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Now perched on the highest hill overlooking San Ignacio Town, the Maya ruins of Cahal Pech were originally built as an enclave for the elite. Located in a gorgeous natural setting and surrounded by tropical birds and colorful jungle fauna, Cahal Pech is one of the most popular visitor attractions in Belize. An informative museum on the grounds gives visitors an introduction to the hilltop city and features a dazzling collection of artifacts found at the site.

Layout of Cahal Pech Maya Ruins

Today, archeologists have excavated a total of 34 structures in Cahal Pech in an area measuring just over two acres in size. The “downtown” portion of Cahal Pech includes several temple pyramids, residence buildings, and seven impressive courtyards. The tallest structure on the site is a temple that measures 77 feet high. Other attractions at Cahal Pech include a ceremonial altar, five historical stelae, and two ball courts.

History of Cahal Pech Maya Ruins

Archeologists estimate that Cahal Pech was first founded around 1,000 years Before the Common Era. During the Classic Period (300-800 of the Common Era) of the Maya civilization, most of the surviving buildings, including the largest temples and palaces, were constructed during this time. Around the year 800, the citizens of Cahal Pech abandoned the city for unknown reasons, particularly mysterious because nearby Maya sites in Belize continued to be thriving population centers for several more centuries.

Although the original name for the site is lost to history, today it is called Cahal Pech, a combination Yucatan/Mopan Maya term meaning “place of the ticks”. This was the name local cattle farmers in the 1950s gave to the area.

Cahal Pech Maya Ruins Tour Information

Visitors to Cahal Pech are encourage to wear comfortable, loose, lightweight clothing and proper shoes. Long pants are recommended over shorts as they will help give additional protection from insects. All visitors are encouraged to bring plenty of drinking water, and fair-skinned individuals are recommended to make ample use of sunscreen and hats.

The Cahal Pech Visitor’s Center is open Monday through Sunday, and contains a reconstructed model of the entire site.

Chabil Mar in Placencia & Cahal Pech Maya Ruins

The award-winning Chabil Mar resort on the Placencia Peninsula offers its guests organized tours and vacation packages that include a visit to Cahal Pech. Guests can choose to include a tour of Cahal Pech as part of the resort’s popular Belize Reef and Jungle vacation package.

For more information about things to see and do in 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.

You’ve probably already heard about all of the amazing things to do and see in Belize, learned that every major airline offers non-stop flights to the country, and that Belize is an unspoiled natural paradise.

Before you depart for a wonderful vacation, here are 10 things you need to know to make sure your trip goes smoothly:

1 – Money

One American dollar is always equivalent to 2 Belizean dollars (BZD). American dollars are accepted everywhere.

2 – Visas

Citizens of Canada, the United States, and the EU do not need a visa to enter the country as a tourist for up to 30 days. For longer stays, you’ll need an extension.

3 – Language

As a former British colony, Belize is the only country in the region where English is the official language. Many people also speak Creole (similar to English), Spanish, Maya, Garifuna, and German.

4 – Toiletries

Be sure to bring sunscreen if you have fair skin. It’s also a good idea to bring insect repellent as well. In order to protect the environment, choose natural products.

5 – Clothes to Pack

Definitely don’t forget to bring a swimsuit! It rarely gets cold in Belize, so a sweatshirt or jacket is the most you’ll need. Casual wear like shorts and sandals are practically the national uniform in Belize.

6 – Religious Customs

Most people in Belize are Christian, so be sure to act respectfully in and around churches and during important religious holidays like Easter and Christmas.

7 – Electricity

Belize uses the same outlets and voltages as the United States, so all of your gear will work just fine.

8 – Holidays and Festivals

Belize is a country that loves to celebrate, so be sure to check the calendar to find out which exciting festivals, holidays, and concerts will be taking place during your visit.

9 – Health Requirements

Belize has top-quality healthcare, and there are no major health risks associated with visiting the country. The weather is quite warm in Belize so be sure to drink plenty of water so as to not get hydrated.

10 – Get Excited!

Belize is a land of adventure, so be prepared to have a ton of fun. Whether you spend your time clambering around ancient Maya pyramids, zip lining through the jungle, spotting howler monkeys in the wild, or swimming, scuba diving, and snorkeling on the reef, you’re guaranteed to have a wonderful time.

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.

