Belize: A Unique Place to Celebrate Thanksgiving

At first glance, a perennially sunny and warm country like Belize may seem like a strange place to celebrate Thanksgiving. After all, Thanksgiving isn’t even an official holiday in Belize. But because of the close ties between Belize and the United States and the large number of American visitors who come to Belize in November to escape the cold and snow, Thanksgiving has become a very popular holiday in Belize.

Not only that, but many of the “classic” Thanksgiving foods have their origins in the Maya culture of Belize. Turkey meat and corn have both been staple Maya foods for over 3,000 years, and many of the tasty sides that adorn an American Thanksgiving meal are also common foods in Belize. Except maybe, perhaps, that Belizeans like to add a little twist to the cuisine with a touch more spice and some real Caribbean flavor.

And frankly, a lot of people prefer celebrating Thanksgiving abroad simply because of how easy it is. Instead of endless negotiations over where to eat Thanksgiving dinner, you can just hop on a plane and enjoy a delicious feast prepared by a top-ranked chef. And forget about schlepping to the store and dealing with all the clean-up!

Oh, and don’t worry about missing a minute of the big game, if that’s your thing. All of the top resorts in Belize have satellite TV with American channels.

From the United States, American Airlines, United, Delta, Southwest, and Sun Country Airlines fly non-stop to Belize from major cities across the country. And from Canada, WestJet and Air Canada offer non-stop service from Calgary and Toronto.

“There’s no better place to enjoy Thanksgiving in Belize than at our resort,” said Larry France, the marketing manager of Chabil Mar. “This year, we’ll be serving a full Thanksgiving dinner as well as some live entertainment at Café Mar. This year’s menu includes turkey, Belize-style holiday ham, and a full selection of delicious sides.”

Café Mar is the popular restaurant located on the grounds of Chabil Mar resort in Placencia, Belize. Thanksgiving dinner can be enjoyed by guests  and due to its popularity, advanced reservations are recommended.

What Is Beauty By Belize!

Here at Chabil Mar (Maya for Beautiful Sea), our slogan is “Beauty by Belize . . . Luxury by Design!”

On the surface, one could assume we have proudly chosen this slogan to reflect the aesthetically eye-pleasing and traditional architecture of our buildings and Villas or the lush landscape and flora that envelops our pools and buildings or the wondrous beauty of the entire country of Belize and all around us in Placencia. It could be the flora that we have imported from the reaches of the jungle to mingle with our local spectacular natural displays, the colorful fauna and spectacular marine life of the Caribbean, or the gentle crash of the waves on our beach. And, with each of these perceptions, you would be correct.

But . . .

On a deeper level, our slogan was chosen to reflect our true passion, to bring together guests and compatriots in a setting designed to foster those special moments in one’s life. We have chosen our slogan to cherish the beauty, hospitality and compassion of the Belizean people. It is then that we truly created a very very beautiful place.

True, a resort is what we all see in photos, a collection of bricks, wood, glass, and mortar filled with carpets, furniture, and art. And yes, these things are very important, meaningful, and even a beautiful enhancement to the vacation experience. While we love our buildings and Villas, and we do, there is a meaning of greater depth behind the phrase “Beauty by Belize” for us at Chabil Mar. We believe the true beauty by Belize is in the people of Belize. Their’s is a natural serenity, friendliness and peaceful happiness.

Enter the people, the life, the laughter, the conversations, the wonderful memories made in this space, our extraordinary service. And, the buildings are revealed to be a luxury backdrop, an additional player on hand, and a focal point where we come together to be one with Belize.

We believe that real value is the value placed by all of us at Chabil Mar on making each and every guest special and unique; getting to know them by name, understanding their passions and their joys, their wishes and their expectations; seeing a smile bloom on their face as they marvel at the wonders of Belize for the first time. Together with them we relish in their delights. Along with them, we smile in their joy at that first unforgettable photo of our barrier reef, the sight of the majesty of an egret or hummingbird in flight or as they feel the deep bass roar of a howler monkey and the surprise of a random iguana crossing their path . . . the sites and sounds of Belize and Placencia greeting them at every turn.

As one guest recently commented in a review of their Belize vacation, “From the minute you go through the gates at Chabil Mar your every request is taken care of. We were greeted like family members and treated as such from the moment of our arrival.”

What is Beauty by Belize? We invite you to discover it with us and be one with Belize, be one with Placencia and be one with Chabil Mar. We designed the luxury and now the beauty of Belize is our best kept secret no more.

Luxury Latin America Magazine Recommends Chabil Mar

Luxury Latin America, the market leader in providing unbiased reviews of luxury hotel properties in Mexico, Central America, and South America has published an article highlighting the world-class services and facilities of the Chabil Mar Resort in Placencia, Belize.

Luxury Latin America noted the recent upgrades on the Chabil Mar property, including their brand-new 2,000-square-foot luxury villa. The article also commented on the growing popularity of the Placencia Peninsula, noting that Chabil Mar, with a private pier and luxury villas just steps from the beach, continues to lead the way. The article also highlighted the harmonious blend of luxury facilities like zoned air conditioning, high-speed WiFi, and modern kitchens with the lovely Belizean influenced architecture, ambience and furnishings made from locally sourced wood.

Luxury Latin America’s article goes on to note the wide range of complimentary services provided to guests of Chabil Mar, including secure parking and golf cart rentals for exploring the nearby village. The article highlighted the resort’s full-service restaurant, attractive bar, and professional staff that arrange custom tours and vacation packages, concluding by recommending Chabil Mar as an ideal destination both for couples on their honeymoon and families on vacation.


