September 2025 - Page 2 of 5 - Chabil Mar Villas

The Ultimate Guide on How to Reach Placencia Belize in 2026

Posted on September 23, 2025

Planning a trip to Placencia Belize is exciting, but figuring out how to get there is an important part of the journey. This charming peninsula stretches along the southern coast of Belize, offering a mix of stunning beaches, friendly villages, and luxury resorts like Chabil Mar. Luckily, there are several ways to reach Placencia, and each offers its own unique experience. Whether you prefer the speed of air travel, the scenic routes by road, or a slower adventure along the sea, Placencia is more accessible than you might think.

Flying into Placencia: The Quickest Route

Most travelers start their journey by flying into Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE) in Belize City, the country’s main international gateway. From there, the fastest way to reach Placencia is by taking a short domestic flight. Local airlines such as Maya Island Air and Tropic Air operate multiple daily flights from Belize City to Placencia, and the trip takes just about 35 to 40 minutes.

The aerial views along the way are breathtaking. As you soar over lush jungles, winding rivers, and the Caribbean Sea, you’ll get a preview of the natural beauty that awaits. For families or groups looking to maximize their time on the beach, flying is the most convenient choice. Once you land at Placencia’s small airstrip, Chabil Mar can arrange for a quick transfer, ensuring a seamless journey from the plane to your villa.

Traveling by Road: Scenic and Adventurous

For those who enjoy road trips, traveling to Placencia by land offers a rewarding adventure. After arriving in Belize City, visitors can rent a car or book a private shuttle for the approximately three-and-a-half-hour drive south. The well-paved George Price Highway and Hummingbird Highway guide you through rolling hills, citrus orchards, and mountain views before connecting to the Southern Highway, which leads straight to Placencia Peninsula.

Along the way, you can stop at roadside stands for fresh fruit, visit small villages, or even detour to attractions like the Inland Blue Hole or Mayflower Bocawina National Park. Road travel is ideal for travelers who want to explore Belize at their own pace, and many find the drive itself to be part of the adventure. Chabil Mar can also help arrange shuttle services, making the road journey comfortable and stress-free.

Arriving by Sea: A Unique Experience

While less common, traveling to Placencia by sea is an unforgettable option. Some visitors arrive via private yacht or boat, docking at Placencia’s marina facilities.

Arriving in Placencia by sea gives you a perspective that few travelers experience. The peninsula reveals itself slowly, with the turquoise waters of the Caribbean stretching on one side and the calm lagoon backed by the Maya Mountains on the other. This option appeals to adventurers who enjoy combining sailing with exploration, and it perfectly complements a Belize vacation that focuses on the sea, snorkeling, or diving.

The Journey to Placencia Is Worth It

No matter how you choose to travel, getting to Placencia is part of the adventure. Whether you’re soaring above the jungle, winding through scenic highways, or gliding along the Caribbean, every route offers a chance to see more of Belize. Once you arrive, Chabil Mar is ready to welcome you with luxury villas, personalized service, and easy access to all the beauty and culture Placencia has to offer.

Travel in 2026 is expected to be easier than ever, thanks to expanded international flight options and improved connections within Belize. This makes planning your trip to Placencia both convenient and exciting.

Placencia is waiting, and now that you know how to get here, the only decision left is when to book your stay. Choose Chabil Mar as your home away from home and experience Belize the way it was meant to be enjoyed: relaxed, welcoming, and unforgettable.

Visit our website Chabilmarvillas.com for more information on Belize and Chabil Mar, and don’t hesitate to send us an email, or call & chat with us via WhatsApp Free Worldwide: +501-633-7547, Local: (011-501) 523-3606, if you have questions or need help in planning a Belize vacation.

United Airlines Expands Belize Flights for High Season 2025

Posted on September 19, 2025

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) has announced the return and expansion of United Airlines’ service to Belize for the upcoming high season. This exciting development provides greater access not only for Belize’s diaspora returning home for the holidays but also for international travelers seeking a tropical getaway to Placencia and beyond. The timing couldn’t be better as Belize continues to shine as one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations for nature, culture, and adventure.

Expanded United Airlines Belize Service

Starting November 1, 2025, United Airlines will resume direct flights to Belize from:

Denver (DEN)
Chicago (ORD)
Newark (EWR)

These routes will once again connect major U.S. cities with Belize, making it easier for travelers across the Midwest, East Coast, and Mountain West to reach this Central American gem. In addition to these flights, United’s existing daily service from Houston (IAH) will continue, offering convenient access for travelers throughout the southern United States.

