone, the public trusts this resource and counts on recommendations and reviews to keep up this tradition.

It’s easy to see why Chabil Mar keeps adding awards

From the moment they arrived on Chabil Mar grounds, both Charlotte and Ian were impressed by the welcoming staff, pristine beachfront, lush accommodations, and premier location along the coastline of this popular peninsula. Having been named a top pick in several categories by Tripadvisor for the past 12 years, their expectations were met and then some.

They marveled at the surprising choice of Belize vacation packages that gave them 12 theme options and were delighted to find resort specials that could save them more money if they timed their stay efficiently.

Proximity to the town of Placencia …

… proved to be a bonus since Charlotte and Ian both love browsing small shops, stopping in at pubs, and meeting the locals, but it was the selection of recreational opportunities associated with the package they chose that thrilled them most.

Further, fine dining tropical style was likely a big factor associated with reasons Tripadvisor bestowed upon Chabil Mar a “Best of Best” designation, given the culinary adventure guests rave about when they comment about the resort’s cuisine.

Your review is invited, too

If you’re delighted to finally get to paradise after having your own disappointing past travel experiences, rest assured that consumers contributing to Tripadvisor ratings did not forget to wax poetic about Chabil Mar’s exceptional staff. You’ll understand why during your stay, so your feedback is invited during your sojourn and afterward. After all, 2023 Tripadvisor Reader’s Choice Awards designations are on the horizon. You’ll help other hapless travelers who would love to know about your awesome stay, too!

For more information about Belize and 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 or WhatsApp us at +501-633-7547.

An Extended Family Vacation in Belize: Stay, Play & Learn!

Posted on May 17, 2022

After two long years of a global pandemic, you deserve a nice vacation now that travel is becoming more open and safe again. Belize is the perfect place to take your family for an extended getaway, especially the southern village of Placencia. Read on to discover why this is one of the best places to stay, play and learn in Belize for families.

Stay

Placencia is a resort town located on the Placencia Peninsula of Belize’s quieter southern coast, making it an ideal destination for families wanting to come for an extended vacation. You will want to stay at Chabil Mar, an idyllic resort with 400 feet of private beach nestled between a lush landscape and the stunning Caribbean Sea. Accommodations consist of private villas that are all sea-facing and come with both a private veranda and a personal outdoor dining area.

Play

The list of fun activities families can do is nearly endless. Whether you want some time to relax in a private villa, play on a white sand beach, swim in crystal clear blue water, go snorkeling along beautiful reefs or venture into the jungles of the mainland, your family will find much to do.

Learn

A trip to Belize won’t just be relaxing and fun for your family – it will be educational too. The ancient Mayas inhabited the area going back thousands of years, and there are 14 known sites around Placencia Lagoon alone. You can learn about their way of life and experience the culture of their modern descendants, as well as learn about the wildlife that also calls Belize home.

A Family Vacation Package

Chabil Mar offers a full 7-night family vacation package, which is perfect for families looking for an extended stay and includes:

Flights from Belize City to Placencia and shuttle service between Placencia Village and Chabil Mar.
Four breakfasts, four dinners, and two lunches. For the remaining meals, the resort encourages discovering and patronizing local establishments as well as using your villa’s kitchen and outdoor grills.
Complimentary use of kayaks, bicycles, and paddleboards, as well as four full days of golf cart use.
Half-day of offshore snorkeling.
Your choice of two of the three tours is outlined below. You may also make some substitutions and fees will be adjusted accordingly.

The Lubaantun or Lim Ni Punit Mayan Ruins Tour lets you experience these unique, amazing ancient cultural sites and learn about the people who built them. You can also add on a visit to Xunantunich for an additional charge per person.

The Cockscomb Jaguar Nature Preserve Tour offers visitors the opportunity to visit the only preserve in the world specifically for jaguars. Here you will learn all about the largest cat in the Americas, the threats they face, and the conservation efforts to preserve them.

The Monkey River Howler Adventure takes you by boat along the Monkey River, where you can look for wildlife like crocodiles, birds, iguanas, and, of course, monkeys. You can also go on a short hike along the river’s edge to get a closer look, all accompanied by knowledgeable, friendly local guides.

If your family could use a vacation, Chabil Mar and Placencia, Belize are where to go. There is so much to do, discover and learn here that you will want to think of coming back for more.

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 or WhatsApp us at +501-633-7547.

Why Placencia Should Be On Your Travel Bucket List

Posted on May 17, 2022

Touring the Placencia Peninsula this year would be the best decision if you wish to have a memorable vacation on the pristine Caribbean coast of Belize. From the stunning palm-lined beaches to a magnificent lagoon, the amazing attractions in the area are numerous. Placencia has for long been the best destination for weddings and romantic getaways, not forgetting family and friends’ vacations.

Below are the top things to look out for in your visit to Placencia this year.

Awesome Outdoor Recreational Activities and Expeditions

Enjoy numerous outdoor fun activities like hiking or birdwatching in the area. You could also walk through the serene jungles nearby at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary which is the only jaguar preserve in the world. As the place is known to be a fishing village, expect to also carry out some deep-sea fishing. Kayaking and scuba diving are also some other fun activities you could try out.

Exquisite Restaurants Serving the Very Best Dishes

Wendy’s Creole Restaurant, Tipsy Tuna, and Barefoot Beach Bar are some of the best establishments you should check out. The delicious dishes served here are mainly prepared from the fresh seafood from the Caribbean Sea. For a splendid time, book a reservation at one of these restaurants and enjoy pleasant dinners with your family and friends. Once you are done eating, you can order cocktails and walk the beautiful beaches of Placencia Village.

Great Adventures and Cultural Activities

Expect to see and learn about some of the greatest cultures and historical adventures of the world while visiting Placencia. Visit the Garifuna community of Seine Bight or take a trip to Nim Li Punit or Lubantuum – two popular and ancient Maya cities that are not far away from Placencia. You are also likely to experience and attend local festivals like the Placencia Lobster Fest which is held every year in the summer, where you can try out the local dishes and explore the Placencia arts.

Luxury Accommodations

Good accommodation is guaranteed for everyone who lands in Placencia. There is everything you need to keep you comfortable during your stay, from well-fitted kitchens to spacious living rooms. Visiting with a large family or a group of friends? Worry less because there are spacious two and three-bedroom villas you can check into. Affordable private suites are also available.

The Placencia Peninsula is truly a paradise that should be on your vacation bucket list. Whether you are visiting for a short or longer period, we recommend you try out Chabil Mar for an exclusive and luxurious stay in Placencia this year.