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Belize Ends Oil Activity in Its Ocean Waters

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A recent bill approved by the Belizean legislature has banned all petroleum extraction and exploration in the country’s offshore waters. Hailed by domestic and international conservation groups, the move by Belize to completely freeze all petroleum activity in its offshore waters will serve as a beacon of inspiration to nearby countries.

“Today is truly a wonderful day for Belize,” said Nadia Bood, a scientist working in Belize on behalf of the World Wildlife Fund. “Last year, the reef was in danger from oil exploration, and now Belize has stepped up to make protecting the environment a priority.”

Although Belize does not have substantial petroleum deposits, a number of international corporations have identified areas on the reef where drilling for oil could potentially be profitable. At issue is the practice of exploratory drilling that sends out shockwaves through the reef, putting much of the reef’s marine life in peril.

It is estimated that Belize’s offshore reef brings more than $200 million dollars in revenue to the economy, primarily in the form of tourism and domestic fisheries. Belize is home to hundreds of endangered animals, birds, and plants that thrive on the reef, all of which could be endangered by drilling practices and potential oil spills such as the Deepwater Horizon incident in 2010 that took place in the nearby Gulf of Mexico.

“We heartily applaud the government of Belize for putting the long-term health of the reef ahead of short-term profits from petroleum companies,” said Larry France, Manager Manager for Chabil Mar Resort in Placencia, Belize. “The reef is both a vital source of revenue in the form of tourism dollars and a natural heritage for our children and our children’s children.”

Chabil Mar is an award-winning luxury resort located on the Caribbean coast of southeastern Belize. Chabil Mar is dedicated to sustainable tourism practices and environmental conservation and is proud to employ locals on its staff and encourages guests to spend money at the nearby Placencia Village in order to sustainably develop the region.

Chabil Mar offers guests a number of Belize vacation packages that include guided tours to pristine areas like the Monkey River, the Belize Barrier Reef, and the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary as part of its commitment to sustainable tourism practices.

Chabil Mar also offers jungle and sea packages so that travelers can have the opportunity to explore the unique, natural beauty of Belize and learn more about the vital role that the animals and plants in the region play in maintaining the country’s thriving ecosystem.

 

Rough Guides Recommends Visiting Belize in 2018

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Rough Guides, one of the world’s most popular publishers of travel information, has recently released their Rough Guide to 2018 that features Belize.

Coming in at number 18 on their annual list of recommended destinations, Belize was highlighted by Rough Guides for its lush nature and relative lack of tourists. Rough Guides described Belize as a small country with “colossal appeal” thanks to its thriving rainforests, beautiful beaches, and vast offshore reef, the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

Other reasons why Rough Guides recommended visiting Belize include the fact that the country is home to many diverse cultures yet is very accessible because English is the official language. Belize was also highlighted as being the “bastion” of the ancient Maya civilization, with more temples, palaces, ball courts, sacred caves, and pyramids than anywhere else in the Mesoamerican region.

The Rough Guide to 2018 also noted that Belize is an excellent destination for both luxury travelers as well as backpackers. With both five-star resorts and simple homestay options, Belize has successfully managed to preserve its old-world charm where tourists are greeted more as family members than a source of revenue. And with a population of less than 400,000 people, Belize offers a far different experience than more crowded destinations such as Costa Rica.

The Rough Guide article also spoke highly of Belize’s offshore barrier reef, the second-largest in the world. Composed of hundreds of islands and atolls, the Belize Barrier Reef is home to some of the world’s finest dive spots, including the Belize Blue Hole that was a personal favorite of legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau. Other popular activities on the reef include snorkeling, fishing, and sailing.

“We are very happy that Belize has made the Rough Guide to 2018 list,” said Larry France, marketing manager of Chabil Mar. “Belize is the perfect getaway destination where you can still enjoy unspoiled nature without having to deal with large crowds. In Belize, plants and animals far outnumber cars or people, which is why the country has been nicknamed “The Jewel.” We look forward to welcoming Rough Guide readers to Belize in 2018 and in years to come.”

Chabil Mar is an award-winning luxury resort located in Placencia Village on the Caribbean coast of southern Belize. Just a short distance from the offshore reef as well as the top destinations on the mainland, Chabil Mar has lavishly appointed villas, a lush tropical garden, gourmet restaurant and freshwater swimming pools just steps away from a privately owned stretch of the beach.

