Twenty-five-year-old Ashley Lightburn, a resident of Belize City, is Belize’s latest beauty ambassador as she was able to snatch the Miss Universe Belize Crown, at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts on Saturday, August 13^th, 2022.

Despite strong competition from five other contestants who all participated in segments of Swimsuit, Evening Gown, and a few rounds of Questions and Answers, Lightburn was able to sway the judge’s decision in her favor.

Lightburn who is a Project Manager Officer at a local bank and adjunct lecturer of Mathematics at the University of Belize will now go on to represent Belize at the Miss Universe Pageant, which will be held in December of this year at an unannounced venue.

Lightburn holds a Bachelor’s in Pure Mathematics and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in International Business Administration. She says, “This pageant, to me, is not only about displaying external beauty but also about inner beauty. I aim to show young girls that you can have all beauty and brains, and you should use it to inspire others and build your country. “

The first runner-up is Alina Scott, a twenty-seven-year-old Ph.D. Candidate and Littlefield Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin, who hails from the Cayo District. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in History and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in History, Scott, who was the crowd’s favorite and appeared to have been one of the strongest competitors among the delegates, has represented Belize at several international volleyball competitions.

The second runner-up place went to Samantha Singh, a twenty-seven-year-old writer from Placencia, Stann Creek District. Singh holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Loyola New Orleans and a Culinary Arts Degree from The New School of Cooking.

A total of six contestants from Belize City, Belmopan, Placencia, Orange Walk, San Ignacio, and Spanish Lookout, all walked their hearts out on the stage, but despite being armed with dazzling smiles, gracious poses, and drop-dead gorgeous looks, only one was able to snatch the crown and become the 2022-2023 Miss Universe Belize.

Chabil Mar joins the nation in congratulating Miss Ashley Lightburn on such a huge accomplishment. We are certain that she will represent our jewel to the best of her ability and wish her nothing but success as she embarks on this one-of-a-kind journey.

We also wanted to express our appreciation to all the other candidates who participated in this year’s competition and commend them on their bravery, dedication, and commitment.

Discover Paradise at the 11th Annual End of the World Marathon

2022 is your chance to join the eleventh annual celebration of the End of the World Marathon. While the Maya calendar suggested that the apocalypse might happen on December 21, 2012, runners from around the world continue to participate in a marathon and half marathon through the streets of Placencia. For the people of Belize, it’s another way to celebrate their connection to the Maya Empire and a way to do good in the community.

Running For a Greater Good

There’s some irony in the fact that the End of the World Marathon is actually about building a better world. More specifically, all the proceeds raised at the End of the World marathon go to education in Belize. This is especially crucial because education beyond eighth grade requires tuition, making it prohibitive for many poorer families to get the education they need. Proceeds are specifically donated to dozens of high school, university, and vocational trade school scholarships offered to economically disadvantaged Belizean youth.

A Lot More to Do Than Just Run

If the idea of running a marathon sounds exhausting to you, there’s a whole lot of fun to be had anyway. That’s because the people love a good festival, and the End of the World Marathon is as good an excuse as any. While the runners train hard for the marathon, others work hard putting together costumes, stages, and events to keep things rolling throughout the day. And if you’re looking to slake your thirst, you’ll find plenty of food and drink along the marathon route.

And the Perfect Opportunity to Visit

Ultimately, you shouldn’t need an excuse to visit Placencia — but it would be a shame to come all the way down for a marathon and not see what else there is around the village. The peninsula of Placencia is unique in its own right thanks to the fact that it’s 20 miles long but only a half-mile wide. That means you’ll have plenty of opportunities to kick back on the beach after the run — but Placencia also puts you close to the Belize Barrier Reef, ancient Maya ruins, the Cockscomb Wildlife Jaguar Sanctuary, and the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave.

Find the Right Place to Stay

All of Placencia is gorgeous, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be selective about where you stay. If you’re in town to run in the marathon, cheer on a loved one, or merely spectate, Chabil Mar offers world-class amenities while also being directly along the marathon route.

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.

Coastal erosion has always been a monster, claiming small islands, eradicating natural habitats for marine life, and disrupting communities and their livelihood for as long as can be remembered, but in Belize, the combined efforts of over 250 Placencia residents were able to defeat that monster through a joint conservation effort which was able to reclaim South Silk Caye.

Today, the small island which has been a major means of income for Placencia residents, as well as a recreation spot for locals, is a testament to the priceless, unmatched, and valiant efforts that Belizeans are willing to contribute towards the protection of what matters most to them. After two months of voluntary and arduous work, South Silk Caye is back to being intact and is now fully protected against the aggressive waves by a 135-foot, wall barricade. The barricade, made from huge slabs of stone, was secured into place manually by locals with the assistance of technical experts. On July 23^rd, amid the sweet sounds of Garifuna drumming, a short prayer, and a ceremony, South Silk Caye was officially reopened, thanks to the quick action of local environmental watchdogs.

While Belizeans and even visitors to Belize are proud of the successful conservation effort, our very own Marketing Manager at Chabil Mar, Larry France said that he, ‘’was personally pleased with how the community in Placencia came together to save Silk Caye.’’ France added that the level of support and commitment among the Placencia community is nothing short of inspiring and must be commended.

Two months ago, South Silk Caye, situated 22 miles east of Placencia Village, was thrust into the spotlight after local tour guide and fisherman Eworth Garbutt made a public plea for assistance from the local community to save Silk Caye which was disappearing fast. Like its siblings, Middle Silk Caye and North Silk Caye, which have already fallen victims to coastal erosion, the caye was also being swallowed up by the sea in huge chunks.

