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Month: January 2023

Take A Snorkeling And Scuba Diving Trip to Belize This Year!

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Belize Scuba Diving Trips

Explore the World Beneath the Waves at Chabil Mar

The calm, ecologically diverse, and often sparkling clear waters of the Caribbean have long made it a favored spot for divers from around the world, but Belize in particular has a special place in a lot of hearts. There’s an obvious reason for that too. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest reef of its kind in the world, and that uniqueness has transformed it into one of the most colorful and vibrant marine ecosystems around.

Belize Snorkeling and Scuba Diving Trips

Sustainable Marine Ecosystems

Fortunately, the Belize government recognizes the inherent value of the Belize Barrier Reef both for the tourism industry and for its uniqueness. While the reef system was once on UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites in danger, it’s since been removed thanks to substantial conservation efforts on the part of the Belize government. That’s obviously a big win for the environment and for future generations, but it also means that the diving and snorkeling sites off of Belize’s coast and near the barrier reef are going to continue to be majestic for a long time to come.

Placencia: The Gateway to the Best Dive Spots

If there’s one thing there’s no shortage of along Belize’s east coast, it’s idyllic dive spots. The Belize Barrier Reef is nearly 200 miles long, and the surrounding waters are home to over 400 cayes. But there are tantalizing places for snorkeling and scuba diving directly from the mainland too. Placencia itself is a narrow peninsula that stretches approximately 16 miles from North to South, and the nearby Silk Cayes are the well-regarded diving spots in Belize. All told, there are over 20 named dive spots just in the southern region surrounding Placencia.

Belize Scuba Diving Resort

A Diving and Snorkeling Package Suited to You

Chabil Mar is one of the most popular beach resorts in Placencia, so it’s only natural that we offer a range of Belize vacation packages for visitors looking to scuba dive or snorkel. The truly adventurous will love the 7 night stay that will take them all up and down the coast, but more modest options are available as well. And for those who want something really special and can be flexible with their schedule, the spring and early summer months bring gentle whale sharks to the coast that you can swim with.

Placencia Named the Perfect Coastal Town for a Quiet Vacation

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The travel magazine The Travel has listed Placencia, Belize, as one of its “10 Beautiful Coastal Towns to Enjoy Some Quiet Vacation.”

As the article says, “Placencia…graces visitors with plenty of white sand beaches and scenic forest areas. Placencia is a place where one can forget all their cares and just enjoy some luxury and scenery at one of the numerous beach resorts.”

Where Is Placencia?

Placencia sits on the southern tip of the Placencia Peninsula, a 16-mile curved coastline of stunning beaches.

Placencia has a slow, easy pace, and you’ll find yourself slowing down to match it. While you’re here, you’ll enjoy sun-soaked days and relaxing nights.

Take It Easy in Placencia

Have the Time of Your Life at Placencia Belize’s Chabil Mar

With white sand, swaying palms, and a laid-back, friendly atmosphere, Placencia is perfect for people seeking a quiet getaway. Placencia Village, the largest destination on the peninsula, is a short walk from the beachfront. You can stroll through it easily as you check out the dining spots, nightclubs, and shops.

Best Things to Do in Placencia

Bleisure travel in Belize

Some people choose to spend their Placencia vacation on the beach. There’s nothing wrong with that, but there are plenty of other activities you should be sure to try while you’re here.

• Check out a beach bar: Placencia has some great beach bars to go with its wonderful beaches. Sit on a waterside dock while you enjoy a frosty tropical drink and watch the sunset.
• Try Belizean food: Food is fresh, affordable, and delicious in Belize. Be sure to try some local specialties like fry jacks, escabeche soup, and rice and beans with stew chicken or fry fish which are a national dish here.
• Enjoy the water: Kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, and diving are all popular activities here. Placencia is world famous for the gorgeous marine life in its surrounding waters.
• Visit a wildlife sanctuary: Placencia is close to some of Belize’s most beautiful marine reserves and wildlife sanctuaries, including Laughing Bird Caye National Park and Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Where to Stay in Placencia

Aerial Chabil Mar Resort Belize 2-min

At Chabil Mar, you’ll have everything you need for a blissful Belize getaway. Walking distance to Placencia Village, the resort offers private beachfront villas, two infinity swimming pools, on-site dining, and gorgeous landscaping. With tour offerings and great guest amenities, you’ll enjoy the best of Placencia.

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.  

Belize: One Of The Best Places To Visit In 2023

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Belize: One Of The Best Places To Visit In 2023

Whether you are looking to finally get an escape from your day-to-day or looking for someplace novel for a regular yearly trip, consider the little tropical paradise known as Belize as your next vacation destination. Located along the Caribbean Sea and neighboring Mexico and Guatemala, this little tropical locale offers a variety of different, lush ecosystems and comes with the wonderful quirk of being the only Central American nation with English as its official language. Furthermore, CNN Travel has described the nation as a must-visit spot in 2023.

For a better idea of just why CNN Travel is one of the outlets advocating for Belize as being worth the time of global travelers, consider the following points.

  • Ease of Arrival. There are around a dozen different North American airports that offer direct flights to and from Belize City. The relative closeness of Belize to North America also means it is considerably cheaper than trips that cross the Atlantic or Pacific.