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.

National Geographic Recommends Visiting Belize in 2018

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Recently, National Geographic published an article entitled “Best Winter Trips 2018” that included Belize. The article referenced the fact that Belize is home to the largest barrier reef in the Americas and the famous Great Blue Hole that ranked as legendary French marine biologist Jacque Cousteau’s top 10 favorite dive sites in the world.

Indeed, the National Geographic article described Belize as a “diver’s paradise.” Belize was also highlighted as being a country where English is the official language, making it easy to get around and interact with locals. Other highlights in Belize featured by National Geographic included ancient Maya sites on the mainland.

“National Geographic is right. Winter is the perfect time to visit Belize because that word doesn’t mean anything here,” said Larry France, marketing manager at Chabil Mar. “During the cold winter months in North America, Belize enjoys warm weather and clear, blue skies, making it the perfect time to dive, snorkel, or explore the mainland.”

The best place to enjoy all the fishing, diving, snorkeling, and other activities on the reef as well as explore ancient Maya ruins and other attractions on the mainland is the Placencia Peninsula. Located on the Caribbean coast of southeastern Belize, Placencia is often described as the “island you can walk to” due to its beautiful beaches and laid-back atmosphere.

Placencia is the main gateway to the vast Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site composed of hundreds of gorgeous islands and coral atolls. All the top sites on the reef, including the famous Great Blue Hole, are easily reachable from Placencia.

Placencia is just a three-hour drive from the international airport and can easily be reached by the beautiful Hummingbird Highway or a quick, 15-minute domestic flight. Placencia measures approximately 16 miles north to south but is just half a mile wide, its western shore a large, mangrove-lined lagoon teeming with wildlife and birds and the Caribbean Sea as its eastern shore.

Placencia is also close to all of the top attractions on the mainland, including visiting ancient Maya sites, zip lining through the jungle canopy, exploring sacred sites like ATM Cave, horseback riding, bird watching, cave tubing (using an inner tube to float down underground rivers), rappelling, canoeing, boat safaris on the Monkey River and hiking through the Cockscomb Basin Nature Reserve, home to the world’s only full-time jaguar conservation program.

The award-winning resort of  Chabil Mar offering outstanding accommodations just minutes away from all the action in Placencia Village in southeastern Belize. With gorgeous views of the beautiful Caribbean Sea, each villa is a richly-appointed two-room suite combining traditional Belizean decor with modern luxury.

For more information about visiting Belize or Placencia, 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.

End of the World Marathon in Pictures

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Last week, the End of the World Marathon and Half Marathon was held in Placencia. The marathon which began as a celebration of the end of the Maya Calendar in December 21, 2012 has become one of the most sought after running events in Belize.

The race is divided into two categories: a full marathon and half marathon.

Beginning at the football field at the bottom of the Placencia Peninsula, the full marathon (26.2 miles) goes through Placencia Village, Seine Bight Village and Maya Beach. The race then loops back a few miles south of Riversale and ends in the village of Placencia.

The half marathon (13.1 miles) begins at the marathon turnaround and also finishes in Placencia Village.

The End of the World Marathon is not only about running and fun in sunny and beautiful Belize, but it is about giving back to the community. According to the organizers of the event, the proceeds raised goes towards high school scholarships for children on the Placencia Peninsula.

Below are photos of this year’s race. All photos by are by Marion & Ed Carr. Copyright Muzamanzie Photographs, Belize.