Garbutt eventually managed to convince stakeholders to take matters into their own hands and rebuild the caye, however that was later met by resistance by the Government who insisted that Garbutt and his team were in contravention of Regulations 15 (1) of the Fisheries Act, Revised Edition 2000. That particular regulation had stated that because the caye was located inside a marine reserve, it required approval from the Fisheries Department as well as an EIA by the Department of the Environment. At the time Garbutt was taken into custody but was later released without any charges. A meeting between him and government officials was able to figure out a plan of action on how the parties involved could work together for the greater good.

South Silk Caye can be found on the outer reef, straddled with coral formations, rich marine wildlife, and an amazing view. The Caye has been a major attraction for visitors and locals alike who would take the 1.5 hours boat ride to swim side by side with whale sharks, outside of the reef, and other marine animals, such as nurse sharks, rays, and sea turtles, that are known to hang around the island.

It’s the healthiest place in Central America in addition to being so much fun. Visit Belize and discover why Science Daily proves that there’s a relationship between good health and the great outdoors.

University of East Anglia studies prove “that exposure to greenspace reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, stress and high blood pressure.” This data was gathered from 290 million people across the globe, so this is no wimpy research study.

Why mention this? Because we all want to stay healthy so we don’t miss out on life’s adventures, many of which can be found only in Belize. Next time someone asks you why you chose Belize over other vacation spots, tell them that this nation offers endless opportunities to pursue healthy activities. Here are just a few of them!

Belize is more than a place: It’s a state of mind

-“Bathe” in Belize’s lush forests. No undressing required. In Japan, forest bathing is a ritual undertaken by people eager to enhance their physical and mental health.

-Bathe in the sun, too. Soak in vitamin D that helps you absorb calcium and lift your spirits. A daily dose of Belize sun can boost your immune system and soothe you, too.

-Discover Belize’s people and culture by biking or hiking. Picturesque towns filled with local color beckon visitors eager to walk and browse or bicycle around. Find out what it’s like to do both without dodging traffic.

-Partake of water sports that make Belize the recreational capital of the Caribbean. Kayak, swim, sail and enjoy the rush as your heart pumps, muscles react and adrenaline courses through your body.

-Find inspiration everywhere. From hundreds of ancient Maya ruins to breathtaking waterfalls, jungles and wildlife, Belize is a treat for the eye, body and soul. You will need extra batteries for your camera.

A haven on Belize’s Placencia peninsula

Where’s the best place to enjoy all of this largesse? Chabil Mar Villas, the resort that specializes in customized stays for folks who are healthy and active as well as those eager to rest and relax long enough to restore their energy levels.

This luxury resort, known for excellence in service, gorgeous environs and amenities that delight returning guests, must be seen to believed. You’re invited to take a visual tour right now.

This exercise in visualization will have to suffice until you can get to Placencia! Imagine yourself feeling happy and healthy at Chabil Mar where the weather is idyllic, the people are friendly and tours are so amazing, it’s impossible to see everything during a single holiday.

Sound like the ideal way to get your share of sun, fun and healthy vacationing? Contact the Reservations Team at reservations@chabilmarvillas.com or use the toll-free number to do so: 1-866-417-2377 to learn more about Belize. Everything you crave awaits in Placencia Belize where Mother Nature reigns supreme and Chabil Mar staff looks forward to taking care of you.

Dеvаnѕhі Каѕаnа, a Ph.D. candidate with Florida International University, and her colleagues have recently had a freak encounter with a Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) in the middle of the Belize Barrier Reef. Notably, this is the first time that anyone has encountered a Greenland shark within the Western Caribbean.

The creature’s body length was somewhere between 10 to 11 feet long and it was specifically discovered within Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve. This particular species belongs to the “sleeper” family of sharks, a family commonly encountered within the chilly depths of the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans, and is a bulky creature with a round snout, undersized fins, and a grayish-brown coloring. The Greenland shark is believed to be the oldest living vertebrate in recorded science, known to live in excess of 400 years, and primary feasts on prey like polar bear carcasses. Kasana’s party encountered the Greenland shark while working with local fishermen to tag tiger sharks.

The circumstances of this discovery involved a lengthy nocturnal fishing session that saw the weather worsen as the sun began to rise. During one final check on their equipment, one of the lines revealed a sluggish-moving non-tiger shark. Some compared the discovery to something akin to an animate, long smooth stone. After analyzing the sea creature’s other characteristics, the collective narrowed things down and surmised it to be a sleeper shark of some variety. Upon considering the shark’s specific characteristics, consensus hovered around the beast being either a genuine Greenland shark or a hybrid between Greenland and a Pacific sleeper shark (Somniosus pacificus).

The waters where the shark was discovered get quite deep, plummeting to a range as deep as 9,500 feet, making it cold enough for a Greenland shark to endure. Chapman has been leading shark tracking projections within Glover’s Reef for nearly 20 years and his data has been shared with a collaborative effort with the Belizean government, shark fishers, scientists, and other relevant groups; their efforts have helped to improve protections and prohibitions related to shark fishing within two miles of any Belizean atoll.

If you would like your own chance to discover just how wild and varied the world’s marine life can be, consider coming to Belize. Chabil Mar is one of the leading resorts in the country, especially as it offers tours of the Belize Barrier Reef, the penultimate largest barrier reef on the planet.

Visit 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.