Destination Wildlife, a publication focusing on promoting the responsible tourism, has recently published an article featuring travel to Gladden Spit and the Silk Cayes in Belize. The article noted that the Belize Barrier Reef, of which both Gladden Spit and the Silk Cayes are a part, are home to endangered sea turtle species as well as an important migratory destination for whale sharks.

The Destination Wildlife article focused on a number of different reasons why sustainable tourism to the region is so popular. Visitors can marvel at more than 30 species of reef fish that use the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve for spawning. This large-scale agglomeration of juvenile fish species is the main reason why migrating whale sharks visit the area every year, rising from the depths to feed on this abundance of food. Destination Wildlife also noted that the protected sandy beaches of the Silk Cayes serve as nesting sites for endangered species like the hawksbill turtle.

Destination Wildlife highlighted the fact that a collection of conservationist individuals and organizations are responsible for having the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes area declared a protected marine reserve in the year 2000. A number of residents from Placencia in Belize formed a group called The Friends of Nature (FoN) in 1993 in order to protect the area from long-term human impact. After successfully lobbying to have Laughing Bird Caye declared a national park in 1996, the FoN then convinced the Belize government to designate Gladden Spit and the nearby Silk Cayes a protected marine in 2000.

Destination Wildlife is an adherent of the guidelines and ideas of the Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism. Destination Wildlife believes that a holistic cooperation between private and individual stakeholders is the best way to preserve cultural heritages and conserve the environment. The Cape Town Declaration was formulated during the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002, a global conference attended by 280 delegates from around the globe.

The award-winning resort of Chabil Mar on the Placencia Peninsula offers guests a number of comprehensive scuba diving packages that include diving with whale sharks for visitors who want to explore the natural wonders found at Gladden Spit and the Silk Cayes. Chabil Mar also offers guided tours of the Monkey River, scuba diving packages of the Blue Hole, and trips to other top attractions on both land and sea in Belize.

In its November edition, Leisure Pro magazine printed an article promoting the “Caribbean Paradise” of Belize as an excellent diving haven. Leisure Pro highlighted the fact that Belize is home to the second-largest barrier reef in the world, an ideal location that every diver should have on their to-do list.

The Belize Barrier Reef is a thriving ecosystem home to dozens of species of coral that provide shelter and feeding grounds for a cornucopia of marine life, including hundreds of species of fish, three species of saltwater turtles, dolphins, rays, seahorses, manatees, whale sharks, and jellyfish. Large stands of seagrasses, anemones, and starfish make reef diving in Belize an exploration of an underwater world exploding with color.

The Leisure Pro article also made special mention of the Turneffe Islands. Located beyond the Belize Barrier Reef, these islands measure 30 miles by 10 miles. Although the islands are home to thick stands of mangrove trees that attract anglers for their abundant fishing opportunities, Leisure Pro magazine recommended that divers explore the waters off of the southern tip of the islands.

Another popular diving destination recommended by Leisure Pro magazine include Glover’s Reef and Lighthouse Reef. Although Lighthouse Reef is one of the smallest islands offshore of Belize, it is home to the Belize Blue Hole, a nearly perfectly circular body of deep azure water that was rated by famed marine biologist Jacques Cousteau as one of the top 10 diving spots on the planet. Divers can descend more than 400 feet as they explore a series of underwater canyons created at the end of the last Ice Age more than 10,000 years ago.

One of the reasons why Belize has recently become one of the hottest vacation destinations for scuba diving enthusiasts is that Belize is the only country in the region where English is the official language. Belize is also blessed by year-round air temperatures that rarely exceed the mid-80s Fahrenheit or sink below the low 70s, making the weather and water ideal for scuba diving no matter when you choose to visit.

Located on the sunny sands of Placencia Peninsula just a few miles from the best spots on the Belize Barrier Reef for scuba diving, the luxury resort of Chabil Mar features  elegantly-appointed villas, a gourmet restaurant, and a full range of modern conveniences. Chabil Mar offers its guests comprehensive scuba diving and snorkeling packages to all of the best spots along the reef, including the Turneffe Atoll, the Belize Blue Hole, and trips to Gladden Spit Marine Reserve to swim with whale sharks.

