Fodor’s Recommends Visiting Belize in 2018

World-renowned guidebook and travel information publisher Fodor’s recently announced its “Go” list for 2018. The report includes Fodor’s recommendations for which countries to visit in the upcoming year and why, and Belize made the top 10 list for 2018.

According to Fodor’s, Belize is the ideal gateway between Central America and the Caribbean, its lush nature and unspoiled landscapes making it the perfect place to “unplug” and enjoy a true getaway from the stresses of the modern world.

Fodor’s also highlighted the large number of exciting activities available to travelers in Belize, including spelunking through palatial caves, learning more about the ancient Maya by visiting a historical site, and enjoying a beach vacation in a country that enjoys balmy weather every month of the year.

“Fodor’s is the gold standard in travel guidebooks, and we are delighted to see Belize make their top 10 list for places to visit in 2018,” said Larry France, marketing manager at Chabil Mar. “We heartily welcome travelers who learned about Belize from Fodor’s, and we look forward to showing them the many beautiful wonders of our country.”

Chabil Mar is an award-winning resort located on the Placencia Peninsula, a 16-mile-long stretch of golden beaches on the Caribbean coast of Belize. With  luxurious villas, a gourmet restaurant, tropical garden, and freshwater swimming pools, Chabil Mar is the perfect place to relax and unwind on a Belize vacation.

Chabil Mar is also conveniently located to all the top attractions in the country, including snorkeling, fishing, scuba diving, and sailing on the reef, hiking through national parks such as the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary (home to the world’s only jaguar conservation program), touring ancient Maya sites, Garifuna cultural centers, and boat expeditions along the pristine Monkey River.

Belize is located on the Caribbean coast of Central America just south of Mexico. Belize also has hundreds of offshore islands along the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world. Its lush natural landscapes and seas teeming with fish and marine wildlife have earned Belize the nickname of “The Jewel.”

All six of the biggest airlines in the United States and Canada now offer non-stop flights to Belize, with flight times ranging from just 2-5 hours, making it easier to enjoy a Belize vacation in 2018 than ever before.

To learn more about the country and to book an unforgettable luxury vacation in Belize, contact the Chabil Mar Reservations office.

A Tribute to Belize Outhouses on World Toilet Day

The planet celebrated World Toilet Day on November 19, and many people in Belize decided to contribute pictures, stories, and information on social media about the restroom facilities found throughout the country.

As a rural country, many homes in Belize are very simple, and that includes the bathrooms of their houses. While the word “outhouse” often conveys a sense of horror to some people, they are quite prevalent in certain areas of Belize, including on beautiful offshore islands.

In areas where there are no municipal sewer networks, outhouses are often a viable choice. And while they conjure up images of insect-infested, smelly, and uncomfortable toilets, outhouses can often be a very “green” and pleasant way to dispose of human waste.

Many villagers in Belize live in simple homes and their lifestyle has changed little over the centuries, including their restroom facilities. But when constructed and executed properly, the simple outhouse can efficiently recycle human waste in a sustainable way.

For outhouses that serve the public, mixing waste with organic material renders everything odor-free. Furthermore, the mixture can then be composted and returned to the soil, a very “green” alternative to relying on toxic chemicals and expensive portable toilets that are often used in wealthier countries when municipal sewage connections are not available.

Of course, not every home or business or resort in Belize uses outhouses. Many homes, hotels, lodges, and resorts have ordinary, modern flush toilets just like you’d find in the United States or Canada. And while these offer visitors an accustomed comfort, waste disposal is an integral part of protecting and conserving nature.

Since gaining independence in 1981, Belize has made tremendous strides in improving infrastructure, including sewage lines, flush toilets, and water treatment plants. But in rural, isolated, or offshore locations, sometimes the best option can be a simple outhouse, relying on nature’s bounty to do the recycling and composting in a way that has functioned well for thousands of years.

Visitors to Belize can expect adventure, and part of that experience is seeing and using different kinds of bathrooms, including outhouses. But instead of fearing what it might entail, visitors should keep an open mind and realize that sometimes, an outhouse is safer, cleaner, and more efficient than a modern flush toilet.

Chabil Mar resort is located on the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize. Chabil Mar has luxuriously appointed beachfront villas, all of which come with modern bathroom facilities.

Placencia Sailing Club brings home trophy for first place in national regatta

The Placencia Sailing Club (PSC) is overjoyed to announce that their club is bringing back the first place trophy in this weekends optimist regatta in Belize City and the National Optimist Champion of the year 2017 award both won by Peter Joo.

Chabil Mar is so proud of all of our Placencia Sailing Club Youths who participate in regattas throughout the year. And, as sponsors of this extraordinary team of Placencia Optimists from day one, it so very special to celebrate their latest success! And, Peter Joo did so in the Chabil Mar sailboat no less.

The PSC joined the Belize Sailing Association (BzSA) in May 2012 with the objective to teach children how to sail and race.

The PSC was founded by Alan Usher and Shelly Bradley from the Belize Sailing Association, and Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Cabral Jr., owners of South Waters Resort and Belize Sailing Adventures in Placencia.

Every year, Chabil Mar sponsors the popular Placencia Youth Regatta which is organized by the PSC. The race is held annually in May in Placencia village and its purpose is to teach children how to sail and race and to immerse them in a fun and exciting sport that will strengthen them mentally and physically.

