The MesoAmerican Barrier Reef is the world’s second largest, spanning 600 miles from the Yucatan Peninsula to Honduras. The 180 mile Belize Barrier Reef is part of this system. It provides a unique marine ecosystem for snorkelers of all levels to explore.

The ecosystem comprises not just the coral reefs but also mangrove forests, lagoons and coastal wetlands. Here are some of the wonders you might see while snorkeling in Belize’s clear turquoise waters:

Yellowtail Damselfish

This brilliantly colored fish can be found among the corals as well. It is unique among fish because it “farms” red algae which is one of its primary food sources.

Manta Rays

Known as “gentle giants”, these are the largest of the rays. They can reach 20 feet from tip to tip and weigh over 3000 pounds. While they prefer the open sea, they sometimes glide over the reef into Belize’s coastal waters. There, you can approach them, but be aware – they have been known to jump up to 15 feet from the water!

Caribbean Dolphin

Another species known for its acrobatic leaps is this variant of the bottlenose dolphin. This gentle and playful animal may be spotted off the coast of Placencia.

Parrot Fish

It’s a delight to swim in schools of these beautiful fish as their scales sparkle in sunlight. They come in gorgeous colors, but are not merely decorative. They also help to build Belize’s beaches. Their teeth grind up coral rock into fine sand.

Green Moray Eel

You will find their distinctive bottle green heads peaking out from holes in the coral. These eels can grow up to 8 feet long and used to be mistaken for sea serpents!

Nurse Sharks

While they can grow up to 14 feet long, nurse sharks are gentle. They will let you swim near as they cruise the reefs and mangroves. Their skin is smooth, which you will discover if you gently stroke one. Imagine telling your friends you swam with the sharks and even touched one!

Vase Sponge

Characterized by a large bell shape, this sponge can grow up to 3 feet high. It ranges in color from purple to red to brown and is found attached to rocks in Belize’s lagoons.

Sea Turtles

The waters of Belize are home to three varieties of sea turtle: the loggerhead, green and hawksbill. Since 1993 these have been protected species and are thriving in many locations such as Glover’s Reef Atoll.

To experience these amazing wonders for yourself, consider booking a stay at Chabil Mar Resort . We are an award winning beach resort that are close to the Belize Barrier Reef and offer world class snorkeling, diving, sailing and fishing.

It’s only human nature to want to be “an insider” – someone who keeps up with trends, has the ear of important people and possesses extra confidence simply because they understand what it takes to “be in the know.” But even insiders were impacted when Covid swept across the planet and those who traveled more than they stayed home were forced to take a hiatus.

Now that travel restrictions have been lifted and Belize has opened its skies, properties and enterprises once again, travel insiders began the search for resorts close to home that are luxurious and lush – minus price tags that cost more for one night than their current monthly mortgage payments!

The lucky ones found Chabil Mar, a posh resort located on the 18-mile-long Placencia peninsula, a trendy paradise that has no equal. What makes Chabil Mar the most exclusive, laid-back luxury resort on the peninsula? The award-winning chef. The small size. Limited numbers of guests. Sea-facing digs plus 400 feet of private beach and pier that create an exclusive enclave of rest and relaxation.

Designed with you in mind

Despite meeting so many criteria for exclusivity, guests of all ages and travel interests find at Chabil Mar the laid-back experience they crave. Families can’t compliment staff enough for being kind to their kids. Solo travelers encounter just enough interaction with other guests to enjoy the solitude they seek. Couples? Chabil Mar could easily change its name to Romance or Honeymoon Central.

In sum, there’s something for everyone at Chabil Mar beyond the friendly staff, beautifully manicured grounds and accommodations that are so roomy and elegantly furnished, some visitors have no desire to leave their hideaways. For these folks, sojourns often consist of walking or biking to nearby Placencia Village where nightlife and shopping offer fun outings before returning to the resort to take advantage of the pool and the resort’s complementary bikes, kayaks and paddle boards.

As the only full-service resort on the peninsula…

…Chabil Mar is especially well known for the property’s Belize vacation packages that help families, couples and singles enjoy carefree holidays since guests pay one price for packages that are customized to meet traveler wish lists. View the resort’s package library to find the one that calls to you and your accommodations, gourmet meals, resort amenities and extras – like the roaming butler service known to make every guest feel like royalty – are all included.

While you’re making your decision, check out the specials on the same page to learn how you can extend your stay while saving money. Sound too good to be true? Visit Chabil Mar’s home page and click on the “Beauty by Belize – Luxury by Design” link to peruse the video that’s known to be a decision maker for travelers who won’t settle for ordinary vacations after discovering this amazing paradise.

Who wouldn’t love to find a tropical paradise that is so filled with extras, you can stay, eat, chill and have fun without having to move a muscle? Chabil Mar makes this commitment to every guest who is weary of having to rush from place to place in order to properly see a foreign country. At less than 9,000 square miles in size, no nearby nation is as easy to navigate.

