Month: May 2024

In a country with more than 100 navigable caves, Barton Creek Cave stands out for its unique history and impressive size. Unlike “dry” caves where spelunking is performed on foot, Barton Creek Cave has a large yet tranquil waterway running through it, meaning that visitors explore this impressive cave using canoes.

Belize is the heartland of the ancient Maya civilization, and Barton Creek Cave was used by Maya priests to conduct some of their most sacred rituals. The ancient Maya believed that caves were conduits to the underground world of the gods, known as Xibalba or “place of fear.” As such, Barton Creek Cave still contains many priceless artifacts, including ceremonial weapons, food offerings, pottery, and jewelry.

To explore Barton Creek Cave, modern-day visitors head east from the town of San Ignacio until they reach the village of Georgeville. From there, experienced guides will lead visitors along a narrow jungle path that includes a river crossing. After approximately one hour, the banks of Barton Creek are visible, and participants will board a canoe to begin their exploration of the cave.

Although the underground river running through Barton Creek Cave extends for at least five miles, only the first mile (1.6 kilometers) is safe for public exploration. Within a few minutes of boarding the canoe, participants will follow their tour guide into the stygian darkness of the cave. Using headlamps and flashlights, visitors will see a secret underworld that was once the exclusive domain of high-ranking Maya priests. The beams of light will reveal awe-inspiring cathedral-like chambers and beautiful stalactites that glitter and twinkle.

Along the way, the tour guide will explain about the natural history of the cave as well as the importance of the cave in Maya history, giving visitors a better understanding of the long-lost culture that built dozens of impressive cities across Belize.

After exiting the cave and emerging back into the bright tropical daylight, participants can enjoy a refreshing swim in the waters of the creek. Organized tours to Barton Creek Cave may also include a delicious picnic lunch.

Due to the nature of this tour, visitors who suffer from claustrophobia or anxiety about the dark are not recommended to participate. In some places, the ceiling of Barton Creek Cave is quite low. Although no swimming is required to explore Barton Creek Cave, swimwear, a change of clothes, and a towel are recommended. Other recommended items include insect repellant and rain gear during wet weather.

Chabil Mar offers Belize vacation packages that include all the best attractions of the jungle and sea, including an organized cave tubing tour of Barton Creek Cave.

For more information about Barton Creek Cave, 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.

If it’s your habit to throw a dozen separates into a duffel bag and arrive at your airport departure gate just as the gangway is being removed, we salute you. You’re probably a spontaneous person who finds the process of packing tedious and bothersome. But let’s say you pack thoughtfully and you wouldn’t dream of choosing which articles of clothing to bring to Belize without first learning what temperatures to expect. We’ve got your year-round forecast, so packing for your tropical holiday will be a breeze.

Belize Weather in January

In case an infrequent shower at the end of the rainy season interrupts your Belize outings, relax. It won’t last long. Getting a little wet is part of the Belize experience as you think of friends battling snow and ice back home! Tote a light poncho and you’re good to go. January temperatures run about 70-degrees F at night and max out at around 80-degrees F by day.

Belize Weather in February

If you crave the same weather January visitors enjoyed—from 70- to 80-degrees F—you’ll love visiting in February. This month officially launches “the dry season,” so you can leave that rain gear home if you like and use the space in your luggage for more sunscreen, an extra pair of flip-flops, and a Valentine’s.

Belize Weather in March

If it rains in March, Belize weathercasters are quick to apologize because it’s not typical. Days and nights are usually crystal clear and slightly warmer, so bring clothing appropriate for between 74- and 83-degrees F temperatures. Nights are so delightful, you won’t need a sweater, but if you find a charming wrap at a local market, snap it up!

Belize Weather in April

Because Belize is a chill-out destination, it may come as no surprise that this time of year has several nicknames. Call it the “Green Season” or refer to infrequent showers as “Iguana Rains”—your call. Love puddle jumping? Do it fast, ’cause the sun will be back out in minutes. Temperatures in April, by the way, range from 76- to 85-degrees F.

