Month: October 2024

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.

Seven Ways to Get to and from Belize Airports and Placencia

In this blog post, we bring to you 20 amazing facts about beautiful Belize.

Belize Fact#1

Belize is the only Central American Country where English is the official language. Apart from English, there are many recognized regional languages: Kriol, Spanish, Garifuna, and Mayan.

Belize Fact#2

September 10 in Belize is celebrated as the National Day or St George’s Caye Day. On this day in 1798, Spanish forces were repelled by the British in the Battle of St George’s Caye, with no reported casualties on either side.

See also: 7 Reasons Why You Have to Travel to Belize this Summer

Belize Fact#3

Belize has a private enterprise economy that is largely dependent on agriculture, agro-based industry and merchandising. However tourism and construction and the recent discovery of oil field have presented new prospects for the country. The estimated GDP of the country is 1.354 billion dollars and the major trading partners are the United States of America, Mexico, Central America and the European Union.

Belize Fact#4

Belize obtained its independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981. George Cadle Price was the first prime minister of Belize and he served from 12 September 1981 to 17 December 1984.

Belize Fact#5

The currency of Belize is Belize dollar and its ISO 3166 code is BZ. Since 1978, the official value is pegged at 2 BZD = 1 US dollar.

See also: Chabil Mar, Placencia’s Only Guest Exclusive Resort

Belize Fact#6

Belmopan is the capital of Belize and its name derives from the union of two words: “Belize” and “Mopan”. After the devastating Hurricane Hattie destroyed the former capital, Belize City, in 1961, the government was shifted to Belmopan in 1970.

Belize Fact#7

Belize has the only Jaguar reserve in the world which is known as Cockscomb Basin Wildlife sanctuary.

Belize Fact#8

The islands in Belize are called Cayes (pronounced “keys”) and total around 450 including those on the outer atolls.

Belize Fact#9

Belize has around 900 Maya temple sites.

Belize Fact#10

The largest city of Belize is located at the mouth of the river Belize River and is known as Belize City. It has an estimated population of 79,600 and is the main port and the industrial hub of the country. It was discovered in the mid-17th Century by British lumber harvesters and was the capital of British Honduras.

Belize Fact#11

The total land area of Belize is 8,867 square miles or 22,700 square kilometers.  The country’s greatest length, north to south, is 170 miles (274 km) and its greatest width, east to west, is 68 miles (109 km).  Using an offshore territorial limit of 20 km, the country covers 46,620 km2 (18,000 sq mi), of which only 49% is land.

See also: 25 Things You Need to Know Before You Travel to Placencia Belize

Belize Fact#12

Belize is in the Central Standard Time zone and does not observe daylight saving time.

Belize Fact#13

Belize is subtropical, with a mean annual temperature of 80^o F.

Belize Fact#14

The first people to inhabit Belize were the Maya around 1500 B.C.E. As shown in archeological records, they established a number of settlements such as Caracol, Lamanai and Lubaantun.

Belize Fact#15

Belize’s Black Howler Monkeys are one of the top 10 loudest animals in the world.

See also: 12 Incredible Belize Vacation Photos

Belize Fact#16

Some of the exotic names for Belize’s natural wonders include the Owl-Eye Butterfly, the Blue Morpho Butterfly, the Swallow Tail Cattle Heart Butterfly, the Peanut-Head Lantern Bug, the Red-footed Booby Bird, the Lady-of-the-Night Orchid and the False Vampire Bat.

Belize Fact#17

Close to 1 million tourists’ visit Belize annually of which 70% of are Americans.

Belize Fact#18

Belize is one of the least populated countries in the world.

Belize Fact#19

Ambergris Caye, which is 25 miles long, is Belize’s largest and most developed island.

Belize Fact#20

More than 400 species of fish live in the waters of Belize’s 185-mile long Barrier Reef.

For more information about travelling to 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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