The regatta also helps to improve the self-esteem, self-confidence and leadership skills of children.

The BzSA is building on a long tradition of sailing in Belize and has re-energized the sailing community in Belize by making sailing affordable to sailing enthusiasts and accessible to young aspiring sailors.

The optimist regatta was held in Belize City from October 28- 29, 2017. The BzSA thanks all participants that made the event successful and congratulates the winners:

Optimist Class:

Peter Joo- 1st place
Devaughn Morrison of CBSC 2nd place
Adya Teck of CBSC 3 rd place

Laser Class:

Trent Hardwick of BSS 1st place
Darwin Velasquez of CBSC 2nd place
Nigel Rosado of CBSC 2rd place

Radio Station in Canada features Chabil Mar

CHQR, the leading news talk radio in Calgary, Alberta, included a segment recently about Chabil Mar in Placencia, Belize. Featured as part of their Informed Traveler show, host Randy Sharman spoke with Larry France, the marketing manager of Chabil Mar resort.

France spoke about the origins of Chabil Mar, first opening its doors in November 2005. Designed as a luxury resort, Chabil Mar was, right from the beginning, dedicated not just to hosting visitors but also introducing them to the cultures and lifestyle found in Belize. As a traditional fishing region, Placencia, Belize, is still a laid-back, relaxed area where locals and visitors alike love to stroll along the beach.

The Placencia Peninsula is a north-south narrow strip of land that measures approximately 16 miles long and just half a mile wide. With the feel and atmosphere of an island, the peninsula serves as the gateway to the beautiful Caribbean Sea and the majesty of the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the second-largest barrier reef in the world.

France was invited to Sharman’s popular travel show to discuss the recent announcement by low-cost carrier WestJet that it will be adding a brand new non-stop flight to Belize City from Calgary’s airport starting on November 3, 2017. The new route will be WestJet’s second Canada-Belize foray, having begun flying non-stop to Belize City from Toronto beginning in October 2016. Rival carrier Air Canada responded to WestJet’s success by adding its own Toronto-Belize flights that will begin on December 15, 2017.

“It was a true pleasure to be able to speak to Randy Sharman on the Informed Traveler show, introducing our resort to Albertans and residents of Western Canada who can now fly non-stop to Belize for the first time” said Larry France, marketing manager of Chabil Mar. “We look forward to welcoming Canadians to the beauty and wonder of Belize.”

The Informed Traveler is a weekly radio show on CHQR radio that also broadcasts on CKNW Newstalk 980 Vancouver. CHQR and CKNW are radio stations broadcasting on 770 owned by the Global News network, a division of Corus Entertainment, a company that owns 45 television channels and 39 radio stations in Canada as well as more than 38 media channels worldwide.

Chabil Mar is a multiple award-winning resort located on the Placencia Peninsula in southern Belize. A perennial TripAdvisor favorite, Chabil Mar has luxuriously appointed beachfront villas and is conveniently located near all of the top attractions in the country.

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 your Belize vacation.

Escape the Winter Up North…and Head for Belize!

The holiday season is a time for family, feasting, and plenty of good cheer, but it’s never any fun having to deal with cold, ice, and snow. That’s why the perfect place to enjoy an unforgettable vacation this holiday season is Belize, a small Caribbean country just 2-5 hours’ flying time from the United States.

Located just south of Mexico’s famous Yucatan Peninsula, Belize enjoys warm sunshine and beautiful weather all year-long. It may be winter on the calendar, but in Belize, the holiday season is a time for enjoying the great outdoors, walking along a beach, taking a swim, or perhaps catching a glimpse of one of the more than 500 bird species that have been spotted in the country. Even if the nights get a bit “chilly” (75 degrees Fahrenheit), one thing is for certain – you’ll never, ever see it snow in Belize.

But Belize is more than just great weather and sunny skies. It’s a natural wonderland where plants and animals far outnumber people. The mainland is a cornucopia of lush rainforests, verdant jungle, misty mountaintops, and stunning waterfalls inhabited by a rich diversity of plant and animal life. Belize is home to parrots, macaws, and toucans as well as monkeys, enormous harpy eagles, and five different big cat species, including the jaguar, once revered by the ancient Maya as a sacred animal of the gods.

The ancient Maya called Belize home, the heartland of their vast civilization that once covered all of Central America. Today, Belize is home to more ancient Maya sites than anywhere else, including the colossal cities of Caracol and Xunantunich and spectacular caves like Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) that were used by the ancient priests to perform human sacrifices.

Offshore, Belize has more than 100 islands, the perfect place to enjoy world-class diving, snorkeling, sailing, and fishing.


One of the best places to experience Belize at its best is the Placencia Peninsula. Located on the southeastern coast of the country, the Placencia Peninsula is 16 miles of golden sand beaches, beautiful views of the Caribbean, and close access to all the top attractions in the country, including the offshore reef and wildlife sanctuaries on the mainland.Chabil Mar is a multiple award-winning resort featuring luxurious villas, a lush tropical garden, a gourmet restaurant, and a complete range of modern amenities. Chabil Mar is a perennial TripAdvisor favorite and is the perfect place to stay for families, honeymooners, and adventure travelers.

For more information about Belize vacations, 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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