Month: May 2024

Within the Belize melting pot lives a vibrant community of East Indians who continue to practice traditions brought from their India homeland so very long ago.

Tracking migration patterns can be a fascinating if not complicated business, but there was a clear path to Belize residency for the group of Hindu East Indians who first arrived on the nation’s soil around 1858. About 1000 came in the first wave that year, and by the 1880s, an indentureship program mandated by India’s British colonists added to the community of hard-working people eager to put down roots.

While other East Indians sought work on neighboring Guatemala coffee plantations, new members of the Belize society coalesced in two geographic areas: Belize’s Toledo and Corozal Districts. There they found work on the estates of ex-soldiers who had fought for the Confederate army in the Civil War. Indentureship ended after five years, at which time East Indians began to invest in their own land, growing produce and selling it on the open market.

Sadly, race discrimination dogged East Indians for generations. Stereotypes like “East Indians are better for light agricultural work” than darker-skinned Africans and Garifuna pervaded society, but East Indians– particularly those practicing the Hindu faith–remained undaunted and continued to arrive on Belize shores in the 1920s. At this point, Belize City was home to the largest concentration of East Indian ex-pats.

While people of East Indian descent do not make up a huge portion of Belize society, their presence contributes mightily to the nation’s cultural heritage, economic success and entrepreneurial spirit. And while East Indians have adopted many Belize traditions, beliefs and tenets, they proudly retain their unique identities by dressing in clothing from India, eating Indian foods and practicing social and religious customs.

In fact, if one were to identify one area that is the most commercially successful for East Indians, it would have to be food-related. The importation of spices and operation of eateries serving East Indian foods lend a distinct flavor to this community’s personality, and when new immigrants arrive these days, they bring with them new merchandising talents and skills that contribute to the nation’s economic success.

Generations have passed. Intermarriage has served to further merge ethnicities into the whole fabric that is Belize, and if you’re fascinated to know more about Belize’s East Indian citizenry, you will want to book an authentic Belize vacation at Chabil Mar so you are headquartered in an area with the best proximity to these neighborhoods, markets and cultural sites.

While you’re learning more about these people and their traditions, take advantage of one of Chabil Mar’s money-saving, all inclusive jungle and sea vacation packages. There’s a lot from which to choose as evidenced by the bounty of choices you’ll be offered when you plan your trip. See a tour you like? Follow the sage advice of Benjamin Franklin who said, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today”!

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.

In the evolving landscape of international travel, marked by fluctuating economic indicators and global events, the industry is observing a buoyant resurgence. As challenges that impacted overseas tourism begin to wane, there’s a silver lining: the spirit of wanderlust is rekindling, and the familiar rhythm of travel is making a robust comeback.

Insiders are buzzing about the current travel metrics, which suggest that bookings are soaring to unprecedented levels, eclipsing even the most optimistic projections.

Central America, in particular, is emerging as a significant hub in this travel renaissance. Current market analyses highlight a marked increase in travel sales, underscoring the region’s enduring appeal.

A pivotal detail in this trend is the growing preference of travelers for international journeys. Belize, in particular, is capturing a significant chunk of this interest, celebrated not only for its English-speaking environment but also for the myriad opportunities it presents for travelers to get the most bang for their buck. With its pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and vibrant culture, Belize is quickly establishing itself as a top destination for discerning explorers.

Time to discover Belize for yourself

Obviously, you’ve got lots of choices but why not focus on a seaside resort that not only offers every imaginable water sport under the Belize sun but delivers on affordability via creative Belize packages designed with budgets in mind? Staff at Chabil Mar Villas never met a guest they couldn’t spoil. 

In addition to care and affordability, guests are treated to surprising luxuries. This boutique property, known for its oceanfront villas, accommodation interiors reflecting the nation’s artisan traditions plus roaming butler service, and gourmet dining easily matches those of high-priced resorts. Until you’ve been served a cool beverage by a butler while relaxing on a beautifully groomed private beach, you haven’t experienced paradise.

Skeptical about whether you can afford all of this? 

Don’t be. Chabil Mar’s Belize vacation packages and specials make a 2024 stay at the resort doable, and you can customize your stay to suit your interests and needs. 

From choosing the Yoga Wellness and Lifestyle bundle that focuses on your desire to maintain fitness habits you developed during COVID to thrilling escapades like scuba diving, snorkeling, caving, repelling, zip-lining, and other thrilling adventures you may be ready to try, you could feel conflicted by so many choices. 

Frequent guests find Chabil Mar irresistible

If you worry that all of this seems too idyllic to be believed, don’t take our word for it. Featured on the cover of International Living, Destinations Travel Magazine, American Airlines Magazine, GQ, Fodor’s the AOL travel channel, and US News and World Report, Chabil Mar is everything guests seek, earning 1000+ TripAdvisor reviews from visitors who have nothing to gain by speaking their minds! 

2024 travel will set records. The earlier you book, the more likely you’ll get your first date choices, and as a bonus, you get lots of time to savor the prospect of your trip to paradise with each passing day.

Visit our website Chabilmarvillas.com for more information on traveling to 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.

Are you an intrepid traveler or would you like to step out of your comfort zone? Visit Belize in 2024 and before you leave, you could call yourself intrepid!

What’s on your 2024 resolution list? Lose some pounds? Stop spending so much time at the office? Perhaps your resolution is to travel more. Would you like to put a healthy twist on that plan? We suggest going somewhere you’ve never been because when you travel somewhere new, you gain all sorts of mental health benefits.

Psychologist Todd B. Kashdan talks about people’s propensity for going back to the same place year after year out of habit, but it’s only by going somewhere new that you gain “enhanced emotional agility.” Must you spend a bundle and travel around the globe to develop this healthy attitude?

Not when Belize is a few hours away by plane, yet visitors step into an entirely new world the moment they arrive. Today’s hottest Belize destination is Placencia, so it’s an ideal haven for newbies and frequent visitors alike.

What you can expect from your Placencia vacation?

More than you imagine. The Placencia peninsula is just 16-miles long and surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and a tranquil lagoon. Beaches are pristine, several quaint villages are within walking distance of resorts and exploration is as easy as getting your hands on a bike, kayak or travel by foot.

Where to stay? At one of Placencia’s top-rated resorts: Chabil Mar Villas. As the closest full-service resort to Placencia Village, guests have access to any number of resources; beach bars, shops, and restaurants plus close proximity to jungle, cultural and historic sites, all of which can be booked through the Chabil Mar concierge. Of course, you’ll return to your lush accommodation and the resort’s 400 feet of private beachfront after each foray.

Placencia is the ideal destination for everyone

Dr. Kashdan’s study into adults and kids visiting new places reveals a secret that may surprise you: It’s human nature to suspend judgments about people of other cultures when traveling to other nations. Bring your youngsters to Placencia and introduce them to Belizeans with deep Maya, Mestizo, Creole, Garifuna, East Indian, Mennonite, Arab, Chinese and European roots. Placencia’s cultural scene is vibrant and exciting.

Stay at Chabil Mar to enjoy the best of both worlds—a fact not lost on honeymooners who flock to Placencia to unwind and relax. After all, Chabil Mar is a self-contained, award-winning paradise that’s not only home to a highly-rated gourmet restaurant but gorgeous suites that are hard to leave because they’re so beautifully appointed.

By the way, it’s been proven that people engaged in international travel to new places find that they think more creatively at the end of a visit to a foreign land. That’s a bonus you may not have been expecting, especially once you realize that since everyone speaks English in Belize, you don’t have to bother with language apps, either!

Visit our website chabilmarvillas.com for more information about 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.