Month: September 2024

Belize is an amazing country in Central America that is also considered a Caribbean nation. Therefore, it provides access to lush tropical rainforests and Maya ruins as well as miles of pristine beaches and ocean adventures. 

Travelers to this popular travel destination may wonder how to choose between the two experiences. The best answer? Choose both!

The Belize vacation packages at Chabil Mar offer visitors a chance to enjoy the eco-tourism that Belize is known for as well as having a beach vacation.

The resort is located on the beautiful Placencia Peninsula, which provides a wonderful place to unwind and relax while enjoying cool ocean breezes and white sandy beaches. The vibe is laid back. 

The resort itself includes 400 feet of private beach and is just a 5-minute bike ride from Placencia Village. It is a luxurious boutique resort in a prime location.

The people on the peninsula are part of its charm. Unlike more touristy areas of Belize, here you will find authentic Belizean culture which is warm and friendly. Most people speak excellent English, as that is the official language. However, you may also hear Kriol, Garifuna, Spanish, or Maya dialects. 

For those interested in Garifuna culture, a visit to Seine Bight, a traditional fishing village in the Placencia Peninsula, is a must.

For those who prefer more active vacations, there are a variety of water sports available, from scuba diving to deep-sea fishing. The Belizean Barrier Reef is the second largest in the world, making it an ideal place to explore. 

Vacation packages are offered that pair with jungle resorts such as the Chaa Creek Jungle Lodge, the Ian Anderson Caves Branch Jungle Lodge, and the Hidden Valley Inn & Private Reserve. 

These pairings allow travelers to experience the best of both worlds – a perfect seaside vacation along with one for eco-tourists and jungle explorers. 

A trip to the heart of the rainforest can include zipline canopy tours, visiting one of Belize’s nature preserves or spice farms, hiking to waterfalls, bird-watching tours, and many other types of activities that will bring visitors close to nature.

For those who would like to learn more about the culture of Belize, there are also guided tours to Maya ruins or to mystical caves filled with ancient artifacts and remains. 

The best way to experience both the beauty of Belize’s jungles and its pristine beaches is by taking advantage of one of the many packages offered by Chabil Mar. They will allow you to essentially enjoy two vacations in one!

Belize is a getaway of its kind with so much to offer to visitors. From beautiful resorts offering a variety of cuisines and facilities and services that are of international standards to the calm and quiet of its offshore islands and cayes, Belize is bound to leave an entire family awed and full of great memories. 

Additionally, Belize is fun. A plethora of interesting and mind-boggling activities await you and your loved ones in this tiny, breathtaking part of the world.

Touring Ancient Maya Sites

Maya culture is one of the most intriguing facts about the Central American nation. The Maya ruins, which have been well preserved for centuries, clearly depict the way of life of the ancient Mayas who dwelled in the lush jungles of Belize. With popular sites such as Cahal Pech, which is the oldest in the western part of the country, Caracol, which is the largest, and caves with artifacts, vessels, and stoneware used by Mayas, touring the ruins is a must-do activity for a family seeking to make the most out of a tour of Belize.

Cave Tubing

While cave tubing may seem over-rated as it involves simply floating on a tube and exploring caves, it is one of the most family-bonding activities you can engage in on a tour of Belize. Caves are a significant part of the Maya civilization and while exploring them by walking is faster and more engaging, cave tubing is more relaxing and fun and allows you to sink in and let loose in the quiet, serene environment.

Visit the Belize Zoo

In close proximity to Belize City is the Belize zoo, which has hundreds of species of animals dwelling in their natural habitat. Adults and kids alike are bound to enjoy the variety the zoo offers, ranging from bird species to jaguars, peccaries, and more. With a gift shop in the park, getting a family souvenir is a great idea.

Visit the Belize Barrier Reef

A visit to Belize should not conclude without visiting the second largest barrier reef in the world. With over four hundred tiny islands along its length, with some of the rarest flora and fauna, ensuring that you explore the reef is a no-brainer. Corals and reserves found on the reef are other key attractions that make the reef exciting for the entire family.

Visit a Natural Reserve

With a huge chunk of Belize covered in a thick rainforest that is well protected, wildlife thrives, and it is nothing short of a pleasant site for curious tourists. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife sanctuary is particularly a natural setting to behold. Crystal clear waterfalls with refreshing, soothing sounds are part of the sanctuary. Taking a swim at a waterfall’s base is, by all means, an activity to look forward to engaging in as a family.

Visit Monkey River

The small quiet village of Monkey River is not a popular tourist destination for no reason. The howler monkeys, which gave the village its name, are a key attraction but not the only one in this southern part of the country. Butterflies, iguanas, and tropical birds are also part of the plethora of fauna and flora that dot the village.

Getting the full Belizean experience also involves booking an excellent resort to dine in the cuisines and engage with Belizeans, who are known for their friendly, welcoming nature. Chabil Mar on the Placencia Peninsula is a top-notch resort that is a perfect cocktail of culture, luxury, and privacy, making it the ideal place to stay while going about the activities mentioned above.