Belize Weather in May

As spring settles in, you’ll notice a gradual temperature increase to between 79-degrees at night to 87-degrees by day in Belize. The rain gods are kind in May: The occasional nighttime thunderstorm or early morning shower will likely find you abed at Chabil Mar, where soft sheets, gorgeous suite appointments and a tropical breakfast get all five of your senses off to a relaxing day.

Belize Weather in June

There’s a smaller range of temperature fluctuations throughout Belize in June—between 82- and 86-degrees—so you can dress for the entire day in the morning. Enjoy easterly breezes on your Chabil Mar veranda. Afternoon showers could interrupt a plan or two, but if you’ve settled into a Belize state of mind, you’ll shrug them off—especially if you nab early season rate reductions.

Belize Weather in July

When your nearest and dearest complain about heatwaves back home, you may find it irresistible to let them know that Belize nighttime temperatures are around 79-degrees F. Morning rains are so cooling, they will help you transition into your plans for an outdoor adventure like diving the Belize reef. Wear as little as you like (within reason) during the month of July. You’ll find it liberating!

Belize Weather in August

Mother Nature is very predictable: she shifts those easterly sea breezes away from Belize in August, replacing them with drier winds, which is how the nickname “Little Dry” was picked to describe the month. If temperatures dip to 78-degrees F after an 86-degree F day, that lightweight wrap will come in handy.

Belize Weather in September

As the Green Season moves into September, temperatures dip to 77-degrees F at night, so dodging early morning showers is no big deal. Anticipate sunny days filled with fun and festivals as Belize celebrates its independence throughout September. Wear an outrageous costume at Carnival in Belize City to be an official part of the fun!

Belize Weather in October

Northerly winds bring bountiful rainfall and temperatures drop to 75-degrees F by night. Daytime highs of 84-degrees F are ideal for taking tours and outings. Should an unexpected storm blanket the Maya Mountains, repair to Chabil Mar’s Kaleidoscope Bar where a tightly-woven thatch roof, new friends, and the perfect Mojito will keep you dry and happy until the rain passes.

Belize Weather in November

This is the month dreams come true in Belize: Summer visitors are gone, there’s room to stretch out, and if you seek solitude on a budget, you won’t find more generous price breaks. Chabil Mar offers discounts in November and since the resort dresses up for Thanksgiving, come late in the month, reserve a large suite for your family and expect to find turkey on the restaurant’s menu!

Belize Weather in December

Temperatures? Heavenly. Crowds? Not if you come early in December. Swim or snorkel the day away in 80-degree F weather. Cuddle at night when temps drop to around 71-degrees F. Whether your goal is an unforgettable Christmas, you’re auditioning retirement locations or you want to see for yourself why Belize has become so popular, visiting in December will be the gift you give yourself.

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.

Placencia is a beautiful, 16-mile long stretch of golden sand beaches in the Stann Creek District of Belize and serves as the gateway to some of the country’s most spectacular marine wildlife, including whale sharks, stingrays, and manatees.

Whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean and can measure up to 12 meters (41 feet) long and weigh up to 21 tons. Despite their enormous size, whale sharks pose little danger to humans as they feed on tiny krill and fish spawn. Every spring, the whale sharks migrate to the outer areas of the Belize Barrier Reef in southern Belize, and a limited number of divers get the amazing opportunity to interact with these immense creatures.

Whale sharks circumnavigate the globe every year. They normally spend their time in very deep waters that are inaccessible to humans, but they rise to the surface in conjunction with the phases of the moon in order to feed.

Stingrays are powerful hunters, but their prey in the waters of Belize are small fish and squid. Natural channels in the reef serve as “superhighways” for fish and other marine life, drawing in vast schools of stingrays. Divers and snorkelers face little danger from stingrays, and being surrounded by stingrays as they flit and dart through the water is a truly magical experience.

