November may be cold, dark, and foreboding in North America, but not in Belize! This lovely Caribbean country just south of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula enjoys blue skies, golden sunshine, and deliciously warm temperatures all throughout November, making it the perfect getaway vacation destination.
Some of the exciting activities occurring in Belize include:
The Belize International Film Festival
Between November 9-12, 2017, the Bliss Center in Belize City will play host to the 12th annual Belize International Film Festival (BelizeIFF). Featuring both long and short-form films from Belize and around the world, BelizeIFF is one of the best ways to see the unique creativity and worldview of Belizean and other independent film directors.
In 2017, attendees will get to see the country premiere of Hogan, a film directed and produced by Belizean natives and brothers Jah and Faron Smith about a local bare knuckle boxer who puts everything on the line for a shot at the championship.
The Battle of the Drums
The town of Punta Gorda will rock through the night to the rhythms of Garifuna percussion instruments during the annual Battle of the Drums. Starting at 7:30 PM on November 11, 2017, local bands will compete to get the crowds on the dance floor, demonstrating their skill in local musical styles like Chumba, Wanaragua, Punta, Hungu and Paranda.
The festival continues on the following night with an impressive display of musical stamina as the very best bands demonstrate their prowess with energetic bouts of drumming that are scheduled to last until 6:00 AM the following morning. Enthusiastic dancing is most definitely welcomed!
Garifuna Settlement Day
Every November 19, the entire country celebrates Garifuna Settlement Day to commemorate the arrival of the Afro-Caribbean Garifuna people to the shores of Belize more than 200 years ago. Honored by the United Nations, the Garifuna are renowned for their drumming, dancing, music, and food. Throughout the country, people celebrate with music, traditional Garifuna fare, and street dancing.
Residents of western Canada and the upper northwest of the United States can now enjoy the beauty and sunshine of Belize starting this November as WestJet will begin flying from Calgary, Alberta (code: YYC) starting on November 1, 2017. WestJet already operates non-stop flights from Toronto, joining the four biggest airlines in the United States – American, United, Delta, and Southwest – in serving the burgeoning Belize travel market.
One of the best places to stay in Belize is the beautiful Placencia Peninsula. Located right on the Caribbean coast in southeastern Belize, Placencia is 16 miles of golden sand beaches, luxury resorts, and small cafes. Placencia is also the gateway to the southern Belize Barrier Reef, a mecca for snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and sailing. And the Seine Bight village, one of the centers of Garifuna culture, is located on the Placencia Peninsula.
Chabil Mar (Maya for “beautiful sea”) is an award-winning luxury resort located on the Placencia Peninsula. With luxury beachfront villas, a lush tropical garden, a gourmet restaurant, and world-class customer service, Chabil Mar is the perfect place to stay when visiting Belize in November.
For more information about visiting Belize in November, 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.
