Month: February 2025

On Holy Saturday, Belize will see one of the most exciting and much-anticipating sporting events in the country. Known as the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, this challenging 140-mile roundtrip bike race from Belize City to San Ignacio Town will feature more than 100 competitors from around the country and the world.

Saturday, April 19th, 2025, will mark the 97th anniversary of the race which first began as a way to encourage Belizeans to attend more cricket matches. Due to uneven road conditions, the first roundtrip race between Belize City and San Ignacio Town was a punishing affair lasting more than 13 hours. In recent years the winners usually cross the finish line in less than six hours.

All cyclists will take off with the firing of the starting gun at 6:00 am on mile marker 1.5 on the George Price Highway but awards are given for four different categories of competitors: Masters (professional racers), women, men under 18, and men under age 23. Most competitors race individually but a separate category of award (called “Elite”) is given to the team that crosses the finish line with the best collective time.

Thousands of people will see the racers off at 6:00 am across from Leslie’s Imports in Belize City as well as cheer on the first finishers to arrive back in town at Memorial Park just before noon. The mid-point of the race is Queen Elizabeth Park in downtown San Ignacio, another popular location to witness all the action.

At the end of the race, there is an exciting awards ceremony followed by boisterous banquets and celebrations throughout the day for all of the competitors and their supporters. Falling halfway through the country’s four-day Easter celebration, the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic is one of the most anticipated and popular sporting events of the year in Belize.

Visitors and locals alike line the streets to cheer on and celebrate the thrilling excitement of watching top athletes compete in this grueling 140-mile roundtrip race from Belize City in the east to San Ignacio Town in the western part of the country.

On behalf of Chabil Mar and its Staff, we wish the best of luck to all the 2025 participating teams.

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The month of May is the perfect time to visit Belize. A combination of pleasant weather, reduced rates on tours and attractions, and vacation time on Memorial Day in America make visiting Belize in May a great way to appreciate all of the beautiful nature and exciting adventures this small Central American country has to offer.

May is when a lot of the major airlines, including United, Southwest, American, and Delta offer special fares on non-stop flights to Belize from major American cities. Combine affordable flights with special offers from resorts, hotels, lodges, and tour companies throughout the month of May, and you can enjoy a fabulous Belize vacation for less.

Here are just some of the many interesting festivals and activities you can enjoy during your May vacation in Belize:

Mother’s Day

May 14 is not an official holiday in Belize, but it’s Mother Day’s in America. Why not surprise Mom with a lovely getaway vacation to Belize? She can get pampered at a full-service spa, relax by the pool, sip on fresh cocktails, sample locally produced chocolate, and dance all night to Caribbean rhythms.

Swim with Whale Sharks

Every year, migrating whale sharks visit the waters offshore of Belize. Rising from the depths to feed on spawning fish and juvenile marine fauna, whale sharks are the largest fish in the ocean but pose no risk to humans.

Note: In order to protect whale sharks, only licensed tour operators are allowed to bring divers to the whale shark feeding grounds.

Chocolate Festival

May 16-18, 2025, is when the annual Chocolate Festival of Belize will be held in the town of Punta Gorda. Snack on a delicious assortment of chocolate-based dishes, including unusual items like chocolate beer, and enjoy all the fun, music, and games of the street fair.

Outdoor Adventures

Adventures abound in Belize where visitors can scuba dive, snorkel, hike, zip line, go caving, bird watch, and explore long-lost Mayan cities.

Cashew and Agricultural Festival

Belize’s fertile soil and warm weather produce a bounteous harvest. One of the best ways to enjoy fresh, local food is by attending the Cashew Festival and Agricultural Show in the village of Crooked Tree in northern Belize.

Sovereign’s Day

Belize’s Commonwealth Day (Sovereign’s Day), celebrated annually on May 24th, evolved from the colonial Empire Day. Now an independent nation, Belize maintains its Commonwealth connection with vibrant celebrations and a focus on learning.

Labour Day

May 1 is Labour Day in Belize, a unique holiday that begins with a formal speech by the Labour Minister and then continues with parades, rallies, and festive demonstrations across the country. There are also kite flying contests, cycle races, horse races, and even a harbor regatta to enjoy.

With fabulous weather, an abundance of public holidays and festivals, and affordable rates on flights and lodging, May is definitely a wonderful time to enjoy a getaway vacation to Belize.

Where to stay in Belize

Chabil Mar

A multiple award-winning resort located just minutes from Placencia Village, Chabil Mar is an oasis of tranquility and luxury that welcomes guests with well-appointed villas, a lush tropical garden, and a gourmet restaurant where diners can enjoy their meals al fresco on a private pier.

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 in May.Save