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Belize is blessed by the presence of the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second-largest barrier reef in the world. A complex marine ecosystem that is home to nearly one-quarter of all the marine species in the world’s oceans, understanding the difference between the atolls and the reefs is quite subtle.

Reefs are made from a living animal, the coral, which regularly produces a hard exoskeleton of calcium carbonate, the same substance that composes the shells of mollusks and other kinds of shellfish. Over time, the exuded exoskeleton begins to build up until it appears like an underwater hedgerow or stony “bush” that serves as the home for a multitude of aquatic creatures, including fish, juvenile mammals, sharks, and a wide variety of flora that use the coral for shelter, as a nursery, or as a feeding ground.

It is the entirety of this coral exoskeleton and its attendant marine life that makes up the coral reef. An atoll, however, is a specific kind of coral reef. All atolls are reefs that form around the mouth of an underwater volcano, growing in a circular pattern. Due to the temperature changes and other ejecta from the volcano, atolls are generally lifeless, sometimes referred to as “underwater deserts.” Generally, coral reefs, on the other hand, are the complete opposite – home to some of the densest and most biodiverse collections of marine lifeforms.

Coral reefs can grow anywhere there is a hard foundation like limestone sea floors or sunken ships that are close enough to the surface of the water to allow access to sunlight. Coral reefs grow slowly, taking hundreds, if not thousands of years, to achieve their immense size. Indeed, the Belize Barrier Reef is easily visible from outer space. And marine biologists estimate that some coral reefs are up to a million years old.

Atolls, predominately found in the Pacific Ocean, are circular in shape, growing as they do around a lagoon created by submarine volcanos. When a volcano erupts, much of the ejected material settles on the sea floor. As these deposits continue, they can create enough material that the solid material rises above the surface of the water to create islands. After the material has cooled, coral reefs can begin growing on this material, eventually covering it completely and forming true atolls.

Chabil Mar offers organized tours and vacation packages to the most beautiful Belize atolls and the Belize coral reef.

For more information about Belize atolls and coral reefs, 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.

Belize is famous for its beautiful beaches, pristine rainforests, ancient Maya ruins, and the hundreds of postcard-perfect tropical islands that dot the Belize Barrier Reef. But one of Belize’s best-kept secrets is its vivacious and increasingly popular music scene.

A mainland country in Central America with a distinctly Caribbean vibe, Belize is home to “brukdown” music, a Creole term that roughly translates as “broken down calypso.” Instead of the stately rhythms of classic songs like “Day-O”, brukdown has a more accelerated tempo, dance-friendly music that regularly keeps the clubs jumping until the small hours of the morning. Many local stations in Belize have made “Good Mawnin’ Belize” (see video below) the unofficial anthem of the country, played every morning to add a jolt of energy and fun into each morning.

Another genre that sprang up in the Garifuna villages and settlements in Belize is “punta” music (see video below). With roots in reggae, punta mashes together the entrancing laconic vibes of reggae with a heavy dose of African-style call and response singing. Punta (sometimes called “punta rock”) is instantly recognizable thanks to rhythm lines from handcrafted drums still made from hollowed logs, punctuated by the liberal use of maracas.

Belize’s Garifuna people are descended from a mix of indigenous Caribbean peoples and Africans. After leaving the British-controlled island of St. Vincent, the Garifuna people moved en masse to Belize in the 19th century to become one of Belize’s most iconic cultures.

Experience the Wonders of Belizean Music

The award-winning resort of Chabil Mar on the Placencia Peninsula is just a few minutes walk from the Garifuna village of Seine Bight where all of the above styles are practiced on a daily basis. Chabil Mar is also just a short driving distance from the Garifuna village of Hopkins and the cultural and musical capital of Belize, Dangriga.

November is a great month to visit Belize as the Garifuna people celebrate their arrival in the country on November 19, Garifuna Settlement Day, a national holiday where Garifuna music, food, and culture is the occasion for a huge street party.

With a beautiful tropical garden, one of the finest restaurants in Belize on-site, and lovely beachfront villas, Chabil Mar offers unparalleled luxury and comfort on the Placencia Peninsula.

Review of Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

History: Concern for the viability of Belize’s jaguar population didn’t arise until the 1980s, when wildlife conservationists and government officials compared notes on the frequency of jaguar references found in hunting magazines. A graduate student was hired to estimate the jaguar population and he declared that the “highest density” of jaguars ever recorded were at the Cockscomb Basin. The government of Belize stepped in and declared the Basin a no-hunting forest reserve in 1984, but wildlife experts remained worried that this designation didn’t sufficiently protect jaguars and other wildlife, so that designation was upgraded to wildlife sanctuary in 1986.What you’ll see: If you expect to encounter nothing but four legged creatures while visiting this Belize hot spot, you’re in for a surprise. Majestic waterfalls, trails and mountain peaks are home to all sorts of creatures, including a splendid collection of neo-tropical birds. The reason this area is so hospitable has to do with the bounty of natural resources encouraging habitation. The South Stann Creek not only sustains wildlife but also protects the upper watersheds of river systems supplying water to the people of Belize. In fact, there’s just a sliver of land separating basins interconnected to the Swasey River and a Monkey River tributary, so the complex drainage system supports all manner of life in the region—including people!

Okay, so you’ve got the itch to travel to somewhere new, somewhere cool, somewhere exotic, or just anywhere that’s different. No problem! Belize is just a short flight from the United States and Canada, and all the biggest airlines now operate non-stop flights to this jewel of a country.

Truth be told, you could grab a last-minute fare and enjoy some Belize travel without any advanced planning and still have a great time. But if you really want to experience all the best stuff in the country, it’s usually best to book your stay around three weeks ahead of time since many Belize resorts offer discounts on advanced bookings.

Our advice is to first head to your favorite travel agent or airline website and see what’s being offered for a non-stop flight to Belize City (all international flights to Belize land in Belize City). 

Once that’s settled, make sure your passport is in order and has at least six months left to go before it’ll expire. After that, your next question is probably, “Where to go in Belize?”

Well, you simply can’t go wrong no matter what you choose. Belize has the largest coral reef system in the Northern Hemisphere, perfect for activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, and sea kayaking. Islands like Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are great for seafood, too, all of it fresh-caught right from the surrounding Caribbean.

But don’t think it’s just about the islands. The mainland of Belize is amazing, too, with lots of wildlife to see and exotic birds. There are thick jungles, rainforests, and majestic waterfalls. Oh, and there are ancient Maya pyramids, palaces, and temples all over the place, too.

But what if you’re interested in Belize vacation packages? The good news is that all the top resorts offer great deals for one fixed price that usually include ground transportation, meals, lodgings, and even guided Belize trips to nearby attractions. They often throw in some great freebies like wireless internet and the use of bicycles or golf carts to get around, too.

If you’re looking for the best resort to stay in Belize, be sure to stay at the fabulous Chabil Mar Resort located on the beautiful Placencia Peninsula.

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.

Xunantunich Mayan Ruins in Belize