Category: Belize Resort and Vacation Blog

2015 World Travel Awards

The night proved to be a high-profile, red carpet affair as Bogota, Columbia welcomed travel dignitaries from around the globe to celebrate this year’s World Travel Awards (WTA). First-time winner Belize took not one but two top spots in the Mexico and Central America categories.

Ambergris Caye was named the Leading 2015 Destination and Placencia, the area’s Leading Beach Destination in 2015. For a young nation with a fledgling tourism industry, winning one award is big news–but two on the same night? Cause for celebration.

While Ambergris Caye, Placencia, Bladen Nature Reserve and the Belize Tourism Board all placed highly in other World Travel Award categories, the stars of the night were Ambergris Caye and Placencia, winning over 2,700 influential travel professional judges and getting the most number of votes in each category.

On hand to accept accolades was Mr. Einer Gomez, Vice Chairman of the Belize Tourism Board’s Board of Directors, and his wife. Gomez hadn’t expected to make an acceptance speech–but hoped he might–so being called to the podium twice before the travel industry’s most prominent movers and shakers proved a heady experience.

Graciously accepting the Placencia award, Gomez told attendees that this vibrant area is known as the “Barefoot Perfect” center of Belize. “We owe this honor to countless numbers of stakeholders who work tirelessly to make Placencia a friendly, safe and entertaining place to visit,” he told the crowd.

Contributing to this award are the resorts that make Placencia such a popular destination. Accommodations like Chabil Mar, a luxury resort that is no stranger to winning awards and earning traveler accolades, expects to see brisk traffic driven, in part, by Placencia’s newfound notoriety. Known for gorgeous suites, lavish amenities and one of the most accommodating staffs in Belize, Chabil Mar is typical of resorts that helped Placencia take the 2015 World Travel Award for top beach destination.

When Gomez heard the WTA awards night host announce that Ambergris Caye had taken the Leading Destination prize for 2015, he was almost speechless, but recovered his composure fast by thanking the people of Belize and tourism industry, each of whom stands committed to “day-in and-day-out to quality customer service.”

He concluded his remarks with this generous tribute to everyone within the Belize hospitality community: “Your hard work and dedication to sharing Belize with the world has clearly not gone unnoticed.”

What do these prestigious accolades mean for Belize tourism? Plenty. The World Travel Awards is one of the most influential international industry competitions on the planet and has been for 22 years. Awardees are cited for pushing the boundaries of excellence and going above and beyond what’s expected of them to stand out from other nominees.

Beating out other destinations shows that Belize is living up to its growing reputation for being the hottest emerging Caribbean destination in the hemisphere. Since both Placencia and Ambergris Caye were singled out for top prizes, tourism is likely to increase by leaps and bounds, reason enough to prompt the Belize Tourism Board to invest in a very large trophy case sooner, rather than later!

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 your 2016 Belize vacation.

Conde Nast Traveler is currently featuring an interesting article on the great blue hole of Belize on their website. The article which was published on October 5^th 2015 is getting a lot of attention on Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms on the Internet.

Ken Jennings, the author of the article states that the blue hole is a paradise for divers and photographers and might also explain the fall of the Mayan civilization in Belize.

Jennings writes:

Like other sea-holes or “vertical caves,” the Great Blue Hole in Belize’s Lighthouse Reef actually formed on dry land, during a past ice age when the sea level was a lot lower than it is today. The ground collapsed due to water dissolving limestone (your garden-variety eating-a-Florida-backhoe type of sinkhole) forming a big circular pit that was eventually submerged by the rising Caribbean. The striking contrast between the shallow, coral edge and the seemingly bottomless center gives these blue holes their colorful name.

The Great Blue Hole is a stunning jewel set in a ring of corals that measure 1000 feet across and 412 feet deep. It is believed to be the world’s largest blue hole and is a rich habitat for a variety of marine life like nurse sharks, reef sharks, black tip sharks and even giant groupers.

