Belize has had two historic victories at the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tournament. During the fifth leg of the tournament currently taking place in La Paz, Mexico, the Belizean team of Bryton Codd and Francis Hauze came out of the gate with two impressive victories. They first beat the team from the Bahamas 2-0. They then took on two tough contenders from El Salvador and won 2-1 in overtime.

These victories put Belize at the top of Group C. This is the best showing Belize has ever had at this tournament. It’s an impressive debut for this new Belize team.

The tournament continues at Playa del Malecon in La Paz. After winning Group C, the boys from Belize will take part in the semifinals next week. If they continue to dominate the way they did on their first outing, their chances of winning a championship are looking bright.

NORCECA stands for North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation. It’s a federation that represents more than 35 countries including Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, Costa Rica, the U.S., and Canada. The current champion is Mexico.

Volleyball Is Big in Belize

Last year, the Belize women’s team was the first Belizean team in history to qualify for the Central American and Caribbean Games in Female Beach Volleyball. What’s even more impressive is that the team won silver at that competition.

Chabil Mar Congratulates Bryton Codd and Francis Hauze 

The Chabil Mar Resort speaks for all Belizeans when we say that we’re proud of this team’s hard work, dedication and fearless playing. Every day, Belizeans are putting our small, beautiful country on the map.

We invite everyone who’s visiting us here to stay at our luxurious, beachside resort. At the Chabil Mar, we do everything we can to make your Belize holiday special. 

Caribbean vacations are designed for rest, relaxation and, at times, adventure, but in Belize, the nation’s collective consciousness is focused year-round on ocean pollution, a topic that occupies the attention of the government, non-profit organizations, tourists and even resort owners who know that guests come to Belize for the beautiful ocean water that washes up on the nation’s coastline. 

What’s threatening the waters around Belize and everywhere else on the planet? Plastic. According to environmental organizations devoted to the health and vitality of oceans, 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into oceans annually and this invasion threatens the water itself and all of the marine creatures that call the seas their home.

On June 8th, Belize intends to do more than give lip service to the growing pandemic of plastic waste that is clogging the world’s oceans and growing worse by the day. As part of an international effort to call attention to the crisis, World Ocean Day has been declared by the United Nations and throughout Belize, June 8th will be the day that recognizes this emergency.

In 2018, the Belize government officially launched a nationwide effort to promote phasing out plastics and Styrofoam, replace what can be substituted with green alternatives and kick up the nation’s recycling efforts. For management at resorts like Chabil Mar Villas, nothing could be more critical than helping to support this UN initiative and toward that end, staff and guests will be encouraged to turn their attention to this Herculean effort by taking their own steps toward properly recognizing World Ocean Day on June 8th. 

Are you disturbed by this international crisis? Whether you’re visiting Belize and Chabil Mar Villas on this date or you are planning a vacation sometime over the summer, you can be part of this important movement by going to the World Wildlife Fund Plastics Petition Page and registering your concern by signing the document online.

Once you’ve weighed in, you’ll want to learn more about this important campaign and perhaps continue to involve yourself in efforts to clean up the ocean and stop the future flow of plastics and Styrofoam once and for all. Visit this page and see what you can do to make every June 8th a day to celebrate recognition of this problem so every effort can be taken to end the dumping of plastic waste into our beautiful and majestic oceans.

If you have been looking for a destination to get away to this summer, the beautiful nation of Belize ought to be near the top of your list. Whether you will be traveling with your partner, your family, or by yourself, this fantastic country has so much to offer during the summer months.

For the people of Belize, summer is a time to celebrate. Of course, there is no better way to do just that than with some delicious food! Lobsterfest, in Placencia, and Mangofest, in Hopkins, are always especially popular with locals and tourists alike. These festivals offer visitors the chance to sample some Belizean cuisine, listen to some music, or simply party with the locals.

Belize is also quite a bit less crowded during the summer than it is during the peak travel season – which is perfect for visitors who want a quiet and relaxing getaway. Of course, because the crowds are small, the prices you will pay for accommodation, tours, shuttles, and just about everything else will also be lower than usual.

