Author: Chabil Mar Manager

Don’t laugh when you read this, but are you aware of the fact that some travelers spend the entirety of their leisure time searching for “the perfect beach”? It’s true. Imagine their despair in 2020 when Covid-19 dashed their travel plans and interrupted their missions.

Fortunately, long-awaited news that vaccines and eased travel restrictions are energizing people who have dedicated themselves to this quest, especially since they had plenty of time to research beaches while sequestering. Belize’s Placencia peninsula has grabbed the attention of these folks because – according to travel experts, reviewers and editors – the best beaches in the Western Hemisphere can be found here.

What’s unique about Placencia that beach lovers find compelling? This 16-mile-long stretch of land offers two distinct types of beaches, so visitors can play in the ocean’s surf or explore beaches along the lagoon side. Both offer variety, fun and beauty that make choosing a favorite hard, so make sure you experience both this summer.

Make Chabil Mar your beach mission headquarters

Affectionately referred to as “the island you can walk to,” Placencia has few hotels or resorts that compare to Chabil Mar Villas. The resort is nestled into gardens that are so lush, guests compare the property to Eden – if Eden had private beaches. The resort’s emblem is the Ceiba tree, an ancient Maya symbol that pays homage to the nation’s ancient, but it’s the accommodations, award-winning onsite restaurant and amenities that turn an ordinary holiday into an extraordinary one at Chabil Mar.

Check in to any of the villas on site and enjoy a private veranda that faces the sea and beach, while environs within each accommodation are thoughtfully lavished with rustic furnishings featuring hardwoods, lush textiles, Belize handicrafts, art and more. Air conditioning and fans keep things cool after long days at the beach or while touring the nation’s most impressive attractions.

To tour or not to tour? That is the question

Plenty of guests prefer to stick around the resort because there is so much to do that leaving their preferred hammock is just not worth the effort. Others are fascinated by the variety of tours arranged by Chabil Mar staff that showcase Belize’s most popular marine activities: boating, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing and island hopping.

If you prefer to stay dry, you can stick to land-based tours that explore ancient Maya temples, ceremonial caves, jungles, forests and wildlife sanctuaries and you’ll have your fill of excitement and awe.

One of the most efficient ways to enjoy your Chabil Mar stay is by booking a Belize vacation package so you enjoy dining, touring and amenities included with each package. View this Belize vacation menu for package options and while you’re there, consider specials that save you money on your entire vacation.

Summer is on the horizon, so it’s time to make up for that year of missed beach visits right now. Grab your swimsuit, sun blocker and sunglasses. Bring a camera. Your lifelong quest to find the world’s best beaches may come to an end once you spend time on the beaches of Placencia.

Who wouldn’t want to run into a Simone Biles while on vacation to escape the Covid virus? The Olympic gold medalist is a role model and a celebrity, so when she decides to take a vacation – especially in the company of her hot NFL player boyfriend Jonathan Owens – the media can’t get enough.

Why does Simone choose Belize when she has enough influence and money to go anywhere in the world? It’s no mystery. Her mom is Belizean, and as a result, Simone is a citizen of the country, a point of pride that follows her everywhere she travels.

The online stir recently created by her most recent Belize escape has lots to do with the pictures she has posted of herself and her main squeeze enjoying all of the beauty and recreational perks Belize has to offer. The photos include plenty of selfies reflecting the nation’s lush landscape, and when asked by the press to sum up her feelings for Owens, she enthused, “I love you more than I love Belize and that’s a lot!”

Will you run into Simone and Owens by vacationing in Belize? You could. She won’t be wearing her 30 gold medals because after all, the girl wants to relax given the 4 million followers who love to learn every detail of the gymnast’s professional and personal life. But she could be sporting the key to the City of San Pedro given to her by San Pedro’s Minister of Tourism in 2019.

Where to stay to conduct your Simone watch? Chabil Mar Villas, located on the Placencia peninsula. Why recommend this award-winning property? Because just in case you don’t catch a glimpse of Simone during your stay, you’ll still return home saying, “Best vacation ever!”

Despite living in a society where everything seems replaceable, Earth will never belong in that category! Fortunately, society is feeling more responsible for polluted oceans, bad air quality and endangered species, so it’s no shock that eco-tourism has become a hot trend that shows no sign of dissipating any time soon.

Would it surprise you to learn that one of the smallest Central American nations has proven to be a beacon of light in terms of protecting the earth’s natural treasures? Belize’s eco-friendly tourism efforts are fast becoming models for the world, proving that even small nations can lead a big movement.