Adding even more flexibility, United Airlines will bring back its San Francisco (SFO) service beginning December 20, 2025. This means travelers from the U.S. West Coast will have direct flights available just in time for the holidays, opening Belize to an even broader market of vacationers. For many travelers, this expanded schedule will cut down on layovers and provide quicker access to Belize’s beaches, barrier reef, and inland adventures.

More Flights for the Holiday Season

The expansion comes with an increase in flight frequency during the holiday period, traditionally one of the busiest times for Belize travel. From December 18 through December 31, 2025, United Airlines will operate five daily flights out of Belize. On peak travel days—December 20 and December 27—the airline will add a sixth flight to handle increased demand.

This level of connectivity is a significant benefit for international visitors and Belizeans returning home. Families traveling for Christmas or New Year’s will find more options to fit their schedules, while tourists planning a warm-weather escape from the winter cold will have greater flexibility when booking.

A Win for Belize Tourism and Travelers

United Airlines has long been one of the largest international carriers serving Belize, and this latest announcement further solidifies its role in supporting the country’s tourism growth. Expanded airlift not only benefits travelers but also fuels the economy by making it easier for visitors to experience Belize’s natural wonders, vibrant culture, and welcoming hospitality.

“The expansion of United Airlines flights to Belize is a huge win for travelers and for our tourism industry,” said Larry France, Marketing Manager at Chabil Mar. “For guests staying with us in Placencia, these added flight options make it even easier to enjoy the warm weather, beautiful beaches, and personalized experiences that make Belize such a top vacation destination.”

For travelers planning a holiday escape or looking ahead to a 2026 Belize vacation, the timing is ideal. With more flights on the horizon, Placencia’s pristine beaches, thrilling tours, and the luxury accommodations at Chabil Mar are now more accessible than ever. Whether you’re returning home to Belize or visiting for the first time, United Airlines’ expanded service ensures your journey will be smoother, faster, and more convenient.

Now is the perfect time to start planning your Belize getaway. Reserve your stay at Chabil Mar today and take advantage of United Airlines’ expanded flights to make your dream vacation to Placencia a reality.

Celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day in Belize

Posted on September 17, 2025

Nearly four centuries ago, the British Empire began the practice of taking slaves from Africa and putting them to work at plantation laborers in the Caribbean. As time went on, these people began to intermarry with the local Arawak and Carib peoples, blending cultural and linguistic traditions to create the Garifuna people. After standing up to Britain, the Garifuna were chased throughout the Caribbean, ultimately finding a safe haven on the shores of Belize, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. The Garifuna discovery of Belize happened on November 19, 1802 and is regarded as a national holiday, Garifuna Settlement Day.

Why Garifuna Settlement Day is So Special

Anyone who happens to be in Hopkins, Seine Bight, Placencia or Dangriga knows just how uniquely the Garifuna have contributed to, and improved, Belizean society. Garifuna culture is about storytelling, drums, dances and the preservation of trades pursuits like farming and fishing.

November 19 is when the whole country show up to commend these people for making it to Belize over two centuries ago. It is on this day that many exhibitions of Garifuna music and dance styles are held, street dances are a common occurrence when people are not enjoying plates of cassava bread and hudut (fish that has been cooked in coconut) or listening to village elders’ tales of the Garifuna culture.

Where Is The Best Place to Enjoy Garifuna Settlement Day?

While it is a national holiday, the best places to experience it would be places rich with Garifuna people, like the four settlements mentioned earlier and also Punta Gorda Town in Toledo.

That being said, Dangriga has a special, historical tradition to witness on this day. At the crack of dawn, traditional dugout canoes, packed with locals dressed in traditional Garifuna attire, re-enact the Garifuna people’s arrival on the Belizean shores. After all the re-enactors ground their canoes, the celebration continues with drums, dances, music and lots and lots of food. Dangriga is also a great spot to witness “Jankunu” dancers, clad in elaborate masks and clacking bands of sea shells, listening to the sounds of drums and following through with leaps and terpsichorean motions.

If this at all sounds like a wonderful thing that you would like to experience and you plan on visiting Belize in November to witness it, consider staying at Chabil Mar. Chabil Mar is a resort that has regularly won awards each year for its amenities and hospitality.

For more information about traveling 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.

Exploring the Natural Beauty of Toledo District

Posted on September 17, 2025

Modern-day Belize is divided into six districts, and Toledo is the southernmost district. Located in the southeast of the country along its border with Guatemala, Toledo District is home to some of the most pristine sections of rainforest, a bevy of offshore islands that few tourists visit, and several traditional Maya villages which have changed little over the past 2,000 years.

