Chabil Mar Resort - Belize Blog, Belize Vacation Planning

5 Observations about Food in Belize

Posted on October 7, 2020

One of the most delicious aspects of visiting other countries is sampling cuisines, and since you won’t find a single fast food restaurant within Belize’s borders, you’ll have ample time to taste many styles of cookery throughout this culturally rich land. If you’re staying at Chabil Mar Belize Resort, don’t be surprised if you find yourself preferring the resort’s eclectic menu to other eateries in Placencia, but if you’re sticking around for the long haul, the following general observations about food will come in handy.

1. If you’re used to having plenty of supermarkets from which to choose, you may experience culture shock in Belize where ingredients needed for a recipe may not always be available on store shelves. No worries. Adopt the Belize mindset: learn to substitute and in the bargain, earn a reputation for being an innovative cook and baker. You will find “organic” products from local resources, so if you keep canned goods on hand to substitute for fresh ingredients that aren’t available you’ll always be prepared to make a meal.

2. Frequent local markets to get the freshest ingredients for your recipes and save your trips to large grocery stores for staples. Find the best local markets by asking people you meet where they shop in Placencia and then follow their lead. If you’re a frequent patron of Chabil Mar’s eateries on the days you decide not to cook, you can always ask the chef for recommendations—though he may not want to give his secrets away in the interest of getting you back to the Chabil Mar Café as frequently as possible!

3. Be aware of the fact that Belize laws and regulations governing the use of pesticides don’t come close to the standards North Americans rely upon to scare away bugs, fungi and pests. One of the best ways to learn what’s in the foods you consume is to ask the grower when you shop at local markets, and while not every farmer may wish to disclose that information, it costs nothing to ask. Ensure your family’s health by taking the steps you would undertake, no matter where you live: thoroughly wash fresh foods with a brush to remove residues and you can also buy products on the Internet made for cleaning food if you require something stronger than water.

4. If dairy is an important part of your diet and you have no interest in owning a cow, follow the lead of people living in Belize and acquire a taste for powdered milk. Alternately, milk substitutes like almond, cashew and other plant-based dairy products may suffice if you can find them on grocery shelves. Can’t exist without “the real thing”? Turn to dairy farmers in Belize’s Mennonite communities. According to Wikipedia, there were 44 Mennonite communities in Belize in 2012, the largest of which are Shipyard, Spanish Lookout and Little Belize. Smaller sites include Blue Creek, Indian Creek, Barton Creek, Springfield and Pine Hill.

5. Make Café Mar your go-to dining destination for wining, dining and socializing on the nights and days you’re in no mood to cook. Local fisherman, farmers and purveyors provide chefs with the freshest ingredients, and frequent Café Mar beachside diners indulge all of their senses in an al fresco dining experience that offers a feeling of freedom under the Belize sky. If you prefer to take meals outside the Café, ask for poolside service, visit the Kaleidoscope Bar & Lounge or have a meal brought to you on your private veranda if you’re a guest. What observation will you make about the food after you discover just how delicious everything tastes when prepared Belize style?

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.

Belize’s Chabil Mar Approved as Gold Standard Certification Resort

Posted on October 7, 2020

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) took the unprecedented step of drawing up guidelines based on international health organization recommendations to ensure guest safety and wellbeing, establishing a coveted designation to which every resort, hotel, and tour organization aspires: Gold Standard Certification.

This is no toothless program and not every property has been able to meet the stringent criteria associated with receiving this designation. That is the reason staff and management at Chabil Mar Resort on the Placencia peninsula were elated to receive notification that the resort had been approved by the BTB.

“This 9-point program went through a rigorous vetting process approved by the Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation and other authorities associated with our Coronavirus response efforts,” explained Chabil Mar Marketing Manager, Larry France. “In order to comply with rigorous Gold Standard Certification protocols, staff received extensive training in all aspects of hygiene, cleaning, and social distancing protocols.”

Tourists arriving in Belize once Chabil Mar re-opens on October 15, 2020, can expect to encounter state-of-the-art health practices that include reconfiguration of space to allow for social distancing, unprecedented disinfection practices that include sanitation stations throughout the resort, and contact-less check-in and check-out procedures to further ensure guest health and safety.

“I believe that our staff training directives meet and exceed guidelines,” added France. “To make certain these assurances are spelled out in language guests understand, we listed all of these changes our website to explain every step we are taking to make sure visitors enjoy a stress-free vacation.”