Sometimes known as “sea cows” and sometimes known as “mermaids,” manatees are gentle, vegetarian mammals that thrive in the shallow, warm waters of Belize. Feeding on the vast beds of seagrass along the coast and estuaries of Belize, manatees are a wonder to behold.

Manatees pose no danger to humans, but their numbers have dwindled over the past century as boat propellers can easily injure or kill them. Today, manatees in Belize are protected animals. Manatees are very docile animals, slowly swimming through the water, but they are very intelligent, often recognizing human beings after just one meeting.

Visitors to Belize are not permitted to touch manatees, but it can be very enjoyable watching them play and frolic. Manatees breathe air and must surface every 15 minutes, making them easy to spot. Manatees communicate with one another with whistles and clicks in a similar manner as dolphins.

Chabil Mar has a number of Belize vacation packages that include snorkeling, visiting the manatees, and diving with whale sharks. To book these activities or to learn more about customizing the perfect Belize vacation, contact Chabil Mar reservation’s office today!

Spend Seven Days in Belize–Where no Decision-making is Permitted!

Your boss makes demands. Your kids do, too. There’s a line of other folks in your life who count on you to solve problems, answer questions and make decisions, and this may have left you exhausted. If your idea of paradise is having someone else decide where to go and what to do during a week’s vacation in Belize, we’d like to oblige. No need to thank us. We just want you to be happy!

Day One: Fly into Belize. Having already arranged for a luxury room at Chabil Mar Villas in Placencia where packages and specials await, your Chabil Mar shuttle is on standby, ready to drive you to the resort. Shed your city clothes. Pull on a bathing suit. Plunk yourself down on Placencia Beach where you can decompress and relax before dining at Chabil Mar’s first-class restaurant.

Day Two: Check in with the Chabil Mar concierge to compare the itinerary you set via the Internet, phone or mail. Eat a big Belize breakfast before your first excursion to spectacular Maya ruins at Lubaantun or Lim Ni Punit in Southern Belize. Up for some nature tours? Add Monkey River Howler Adventure and Cockscomb Jaguar Nature Preserve. It’s your vacation.

Day Three: Move at a slightly faster pace by going inner tubing. Everything’s included: shuttle transport, guides, picnic lunch, taxes and extras, so no need to bring lots of cash. Plant yourself firmly in the midst of your giant black tube and allow the current to take you where it wants to go. No decisions here either!

Day Four: Are you ready for the birds and the trees? This Chabil Mar package combines two activities: Zip line runs with a bird-watching experience, both equally thrilling. Even if you’re not a student of birds, you’ll marvel at the variety in Belize. If you take that zip line tour first, these beautiful birds will re-align your pulse fast.

Day Five: Leave Placencia without experiencing the Belize Reef? Get serious. The second largest barrier reef in the world hosts all sorts of marine wildlife species attracted to the ancient coral topography. Indulge in world-class snorkeling off nearby Silk Caye. Since Chabil Mar guides arrange for gear, food and make car and boat transport arrangements, you don’t have to make decisions today, either.

Day Six: With your aquatic appetite whetted, take it to another level by going scuba diving off Placencia arranged by Chabil Mar. Your boat captain has everything you need, from dive master skills and piloting expertise to lessons on how to check and re-check your gear so you can dive deep without a hitch and experience the wonder of undersea landscapes.

Day Seven: Can you cram in one more Belize tour in before saying goodbye to Chabil Mar’s friendly staff? Of course you can. Explore Placencia Village where ethnic cookery gives you a final chance to immerse yourself in Belize. Shop for souvenirs. Take your last photos. That shuttle bus awaits, but you’ll be so blissed out from your idyllic week, you won’t care.

Day Eight: Visit Chabil Mar’s website and start picking tours you’ll take next time you visit. Making decisions in your current state of mind is easy. Frequent Chabil Mar visitors say perusing the Chabil Mar tour menu is a great way to re-acclimate to reality!

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.