In this blog post, we bring to you 20 amazing facts about beautiful Belize.

Belize Fact#1

Belize is the only Central American Country where English is the official language. Apart from English, there are many recognized regional languages: Kriol, Spanish, Garifuna, and Mayan.

Belize Fact#2

September 10 in Belize is celebrated as the National Day or St George’s Caye Day. On this day in 1798, Spanish forces were repelled by the British in the Battle of St George’s Caye, with no reported casualties on either side.

See also: 7 Reasons Why You Have to Travel to Belize this Summer

Belize Fact#3

Belize has a private enterprise economy that is largely dependent on agriculture, agro-based industry and merchandising. However tourism and construction and the recent discovery of oil field have presented new prospects for the country. The estimated GDP of the country is 1.354 billion dollars and the major trading partners are the United States of America, Mexico, Central America and the European Union.

Belize Fact#4

Belize obtained its independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981. George Cadle Price was the first prime minister of Belize and he served from 12 September 1981 to 17 December 1984.

Belize Fact#5

The currency of Belize is Belize dollar and its ISO 3166 code is BZ. Since 1978, the official value is pegged at 2 BZD = 1 US dollar.

See also: Chabil Mar, Placencia’s Only Guest Exclusive Resort

Belize Fact#6

Belmopan is the capital of Belize and its name derives from the union of two words: “Belize” and “Mopan”. After the devastating Hurricane Hattie destroyed the former capital, Belize City, in 1961, the government was shifted to Belmopan in 1970.

Belize Fact#7

Belize has the only Jaguar reserve in the world which is known as Cockscomb Basin Wildlife sanctuary.

Belize Fact#8

The islands in Belize are called Cayes (pronounced “keys”) and total around 450 including those on the outer atolls.

Belize Fact#9

Belize has around 900 Maya temple sites.

Belize Fact#10

The largest city of Belize is located at the mouth of the river Belize River and is known as Belize City. It has an estimated population of 79,600 and is the main port and the industrial hub of the country. It was discovered in the mid-17th Century by British lumber harvesters and was the capital of British Honduras.

Belize Fact#11

The total land area of Belize is 8,867 square miles or 22,700 square kilometers.  The country’s greatest length, north to south, is 170 miles (274 km) and its greatest width, east to west, is 68 miles (109 km).  Using an offshore territorial limit of 20 km, the country covers 46,620 km2 (18,000 sq mi), of which only 49% is land.

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

Belize Fact#12

Belize is in the Central Standard Time zone and does not observe daylight saving time.

Belize Fact#13

Belize is subtropical, with a mean annual temperature of 80^o F.

Belize Fact#14

The first people to inhabit Belize were the Maya around 1500 B.C.E. As shown in archeological records, they established a number of settlements such as Caracol, Lamanai and Lubaantun.

Belize Fact#15

Belize’s Black Howler Monkeys are one of the top 10 loudest animals in the world.

See also: 12 Incredible Belize Vacation Photos

Belize Fact#16

Some of the exotic names for Belize’s natural wonders include the Owl-Eye Butterfly, the Blue Morpho Butterfly, the Swallow Tail Cattle Heart Butterfly, the Peanut-Head Lantern Bug, the Red-footed Booby Bird, the Lady-of-the-Night Orchid and the False Vampire Bat.

Belize Fact#17

Close to 1 million tourists’ visit Belize annually of which 70% of are Americans.

Belize Fact#18

Belize is one of the least populated countries in the world.

Belize Fact#19

Ambergris Caye, which is 25 miles long, is Belize’s largest and most developed island.

Belize Fact#20

More than 400 species of fish live in the waters of Belize’s 185-mile long Barrier Reef.

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.

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If this summer is your first opportunity to visit the amazing country of Belize, here are 10 breathtaking activities that you should really add to your bucket list:

1 – Explore an ancient Mayan Ruin

Belize was once the center of the enigmatic Mayan Empire. Today there are dozens of amazing sites to visit, complete with pyramids, temples and other buildings you can explore and climb.

2 – Snorkel or Dive at the Silk Caye Marine Reserve

Just offshore from Placencia, Silk Caye is loaded with colorful flora and fauna. Strap on your fins and see marine life at its finest.

3 – Check Out the Amazing Food

Skip the rice and beans and take a walk on the wild side. Try some roadside vendor mango slices, coconut fish stew (called hudut) or some stewed gibnut for some real local flavor.