“And we are still offering reassurances in the form of our cancellation policies plus discounted packages and specials that travelers in desperate need of vacations are going to find compelling and inviting! We have already begun to take reservations in advance of our October 15th re-opening,” he says.

“Chabil Mar stands ready to offer guests the ultimate respite from care and worry. From beautiful accommodations and fine dining to the amenities visitors have come to expect from this award-winning property, adding all of these safety measures adds to the welcoming environment for which we were already known,” notes France. “Things may look a little different, but nothing about the amazing tours, recreational opportunities, and stunning beauty enjoyed at our stunning resort has changed one iota!”

“Chabil Mar is the only full-service resort, including on-sight restaurant service, property amenities, and bar on the Placencia Peninsula and in the Village, reserved for the exclusive use of guests. Guest Exclusivity has been our policy since the day we opened our gates13 years ago and, of course, continues on. This is sure to please those who value their privacy and safety while desiring personalized service during their Belize vacation.”

A privately owned and held resort located in the Stann Creek District of Belize, Chabil Mar opened its doors in 2005 and has since enjoyed an international reputation. Historically, Chabil Mar — Maya for “Beautiful Sea” — is nestled between a Garifuna settlement and the former Creole fishing village of Placencia and in close proximity to ancient Maya ruins, rainforests, jungles, and the best scuba and deep-water diving in the Caribbean. For more resort information visit the website or call 011 (501) 523–3606. If calling from the U.S. or Canada, use Chabil Mar’s toll-free number: 1-866-417-2377.

Belize Officially Reopens International Airport To Leisure Travel

Posted on October 4, 2020

After months of being cooped up in quarantine, you deserve a vacation where you can enjoy sea breezes, gorgeous natural scenery, and endless ocean waves. With winter on the way, there’s no better destination than sunny, friendly Belize.

Belize Is Open for Tourism

Belize is officially open for visitors. New safety regulations mean you can enjoy Belize’s best adventures without fear.

What Safety Precautions Is Belize Taking?

Belize has acted swiftly to contain the coronavirus and institute strict regulations. As it opens for tourism again, Belize welcomes all visitors who are willing to follow its safety protocols.

Everyone entering Belize must follow these steps to ensure a safe, healthy vacation for visitors and Belizeans.

Bring a doctor’s certificate stating you tested negative for the coronavirus within 72 hours of your trip.
Register on the Belize Health app. This is a contact tracing device.
Wear a face mask in public and practice social distancing.
Stay in the Safe Corridor of government-certified operators.

What’s the Safe Corridor?

The Safe Corridor refers to a network of hotels, transportation providers, and tour companies that have received the Belize government’s Tourism Gold Star certification. This means the provider has met a stringent set of safety and sanitation requirements. Only operators who have adopted new standards of cleanliness and safety can hold Gold Star certification.

When you visit, you will stay in the Safe Corridor by using Gold Star certified providers from the moment they arrive in Belize. You will also receive regular, unobtrusive temperature checks. You must update your health status on the Belize Health app.

You will receive a Safe Corridor “Welcome to Belize” wristband when you arrive at the airport. You must wear this wristband to use transportation services, exit the airport grounds, and check into your hotel.

Belize Tourism Board Director Karen Bevans has said, “While visitors will need to adhere to our ‘new normal’ entry requirements and safety protocols, their experience will remain authentic to Belize’s adventurous spirit.”

It’s a good idea to check the Belize Tourism Board for updates.

Enjoy Belize at the Gold Star Certified Chabil Mar

Make your stay truly memorable by staying at the Chabil Mar. Our luxurious Belize resort features individual villas on a private beachfront and many guest-exclusive amenities.

Belizean women lead the way in sustainable seaweed farming

Posted on September 24, 2020

Belize has long been a magnet for ecotourism due to its incredible diversity of wildlife and the commitment of the Belize government to preserving delicate ecosystems. One of the loveliest areas in Belize is the Placencia Peninsula, which has some of the country’s most scenic beaches. Now, this slice of paradise is also the home of the Belize Women’s Seaweed Farmers’ Association or BWSFA. The members of this group are passionate about maintaining the country’s diverse natural beauty.

