Month: June 2022

If lying in the sun non-stop is your idea of a fabulous Belize vacation, stop reading now. We’re exploring the adventurous side of Belize and it’s not for wimps!

Everyone’s vacation style is unique and we certainly don’t want to put people down who are eager to do nothing more than veg on the beach. But what a wasted trip that would be! Belize is a hotbed of adventure that includes hiking jungles and rainforests, diving the Belize Barrier Reef and if you haven’t zip lined in paradise, you don’t know what you’re missing.

What can you expect…

…if you pack your hiking boots, dive gear and very little else? A euphoric, challenging holiday in a nation that measures just 8,867 miles in size, yet it’s possible to undertake twice the number of adventures you might in a larger nation, even if your vacation time is limited. And since everyone speaks English and U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere, you haven’t a single reason to stay home.

What’s the secret to memorable adventures in Belize? A home base that’s a tranquil haven of posh digs, gourmet food and the most helpful staff on the planet: Chabil Mar Villas. Whether your idea of fun is going off on your own or you rely upon tours, say the word and staff will get you where you want to go safely and quickly.

Push your limits!

-Stroll Belize’s version of Hollywood. So many celebs flock to Ambergris Caye, you can practically hear Madonna sing about San Pedro Town. There’s lots on the Ambergris adventure menu but a nighttime croc-watching tour at the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary should get you started nicely.

-A Belize Barrier Reef tour offers the ultimate in snorkeling and diving. Go deep-sea fishing, too. Meet all manner of critters hanging out at the reef and around the ocean; spot everything from giant turtles to reef sharks–and fellow divers of course.

-You’ll need sturdy boots to explore the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, but a reward awaits at the end of your trek: swim in dramatic waterfalls like Big Rock Falls and Rio On Pools to cool down once you’ve logged an impressive number of miles required to reach these gorgeous spots.

-See how many of the 900 Maya ruins you can get to during your Chabil Mar stay. Since you’re staying at one of the most centrally-located districts in Belize, you can rack up a sizeable number of ancient cities, caves and ceremonial sites during your visit.

-Run with the big cats. Literally. Forest preserves, parks and sanctuaries serve as home to endangered jaguars, puma and cats you’ll find only in zoos or on the pages of National Geographic magazine. You probably won’t have to run from them because many are surprisingly shy, but plan to cover serious ground by foot to reach these remote areas.

-You’re invited to pick up the pace in a way that is guaranteed to fill you with joy: Visit villages that are home to Belize’s Garifuna people, declared the friendliest people in the nation. You cannot end your adventures without learning to drum and dance Garifuna style. Say the word and your Chabil Mar host will make sure you do it all!

For more information about Belize and Chabil Mar, chat with our Concierge at: concierge@chabilmarvillas.com or contact our Reservations Manager at: reservations@chabilmarvillas.com. Perhaps you would like to call toll free from the US or Canada: 1-866-417-2377.

The secret to maximizing your Belize vacation time? Stay at Chabil Mar, the award-winning resort in Placencia, where you’ll spend your time seeing the sites instead of shuttling to and from them!

Nomadic Matt may be young, but his travel blog is a favorite of people of all ages, especially those who complain that they can’t find time to get to the places they’ve jotted down on their “must-see” lists.

“You have more travel time than you think,” he writes, advising intrepid travelers to get their priorities straight. One of his most valuable tips? Forget going around the world in search of thrills; find them close to home. We agree. This is why the short flight to Belize makes this nation the ideal destination.

Here’s another reason Matt would approve of your decision to visit Belize: You can maximize your time thanks to this nation’s small size. At just 8,867 square miles, it’s the size of Vermont and just as easy to get around, thus your Chabil Mar Resort digs are right in the middle of the action and the place you start each of these tours.

1. Monkey River and manatee watch tour

If your passion for animals knows no bounds, Belize’s Monkey River and Manatee Watch excursions should be first on your list of “must sees” because you can do them both on the same day. Thanks to a unique mangrove ecosystem, the river and its banks are home to myriad wildlife species and opportunities to spot endangered manatee, gentle vegetarians, can be life-affirming. This awesome combo tour is conducted year-round.

2. Island hop by boat, kayak or catamaran

Belize’s coastline is magnificent, so it stands to reason that exploring it by boat, kayak or catamaran belongs on this list. See for yourself why Laughing Bird Caye and the Silk Cayes are perennial favorites for visitors, and since Chabil Mar equips you for these excursions, you can choose to pilot a craft or leave the job to someone else.

3. Attend Belize festivals

If you adore festivals and can’t attend enough of them, you’ve got to print this calendar out before you arrive. From extravagant to delightful and from delicious to heart-warming, Placencia’s annual festival schedule is always filled with delights, and getting to any or all of them is as easy as telling Chabil Mar resort staff you want to go.

4. Explore the peninsula by bicycle or golf cart

People skipping vacations because they fear that their hard-earned fitness efforts will fall by the wayside are wise to choose Chabil Mar as their resort of choice because guests can stay as active as they like courtesy of the resort’s complimentary bicycles, golf carts, and water toys. Staff can’t control what you eat but they can guarantee opportunities to work off those pounds!

5. Hike Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (CBWS)

Few non-profits are as beloved as Belize’s Audubon Society. Round out your top 5 tour list with a visit to CBWS to see how much this group contributes to Belize wildlife initiatives. As the world’s first jaguar preserve, this park is the closest place to Eden you’ll find in today’s world. Take in magnificent waterfalls, nature trails and mountains. Spot animal tracks and observe exotic birds. Make this sanctuary your last stop before leaving and a smile will remain on your face until you deplane back home!

Visit our website chabilmarvillas.com for more information on southern Belize, and don’t hesitate to send us an email, or call US/CAN Toll Free: 1-866-417-2377, Local: (011-501) 523-3606, if you have questions or need help in planning a Belize vacation.