In addition to being located on the lush Placencia Peninsula – the highly-rated area of Belize that currently charms international travelers – Chabil Mar was one of the first resorts to adhere to the nation’s Gold Standard of excellence program, launched to keep guests safe after the pandemic began spreading. Chabil Mar offers assurances and protocols that combat spread, including social distancing, enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols, and reassurances that add to guest comfort and peace of mind.

Further, this tropical haven is filled with onsite amenities that delight and entertain, regardless of the itinerary visitors wish to pursue. For some, lush gardens dominating the resort are enough to trigger contentment. Others are excited to find that this full-service resort is packed with things to do that include sunning on the sandy beach, swimming in Chabil Mar’s two infinity swimming pools, and enjoying the resort’s kayaks, paddleboards and bicycles.

Nearby Placencia Village can be reached by strolling down the beach where cultural centers, shops, eateries, bars, and cafés are fun to visit, but to be honest, Chabil Mar guests tend to be blissfully content hanging out on resort grounds, in great part due to the property’s stunning accommodations. Sea views, elegant furnishings, and private verandas are a few of the features that charm guests – especially once they see photos of these luxe digs!

Treat yourself to a Belize vacation package so you don’t have to make a single decision during your stay. Delicious meals prepared by Chef Daniel at the resort’s al fresco restaurant are included and whether your idea of fine dining happens to be beachside, poolside, your veranda, Chabil Mar’s private pier, or the Kaleidoscope Bar and Lounge, you can change venues every night and never leave the property!

For adventurous souls who wouldn’t think of visiting Belize without taking advantage of the nation’s activities, attractions, and cultural sites, Chabil Mar’s tour menu is unique because the resort partners with guides who specialize in hot spots. Choose a package that fulfills your desire to do the things you love or experiences you haven’t tried: Roam ancient Maya ruins, fish, snorkel, dive, sail or undertake a personal exploration of your soul by opting for the Yoga Retreat.

You wouldn’t be the first guest to say that there are just too many choices, but that’s the objective, weary traveler! It’s your vacation – perhaps the first you’ve taken in so long, it’s hard to recall when you last got away. Reason enough to ask for everything you want and need. Chabil Mar specializes in customization so this won’t be like any vacation you’ve taken in the past – and isn’t that exactly what you need right now?

For more information about Belize, 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 or WhatsApp us at +501-633-7547.  

Belize has long been a birder’s best-kept secret. In fact, some people say that if you’re not a birder when you arrive in Belize, you’ll be one by the time you leave. 

Almost half of the land in Belize is managed as reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, and protected habitats. Many are managed by the Belize Audubon Society and these protected areas provide a rich diversity of natural ecosystems where birds thrive. 

Southern Belize is the primary location for bird lovers looking for keel-billed toucans, ringed and pygmy kingfishers, pale-billed woodpeckers, squirrel cuckoos, pygmy owls, hummingbirds, keel-billed motmots, scarlet macaws and every species of parrot and parakeet imaginable. And don’t forget our local chachalaca birds, purple gallinules, spotted sandpipers, black catbirds and the list goes on and on. 

What’s more, you’ll see all of these marvelous birds in settings that are breathtakingly beautiful. The following are some prime birding spots in southern Belize. 

Red Bank Village

Red Bank is a Maya village located near Placencia. The community is a favorite hangout of vivid, fast-flying scarlet macaws that flock here to find food. For the past 10 years, the village has cooperated with conservation groups to monitor and protect the macaws. Sadly, scarlet macaws are endangered, so this is a rare opportunity to spot these beautiful birds in their natural habitat. 

Aguacaliente

Aguacaliente Wildlife Sanctuary protects more than 6000 acres of wetlands ecosystems. Getting there requires a two-hour hike from the village of Laguna in Toledo District. In the lagoons, you’ll see egrets, herons, wood storks, flycatchers, ibis and kingfishers. You might see jabiru storks, another rare and endangered species. It’s a good idea to visit Aguacaliente with a guide. 

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is the world’s first jaguar preserve and an important watershed conservation area. You’ll see a huge variety of animals, plants, and birds here, including white-collared manikins, crimson-collared and masked tanagers, bat falcons and more. 

Sir Thomas at Toucan Sittee

Sir Thomas at Toucan Sittee is located in southern Belize. It is s privately-owned bird sanctuary where one birder reported seeing 100 different species in an hour. The top birds you will encounter at this location include kingfishers, hummingbirds, toucans, and parakeets. 

If you’re already packing your bags and binoculars, make sure you book your stay at Chabil Mar. Our resort offers luxury accommodations in Placencia Village and our “Treasures of the Sky” Belize birding package provides guided tours led by local experts to top birding spots in the country.