5 Terrific Reasons to Visit Placencia Belize in September

In the interest of transparency, we must tell you that there are about 500 reasons to visit Belize in September, but we want to invite you here in a gentle, non-frightening way because the thought of having that many reasons to come could make you feel faint. We’d prefer that your spinning head result from rock-bottom discounts, too much local beer and so many unforgettable memories, you’ll wonder why you never thought to visit here in September before now.

1. Visit Belize in September if the idea of a non-stop party that spans all 30 days of the month is something you’ve always wanted to experience. Even the Christmas and New Year’s holidays pale in comparison. Belize finally gained its independence on September 21st, thus that date serves as an annual anniversary party that triggers fireworks, bands, parades and pageants. You’re invited to attend as many of these celebrations as your energy level permits if you visit in September.

2. September in Belize has especially nice weather, with temperatures running between 77- and 86-degrees F. Sure, Belize remains temperate and beautiful nearly 365 days a year, but September is the tail end of the green season, when Mother Nature grows weary of dispensing life-sustaining rain. In September, showers typically arrive late at night or in the early morning hours—before anyone in their right mind gets up after partying late into the night before.

3. Skip the crowds in September. For some reason, this has become the one month of the year that crowds don’t flock to Belize, and we’re convinced that this is because frequent September vacationers want to keep the secret that there’s lots of room to spread out because Belize tourism in September is at a low point. If over-crowded tours, bars, and hard-to-find accommodations sound like a great time, by all means, wait until December when prices rise and humanity arrives in force.

4. September accommodations, attractions and other amenities are less expensive than comparable rates offered during the other 11 months, so your U.S. dollar will stretch like taffy. Consider the strikingly affordable rates offered by Belize’s top lodging choice, Chabil Mar Villas in Placencia, for example. You’ll find deep discounts on everything from luxury suites to adventure tours. All-inclusive Belize vacation packages are particularly economical. Few travelers realize that September is on the cusp of tourism season, so visitors enjoy the same experience, but with less cash outlay.

5. The kids are back in school! Parents desperate for an indulgent vacation that reminds them of what life was like before lunch boxes, report cards, and sulky teens set the family barometer can rediscover each other at reduced prices. Time to ring Granny to babysit so you can vacation with the person with whom you fell in love. Environs at Chabil Mar Villas are so lush, private, and intimate, that even if you can’t recall a time when the two of you couldn’t get enough of each other, you’ll recapture it. Sure, there’s one long party going on in Placencia during September, but Chabil Mar accommodations are tucked away so exquisitely into the landscape, you might never even know it!

Visit our website chabilmarvillas.com for more information on Belize and Placencia, 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 for the month of September.

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Few people might think of beer as one of the most enjoyable parts of a vacation in Belize, but the small Central American nation has a proud history of brewing delicious local lagers.

Perhaps the most famous brewer in Belize is Belikin Beer. With their distinctive logo featuring the ancient Maya site of Altun Ha, Belikin is a multi-generational family-owned business based in Ladyville just outside of Belize City. The name Belikin comes from a Maya term for the Belize River, literally meaning “road to the east.” Founded in 1969, Belikin is the largest domestic producer of beer, producing 450 bottles per minute in their state-of-the-art breweries.

Belikin’s beer offerings include:

• Belikin Beer – The flagship brew, Belikin Beer is a classic European-style lager with an alcohol content of 4.8%.
• Belikin Stout – With a velvety, rich head, Belikin Stout has a delightful smoky taste. Made with German hops, Canadian malt, and cane sugar from Belize.
• Lighthouse Lager – A refreshing, crisp beer, Lighthouse Lager is a Canadian Pilsner with a 4.2% alcohol content.
• Belikin Premium – With a malty, hearty taste, Belikin Premium is made with two different hops and three different malts.
• Guinness Stout – Belikin is a licensed brewer of this classic stout featuring a rich color and assertive bitter overtones.

Belikin also makes a number of seasonal brews, including:

• Chocolate Stout – Inspired by a traditional Maya recipe, Chocolate Sout is a creamy beer with a velvety chocolate finish.
• Sorrel Stout – Introduced for the first time a few years ago, Sorrel Stout features a careful blend of German hops, specialty malts, and local sorrel.

Other Beers Available in Belize

Beer lovers can enjoy a variety of other brews in Belize, including:

• Red Stripe – The Jamaican classic in an iconic rounded bottle.
• Heineken – One of the most popular beers in Europe, Heineken is a pale lager with a distinctly crisp finish.
• Carib – This refreshing lager is brewed in Trinidad and Tobago.
• Dragon Stout – Brewed in Jamaica, Dragon Stout has a rich, velvety head with a lovely dark color obtained from barley.