6th End of the World Marathon -Belize

Sunday, December 10, 2017 05:30 (GMT-6) – Final results

    • Race winners
  • right arrow imageClick on a green category name to see full results
 fullWinnerWinning timeTotal racers
 OverallBulum, Juan3:02:15.741
 FemaleCruz, Rosa3:39:58.113
 Age 20-29Lipman, Jenna4:40:16.41
 Age 30-39Cruz, Rosa3:39:58.14
 Age 40-49Reimer, Sara3:59:35.53
 Age 50-59Sanders, Kimberly4:50:32.24
 Age over 60Johnson, Cathie6:09:55.41
 MaleBulum, Juan3:02:15.728
 Age 20-29Bulum, Juan3:02:15.76
 Age 30-39Augustine, Egbert3:15:02.88
 Age 40-49Herrarte, Edy3:17:23.18
 Age 50-59Hope, Marvin3:27:13.74
 Age over 60Pech, Orlando5:21:04.32
 halfWinnerWinning timeTotal racers
 OverallO’Brien, Leon1:15:29.9165
 FemaleSmith, Trinity1:38:52.884
 Age 20-29Smith, Trinity1:38:52.822
 Age 30-39Yunokizono, Haruka1:50:22.326
 Age 40-49Bader, Mary2:00:55.714
 Age 50-59Shaw, Mary2:15:26.08
 Age over 60Stakutis, Wanda2:03:59.83
 Age Under 20Gomez, Daniella1:56:24.811
 MaleO’Brien, Leon1:15:29.981
 Age 20-29Smith, Radmon1:23:50.724
 Age 30-39O’Brien, Leon1:15:29.916
 Age 40-49Villalobos, Juan Carlos Chaves1:21:41.017
 Age 50-59Rosado, Victor1:52:09.65
 Age over 60Carpenter, Nick2:05:37.02
 Age Under 20Arana, Brayan1:21:40.417
Chabil Mar has been a proud sponsor of the End of the World Marathon since its inception. For more information about the End of the World Marathon, please don’t hesitate to send us an email, or call US/CAN Toll Free: 1-866-417-2377, Local: (011-501) 523-3606.

Could eSports make Central America an even more attractive destination?

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When people think of eSports, Central America isn’t a region that typically comes to mind. But when it comes to eSports competitions, the combination of beach territory and incredible scenery could make attending an event a more enriching experience that could benefit both the sport and Central America.

eSports tourism: A force to be reckoned with

When it comes to eSports, attendance is one of the most encouraging signs of its growth. And for the places that host these events, it is the out of market attendance that signifies the value of hosting competitions. Up to 70% of eSports event attendees are labeled as out-of-market attendees, meaning that people are traveling long distances to watch eSports in person. And when people are going to an event, that means that they’re contributing to the business growth of the local communities.

Given that eSports are spread across the world, rather than confined to domestic leagues in most cases, fans have to travel hundreds of miles to attend competitions. That means buying hotel stays and other accommodations that last longer than one day. This could spell immense benefits for Central American businesses if the region were to put a more defined focus on hosting future tournaments, which should be pursued with gusto.

Reasons for eSports popularity

There has been a meteoric rise in eSports popularity over the last few years, as competitive gaming has gone from a niche sport to one that is capable of filling arenas around the globe. One of the biggest reasons for that rise is the fact that eSports are more accessible to players than many other sports. While becoming an elite gamer requires plenty of hard work, it does not come with many of the barriers to entry that come with throwing 60-yard passes in football or slam-dunking a basketball. As a result, fans can cheer for outcomes that they are capable of achieving, creating more engaged supporters.

Additionally, eSports attendance continues to climb as interactive components like esports betting have brought fans closer to the action. Now, what exactly is esports betting? It allows the most ardent supporters to predict the outcomes of matches, cultivating a generation of more knowledgeable esports fans in what has become a big business. That knowledge has spawned a passion that has inspired fans to travel to competitions and buy merchandise. That’s also something that fans would likely do during events held in beautiful Belize as they have in other destinations across Europe, Asia, and North America.

How eSports could impact tourism in Central America

As it pertains to tourism in Central America, eSports could play a sizable role in the future if steps are made to bring the two together. With many vital eSports events being held in cities like Seoul and Seattle, organizers holding tournaments in Central America could provide a much-needed change of scenery from competitions held in cities to those held near the beach. And with the potential to create vacation packages around those tournaments, fans could enjoy everything Central America has to offer in between matches.

eSports could also provide a blueprint for other sports to move into the region for events in the future to make it an even more appealing destination. American college sports could be an area for that expansion to take place, given the current trajectory of both college basketball and football.

College basketball in the United States routinely features early-season tournaments in locations that include Jamaica, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands, where some of the best teams in the sport clash outside of American soil. College football, meanwhile, features the Bahamas Bowl each year. Both sports already feature international competition, and if something like eSports proved that sporting events could go off without a hitch in Central America, the region could see those sports move in as well.

In and of itself, eSports is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. Were Central America able to secure the opportunity to host events in the sport, it could see a strong attendance that has followed this sport around the world. Perhaps more importantly, eSports could open the door to the chance to host even more events from other sports and make the region an attractive destination for sports fans of all kinds.

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