For instance, Chabil Mar Villas is offering a fantastic deal for summertime travelers. Anyone who stays at the hotel between June 4th, 2019 and September 30th, 2019 will receive 1 free night when they purchase 4 nights of accommodation. Of course, this deal will only last as long as rooms are available.

To thank military members for their service, Chabil Mar is also offering a special military discount. Eligible servicemembers can receive 15% off of their nightly rate all year long. Just like their summer deal, this discount is only available while inventory lasts.

There truly is a lot to love about Chabil Mar. Our accommodations are luxurious, featuring local art, comfortable furniture, and fabulous views of the Caribbean Sea. The dining options at the resort are also out of this world. With so much to offer, it is no surprise that we were named one of the Top Resorts in Belize by US News and World Report.

For many people, however, the best thing about Chabil Mar is the location. The resort is situated just a short distance from Placencia Village – making it the ideal place to stay for Lobsterfest. To book your accommodation at Chabil Mar this summer, all you need to do is visit www.chabilmarvillas.com and follow the instructions.

If you live in Belize or if you’re visiting our beautiful country, make sure you set aside time for the annual Maya Beach Clean Up. We’ll be making the Placencia Peninsula proud when we clean up the trash on this quiet, picturesque stretch of beach.

The Maya Beach Clean Up is sponsored by Oceana Belize, the Chabil Mar Villas and YouTube stars Wandxr Bus.

Be a Hero for Our Environment

We Belizeans understand the importance of preserving the natural beauty that surrounds us. Almost half of Belize is protected in a sanctuary, preserve or national forest. We appreciate the rare, exotic beauty of our country.

Now, you can share that love in a community event that joins people of all ages and from all walks of life. Start your morning with an activity that feeds your soul and lets you meet some new friends.

• What: The Maya Beach Clean-Up
• When: Saturday, June 1, 2019
• Time: 7:30AM to 9:30AM

We provide:

• Bags.
• Gloves.
• Snacks and drinks.
• Please bring your own reusable water bottle.

Be a Winner

Cleaning the Maya Beach is a rewarding experience, but we want to reward our volunteers even more. That’s why everyone who participates has the chance to win a raffle.

You could win one of these great prizes:

• One free night at the luxurious Chabil Mar Villas.
• $50 gift card for the Barefoot Beach Bar.
• An Oceana swag bag.

Where to Stay

If you’re joining us to clean the beach and enjoy a Belize getaway, make sure to stay at the Chabil Mar. Our award-winning, full-service resort is located on the beautiful Placencia Peninsula just steps away from Maya Beach. Contact us for an unforgettable Belize vacation.

Ever since Greek runners launched the foot races that morphed into the Olympics events held today, individual nations have sought to make their international mark on sports by reclaiming their own traditions. 

For the people of Central America, an ancient Maya competition that’s as much historic as it is physically punishing has grown into a near-obsession: Pok Ta Pok is a sport that consists of moving a rubber ball around a field by players who are only permitted to use their hips and thighs to control the ball. 

During heyday of Maya domination throughout the region, this life-and-death game had dire consequences for losing teams, and while today’s version has the capacity to leave participants feeling humiliated and depressed, at least nobody loses their lives in the process. 

Who are the victors of the 2019 games? Belize, of course. This tenacious team beat out El Salvador, Mexico, Panama, Guatemala and Honduras handily on the 5th of May with their “take no prisoners” attitude and a big helping of national pride. In fact, Belize’s Ek’ Balam (Black Jaguars) elevated the world’s longest, continually-played competition to new heights, saluting the ancient teams who invented this sport. 

That Belize is proud of this outcome would be an understatement! There was a lot riding on an Ek’ Balam victory and every one of the 10-member team was willing to take their A Game to opposing teams throughout the competition that started on April 29th under the sponsorship of The Central American and Caribbean Association of the Ancestral Sport of Maya Ball.

Since the Black Jaguars also took first place at this event in 2017, the team is building a reputation for excellence that is going to be hard to beat in the years ahead. For this reason and so many more, the management and staff at Chabil Mar Villas in Placencia applaud this feisty team for bringing the win home to Belize and for showing how team spirit and love of country can make all the difference.