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Belize is a country with a low population density, home to dazzling natural landscapes such as beaches, islands, jungles, rainforests, and mountains. The vast majority of Belize is still virgin country where unusual, exotic, and interesting wildlife flourish, including rare and endangered species found nowhere else on the planet. This eco-diversity is one reason why Belize is nicknamed “The Jewel.” The diverse habitats offer a flourishing environment for hundreds of species of birds and interesting animals such as jaguars, monkeys, and giant iguanas.

Because of this incredible diversity, it’s often easier to think of the jungle and rainforest in terms of layers. At ground level, you can find interesting animals like peccaries (wild pigs), gibnuts, deer, crocodiles, and Baird’s tapir (Belize’s national animals). And there are five different big cat species that prowl the rainforest floor, including pumas, margays, ocelots, jaguarundis, and the king of the jungle himself, the elusive jaguar.

Farther up, a completely different group of animals and birds thrive. Flocks of scarlet macaws, toucans, and giant iguanas make their home on the tree branches. And further up still, it’s easy to spot birds like the enormous harpy eagle and animals like the black howler monkey, one of the loudest animals in the world. Indeed, black howler monkeys produce louder sounds than your average rock concert and can be heard up to three miles (five kilometers) away, even through thick jungle foliage.

On the coast, a completely different ecosystem can be found. Shorebirds, frigate birds, and Jabiru storks hunt in the rich coastal waters. Just offshore, enormous tracts of seagrass are home to manatees and dolphins. And the islands of the Belize Barrier Reef are home to a colorful array of fish, sharks, five kinds of sea turtles, and rays. The islands are also home to interesting birds like kites, kingfishers, and frigate birds.

Belize is a true paradise for bird watchers with more than 500 species having been recorded in the country. Even first-time bird watchers can usually dozens different species with the help of local guides. Belize is home to beautiful birds of all sizes and types, including tiny hummingbirds, colorful toucans and macaws, the majestic blue-crowned motmot, and rare and endangered species like the ocellated turkey and the yellow-headed parrot.

If you’d like to enjoy a fabulous vacation in Belize that includes spotting wildlife and bird watching, make your booking with the Chabil Mar Resort.

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.

Here are 27 quirky facts that many travelers to Belize are not aware of.

1. The official language of Belize is English.
2. Most Belizeans are trilingual and Spanish and Kriol are also widely spoken in the country.
3. Belize was once home to over 1 million Maya people.
4. Belizean cuisine is an amalgamation of all ethnicities in the country.
5. If Belizean food is what you like, then don’t miss trying the traditional Belizean rice and beans.
6. Placencia, the captivating Peninsula of Southern Belize, offers a tropical paradise with everything from sun-kissed beaches to awe-inspiring diving sites. Arguably, Placencia is one of the most visited vacation spots in Belize.
7. After the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, Belize stands second in the world with its longest reef featuring an abundant of marine life.
8. Belize is home to traditional Mennonites.
9. Belize has acres of pristine coastline featuring white sandy beaches and beautiful offshore islands. Laughing Bird Caye and South Water Caye are two such destinations.
10. Belize’s tropical setting is an ideal habitat for birds, and the country boasts over 300 species of native birds.
11. One of the famous dishes in Belize is made from Gibnut meat. This was the dish presented to Queen Elizabeth during her first visit to this country.
12. Belize’s jungle is home to wild cats, including jaguars and ocelots.
13. Apart from its historic archeological sites, Belize is known for its scuba diving sites. The Blue Hole, one of the world’s most popular sinkhole, is one famous dive site here.
14. Belize received its Independence from Great Britain on 21st September, 1981.
15. Unlike any urban city with high-rises, Belize is blessed with lush nature, acres of rainforest, and the tallest building in the country is Canna Temple, a Maya pyramid at Caracol.
16. Belize is home to many luxury resorts and jungle lodges. However, there are not many all-inclusive branded resorts here.
17. Belize’s size is close to that of New Hampshire in area wise. With a population just over 350,000, the country is one of the sparsely populated nations in the world.
18. Belizeans do use a number of funny Creole phrases such as the ‘Sleeping Policeman’ term for speed breakers.
19. Belizeans love ketchup with their fried chicken instead of hot sauce.
20. Belizeans eat the Marie Sharp hot sauce with almost everything.
21. No time to exchange money? You can use US dollars anywhere in Belize.
22. The locals here love the Punta Rock music.
23. Belize is one of the world’s top destinations for a wedding or honeymoon vacation.
24. Belizeans make some finest handmade chocolates from locally grown cocoa.
25. You will be surprised to find a jaguar crossing sign on the highway.
26. Fry jacks is a favorite breakfast of Belizeans.
27. Belize is home to the world’s loudest creature: the Black Howler Monkey.

Visit our website chabilmarvillas.com for more information on 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.

On February 7th and 8th, 2026, Placencia Village will host the 21st annual Sidewalk Arts and Music Festival. The central sidewalk in town will be filled with photographs, paintings, crafts, vendors, clothing, wood carvings, sculptures, and homemade jewelry. With a wide variety of games, drinks, live music, and poetry readings, this popular festival celebrates the very best of Belizean arts and culture.

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

Beginning at 10:00 am, the streets will come alive as artists and artisans from around Belize and the entire region come to display their masterpieces, handicrafts, and homemade works all along the central sidewalk in Placencia.

You Should Definitely Attend The Placencia Sidewalk Arts & Music Festival

Family and friends will find plenty to do and see as they stroll from one end of the world’s narrowest main street (just four feet wide) to the other, with over 4,000 feet of the festival featuring colorful art, games, live music, and mouthwatering food.

