Today, we join the global community in celebrating World Oceans Day, a day dedicated to honoring the vast and magnificent bodies of water that cover our planet. Here at Chabil Mar, nestled on the shores of the Caribbean Sea in beautiful Belize, we are acutely aware of the vital role our oceans play in sustaining life and regulating our planet’s climate.
Our oceans are a source of wonder, teeming with biodiversity and providing livelihoods for millions around the world. They are also a critical component of the global climate system, absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and regulating temperatures.
As we celebrate World Oceans Day, we are reminded of the urgent need to protect this precious resource from the threats of pollution, overfishing, and climate change. At Chabil Mar, we are committed to sustainable practices that minimize our impact on the environment. We believe that responsible tourism can play a vital role in preserving the health of our oceans.
We invite you to join us in celebrating World Oceans Day and to consider the ways in which you can contribute to the protection of our oceans. Every small action counts, whether it’s reducing your use of single-use plastics, supporting sustainable seafood choices, or simply spreading awareness about the importance of our oceans.
Let’s work together to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the beauty and abundance of our oceans.
For more information about Belize and Chabil Mar, 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.
Are you planning your 2024 wedding and starved for good advice? Adopt the measures suggested by Olson’s panel and you’ll be proclaimed the ultimate trendsetter yourself!
-The trend of sending cats and dogs down the aisle with the rings is disappearing.
-Eliminate pampas grass, floral foam, and barn weddings from your upcoming affair.
-Experts recommend dumping “flower walls” that kill entire wedding budgets.
-Huge weddings are fast becoming as endangered as Dodo birds. Who wants all that debt?
-Large bridal parties filled with female attendants dressed in similarly unflattering dresses? No thanks.
-Photo booths and guest books featuring Polaroid photos? So yesterday.
-Experts agree: dump the table favors. A survey proved many guests leave them behind.
-The biggest trend? Long affairs like destination weddings where a small number of guests enjoy days of carefree fun in place of a pricey splash that ends in 4 hours!
Plan your own “long celebration” to show off your style
Having eschewed extravagant ideas that include expensive favors that won’t be missed and photo booths, leave Fluffy and Rover home with their pet sitters by making the most stylish move on the list: A big celebration with the people closest to you on a tropical beach or within a lush garden at a Belize resort that checks off all of the boxes brides and grooms want when they get married.
Since Belize has been proclaimed Central America’s wedding Mecca, you won’t have to host a long list of people you can barely identify, feed them and send thank you notes for gifts you and your new spouse already own. Where to hold your extended celebration with your nearest and dearest? Chabil Mar Villas, where brides and grooms not only have a magazine cover-worthy affair but they save lots of money, too.
Chabil Mar: Where paradise meets affordability
Chabil Mar Villas is best known for is putting together memorable weddings for couples eager to share this sacred moment with people they adore. Who needs a ballroom filled with crystal chandeliers when palm trees, a warming sun, and the turquoise Caribbean Sea surround you and your guests?
Cost? Visit ValuePenguin.com where researchers verify the fact that the average cost of a U.S. wedding is $29,858, which means it could be even more expensive in your state. Compare your state’s total to Chabil Mar’s Belize Wedding Packages starting at $2,750 USD!
Chabil Mar wedding package perks are amazing. You get:
-The services of a personal wedding planner
-Beach or garden ceremonial decor
-Bouquet and boutonniere
-A wedding cake
-Bottle of champagne
-Minister’s fees
-Private pier dinner
-Services of a photographer
-Transfers to and from the resort.
Your personal wedding planner helps with paperwork that includes registering your marriage with Belize authorities and a certified copy of your marriage certificate. There’s lots more. Visit the resort’s wedding page to peruse extras you can add to your package.
Everyone stays together at the resort
Since guests stay at the resort to attend your wedding, the fun doesn’t stop with the ceremony. Treat everyone to group excursions like diving, snorkeling, touring Maya ceremonial sites plus cultural activities that bring friends and family members together for more than the chance to witness the beginning of your shared life.
Given the affordable cost of this basic package, couples find they can add extras, so your grand adventure is guaranteed to meet the 2023 criteria for the “long celebration” destined to be next year’s biggest wedding trend. Expect your big-spending friends to be envious when you return home tan, blissful and without a cent of wedding debt!
Visit our website for more information on getting married in 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 wedding vacation.