4 – Work on your Tan in Placencia

The best beaches in Belize are on the Placencia Peninsula in the south. Perfect for swimming, sun tanning or simply relaxing .

5 – Visit the lush Jungle at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and See a Waterfall

The verdant jungles at Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary are truly spectacular, bursting with exotic animals and plants and home to some unique and magnificent waterfalls.

6 – Experience Local Culture

Belize is truly a melting pot, a harmonious mix of people of Maya, Afro-Caribbean, Mexican, East Indian and European heritage. Visit a Mennonite town, learn to play the Garifuna drums or dance with the Maya.

7 – Check Out the Belize Barrier Reef

Even if you’re not a water person you can enjoy the most amazing coral reef in the Western Hemisphere. Head to one of the offshore islands where you can witness the Caribbean Sea majestically breaking over the reef.

8 – Visit the Coolest Zoo in the World

This is no prison for frightened animals to be gawked at by people. At the Belize Zoo, only indigenous and rescued animals are to be found in this unique sanctuary.

9 – Explore a Mayan Cave

The Maya believed that caves were a gateway to the spirit world. Today, you can take a guided tour on foot or ride an inner tube through the caves and marvel at their timeless majesty.

10 – Sail in a Boat

By water taxi, chartered boat or sea kayak, Belize is a fabulous place to get out on the water and enjoy the Caribbean at its finest.

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.

Top Ten Things to Eat in Belize

Belizean culture and cuisine showcases a mixture of many regional traditions and food habits, with major influences from Mexican, Caribbean, and Mayan culinary methods. It seems the locals have adapted food and cooking techniques from many early settlers, including the cuisines of Spanish and African too. It can be hard to find a truly distinctive Belizean cuisine. However, the country surely offers a delightful culinary journey for all those who come here to enjoy some regional delicacies.

If you are looking forward to try some authentic Belizean flavors, then here are the top ten things to eat in Belize.

1. Chimole or Black Dinner

Chirmole which is also know as “Black Dinner” is a tasty black colored soup with roots in Maya and Mestizo cultures and is enjoyed throughout Belize.  (Photo by www.belizenewspost.com)

2. Sere

The Sere is a fish soup that consists of plantains, cassava, coconut milk and fry fish.

3. Rice and Beans

The Belizean Rice and beans is considered a creole dish and has been described as the “staple of Belize cuisine”. (Photo by www.belizenewspost.com)

4. Tamales

Belizean tamales are are a traditional Maya and Mestizo food and unlike the typical Mexican tamale, Belizean tamales are not wrapped in corn husks but are instead wrapped in plantain leaves. (Photo by Wikipedia)

5. Salbutes

Belizean salbutes  are deep fried and are topped with chopped cabbage, chicken, tomato, onion, (sometimes avocado), and Marie Sharp pepper. (Photo by Trip Advisor)

6.) Panades

Belizean panades are like empanadas which are filled with either fish  or red or black beans and is served with cabbage, onion and pepper salsa. ( Photo by: http://evetravels.wordpress.com/).

7.) Boil Up

Boil Up is a national dish in Belize and consists of boiled vegetables, egg, fish and bread dumpling (boiled dough). Hence its name. (Photo by Wikipedia).

8. Pibil

Pibil is a traditional Belizean cuisine of Maya origin. ( Photo  by http://www.kaanabelize.com)

9. Cow Foot Soup

Cow Foot Soup is made from cowfeet that is simmered and slow cooked to render a thick soup along with black pepper, cilantro, carrots, onions, okra, and potatoes and is served with either corn tortillas or white rice and can be accompanied with onion and habanero pepper sauce. ( Photo by Trip Advisor)

10. Tamalitos or Ducunu

Tamalitos are tasty mini tamales that are made of corn and are a traditional Mestizo food.

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.
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In a country with more than 100 navigable caves, Barton Creek Cave stands out for its unique history and impressive size. Unlike “dry” caves where spelunking is performed on foot, Barton Creek Cave has a large yet tranquil waterway running through it, meaning that visitors explore this impressive cave using canoes.

Belize is the heartland of the ancient Maya civilization, and Barton Creek Cave was used by Maya priests to conduct some of their most sacred rituals. The ancient Maya believed that caves were conduits to the underground world of the gods, known as Xibalba or “place of fear.” As such, Barton Creek Cave still contains many priceless artifacts, including ceremonial weapons, food offerings, pottery, and jewelry.