There was a time when living somewhere meant just dealing with the ups and downs of the seasons. But the 21st century is a time of unmatched mobility, and the notion of retreating from the cold for the winter isn’t just a privilege for the wealthy and powerful. There are plenty of sunny places you could go for the colder months, but Belize ranks among the best. Here’s why.

Accessibility

Whether you’re constrained by time or money, Belize offers one of the best opportunities to escape the drudgery of everyday life. Regular direct flights happen every day from a number of United States hub airports, and they typically don’t last more than five to eight hours. In other words, you won’t spend your entire trip recovering from your flight. United, American Airlines, Southwest, and more all offer regular flights. Belize is also a relatively affordable travel destination and has great exchange rates with the U.S. dollar. You can pamper yourself here without having to spend a fortune doing it.

Opportunity

Winter is the peak of the tourist season, but that also means it’s the peak of things to do. Conditions are dry and warm during this time of year, meaning you can sprawl out on the beach or take an excursion scuba diving or snorkeling out on the Belize Barrier Reef (the second largest of its kind in the world). But you can just as easily venture into the interior. The Cayo District is littered with Maya sites and beautiful nature trails — but you can also find stunning landmarks like Cockscomb Basin and Monkey River closer to the shore. The region known as Placencia, in particular, is worth visiting. This narrow peninsula ensures that you’re always on or near the beach, and it provides convenient access to everywhere all in a playground that can be accessed by bicycle or golf cart.

The Belize Resort Lifestyle

If you’re a snowbird that travels in a flock, the best part is that resorts like Chabil Mar let everyone do what they want. Our location in the heart of Placencia Village make us the ideal location for making excursions into the interior or onto the water, or you can just kick back and take advantage of our beautiful private beach and bountiful amenities. The knowledgeable and insightful staff are here to help with your every need — and the thrumming hub town of Placencia Village is only a short walk away.

They’re ethereal, beautiful, delicate and eye candy, but the butterflies of Belize do more than flit around from flower to plant, waiting to be admired. Thanks to low population density and enough flora and fauna to dazzle any insect, Belize butterflies may not live long lives, but they contribute mightily to a nation’s ecosystem, say ButterflyConservation.org researchers.

Why Belize butterflies are important

-Butterflies have been around for 50 million years, say scientists, so they’re of great ecological value
-The butterfly symbol is so sacred and revered, you’ll find images on resorts, restaurants and boutiques
-Butterfly studies undertaken by Belize experts prove insect migration patterns
-Butterfly wing patterns and iridescence are unique to these creatures
-Scientists of all disciplines (including genetics and population dynamics) study butterflies.
-Climate change researchers study butterfly group behaviors to reach conclusions
-Butterfly populations are a sign that an ecosystem is healthy
-They provide unparalleled organic pollination and pest control tasks
-Butterflies help feed Belize’s insectivorous populations
-Spending time watching butterflies can mediate depression
-Belize’s economy benefits from several butterfly farms from which visitors can choose!

Belize is awash in butterfly farms

Consistently vulnerable to weather fluctuations that can turn Belize from a tranquil land to wild and unpredictable weather fronts that sweep in, butterflies have grown adroit at hanging on throughout these dramatic weather changes.

Leaving Belize would be counter to butterflies’ ancestral behavior since this nation has exactly the environment necessary to keep these winged creatures healthy and thriving: flower nectar, tree sap, plant and flower pollen. Because butterflies are so important to the nation’s ecosystem, five Belize butterfly farms have been established to showcase these magnificent creatures:

1. Fallen Stones Butterfly Farm in the Toledo District is home to eight species
2. Cayo’s Green Hills Butterfly Ranch hosts the Blue Morpho, a rare specimen
3. Chaa Creek, also in Cayo, is also home to a rare Blue Morpho specimen collection
4. Tropical Wings Ecocenter in Cayo shows visitors how butterflies are raised
5. The Shipstern Nature Reserve in Corozal District is a 27,000 acre breeding area.

Fascinated? Why not visit?

Book accommodations at Chabil Mar, one of Belize’s most highly-rated resorts and located on Placencia peninsula, today’s trendiest place to vacation. When you make your arrangements, ask the concierge about the resort’s popular tours, some of which include visits to butterfly farms.

In addition to visiting butterfly farms, explore other wildlife habitats. Browse our Belize vacation packages to see which ones give you the most access to Belize jungles, forests and botanical gardens. While you’re on the page, don’t miss the specials and packages being offered that cover everything from luxurious digs and fine dining to resort surroundings that showcase Mother Nature’s bounty.

If all you want to do during your stay at Chabil Mar is to learn as much about butterflies and see as many species as possible, customize your visit. Bring the kids. Bring your camera. Most of all, bring your sense of wonder. You’ll never again look at butterflies in the same way after spending time in Belize.

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.