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.

Today on the blog, we’re taking a moment to focus on the Baca Academy. One of Chabil Mar’s esteemed staff, Luis Torres, has been passionate about the Baca Academy for years, a local school that works to improve the lives of children in the villages of Placencia and Independence near the resort.

Luis Torres, beyond his outstanding abilities as a proud member of the Chabil Mar staff, has been a member of the Belize national soccer team for the last seven years. Luis has traveled around the world, visiting 11 different countries while representing Belize during soccer tournaments, guiding both youth and men’s teams.

Luis graduated high school in Independence in 2005 and later Independence Junior College in 2009, earning an Associate Degree in Tourism Hospitality and Business Management. Luis helped lead his schools to three national championships, twice with his high school and once while playing with Independence Junior College. The pinnacle of his career came in 2013 when he played for Belize’s national team during their competition in the CONCAF Gold Cup in the United States. In 2016, Luis was declared the Most Valuable Player for the regular season.

Luis has spent the past three years working full-time at Chabil Mar as a waiter and bartender. With a generous spirit and an infectious smile, Luis has shared his passion for the game of soccer with youths from the nearby villages of Placencia and Independence, helping instill an appreciation of the benefits of hard work, dedication, sportsmanship, and team values.

Luis believes that team sports like soccer play a positive role in the community, improving the health and welfare of young people in the area. Luis also admires soccer for its unifying ability, bringing large groups of people together to enjoy the athleticism and drive of the younger players. Luis has dedicated significant amounts of his time and energy working with the Baca Academy to help youngsters realize the many benefits of participating in team sports like soccer.

Although Luis and the players lack nothing when it comes to enthusiasm, the Baca Academy has struggled to provide the equipment and gear needed to help the kids properly train and participate in league matches. Baca Academy has suffered from a shortage of spare soccer balls, training cones, soccer shoes, and other equipment, which is why Luis came to us, asking if we would help spread the word.

Anyone who is interested in sponsoring or assisting the Baca Academy in purchasing equipment and supplies can contact Luis at this email address: princebacatorres@yahoo.com.

As a rising star in the world of affordable and exciting vacation adventure destinations, Belize has been working hard to promote the amazing people, landscapes, and top attractions in the country. In 1995, the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), the country’s largest association of businesses working in the tourism sector, partnered with the government’s Belize Tourism Board and several other departments to design, print, and distribute Destination Belize, the country’s premiere tourism magazine.

As times have changed, Destination Belize transformed from a solely-printed glossy magazine to one of the most beautiful and popular websites in the world to find information, prices, photos, and availability of all of the top accommodations, tours, and vacation destinations in Belize. Now a property of McNab Publishing, the Destination Belize brand has become the premiere name in promoting tourism in Belize.

As part of the partnership’s ever-evolving commitment to encourage tourists worldwide to visit Belize and enjoy the country’s spectacularly beautiful landscape, rich cultural heritage, and exciting destinations, Destination Belize has now created its own app. Elegantly configured to work on both tablets and smartphones, the new app is a dynamic 21st-century companion to the flagship magazine.

The all-new Destination Belize app will give visitors all of the information, photos, and articles of their favorite publication right on their smartphone or mobile device. The app is completely free to download and use, opening up the beautiful nation of Belize for visitors from around the world. With the official backing of both the government of Belize and the leading association of private sector tourism stakeholders, the new Destination App is the only app tourists will need to plan and enjoy a world-class vacation in Belize.

The Destination Belize app will allow users to view photos, check availability, and make reservations at all of the top hotels, lodges, and resorts in the country, including the beautiful Chabil Mar resort on the Placencia Peninsula.

The all-new Destination Belize app is now available in both the Google Play and Apple stores. Feel free to download and share!

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.