To explore Barton Creek Cave, modern-day visitors head east from the town of San Ignacio until they reach the village of Georgeville. From there, experienced guides will lead visitors along a narrow jungle path that includes a river crossing. After approximately one hour, the banks of Barton Creek are visible, and participants will board a canoe to begin their exploration of the cave.

Although the underground river running through Barton Creek Cave extends for at least five miles, only the first mile (1.6 kilometers) is safe for public exploration. Within a few minutes of boarding the canoe, participants will follow their tour guide into the stygian darkness of the cave. Using headlamps and flashlights, visitors will see a secret underworld that was once the exclusive domain of high-ranking Maya priests. The beams of light will reveal awe-inspiring cathedral-like chambers and beautiful stalactites that glitter and twinkle.

Along the way, the tour guide will explain about the natural history of the cave as well as the importance of the cave in Maya history, giving visitors a better understanding of the long-lost culture that built dozens of impressive cities across Belize.

After exiting the cave and emerging back into the bright tropical daylight, participants can enjoy a refreshing swim in the waters of the creek. Organized tours to Barton Creek Cave may also include a delicious picnic lunch.

Due to the nature of this tour, visitors who suffer from claustrophobia or anxiety about the dark are not recommended to participate. In some places, the ceiling of Barton Creek Cave is quite low. Although no swimming is required to explore Barton Creek Cave, swimwear, a change of clothes, and a towel are recommended. Other recommended items include insect repellant and rain gear during wet weather.

Chabil Mar offers Belize vacation packages that include all the best attractions of the jungle and sea, including an organized cave tubing tour of Barton Creek Cave.

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.

Spend Seven Days in Belize–Where no Decision-making is Permitted!

Your boss makes demands. Your kids do, too. There’s a line of other folks in your life who count on you to solve problems, answer questions and make decisions, and this may have left you exhausted. If your idea of paradise is having someone else decide where to go and what to do during a week’s vacation in Belize, we’d like to oblige. No need to thank us. We just want you to be happy!

Day One: Fly into Belize. Having already arranged for a luxury room at Chabil Mar Villas in Placencia where packages and specials await, your Chabil Mar shuttle is on standby, ready to drive you to the resort. Shed your city clothes. Pull on a bathing suit. Plunk yourself down on Placencia Beach where you can decompress and relax before dining at Chabil Mar’s first-class restaurant.

Day Two: Check in with the Chabil Mar concierge to compare the itinerary you set via the Internet, phone or mail. Eat a big Belize breakfast before your first excursion to spectacular Maya ruins at Lubaantun or Lim Ni Punit in Southern Belize. Up for some nature tours? Add Monkey River Howler Adventure and Cockscomb Jaguar Nature Preserve. It’s your vacation.

Day Three: Move at a slightly faster pace by going inner tubing. Everything’s included: shuttle transport, guides, picnic lunch, taxes and extras, so no need to bring lots of cash. Plant yourself firmly in the midst of your giant black tube and allow the current to take you where it wants to go. No decisions here either!

Day Four: Are you ready for the birds and the trees? This Chabil Mar package combines two activities: Zip line runs with a bird-watching experience, both equally thrilling. Even if you’re not a student of birds, you’ll marvel at the variety in Belize. If you take that zip line tour first, these beautiful birds will re-align your pulse fast.

Day Five: Leave Placencia without experiencing the Belize Reef? Get serious. The second largest barrier reef in the world hosts all sorts of marine wildlife species attracted to the ancient coral topography. Indulge in world-class snorkeling off nearby Silk Caye. Since Chabil Mar guides arrange for gear, food and make car and boat transport arrangements, you don’t have to make decisions today, either.

Day Six: With your aquatic appetite whetted, take it to another level by going scuba diving off Placencia arranged by Chabil Mar. Your boat captain has everything you need, from dive master skills and piloting expertise to lessons on how to check and re-check your gear so you can dive deep without a hitch and experience the wonder of undersea landscapes.

Day Seven: Can you cram in one more Belize tour in before saying goodbye to Chabil Mar’s friendly staff? Of course you can. Explore Placencia Village where ethnic cookery gives you a final chance to immerse yourself in Belize. Shop for souvenirs. Take your last photos. That shuttle bus awaits, but you’ll be so blissed out from your idyllic week, you won’t care.

Day Eight: Visit Chabil Mar’s website and start picking tours you’ll take next time you visit. Making decisions in your current state of mind is easy. Frequent Chabil Mar visitors say perusing the Chabil Mar tour menu is a great way to re-acclimate to reality!

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.