Ever wonder why North Americans spend a fortune to travel around the globe, but once they arrive, they are excited to find a McDonald’s or another fast-food restaurant that reminds them of home? What about folks who, when looking for accommodations at the most exotic places imaginable, choose a familiar brand as their vacation spot because they have been a guest in the past?
Additionally, travelers can’t seem to stop themselves from being lured to places by aggressive marketing campaigns that say, “Come stay here! We’re the trendiest place in town; don’t you want to tell your friends that you sojourned at a place getting the most amount of buzz?”
But the drawback to these scenarios is both sad and perplexing…
…because even the most curious traveler misses out on the true essence of a nation’s culture and soul, and at a price that robs them of a vacation that is truly authentic and genuine. Has that happened to you? If you’re tired of being cheated when you invest time and money on a holiday that is less than authentic it may be time to expand your universe by selecting a nation that appreciates every visitor.
The ideal place to do just that is Belize, where English is but one of many languages spoken by a society so diverse, welcoming and delighted that you’ve come, you will feel as though you’ve stepped into another world. Go for the authentic. It makes a world of difference and isn’t that why you vacation?
Local is where it’s at, intrepid traveler
One of the most generous and beneficial things a traveler can do is to treat themselves to a genuine Belize experience and no resort offers as much authenticity as does Chabil Mar. This lush oceanfront resort stands on the same grounds as did the hemisphere’s ancient Maya civilization occupying this region as long ago as 1000 BC.
The name Chabil Mar translates as Beautiful Sea in the Mayan tongue, a wise naming decision made thoughtfully by the resort’s Belizean ownership and management to give guests a true taste of a magical past, yet everything about this haven reflects the modernity of today’s world. Book a stay at this luxe oceanside sanctuary and expect to be treated like a celebrity—even if you’re visiting on a modest budget.
You’ll be welcomed with open arms
If you’ve ever gone abroad and faced the attitudes of tourist establishments that are less then warm and welcoming and more about grabbing your U.S. dollars, your sojourn at Chabil Mar will be sublime. Staffers are hired as much for their hospitality skills as they are for warm personalities and desire to see every guest leave reluctantly!
Further, the resort’s Belize all-inclusive packages and specials brim with extras and cover lodgings, authentic Belizean cuisine, onsite amenities, and so much more. Make 2024 the year you truly go abroad minus the long plane ride, and stay where you’ll be welcomed like family!
For more information about Placencia, 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.
Placencia Village on the southeastern coast of Belize is a popular holiday destination for North American expats and tourists. The village is located on the southern tip of the 16-mile long narrow Placencia Peninsula, a relaxed “barefoot friendly” community that bills itself as the caye (island) that you can drive to as it is easily accessible by automobile via a paved 27-mile road that branches off from the Southern Highway.
Placencia is a popular destination for vacationers but each tourist brings their own expectations to the kind of experience that they have in the area. Many enjoy the laid-back barefoot atmosphere where you can wander up and down the public beaches or mosey into some of the best bars and restaurants in the area. Others visitors looking for a more pampered experience can stay at top-rated luxury resorts like Chabil Mar located just a few minutes’ walk from the village.
The high season in Placencia starts in mid-December and lasts until after Easter, although any time of the year is a good time to visit. There’s always a bump in the number of visitors during the full moons of the months of May and June as that’s when the whale sharks come to feed in the waters just offshore.
Here are 8 must do activities/tours in Placencia.
Explore Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the Stann Creek District and not far from Placencia Village, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is globally recognized as the world’s first jaguar preserve and is home to cascading waterfalls to swim in, panoramic mountain views, nature trails, furry mammals, colorful insects, scaly reptiles and a variety of neotropical birds. In addition, river tubing is a favorite adventure for the many visitors to this unique tropical paradise. Tours leave daily from Chabil Mar.
Although the jaguar (the largest spotted cat in the world) is what the reserve is famous for, you are unlikely to see one as the cat is nocturnal. However you will see its tracks along with tracks of tapir, deer, and other wildlife that inhabit the nature reserve. Cockscomb Basin is also home to one of Belize’s highest points — Victoria Peak and many travelers who vacation in Placencia go on this tour.
Go on a Kayaking expedition at Laughing Bird Caye
Kayaking in Placencia is a joy! The crystal clear waters, tepid sunshine and balmy Caribbean breezes that Belize offers make for an ideal kayaking expedition. As you glide across the warm waters, you will observe untouched coral reefs, white sandy beaches and abundant marine wildlife like the amazing sea turtle.