Over the last five years, The Nature Conservancy has partnered with both the government and local groups such as the BWSFA to develop a sustainable seaweed industry. The goal is to provide not just economic benefits for coastal communities but also ecological benefits for marine ecosystems. The coalition is therefore focused on innovative techniques that will satisfy both these requirements.

Seaweed farms function as natural carbon sinks that fight global warming and reduce the acidification of the ocean. They can create additional habitats and nurseries for marine creatures. Belize’s collaborative seaweed farming programs focus on practices that benefit species such as the spiny lobster, conch, and many types of fish including parrotfish and snapper. Training sessions help interested potential farmers learn how to develop a sustainable livelihood for their families.

Seaweed itself is a superfood. It can be eaten as a snack or used as a supplement that is added to shakes, soups, etc. It can also be used in natural beauty products. The BWSFA sells its naturally and sustainably harvested seaweed in dried, powdered, and gel forms. To learn more about the BWSFA and its products, you can check out their website.

Visitors who would like to learn more about the unique ecology of Belize and experience a truly special vacation can come to Chabil Mar Villas .

As the full-service resort nearest to Placencia Village, it is the ideal location from which to learn more about the BWSFA, which is based in Placencia. Chabil Mar is also the ideal location from which to appreciate the diversity of Belize’s marine life via snorkeling, sailing, and diving tours.

You can also arrange for a tour of the Belize jungle. A stroll along the beach will lead you to Placencia Village, the cultural hub of the area. Here you’ll find artisans and fishermen, as well as restaurants, bars, cafes, and live music. Or, if you prefer a more private vacation, the resort has its own secluded beach, as well as two infinity pools and a private pier.

Visit our website chabilmarvillas.com for more information on Placencia and 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.

At Last, Belize Welcomes Tourists! When Can We Expect to See You?

Posted on September 5, 2020

When the first planes touch down at Belize’s International Airport on October 1st, repeat visitors are going to find that things have changed dramatically because so many new protocols have been implemented to keep travelers safe from spreading Covid-19. Consequently, you’ll want to bring along swimsuits, sunscreen and patience, because these re-opening measures could take a bit of time.

Once you land, you will proceed to the airport’s health screening center where your shoes will be sanitized and you will process through thermal imaging cameras to make sure you’re healthy. You will be asked to verify the information on the Belize health app that you submitted before arrival and verify certified COVID-19 test results. Once you pass muster, you’ll proceed to immigrations and customs for the usual checks.

But there’s one qualification that you must meet in order to get on with your vacation: You must show authorities that you have reservations to stay at a Tourism Gold Standard property. This new designation is especially important. It proves that the resort or hotel has passed a rigorous 9-point inspection standard designed to create the safest, healthiest environment of all for guests. These measures include no-contact check-in procedures, stringent social distancing parameters, hand sanitation hubs and regular temperature checks.

Your host will protect you even more by establishing a unique quarantining arrangement that assigns quarters to guests who are suspected of being ill so they remain isolated from other guests. There’s much more, including new and more sophisticated cleaning and sanitizing methods so your accommodations are maintained to World Health Organization standards.

Where can you find a safe place that meets all of these criteria and perhaps a few more? Chabil Mar Villas, where COVID-19 precautions are elevated to an art. While Chabil Mar won’t open for guests until November 1st, that doesn’t mean you can’t make your reservations now – especially once you read about measures taken to keep you in good health during the entirety of your stay.

From social distancing measures to the resort’s cancellation policies, you won’t find a resort as well prepared for your visit as Chabil Mar, and happily, nothing about the resort’s activity menu has changed. You’ll still roam 400 feet of private beach, swim in both of Chabil Mar’s beachside infinity pools, frequent the private pier overlooking the sea and borrow complimentary bicycles, kayaks, paddle Boards.

This is your chance to see how royalty vacation! You don’t have to budge from your lounge chair for sustenance because roaming butler service takes care of your every request for drinks and casual dining as you enjoy the good life.

Reservations should be made as soon as possible because fewer guests than usual will be booked at the resort after November 1st for safety reasons, and packages and specials tend to be grabbed up fast because they save money and take the stress out of the visit you’ve been waiting forever to make!

See what strikes your fancy on our Belize vacation package menu. Go for the gold, knowing that your stay is going to be as safe as it is fun and relaxing and we’re pretty sure you could use a big dose of both right about now!

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.

Follow Us!

Archives