Chabil Mar Resort - Belize Blog, Belize Vacation Planning

Best Place in Belize for a Destination Wedding in Summer

Posted on April 24, 2025

A wedding should be a once in a lifetime event. After all, a wedding signifies you pledging your eternal love to another person, and that’s an event remembering forever. And while destination weddings have become increasingly popular, that also means that there many of the most popular destinations have become exceedingly rote. Mexico, the Bahamas, and Hawaii dominate social media feeds of happy couples, Belize deserves to be on your radar.

The country of Belize is known for both the gregariousness and hospitality of its English speaking residents and for the untapped beauty of its landscapes. Beaches, jungles, and ancient Maya cities are all within reach in Belize, and the low population density ensures that the bride, the groom, and their wedding party can have a level of privacy that would be hard to find in more crowded wedding destinations. Of particularly worthy note is the Placencia Village. Located on the southern Placencia Peninsula, the village is a sedate settlement, offering plenty of tourist amenities despite still holding the trappings of a humble fishing village. Being only a quarter of a mile wide at its longest points, the peninsula is a picturesque stretch of land dominated by sandy beaches and easy to navigate. All these factors combine to make it an ideal spot for a wedding.

Then there’s Chabil Mar. Our resort accommodates travelers from all walks of life, but it’s particularly well suited for weddings. Chabil Mar is conscientious about pampering couples to an exceeding degree. Wedding packages include a romantic candlelit dinner for two, an intimate reception on the beach, and a luxurious honeymoon suite. Couples can indulge in massages, champagne, and on-site amenities like fine dining, an expansive pool, and a lush garden.

There are plenty of practical reasons for getting married in Belize. The whole process is a simple affair. Couples merely need to have been in the country for three days to apply for a marriage license, and the approval process simply takes a day. The license cost is just $100. But if you have any questions, the helpful staff at Chabil Mar can help expedite the process for you.

That gets to the heart of what makes Belize and Chabil Mar such an ideal choice for a destination wedding: convenience. Once you decide to stage your wedding on Placencia, you can put aside many of the traditional stresses of planning a destination wedding and instead focus on enjoying yourselves.

The beaches are readily accessible, the staff friendly and well-versed in the intricacies of planning weddings, and the opportunities far cheaper than more commercialized destinations. And once you’ve said I do, you won’t even need to board a plane for your honeymoon.

Belize has widely been recognized as one of the top honeymoon destinations around the world, and Chabil Mar will be happy to host you for the first few weeks or months of your wedded bliss.

Travel in Belize: Top 10 Things to See & Do This Summer

Posted on April 24, 2025

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.

For more information about traveling to Belize this summer, 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.

Barton Creek Cave, A Fascinating Cave in Belize

Posted on April 24, 2025

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.

For more information about Barton Creek Cave, 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.

Why Belize is One of the Best Places to Visit Before You Turn 40 (or 60!)

Posted on April 22, 2025

Whether you’re still in your adventure-chasing 30s or cruising into your confident 50s, Belize belongs on your must-visit list. Why? Because it’s the kind of place that rewards curiosity, quenches wanderlust, and gives you a healthy dose of awe—without making you feel like you’re ticking off a checklist.

It doesn’t matter if you’re the kind who travels with a GoPro or with a glass of wine in hand, Belize offers something rare: a sense of wonder that meets you where you are in life. And if you ask us, Placencia—especially when you’re staying at Chabil Mar Villas Boutique Guest Exclusive Resort—is the perfect launchpad for that kind of travel.

Adventure Without the Exhaustion

Let’s be honest. You might not want to backpack your way through six countries anymore, and Belize doesn’t ask you to. Here, you can go cave tubing through ancient Maya ceremonial sites in the morning, then be sipping rum cocktails by the sea in the evening. Want to snorkel with sea turtles and rays? The reef is just a short boat ride away. Feel like hiking to a waterfall or paddling through a jungle river? It’s all close—and doable without needing a week to recover.

Belize offers adventures with comfort and accessibility, not exhaustion. And that’s exactly the sweet spot most of us are looking for as we inch closer to those milestone birthdays.

Cultural Riches with a Side of Beach Bliss

This isn’t just about adrenaline. Belize is also rich in culture, from the rhythmic drumming of Garifuna traditions to the centuries-old stories whispered through ancient Maya temples. You can taste the heritage in the food, see it in the art, and feel it in every village you pass through.

In Placencia, you’re right in the heart of it all. The village has just enough buzz to keep things interesting—great restaurants, live music, local markets—but it never overwhelms. It’s easy to strike up a conversation with a friendly local, browse artisan crafts, or catch a sunset with your toes in the sand and no schedule to chase.