Belize has numerous cayes that can be explored on a kayak. Laughing Bird Caye National Park for example, is a mini atoll and is a favorite stopover for reef kayakers.
Pay a Visit to the Resident Howler Monkeys
Take a boat to Monkey River Village and head up Monkey River and into the jungle to pay a visit with the resident howler monkeys. Complete your adventure along the ride to observe crocodiles sunning along the river banks, along with exotic birds, iquana hanging in the trees, a few bats and lizards and enjoy a lunch with the villagers in Monkey River. On the way back to Placencia you may even see a few manatees along with their pups.
Explore Maya Temple Sites
According to archeologists, over 1 million Maya people lived in present day Belize. Today there are a range of Maya temples scattered throughout Belize. If you are vacationing in Placencia, you might want to explore Maya Temples like Nim Li Punit and Lubantuun in the Toledo District or Xunantunich and Cahal Pech in western Belize. While visiting some of these sites, maybe even add on a swim up river and into a cave! That is a thrill of a lifetime.
Dive or Snorkel – even with Whale Sharks
Home to the second largest barrier reef in the world, Belize is a diver and snorkeler’s dream come true. In addition, over 100 islands dot the coastline, just offshore from Placencia, providing endless opportunities for diverse diving and snorkeling opportunities.
During the months of March, April, May and June around the full moon, giant whale sharks will emerge in the turquoise clear waters of Gladden Spit and Silk Caye Marine Reserve near the Placencia Peninsula. This marine reserve is used by over 30 species of tropical fishes to release their eggs and it is the eggs of the cubera, mutton and dog snappers that the whale sharks munch on.
Both divers and snorkelers can swim with these giant whale sharks in the pristine and warm waters of southern Belize without any risk from these magnificent creatures as they do not pose any significant threat to humans.
Fishing is Extraordinary
As a traditional fishing Village, Placencia is the residency of some of the finest fishing captains in Belize. And, due to its location on a peninsula, the lagoons to the west, the Caribbean to the east and the barrier reef 18 miles offshore, while being dotted with multiple islands (cayes, pronounced “keys”), fishing is inherent in the population and history of this beautiful Village of 1500 residents. A grand slam is a definitely a possibility while visiting Placencia.
Enjoy delicious Belizean Cuisines
Placencia Village is a traditional fishing Village with a tourist element. It is this small tourist exposure that has encouraged its residents to populate it with amazing restaurants like Tipsy Tuna, Rum Fish, Barefoot, La Dolce Vita, Secret Garden, Yoli’s, Pickled Parrot, Purple Space Monkey and Wendy’s (no not the fast food restaurant) and these well known restaurants offer a variety of fresh sea food at a reasonable price. Dotted along the streets are many vendors serving some of the best Belizean dishes in the country, passed down from generations and prepared with local ingredients. Rum Fish for example, sells the best fish tacos and if you are into gourmet burgers you’ll have to try Barefoot Restaurant & Bar which is located right on the beach.
You can also check out the Italian Gelato Shop that offers incredible and authentic fruit gelatos. Gelato in Placencia? Yes, and we dare say among the best you will ever have the pleasure to put to your palate.
Placencia Beaches
In a country with more than 180 miles of beaches, the Placencia Peninsula truly stands out. Lovely white sand, refreshing tropical breezes, and the sight and scent of the sparkling waters of the Caribbean combine for a truly unforgettable tropical beach experience.
While many people partake in organized adventures on both the mainland and nearby Belize Barrier Reef, one of the truly special joys of a Belize vacation is relaxing and exploring the beaches of the Placencia peninsula.
Below are a few ways to make the most of Placencia’s golden beaches:
Take a long walk – In some parts, it’s considered a cliche to say that you enjoy a long walk on the beach, but in Placencia the words won’t matter. Whether you’re strolling hand in hand with a loved one or simply admiring the view on your own, walking along the beach in Placencia is undeniably good for the soul.
Enjoy a fine meal – Whether you’ve packed a picnic basket filled to the brim with tasty local goodies or you’ve decided to enjoy a seafront view at one of the peninsula’s amazing restaurants, few experiences can compare to dining on delicious food and drinks on the beach.
Main Street – New York has Fifth Avenue and Paris has the Champs-Élysées, but the village of Placencia has its own unique claim to fame. Officially declared the smallest main street in the world, the central “boulevard” running through the middle of the village is actually a sidewalk just four feet across. No cars are allowed which makes it the perfect place to visit cute little shops, grab a coffee, or sit down for a delicious snack.