Enjoy Belizean Beers at Chabil Mar

The bar and restaurant at the award-winning resort of Chabil Mar on the Placencia Peninsula has a full range of Belizean and international beers in stock.

Visitors to the resort can ask the bartender for a recommendation of the best beers to try. The experienced, professional bartenders at Chabil Mar can recommend food pairings and other details about the different beers available in Belize.

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.

No trip to the beautiful Central American nation of Belize would be complete without sampling some of our delicious food. The region is jam-packed with an abundance of mouth-watering fruits that you absolutely must try, such as:

1. Guaya

When eaten at its perfect ripeness, this fabulous fruit is wonderfully sweet. In Belize, the Guaya fruit is sometimes called Ginep – so you may need to use both names when speaking with vendors.

2. Dragon Fruit

Though it may look a little strange, dragon fruit is always a popular favorite among travelers to Belize. Depending on where you go, you may hear locals refer to it as Pitaya.

3. Pineapple

Pineapples may just be the perfect tropical fruit. Whether you want to enjoy a slice at breakfast or in your beverage, you won’t be disappointed with the selection on offer in Belize.

4. Sapodilla

Native to Belize and the Mexican Yucatan, this delicious fruit has a sweet and granular texture. It is not to be missed.

5. Soursop

This native Belizean fruit can be found throughout the country. If you want to indulge your sweet tooth, you can find Soursop flavored ice creams in stores and restaurants.

6. Mango

If you like to treat yourself to a mango while you are at home, you simply must have one while you are in Belize. For maximum freshness, try to travel during mango season.

7. Breadfruit

Though breadfruit is not native to Belize, it is nonetheless very popular in the area. It is traditionally baked or roasted and enjoyed at dinner time.

8. Papaya

This delectably sweet fruit is popular across Belize. If you look closely, you will even be able to spot the birds of Belize enjoying this fabulous fruit straight from the tree.

9. Apple Banana

Belize offers some of the tastiest bananas that you will find anywhere on earth. You simply must try an apple banana during your time there.

10. Coconut

Whether you prefer to enjoy coconut milk, coconut water, or something a little different, you will be pleased to know that Belize offers huge quantities of this delicious fruit.

11. Tamarind

You will find this fruit at convenience stores across Belize. Its sour, candy-like taste is always popular with tourists and locals alike.

12. Golden Plum

If you like your fruits to be tart and crunchy, you must try the Golden Plum. If you are feeling really adventurous, you can even dip it in some hot sauce.

13. Cacao

Belize is the perfect place to indulge in the fruit that is transformed into chocolate. The flesh that covers the beans is amazingly sweet.

14. Sapote

The Sapote’s sandpaper-like skin can be a little offputting at first. However, when you open it up you will be able to taste the creamy and sweet center that lies within.

15. Craboo

This delicious fruit is popularly eaten as part of a stew Craboo in Belize. You will sometimes hear locals refer to it as Nance.

16. Cashew Fruit

You may have heard of cashew nuts, but did you know that there is also a cashew fruit? When eaten fresh, this fruit is fabulously sweet and juicy. If you’re feeling thirsty, you can also purchase cashew fruit wine in many stores and restaurants.

17. Custard Apple

This fruit is a favorite among native Belizeans. It has a sweet and granular texture and is most often eaten with sweetened condensed milk.

18. Malay Apple

Originally brought to Belize by colonial settlers, this fruit has since become one of the most popular in the nation. It is sometimes referred to as a Wax Apple.

19. Sea Grape

Sea Grapes are found mainly in the coastal beach areas of Belize, so if you are staying at a resort you should definitely try them out. This mouth-watering fruit is incredibly sweet.

20. Starfruit

Though starfruit originally hails from Southeast Asia, it is now widely grown in Belize. Though it generally tastes quite sweet, it can sometimes be a little sour.

21. Guava

Whether you prefer to eat it in slices or drink it as a juice, you simply must try some Belizean Guava when you are in the area. You won’t be disappointed.

If you want to head to Belize to try out some of these delicious fruits for yourself, then you will need somewhere to stay. Of course, Chabil Mar Resort in Placencia Village, Belize is the perfect option. Aside from our fabulous culinary options, our amazing resort also offers beach access and luxurious accommodation. There is nowhere else quite like it on earth.