The capital of Toledo District is Punta Gorda, often abbreviated simply as PG by locals. Despite it’s Spanish-language name, Punta Gorda is now primarily inhabited by the Garifuna people, a unique Afro-Caribbean culture that was recognized by the United Nations in 2001 for their music, language, food, and dance.

Located so far south of Belize City, the main entry port for most visitors to Belize, Toledo District is still treated as being far off the modern path. But the recent upgrade to the Southern Highway now makes it quite simple to drive entirely along modern, paved roadways from Dangriga. Punta Gorda is home to both an annual chocolate festival where chocolatiers and cocoa farmers from around Toledo come to show off their wares and the Battle of the Drums that sees Garifuna and Creole drum corps face off during a grueling and yet exhilarating all-night competition.

Outside of Punta Gorda, attractions include some of the finest ancient Maya sites in the country, Nim Li Punit and Lubaantun. Nim Li Punit means “Big Hat” in the local Mayan dialect because the site has several large engravings of ancient Maya rulers, including one chieftain shown in a large headdress or hat. Lubaantun is another ancient Maya site but one that has puzzled archeologists because it was constructed in a far different style than other Maya cities in the region. Instead of mortar, all of the buildings in Lubaantun are made of perfectly sized stone blocks made from slate rather than the more typical limestone.

Besides cultural visits to local villages, other exciting things to do in Toledo District include visiting one of the many waterfalls that dot the landscape. Several of the rivers in Toledo District are also eminently suitable for activities like canoeing and rafting.

Travelers interested in exploring the beauty and wonders of Toledo District can stay at the award-winning Chabil Mar Resort. Located just steps from the beach on the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize, Chabil Mar is a full-service luxury resort with elegant villas, a lush tropical garden, and two freshwater infinity pools.

For more information about Belize and the Toledo District, 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.

Discover Belize’s Reef, Rainforest and Ruins

Posted on September 17, 2025

Reefs and Rainforests and Ruins, Oh My! See them all on your Belize vacation

Many people believe that R&R stands for rest and relaxation and we won’t argue with them, but in Belize, we take our Rs one step further by boasting about the lushest, most impressive Reef, Rainforests and Ruins in the Caribbean–many of which are located along Belize’s 180 miles of coastline. If Belize presents you with too many delicious activity choices for your vacation, using the Three Rs to plan your time in Belize makes good sense. Make things even easier by staying at Chabil Mar Resort in Placencia, where staff is so helpful setting up guest itineraries, you won’t miss a thing.

Runways, first

To reach Belize, patronize any of the airlines servicing Belize, including Southwest, American, United, Delta, Westjet, and Air Canada. Flights originate in so many North American cities, it can take just hours to get you to Belize. If you’re coming from outside the U.S., book on Avianca or Copa Airlines.

Stunning-Remote-un-inhabited-Islands-belize

Belize Reef adventures

Are you eager to get some exercise while exploring areas around the Belize Barrier Reef? Rent a kayak on Laughing Bird Caye to explore everything from mangrove swamps to white beaches. If aquatics are more your style, snorkel the turquoise waters of the Caribbean to see an astonishing mix of marine life around the reef where you’ll as likely run into scientists studying indigenous marine life as sports enthusiasts.

Belize Rainforests extraordinaire

If you only have time to visit one rainforest, make it to Monkey River where you will find howler monkeys and gain access to the many sites and wonders found in Belize that allows you to pair two Rs on one excursion. Not every rainforest in Belize has such a variety of things to see and do, which is why putting yourself into the hands of tour specialists at Chabil Mar resort is such a great idea. Ask about our signature excursion packages like an exciting jungle trek.

Belize Maya Ruins galore

If your Monkey River excursion whetted your appetite to explore ancient Maya ruins, then request information from Chabil Mar reservationists about Maya ceremonial centers, villages, temples, and ball courts in Belize; our staff can even get you to nearby Guatemala to see Tikal, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Extend your adventure by visiting two destinations: Guatemala and Belize. This exciting seven-night Belize & Guatemala vacation package is all-inclusive, so all of the planning is done for you.

Need we mention Relaxation and Rest?

Your Chabil Mar hosts are experts at arranging all sorts of jungle, sea, and combination excursions. Consider a customized pairing of scuba diving with fishing, a visit to Monkey River and Cockscomb Basin, or mix and match land-based attractions with adventures at sea. Of course, you can do nothing at all if you wish!

For more information about visiting Belize or 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.

Month: September 2025

The Ultimate Guide on How to Reach Placencia Belize in 2026

Flying into Placencia: The Quickest Route