“We are very honored to have been featured by Luxury Latin America,” said Larry France, Marketing Manager of Chabil Mar. “They are a highly respected publication trusted by elite travelers because of their strict policy of writing only unbiased reviews of hotel properties. We warmly welcome their readers to Chabil Mar and look forward to delivering our world-class customer service and providing tailored vacation packages and tour bookings for these elite guests.”

Chabil Mar is a multiple award-winning luxury resort located on the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize featuring luxury villas on a property that includes a seafront pier, swimming pool, restaurant, tropical garden, bar, and spa. Chabil Mar was awarded the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice award for ten consecutive years, including 2017, and has been featured in premier publications like Destination Travel Magazine, FWT (Food, Wine, and Travel), GQ and Jetsetter.

Luxury Latin America does not receive remuneration for its reviews, and all content is generated from authentic experiences.

Visit our website chabilmarvillas.com for more information about Chabil Mar, 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.

Finding the Best Family Resort in Belize

The Perfect Family Vacation Awaits in Belize

When it comes time to planning a fantastic Caribbean vacation, it can be tough to find a resort that has something for young children, preteens, teens, and adults. Adults want sophisticated food and luxury services like spa treatments while children prefer to play on the beach or splash in the pool. And the calculations get even more complex when it’s time to choose activities that the whole family can enjoy.

One of the best family resorts in Belize is Chabil Mar, which, in the local Mayan dialect, means “beautiful sea,” an apt description for the gorgeous stretch of Caribbean beach where Chabil Mar is located. Much more than a hotel, Chabil Mar is a true luxury resort, with plenty of room for kids to safely play. The resort has its own private stretch of beach, a lush tropical garden, a gourmet restaurant, and two freshwater infinity pools.

Chabil Mar is located on Placencia Peninsula just a few miles offshore from the fabled Belize Barrier Reef, a mecca for snorkelers and scuba divers. Chabil Mar offers luxury villas that have a full complement of modern conveniences and comforts, including air-conditioning, cable television, and high-speed wireless internet.

The resort offers guests the complimentary use of bicycles, paddle boards, and kayaks, making it easy to explore the coastline or head down to Placencia Village, a short, five-minute walk away. There’s also a gift shop and an on-site golf cart rental facility at Chabil Mar.

Belize offers kids activities & family fun for the whole gang!

And when it comes time to choosing activities, Chabil Mar can arrange for guided tours to all of the top destinations in the country. Kids and adults both love activities like visiting a nature park, exploring an ancient Maya ruin, or a delicious meal made from fresh-caught seafood. Nearby attractions include the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (home to more than 200 jaguars), boat tours along the well-named Monkey River, and ancient Maya sites like Nim Li Punit and Lubantuum.

Chabil Mar Resort is just a couple of miles from some of the most pristine and picturesque islands on the reef, the perfect location to enjoy activities like fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing, sea kayaking, and stand-up paddling. And few experiences can compare to a beach barbecue!

Chabil Mar offers family-friendly accommodations!

This year, choose Belize and Chabil Mar for your family’s vacation. You’ll enjoy a great time together in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and the kids might even learn a few things along the way too. What more could you ask for?

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 family vacation.

Belize Whale Shark Diving

whale sharks in belize
Photo by: www.smithsonianmag.com

Make 2020 the Year You Dive with Belize Whale Sharks

If you’ve heard enough jokes referring to bottom-feeding lawyers nicknamed sharks, it’s time to give these magnificent ocean creatures the respect they deserve by preparing yourself to undertake the challenge of a lifetime in 2020. How? By going whale shark diving in Belize.

Scared? A little bit of fear is a healthy reaction, but keep this in mind: Belize is home to a thriving aqua-tourism industry offering snorkeling and diving experiences to visitors from around the globe. Would these ventures be as popular, heavily booked and safe if divers didn’t return home with all body parts intact?

How can you be part of the great whale shark swim adventure? By grabbing your calendar right now and checking to see when you can get away during Belize’s shark season: during full moon spans of spring and early summer that, in 2020, run from March 23rd to April 3rd; April 22nd to May 3rd; May 21st to June 1st and from June 20th to July 1st.

What can you expect if you travel to Belize to indulge your inner Cousteau by participating in an exciting shark dive? Frankly, it could come down to where you decide to stay because these seasonal excursions can book up early, and you might need an “in,” courtesy of your host resort. That’s why we recommend Chabil Mar Villas where all of your arrangements can be made at the time you book your rooms.

Chabil Mar will delight you, even if your primary purpose for staying there is to cavort with those whale sharks: Villas are beautifully appointed, private verandas lush and romantic and you don’t have to leave the resort for anything other than your shark diving excursions because Chabil Mar’s onsite restaurant, pool, spa services and beaches are guaranteed to delight all of your senses.

If you want to see more of Belize while you’re here, your Chabil Mar host is happy to send you off on hiking trails, to nature preserves, Mayan ruins treks and cave exploring and you won’t have to lift a finger to make arrangements if you choose the resort’s Whale Shark Dive Package.

This adventure package consists of three whale shark dives, two Belize Barrier Reef dives and accommodations for seven nights. On the days you don’t dive, soak up sun and breezes on the beach or partake of the vast menu of land-based tours available throughout Belize.

If this all sounds heavenly, we urge you to act now. Given short windows of time when these gentle giants are in the waters off Belize—and the likelihood that more and more repeat visitors will return in 2021 to relive their previous shark diving experiences—you risk disappointment if you don’t secure your place.

Once that’s done, be prepared to immerse yourself in the rarified environs of the Gladden Spit Marine Reserve where the whale sharks gather. Your visit is likely to change the way you view the natural order of things beneath the sea and the excitement you feel when you meet these creatures can’t be compared to any other experience you have in your lifetime.

For more information about diving with whale sharks 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.

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