Read also: What It’s Really Like To Dive The Great Blue Hole and 5 Beautiful Photos of the Great Blue Hole

According to Jennings, the quick decline of the Maya civilization is still one of Mesoamerica’s great mysteries for historians and the Great Blue Hole might have the answers to what happened to the Mayans. Here is what he had to say about this theory:

Many have speculated that drought could have been the driving factor, since the Yucatan Peninsula lacks natural water reserves. Last year, sediment samples from the Great Blue Hole showed lower-than-usual deposits of titanium around 800 AD, when the Mayans suddenly abandoned their cities. Titanium in rock gets eroded into the sea by heavy rains, so low titanium levels mean a long spell of unusually dry, hurricane-free weather which might have doomed the Mayans’ crops.

A World Heritage Site, the Blue Hole is located near the center of Lighthouse Reef and is one of the most fascinating natural wonders in Belize.

For more information about exploring or diving the blue hole , 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.

Verdes scores first CONCACAF Champions League victory

The “Green Machine”, Verdes FC of San Ignacio Belize, have made a record achievement in the club version of the regional championship, securing their first win and first goals in the Champions League after defeating San Francisco FC of Panama 2-1.

The Green Machine were hammered 8-0 by Queretaro in Mexico last week, but rebounded to defeat Panama’s San Francisco FC at the FFB stadium in Belmopan Tuesday night 2-1.

Daniel Moran gave the visiting San Francisco the early lead in the 12th minute, but Deon McCaulay equalized from ten yards after a cross from the right by Yoras Silva. This was Verdes’ first ever Champions League goal after being shutout in their last four matches, all losses.

Verdes was given a penalty six minutes from the end of the first half after teammate Jesus Patino was taken down in the box but McCaulay missed, hitting the crossbar.

However, he made up for it two minutes from end of normal time by slotting home from four yards on a pass by Silva.

Sitting second behind Queretaro in Group C, Verdes will need 7 goals to overturn their goal differential at San Francisco on October 22.

On behalf of Chabil Mar Management and Staff, we wish the best of luck to Verdes FC in their return match against San Francisco FC in Panama.

End of the World Marathon: A Belize Marathon You Don’t Want to Mis

Whether you come before or after this year’s “End of the World” Marathon in Placencia on December 6, a wonderful time in a Caribbean wonderland of beautiful beaches, mystical Mayan temples, spectacular caves, pristine rainforests, and the second largest barrier reef in the world can be yours.

Reserve your place in the Marathon and your Villa at Chabil Mar Resort – your choice of 5, 6 or 7 nights of luxury villa accommodations!

The Placencia Belize Marathon Vacation package includes:

• Round trip flights between Belize City and Placencia
• Land transfers between Placencia airstrip and Chabil Mar
• 10% discount on villa rates for your entire stay
• 5 nights in a Luxury Villa (6 and 7 night packages are available, including 10% discount on all villa nights for your entire stay, customized for you – Contact Us to Customize)
• Marathon or ½ Marathon participant entry fee (purchased by Chabil Mar on your behalf)
• Chabil Mar T-Shirt and Race Event T-Shirt
• All Breakfasts (5 night package specifics – longer nights stays can include as many breakfasts as desired at an additional fee)
• 4 Lunches at Chabil Mar and 1 After Race Luncheon (5 night package specifics – longer nights stays can include as many lunches as desired at an additional fee)
• Pasta dinner included in the Marathon event package
• 3 Dinners at Chabil Mar (5 night package specifics – longer nights stays can include as many dinners as desired at an additional fee)
• 1 Dinner at Rumfish y Vino Restaurant in Placencia Village
• 1 Race Event Pasta Dinner
• 1 Singles massage
• Complimentary Bicycles and Kayaks
• Three – full days of Golf Cart use
• Your choice of one of the following three tours: Mayan Ruins (Lubaantun or Lim Ni Punit), Monkey River Howler Adventure or Cockscomb Jaguar Nature Preserve
• 1/2 Day of off-shore Island Snorkeling
• All entrants included in special prize donations raffle!

Please contact our Reservations Manager to reserve your Villa at Chabil Mar for this event now. If you decide to make a change to your plans you can do so for up to 60 days in advance, without charge.