Relax! – Many people get so wound up trying to cram in as many activities and tours during their vacation that they forget the reason why they decided to visit Belize in the first place. The lovely golden dunes of Placencia are a great place to work on your tan, swing in a hammock, or dip your toes in the Caribbean while unwinding and relaxing.
Seine Bight – Heading north from Placencia Village, visitors walking along the beach have the opportunity to go see the village of Seine Bight. Home to Belize’s unique Garifuna culture, Seine Bight is a great chance to experience Garifuna music, dancing, and food.
Take unforgettable photos – Whether you want to impress your friends on social media with your amazing selfies or simply want to capture the happy memories of vacation, the beaches of Placencia are ideal for taking photographs.
Visit our website chabilmarvillas.com for more information on Belize and Placencia, 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.
As we usher in 2024, the call to explore the world’s hidden gems becomes more enticing than ever. With the hustle and bustle of daily life, finding a retreat that offers both adventure and relaxation is paramount. Traveling to exotic destinations provides a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in diverse cultures, breathtaking landscapes, and unparalleled experiences. It’s not just about escaping the routine; it’s about enriching your life with memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it’s the vibrant wildlife, the rich cultural experiences, or the sheer beauty of untouched nature, there’s something incredibly rejuvenating about venturing into the unknown. This year, let the spirit of exploration lead you to a place that promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of paradise.
Placencia Peninsula: The Beach Destination to Discover in 2024
Nestled in the southern part of Belize, the Placencia Peninsula stands out as a must-visit beach destination for 2024. This slender strip of paradise stretches out into the azure waters, offering visitors a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. Placencia is renowned for its laid-back atmosphere, pristine beaches, and the warm hospitality of its residents, making it an ideal escape for those seeking both relaxation and adventure.
Placencia is more than just a beach destination; it’s a gateway to some of the most extraordinary experiences Belize has to offer. From the vibrant marine life of the Belize Barrier Reef to the lush rainforests that are teeming with wildlife, the peninsula serves as a base for explorers eager to connect with nature. Whether you’re snorkeling among the colorful corals, fishing in the rich waters, or enjoying a leisurely kayak through mangrove-lined lagoons, Placencia offers a plethora of activities for every type of traveler.
The cultural tapestry of Placencia is equally captivating. The village’s welcoming streets are lined with art galleries, local craft shops, and eateries that showcase the best of Belizean cuisine. Sampling the fresh seafood, enjoying a traditional Garifuna drumming performance, or simply mingling with the locals at the weekly market, visitors will find themselves enveloped in the warm embrace of Placencia’s community.
The peninsula also plays host to a variety of festivals and events throughout the year, from the Lobsterfest celebrating the start of the lobster season to the vibrant Placencia Sidewalk Arts Festival. These celebrations offer a glimpse into the heart and soul of the peninsula, where music, dance, and culinary arts come together in a vivid display of local traditions.
Chabil Mar: Your Gateway to Placencia’s Wonders
As you plan your escape to the Placencia Peninsula, Chabil Mar emerges as the quintessential place to stay, offering guests an experience that is as luxurious as it is intimate. Nestled at the edge of the beach, with stunning views of the Caribbean Sea, Chabil Mar is a boutique resort that prides itself on its attention to detail, personalized service, and commitment to sustainability.
Each villa at Chabil Mar is designed to offer guests a serene and private retreat, where the beauty of Belize is reflected in the elegant décor and thoughtful amenities. From the infinity pools that seem to merge with the sea to the lush gardens that envelop the property, Chabil Mar is a sanctuary where relaxation and tranquility are paramount.
Beyond the comfort of your villa, Chabil Mar offers a range of activities and experiences designed to connect you with the essence of Placencia and its surroundings. Whether you’re interested in a guided tour of the nearby Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, a snorkeling trip to the reef, or a culinary tour of Placencia village, the resort ensures that your stay is filled with memorable moments.
Dining at Chabil Mar is an adventure in itself, with menus that celebrate the rich flavors and fresh ingredients of Belizean cuisine. Guests can enjoy their meals in a variety of settings, from a romantic dinner on the pier to a casual beachside barbecue, making every dining experience a moment to cherish.
As we embrace the adventures that 2024 has in store, let the Placencia Peninsula be your destination of choice. With its stunning landscapes, rich cultural experiences, and the unparalleled hospitality of Chabil Mar, your trip to Belize promises to be an extraordinary exploration of beauty, culture, and relaxation.
For more information about Placencia, 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.
Follow Us!