Ease of Arrival

  • The Coastline. Coastal explorers can check out spots like the Belize Barrier Reef, known as the second-largest barrier reef on the planet, and the Great Blue Hole, a startlingly deep underwater sinkhole that has become a haven for scuba divers and photographers.

The Coastline

  • Varied terrain. Belize is more than just a country with an amazing coastline. Head inland and you can discover vivacious rainforests, networks of underground caves that even allow for traveling through via inner tubes, and a robust number of archaeological sites connected to the Ancient Maya. Whether you are interested in Altun Ha, Lamanai, or any other variety of local adventure, terrestrial Belize can more than satisfy your need to explore.

Varied terrain

  • The People. Belize’s beauty has encouraged many cultures to call it home. Whether want to meet ex-pats or learn about indigenous people like the Garifuna and Maya, you are likely to be welcomed with a smile and maybe asked if you’ve eaten.

The People

If any of these points are remotely appealing to you, you will need a base of operations for your expeditions and excursions. Fortunately, Belize is small enough that you only need one base and Placencia is among the best possible options you could have in 2023. In addition to offering easy access to anywhere you would want to see, Placencia is also where you can find Chabil Mar, one of the country’s top-tier beach resorts.

Belize: One Of The Best Places To Visit

Xunantunich Mayan Ruins

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xunantunich

Xunantunich Mayan Ruins in Belize

Pronounced shoo-na-too-nitch by most people, this ancient Maya site is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. With an interactive museum on site, visitors can learn about this majestic city that was once a luxury residence for Maya elites. Today, visitors approach the site by crossing the Mopan River using a hand-cranked ferry and then climbing to the top of one of the site’s fabulous temples to be rewarded with an amazingly panoramic view of the countryside.

About Xunantunich

In modern Belize, Xunantunich is located just a short distance from the town of San Ignacio in Cayo District and one mile north of the border with Guatemala at Benque Viejo. Built on a natural limestone ridge, the site was constructed to serve elite nobles and their retinue during the Classic Period.

With a central area measuring just 300 square meters (3,230 square feet) in size, Xunantunich isn’t the largest Maya ruin in Belize, but it’s unique residential structures and ceremonial center make the site one of the top attractions in the country. One of the first lost cities rediscovered in the modern era (excavations first began in 1892), archeological renovations at Xunantunich have revealed three ceremonial plazas, houses, and a large palace decorated with friezes and masks.

The most famous building in Xunantunich is “El Castillo” (The Castle), a pyramid soaring 130 feet above the main plaza. El Castillo was the tallest man-made structure in the country until the Sky Temple at the Maya site of Caracol was discovered a few decades ago. El Castillo is remarkable due to its large stucco frieze on its eastern side that details stories of the gods and stories from Maya creationist myths. Xunantunich was heavily populated until an abrupt event in the Classic Period that left the top of “El Castillo” partially damaged.

Although no one knows the original name of the city, today the site is called the “Stone Lady” (Xunatunich in modern Mayan) due to persistent stories of a woman in white that haunted the original British archeologists and has been regularly seen even up until modern times.

Chabil Mar in Placencia Belize & Xunantunich

The lovely Chabil Mar resort on the Placencia Peninsula is close to all of the most exciting mainland destinations in Belize. Guests of the resort can include a visit to Xunantunich as part of one of Chabil Mar’s fantastic Belize Reef & Jungle vacation packages.

Visit our website chabilmarvillas.com for more information on 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.

3 Beautiful and Enchanting Mayan Ruins to Explore in Southern Belize

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The Maya Empire was among the most advanced civilizations in the world for more than 2,000 years, and the epicenter of the civilization was located in Belize. At the civilization’s peak, the area now known as Belize was home to more than two million Mayan people, making it one of the most densely populated areas of the Mayan civilization in Mesoamerica.

Many who visit Belize today will take time to explore some of the Mayan sites located across the country, and three of the most overlooked yet fascinating archaeological sites to visit are Nim Li Punit, Lubaantun and Uxbenka. With a closer look at what these Mayan ruins have to offer, you may decide to spend time exploring them on your upcoming trip to Belize.

Nim Li Punit

nim li punit
The Nim Li Punit ruins sit in a scenic location overlooking the Toledo plains and rain forest area. The site features a ball court, a pyramid and a main plaza as well as several other buildings that you can explore in greater detail. The area notably has 26 stellas and fascinating carvings that make it unique from other Mayan ruins. In fact, one of the carved columns is the largest of its kind in Belize.

See also: The Best Maya Temple Sites to Visit in Belize

Lubaantun

Lubaantun-Mayan Ruins Belize

Situated in the southern end of the Toledo District, the Lubaantun ruins are also worthy of spending time exploring while you are in southern Belize. Lubaantun was once a ceremonial center of the Mayan civilization, and it boasts several large pyramids and residential buildings that you can explore in greater detail during your visit. The ruins uniquely have no mortar binding them, and some of the buildings were made from perishable materials. Because of this, the area is known as the “Place of the Fallen Stones.”

Uxbenka

Uxbenka

Uxbenka is the smallest of these three Mayan ruins, but it is fascinating to explore. It is also a ceremonial site that offers stunning views of the Blue Creek Canyon and the Maya Mountains in the distance. Notably, the area has a main plaza and several smaller plazas, terraced grounds, seven stellas, a water supply tower and an open tomb.

If you are interested in exploring any of these 3 Mayan sites or other ancient Mayan cities while on your Belize vacation, 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.

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