The registration fee, a value up to US$100, which is paid by Chabil Mar on your behalf, includes race entry, a race event T shirt, and an excellent chance of winning a special prize donated by a local sponsor.

NOTE: This Belize vacation package does not include international airfare, alcohol, soft drinks or juices.

Knowing the names of the folks preparing palate-pleasing meals is a standard part of the Chabil Mar Villas experience. One Café Mar guest commenting on staff and food wrote: “Yours is not a restaurant in the traditional sense. I felt I was sitting down to dine with Mother Nature while experiencing freedom and beauty all around me.” If you’ve never felt this way about your dining hosts, you’ve been staying at the wrong Belize resort! Your table awaits at Café Mar. When can we expect you?

Start with drinks…
Mixologists Darren and Edwin–plus Beach Captain Sheldon—run the Kaleidoscope Bar & Lounge and Café Mar so deftly, whether you prefer a refreshing local beer or the most exotic Caribbean cocktail that’s ever been garnished with plump fruit, name your favorite and an icy glass will be in your hand fast. Don’t miss happy hour at the Kaleidoscope where you can order a daily special or crowd-pleasing favorites like Chunky Monkey or the Chabil Martini—shaken or stirred.

Feast on the views
Al fresco dining gives new meaning to the word atmosphere at Café Mar. Sea breezes and swaying palm trees set a relaxed tone and since staff awaits any time between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m., dine when you decide, even during off hours. Chefs Amintha and Marsha love surprising guests, thus trying new recipes is as much fun for them as the preparation of ethnic Belize dishes. Who are the logistics managers behind your effortless Café Mar dining experience? Servers Junior and Luis, of course! Obviously, everyone’s doing something right; another delighted diner commented, “”I am giving Chabil Mar a 5-star rating only because 6 is not an option!”

Bountiful breakfasts
Café Mar breakfasts are so hearty and filling, you’ll be well fortified to face the day. Included on the Chabil Mar breakfast menu are familiar dishes and new tastes. Order your favorite style of eggs if that’s your go-to breakfast, try Belize fried fish fillets with refried beans to change up your morning routine or get a true taste of Belize by ordering fry Jacks or Johnny cakes. Just-picked tropical fruits come with all orders and you can’t leave Chabil Mar without eating the house breakfast special at least once: yummy banana pancakes.

Leisurely lunches
If Café Mar staff was forced to choose a lunch menu theme, it would be light and bright because midday meals are brightly colored works of art. Depending upon the time of year, your stuffed avocado may be lavished with shrimp or lobster accompanied by vegetables and laced with savory mustard sauce. Enjoy a traditional club sandwich with a variety of fillings stuffed between freshly-baked bread plus generous portions of French fries and coleslaw. Ask about specials of the day and if the marinated shrimp and conch ceviche is available, you’ve got to eat at least one of these, served with fried corn chips, before you leave Belize.

Delightful dinners
If it’s harvested from the sea, count on Chefs Marsha and Amintha to impress you with their culinary skills. Menu favorites include sautéed-to-perfection shrimp marinated in Caribbean spices and coconut, bone-in, pineapple glazed pork chops, and Snapper Beurre Blanc, the artful marriage of pan-seared snapper atop delicate beurre blanc cream. Tired of chicken? Café Mar’s grilled Orangello chicken breast is guaranteed to please the minute the grilled onion sauce with hints of citrus reach your taste buds. Visiting Chabil Mar during lobster season? Grilled lobster tails in garlic butter are sure to wind up on your plate more than once during your stay.

Dessert? How sweet it is
Food and Beverage Manager Hector is downright obsessive about details, so whether you long for a fabulous dessert or you wish to dine beachside, on your private veranda, have meals brought poolside or you request relaxing service on the pier, just say the word. Prefer to stay sequestered in your Chabil Mar Villa? No problem. Our chefs can arrange a private meal there. Enthused one guest: “We brought our fresh caught fish back to Chabil Mar and chefs turned it into the most divine meal we’ve ever eaten!” Sure, Chabil Mar has plenty of desserts on the menu, but the resort’s award-winning kitchen staff, servers and bartenders are so sweet, you might not need one!