A Place That Feels Personal at Any Age

Belize isn’t about giant resorts or tourist-packed attractions. It’s a place that still feels personal, even magical. That’s what makes it so perfect for milestone travelers—whether you’re turning 40, 60, or simply feeling ready to treat yourself to something new.

At Chabil Mar, that feeling is dialed up a notch. Our villas are private, comfortable, and right on the beach. You can enjoy world-class cuisine with Belizean flavor, swim in the sea just steps from your veranda, or head off on a personalized tour to see exactly the kind of Belize you came for—whether that’s reef, rainforest, or relaxation.

So why Belize before 40, or 60, or whenever you need a reset? Because it’s got that just-right mix of nature, culture, adventure, and comfort. It’s bold enough to wow you, but relaxed enough to let you actually enjoy it. And at Chabil Mar, it’s all wrapped up in laid-back luxury with a smile.

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.

Make a Difference: Responsible Travel Tips for Visiting Belize

Posted on April 21, 2025

Belize is more than just a postcard-perfect destination—it’s a living, breathing mix of culture, nature, and community. From its vibrant Maya heritage and Garifuna rhythms to its reef-rich coastline and jungle wonders, every inch of this country offers something meaningful. But with that beauty comes responsibility. As more travelers discover Belize’s magic, it becomes even more important to explore in ways that respect the environment, uplift local communities, and preserve the things that make Belize so special.

At Chabil Mar Villas Boutique Guest Exclusive Resort in Placencia, we don’t just believe in being good hosts—we believe in being good neighbors. Here’s how you can join us in traveling with intention and heart while enjoying the very best of Belize.

Choose Locally Owned and Operated Experiences

One of the most powerful ways to travel responsibly in Belize is by supporting locally owned businesses. Whether it’s staying at a resort like Chabil Mar, shopping from artisans in Placencia Village, or choosing restaurants that use locally sourced ingredients, your money goes further when it stays in the community.

Local guides bring a deep knowledge of the land and culture that enriches every experience—be it a tour of ancient Maya ruins, a visit to a Garifuna drumming school, or a night paddle through bioluminescent waters. These are the kinds of moments that create meaningful travel memories and support families who call Belize home.

When you stay at Chabil Mar, you’re already off to a great start. We proudly collaborate with local tour operators, artists, and culinary talent to ensure your experience is both authentic and meaningful.

Respect Nature and Choose Eco-Friendly Adventures

Belize’s natural treasures are one of its biggest draws, but they’re also incredibly delicate. The Belize Barrier Reef, tropical rainforests, and wildlife sanctuaries are all protected areas that depend on careful stewardship.

You can do your part by choosing reef-safe sunscreen, following guidelines when visiting protected marine reserves, and never touching coral or disturbing marine life. On land, stay on designated trails during hikes, leave no trash behind, and avoid single-use plastics where possible.

Chabil Mar supports environmental efforts through sustainable practices in our operations, from energy conservation and waste reduction to landscaping with native plants and minimizing water usage. We also encourage guests to enjoy nature in a low-impact way—whether it’s birdwatching in Cockscomb, kayaking in the Placencia Lagoon, or exploring the Silk Cayes with a licensed guide.

Engage with Culture in a Meaningful Way

Responsible travel isn’t just about what you take care of—it’s also about what you take in. Belize is a cultural tapestry made up of Maya, Garifuna, Mestizo, Creole, and other vibrant communities. Show appreciation by learning a few words in Kriol or Garifuna, being curious about local traditions, and participating in community events.

When you explore Placencia Village, take time to visit local galleries, taste authentic Belizean cuisine, and chat with residents—you’ll find that Belizeans are some of the warmest, most welcoming people you’ll meet. If you want to give back more directly, consider supporting local initiatives or bringing supplies for schools and clinics through programs like Pack for a Purpose, which Chabil Mar proudly participates in.

Travel Thoughtfully, Stay Purposefully

Responsible travel in Belize is about slowing down, being present, and making choices that leave a positive mark. Whether you’re snorkeling alongside sea turtles, savoring fresh coconut rice from a village cook, or shopping for handwoven baskets, each moment is an opportunity to connect—and give back.

At Chabil Mar Villas Boutique Guest Exclusive Resort, we’re here to help you experience the heart of Belize. From the people to the wildlife to the incredible natural landscapes, there’s so much to love—and so much worth protecting. Join us in making your Belize vacation a journey that gives as much as it receives.

Best Place in Belize for a Destination Wedding in Summer

Travel in Belize: Top 10 Things to See & Do This Summer

Barton Creek Cave, A Fascinating Cave in Belize