The Placencia Sidewalk Arts and Musical Festival is a fantastic event to shop for Belizean art and explore the country’s vivacious music scene.

For more information on the Sidewalk Arts and Musical Festival, 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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Popularized by top media publications like Vogue Magazine and the New York Times, savvy travelers have started to discover the eco-wonderland of the Placencia Peninsula in southern Belize. A 16-mile north to south stretch of golden sands facing the sparkling waters of the Caribbean, Placencia is an idyllic vacation spot where “barefoot perfect” is the official motto.

At the southern tip of the peninsula is Placencia Village, the Guinness Book of World Record holder for the world’s smallest main street, a sidewalk measuring just four feet across that is a pedestrian-only zone of lovely cafes, small shops, restaurants, and dive outfits for trips out to the nearby Belize Barrier Reef.

The southern part of the Belize Barrier Reef immediately offshore from Placencia is a combination of marine nature reserves and national parks ideal for bird watching, beach barbecues, and playing castaway for a day. The tranquil lagoons and white sandy seafloor are heaven for snorkelers and scuba divers who come to marvel at the rainbow of anemones, glinting schools of fish, dolphins, sting rays, and even whale sharks that are found in the waters of the Belize Barrier Reef.

Not to be outdone, the mainland near Placencia includes the enormous Cockscomb Basin Nature Reserve, home to some of Central America’s last remaining jaguars, boat safaris along the well-named Monkey River, and explorations of ancient Maya sacred caves and enormous cities that still dominate the landscape.

Placencia is known for its vibe just as much as its natural beauty. One of the top events of the year is the annual Lobsterfest in June where cooks compete to create the tastiest and most innovative dishes featuring the world’s most popular crustacean. Games, artwork, handicrafts, and lots of live music ensure that there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Lobsterfest.

Chabil Mar

Chabil Mar is a multiple award-winning resort located on the Placencia Peninsula just a few minutes’ walk from Placencia Village. With a lush tropical garden, luxuriously equipped villas, and a gourmet restaurant offering open-air dining on the resort’s sea pier, Chabil Mar is the ideal place to enjoy a wonderful vacation in Placencia, Belize.

Chabil Mar offers tours to all of the top destinations in and around Placencia, including diving and snorkeling with whale sharks, boat trips on the Monkey River, hiking through the Cockscomb Basin Nature Reserve, and trips to the top ancient Maya cities and sacred caves.

For more information about 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

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A quiet, easygoing nation located in the heart of Central America, Belize is fast becoming one of the top destinations for people wanting to escape the cold and misery of winter. The weather in Belize is always pleasant and warm all-year round and the country features a uniquely harmonious mix of different cultures. Friendly, English-speaking natives will make you feel right at home as you explore some of the many amazing attractions that Belize has to offer.

Below are 10 reasons why you should pack your bags right now and have a winter holiday in Belize:

1 – Maya Ruins

Belize was once the heart of the ancient Mayan Empire. Today, dozens of Mayan cities can be explored throughout the country, featuring a rich mix of towering temples, beautiful carvings, and grand plazas.

2 – The Great Blue Hole

Declared by famed marine biologist Jacques Cousteau as one of the best diving sites on the planet, the Great Blue Hole is a unique circular depression adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef. Divers can explore an enormous underwater series of caverns carved out during the last great Ice Age.

3 – Wildlife

Whether you’re interested in viewing some of the rarest tropical bird species on the planet or want to see the last surviving jaguars in the region, Belize has it all. Visitors can see crocodiles, monkeys, and manatees at play in their natural habitat or embark on exclusive diving tours to frolic with whale sharks.

4 – Drinking in the Scenery

Belize is a relatively small country but has a richly diverse natural landscape. Travel between destinations is affordable and safe, offering visitors the chance to observe verdant mountains, lush fertile valleys, and pristine rainforests on their journey.

5 – Beaches

Beaches abound in Belize, as the country is located on the western shores of the lovely Caribbean Sea. With hundreds of miles of pristine, white beaches, you can enjoy the tropical fantasy vacation of your dreams swaying in a hammock under the shade of a palm tree in Belize. Almost nothing can compare to watching the sun set over the gorgeous turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

6 – Food

Belize is the home to a rich mix of indigenous cultures, resulting in some of the most delicious food anywhere on the planet. Casual food is king here, with plenty of fresh-caught lobster, savory Caribbean dishes, and spicy Mexican food to choose from.

7 – Diving and Snorkeling

The clear waters of the Caribbean make snorkeling and diving in Belize some of the best to be found anywhere on Earth. The nearby Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest in the world, is home to dozens of species of colorful fish, nurse sharks, and unique invertebrate species.

8 – Belize Adventures

Whether you’re interested in tubing down a river through a network of caves, hiking mountains, spelunking in huge caves, or exploring the jungle, there is plenty to do for the adventurous-minded in Belize.

9 – Belize Islands

Locally known as cayes (pronounced “keys”), Belize has hundreds of gorgeous islands, ranging from the laid-back party town of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye to the diving paradise of atolls fronting the Belize Barrier Reef.

10 – The Belize Weather

With a warm, tropical climate, and sunny skies nearly all year-round, the weather in Belize is fantastic. You’ll rarely need anything heavier than a sweater when in Belize, and T-shirts and sandals are the dress code of choice for visitors and locals alike.

Where to Stay

The award-winning resort of The Villas at Chabil Mar offering outstanding accommodations just minutes away from all the action in Placencia Village in southeastern Belize. With gorgeous views of the beautiful Caribbean Sea, each villa is a richly-appointed two-room suite combining traditional Belizean decor with modern luxury.

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.

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