Not sure what it means to be an eco-friendly destination? Consider these admirable contributions to the Earth’s health and welfare, each one a shining example of Belize’s commitment to protecting its natural resources:

-Belize is home to a wealth of eco-tours that educate visitors. Tourists can check out wildlife refuges and sanctuaries, horseback ride and zip line over jungle canopies, hike waterfalls and get to know the nation’s critters, from jaguars and Howler monkeys to manatees, birds and iguanas during their Belize vacation.

-Since nearly three-quarters of Belize is covered by forest, creatures enjoy secure homes within these vast green expanses, and because there are 900 ancient Maya ruins in Belize – many of them tucked into jungles and forests – visitors learn more about the nation’s first societies, too.

-The Belize government sets a shining example for the world. In 2018, off-shore drilling was halted. Plastic was banned in 2019 and one of the most aggressive Covid precautionary codes for resorts and attractions was launched to keep tourists safe despite the pandemic.

-The biggest accomplishment of all? Helping remove the Belize Barrier Reef from UNESCO’s endangered list. Is it any wonder National Geographic uses Belize as a prime example of a nation dedicated to Mother Earth?

Where to stay in Belize? At this Placencia Belize Resort!

Belize has become an epicenter of responsibility and the tourism industry followed suit. Emphasizing sustainability, lodgings and resorts are great examples of how to protect the earth’s resources. Chabil Mar, a boutique luxury resort located on the Placencia peninsula, offers tours and experiences aimed at vacationers who want to know more about the nation’s ecological efforts.

Tours on Chabil Mar’s menu are eclectic and include destinations matching those referenced above, and if you choose a Belize vacation package or opt for a resort special, you pay just one price that includes delicious meals.

What to do during your Belize vacation at Chabil Mar when you’re not learning more about Belize ecology? Chabil Mar has two infinity pools and guests have access to kayaks, paddleboards, and bikes at no charge. The nearby village of Placencia Belize is a must-visit, too.

See what awaits and is all-included from the moment you arrive. Guests call it paradise. Knowing what you now know about the nation’s commitment to Earth, you’ll call it paradise, too.

For more information about 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 or WhatsApp us at +501-633-7547.

Are you looking for a tropical vacation that includes amazing adventures, cascading waterfalls, warm people and lots of local history? Look no further than the Mayflower Bocawina National Park in east-central Belize, Central America.

Established in 2001, the Mayflower Bocawina National Park is situated on over 7,000 acres of lowlands and highlands. The park’s ecosystems serve as the bridge between the Mayan Mountains to the east and the coastal regions in the west. It is easily accessed from Belize City or Dangriga to the north or from Placencia in the south. The mission of the park is to conserve the integrity of Belize’s diverse ecosystems while educating the public. Your visit to the Mayflower Bocawina National Park helps fund research opportunities and helps ensure that its existence is sustainable for future generations.

There are many ways to explore the park on your own, as part of a tour, or with a guide. A hike is a good way to explore the forest and its vast array of mammal wildlife, such as howler monkeys, ocelots, deer, and foxes. The forest is also home to several species of bats, several endangered animals, and the near-threatened jaguar. If you’re an avid bird-watcher or new to the hobby, you will appreciate birding with an experienced guide. Bird enthusiasts have identified over 200 different bird species in the park, including toucans, oreoles, woodpeckers, and the rarely-seen spectacled owl. Many tour operators offer day and night tours.

The park has three waterfalls known collectively as the Three Sisters Waterfalls. You can access the lower and upper Bocawina falls by a short hike on a well-maintained trail. Your trek to the upper falls is rewarded by a dip in the cool pool at the base of the 50-foot falls. The more intrepid hikers can continue to the 100-foot Antelope Falls, the top of which allows for stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. You can find a tour guide that will provide safe and professional rappelling activities at each of the three waterfalls for every skill level. For a more exciting experience, you and your family can try exploring the forest with the longest zipline course in Belize.

During your hikes through the lush rainforest, you will see Maya ruins, unexcavated Maya temples, and other Maya sites that have yet to be explored. Once excavations are completed, scientists believe that the ruins will represent one of the largest Mayan ruins sites in the country. The park includes a teaching center displaying numerous artifacts found within the park’s boundaries, exhibits about the history of the Maya people in the region, and interactive activities for young visitors.

Although the park does not have overnight accommodations other than camping, there are several hotels nearby. Located approximately eight miles south of the park in the laid-back village of Placencia, Chabil Mar is a full-service luxury beach resort. Access to on-site concierge and beach captain services are included in your stay. Enjoy activities such as swimming in the infinity pools, biking along the beach, and dining at the resort’s restaurant. You are minutes away from shopping, listening to music, or sightseeing in the nearby village.

Visit our website chabilmarvillas.com for more information on southern 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.