Month: November 2023

One of the great things about visiting Belize is that there’s always something going on. No matter what time of year you come to Belize, you can join in on the fun with one of the country’s many exciting festivals, holidays, and events.

Here are 5 festivals in Belize that you shouldn’t miss in 2024.

Placencia Lobsterfest

Summer kicks off with style every July on the Placencia Peninsula with a festive three-day party that celebrates the mighty lobster. Local chefs compete to create the most savory dish from the world’s favorite crustacean while diners work to burn off all those extra calories with fun games, live music, and a beach party that lasts until dawn. There’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy, including other seafood treats, face painting, and homemade handicrafts and artwork for sale.

In 2024, the Lobsterfest in Placencia will run from July 5th to 7th.

September Celebrations

Sometimes it seems as though the entire month of September is one big holiday. Beginning on September 10, the national holiday of St. George’s Caye Day celebrates the historic 1798 triumph of British settlers over a Spanish armada which led to Belize becoming the only English-speaking country in the region. Patriotic celebrations, parades, and red, white, and blue (the national colors of Belize) festooned everywhere culminate with big bang on September 21, Independence Day, celebrating the moment in 1981 when Belize became a free and independent nation.

Garifuna Settlement Day

More than 200 years ago, the Garifuna people were exiled from their Caribbean home after an uprising against the British. Seeking sanctuary, the Garifuna arrived in Belize on a fleet of dugout canoes, an event which is re-enacted on the morning of November 19 every year for the national holiday of Garifuna Settlement Day. Although the Garifuna compromise only 4% of Belize’s population, their contribution to music, dance, and food has the whole country celebrating on November 19.

Mango Festival in Hopkins

Many consider the mango to be the tastiest tropical fruit grown in Belize, and the idyllic coastal village of Hopkins grows no fewer than 20 different varieties. Besides all the tasty fruit and mango-themed dishes, there’s live music, games, contests, and dancing in the street to herald the arrival of the mango crop.

In 2024, the Hopkins Mangofest is scheduled for the first week in June.

Belize Chocolate Festival

The Chocolate Festival of Belize is set to make a tantalizing comeback in Toledo from May 17th to 19th, 2024. Celebrating Belize’s rich, ancient chocolate heritage, this festival promises an indulgent journey through the world of cacao. Visitors can look forward to a delectable array of chocolate-themed events, tastings, and cultural experiences, showcasing the unique flavors and traditions of Belizean chocolate.

It’s an unmissable event for chocolate enthusiasts and cultural explorers alike.

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.

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Now perched on the highest hill overlooking San Ignacio Town, the Maya ruins of Cahal Pech were originally built as an enclave for the elite. Located in a gorgeous natural setting and surrounded by tropical birds and colorful jungle fauna, Cahal Pech is one of the most popular visitor attractions in Belize. An informative museum on the grounds gives visitors an introduction to the hilltop city and features a dazzling collection of artifacts found at the site.

Layout of Cahal Pech Maya Ruins

Today, archeologists have excavated a total of 34 structures in Cahal Pech in an area measuring just over two acres in size. The “downtown” portion of Cahal Pech includes several temple pyramids, residence buildings, and seven impressive courtyards. The tallest structure on the site is a temple that measures 77 feet high. Other attractions at Cahal Pech include a ceremonial altar, five historical stelae, and two ball courts.

History of Cahal Pech Maya Ruins

Archeologists estimate that Cahal Pech was first founded around 1,000 years Before the Common Era. During the Classic Period (300-800 of the Common Era) of the Maya civilization, most of the surviving buildings, including the largest temples and palaces, were constructed during this time. Around the year 800, the citizens of Cahal Pech abandoned the city for unknown reasons, particularly mysterious because nearby Maya sites in Belize continued to be thriving population centers for several more centuries.

Although the original name for the site is lost to history, today it is called Cahal Pech, a combination Yucatan/Mopan Maya term meaning “place of the ticks”. This was the name local cattle farmers in the 1950s gave to the area.

Cahal Pech Maya Ruins Tour Information

Visitors to Cahal Pech are encourage to wear comfortable, loose, lightweight clothing and proper shoes. Long pants are recommended over shorts as they will help give additional protection from insects. All visitors are encouraged to bring plenty of drinking water, and fair-skinned individuals are recommended to make ample use of sunscreen and hats.

The Cahal Pech Visitor’s Center is open Monday through Sunday, and contains a reconstructed model of the entire site.

Chabil Mar in Placencia & Cahal Pech Maya Ruins

The award-winning Chabil Mar resort on the Placencia Peninsula offers its guests organized tours and vacation packages that include a visit to Cahal Pech. Guests can choose to include a tour of Cahal Pech as part of the resort’s popular Belize Reef and Jungle vacation package.

For more information about things to see and do in 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.

There are some people with an unquenchable thirst for adventure – and for those people, nature made Belize. Home to an expansive coastline, the world’s second largest barrier reef, and a jungle rich with exotic wildlife and hidden Maya temples and pyramids, there’s nowhere else on the world quite like it. Chabil Mar partners with only the best guides in the country to provide one of a kind experiences tailored to a range of tastes.

Here are ten of the best tours available.

1. Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave

There’s a reason why the Mayas thought the ATM cave offered access to the underworld. Widely regarded as the best-sacred cave in the world, the ATM Cave demands adventurers who aren’t afraid to trudge through overgrown forests and swim through an underground river. The reward is one of the most sobering and well-preserved sites of human sacrifice in the world.

2. Xunantunich Maya Ruins

Xunantunich, or “Sculpture of Lady”, was once one of the largest cities in the Mayan Empire, and some say it’s still haunted by the ghost of a woman with fiery eyes and a white dress. But if you’re willing to brave the excursion and make a climb to the top, you’ll be treated to some of the most breathtaking views of Belize around.

3. Scuba or Snorkeling with Whale Sharks

The whale sharks that populate Belize’s barrier reef are a far cry from Jaws. These gentle giants are a sight to behold, but they’re just a fraction of the beautiful underwater world you’ll experience when you book a scuba or snorkeling excursion.

4. Explore Laughing Bird or Silk Cayes

These twin islands are some of the best spots in the country for snorkeling or diving, and they’re also a testament to Belize’s commitment to ecological preservation. Silk Cayes is home to a number of preserved species that you won’t find anywhere else, and it’s one of the friendliest adventure destinations for families.

5. Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Speaking of preservation, Cockscomb is one of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in Central America. It’s also the number one site in the world if you’re looking to meet jaguars in their natural habitat. The trail system is eminently walkable and provides access to some truly gorgeous waterfalls.

6. Monkey River Tour

Just as Cockscomb is known for their jaguar population, Monkey River is regarded for their thriving population of howler monkeys. This trip allows you to explore on the water and on foot. Even if you don’t catch a glimpse of the monkeys themselves, you’d be hard pressed to miss their signature calls.

7. Zip Lining in the Jungle

Looking for a more immediate adrenaline rush? Zip lining is one of the best options around. The boldest adventurers can start with the 2,300 foot single run, but there are over 12 platforms to try in the Belize jungle, totaling an impressive 2.5 miles in length.

8. Tikal Maya Ruins in Guatemala

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is more than just a crumbling edifice of stone. It’s a remarkably intact vision of one of the most thriving city centers in the Mayan empire. While the five temples are a highlight of Tikal Maya Ruins, there are plenty of squares and palaces to venture into as well.

9. Barton Creek Cave

Belize is a country known for its systems of caves, but Barton Creek Cave is a cut above the rest. It’s second only to ATM in terms of fame. Barton Creek Cave was once an important sacred site for the Mayas, and many of the artifacts of the time are still in place within this cave.

10. St Hermans Blue Hole and National Park

St. Herman’s Cave offers direct access to the Blue Hole – one of the clearest and most refreshing pools for swimming you’ll find anywhere. But the park is also home to the sacred Crystal Cave. This landmark is known for its otherwordly, glimmering crystalline structures.

If you want to go on an adventure you’ll remember for the rest of your life, don’t hesitate to pull the trigger. Book a Belize vacation package with Chabil Mar today.