Belize Resort and Vacation Blog Archives - Page 60 of 141

Fall is Fabulous in Belize

Posted on August 4, 2024

Autumn may mean chilly nights and trees changing colors in North America, but it’s the perfect time to visit balmy Belize. The sun is shining with temperatures in the high 80s, ideal for enjoying one of the many fabulous activities in Belize like snorkeling and scuba diving the offshore reef, horse back riding through the jungle, or climbing to the top of an ancient Maya pyramid.

Best of all, autumn is part of the “low season” in Belize, meaning there are fewer tourists and great discounts on lodging and organized tours. And there are plenty of colorful national events to enjoy in fall such as St. George’s Caye Day (September 10), Independence Day (September 21), and Garifuna Settlement Day (November 19).

Here are four other great reasons to visit Belize in the fall:

Seafood

With beautiful, pristine rivers and the spectacular Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the waters of Belize are a rich source of fish and seafood. Few experiences can compare to a meal of fresh-caught snapper, shrimp ceviche, or delicious lobster.

Nature

A vast unspoiled wilderness measuring 150 square miles (400 square kilometers) in size, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is the perfect place for a day hike or a multi-day expedition. With mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and a coastal area brimming with wildlife, the Cockscomb Basin Sanctuary is also home to the world’s first jaguar preservation site where scientists study some of Central America’s last remaining big cat populations.Other popular activities include boat safaris up the well-named Monkey River, learning about the vast cornucopia of indigenous plants that are still used to make traditional medicines as well as stopping off at a riverside village to enjoy a home-cooked meal.

Ancient Maya

Once the heartland of the vast Maya civilization, Belize has more ancient Maya sites than anywhere else on the planet. Popular destinations include the giant palaces of Caracol, the legendary lost city of Xunantunich, and the Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave, a spooky underground labyrinth once used by Maya priests to perform human sacrifices.

The Belize Barrier Reef

With hundreds of gorgeous islands, the Belize Barrier Reef is a mecca for snorkeling, sailing, scuba diving, and fishing.

Chabil Mar is currently offering several special offers for travelers who visit Belize this fall.

For more information about visiting Belize this fall, 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.

Establish Your Zipline Credentials While Visiting Southern Belize

Posted on July 26, 2024

Dreams come true for those eager to zipline rainforest canopies, which is why the popularity of this experience alone brings many people to Belize. Select Chabil Mar as your base and enjoy some peace and tranquility before you test your mettle at any of the extreme sport trips Chabil Mar offers.

Just in case someone asks, here’s a little history to pass along: Alberto Santos-Dumont invented the zipline rig in 1906 to help transport goods over long distances and unforgiving terrains, but these days, if you look up, you’ll see guys and girls zipping by instead of boxes and bags. To make sure your Chabil Mar visit includes all the thrills you seek, ask your hosts to book one or all of these excursions during your stay:

-The Bocawina Zipline Experience invites you to see what it’s like to tackle the longest zip line distance in Belize, but only if you’re up for the challenge. If not, there are eight shorter runs interspersed by 12 platforms that provide opportunities for you to catch your breath and decide if you’d like to keep going. Gather bragging rights as you traverse 2.5 miles in total, but it’s the 2,300-foot single run that offers the most exciting memories.

-Go night flying at Bocawina. If you thought only bats owned the night, join these nocturnal creatures by requesting a zipline ride that won’t start until after the sun goes down and the stars come out. The jungle at night is a magical place filled with sights and sounds visitors miss during the day, so if your heart is healthy, you need an adrenaline rush—and particularly if the moon is full—don’t leave Belize without taking this excursion under the tutelage of guides who know the ins and outs of this fun experience.

-Rappel Bocawina Falls. The place that sent your heart racing as you zipped along at top speed is also a neighbor of one of Belize’s top rapelling locations: Bocawina Falls. Whether this is your first or your fifth repelling attempt, the jump will be unique as you drop 100-feet into the abyss in synch with waterfalls, landing in the beautiful pools at the base. You’ve earned swim or float time in these lush pools to celebrate your rappelling accomplishment.

-Rappel Antelope Falls. Are you eager to try the biggest challenge of all? Take a literal leap of faith by repelling down a waterfall that’s 1,000 feet high. If you plan to do this alone, your tour guide will arrange for a partner since the minimum number of participants for this activity is two. Not quite ready to attempt this height? Try the 500-foot drop first to be sure you’re ready for the big one. In either case, you’ll be escorted every step of the way by licensed guides, so put yourself into their hands for the time of your life.

This menu of adventures is not for the faint of heart, but it’s likely to offer the biggest and most thrilling vacation highlights if adrenaline rushes are your thing. Just in case you’re super-charged and have no desire to hit the beach, Chabil Mar is happy to arrange for bird watching, scuba diving, snorkeling, nature and archaeological tours.

Nobody goes hungry on these excursions, by the way. From Chabil Mar’s onsite restaurant to picnics packed for your day trips, no detail is ignored. After this much adventure, Chabil Mar will be happy to deliver you to your return flight both blissed out and eager to return.

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 in August

Posted on July 26, 2024

August is a really great time to enjoy an unforgettable vacation in Belize. When heatwaves and record temperatures are found all across North America, Belize enjoys lovely weather in August with daytime highs of just 86F (30C) and nighttime lows at a perfect 78F (26C).

August falls during the “low season” when fewer tourists visit Belize, making it the perfect time to take advantages of discounts up to 40% on lodging, transportation, and tours of the top sites in the country. August is also the month when westerly winds begin to replace offshore breezes, a period known locally as the “Little Dry” with reduced precipitation and abundant sunshine.

August is also a month where families, honeymooners, and adventure travelers can enjoy great celebrations and festivities such as:

International Costa Maya Festival

The biggest festival of the year in the country, the Costa Maya International Festival is a three-day affair held in San Pedro on the island of Ambergris Caye. Originally designed to showcase Maya heritage, the festival is now known for its beauty pageant, street parades, games, and live music from some of the top names in the region.

Tres Pescados Fishing Tournament

Anglers from around the world compete to finish a Grand Slam – landing the three fish (“tres pescados” is Spanish for three fish) species of bonefish, tarpon, and permit fish.

Placencia

The Placencia Peninsula is a 16-mile strip of golden beaches located on the Caribbean coast of southern Belize. Placencia is renowned for its laid back charm and “barefoot ready” motto, an eco-friendly part of the country where bicycles and golf carts are the preferred method of transportation.

Placencia is also the gateway to the southern Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site composed of hundreds of islands strung along the second-biggest barrier reef on the planet. The southern part of the reef is a top destination for visitors to enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, and sailing.

Placencia is also strategically positioned close to the top visitor destinations on the mainland including the enormous Cockscomb Basin Nature Reserve (home to the world’s only jaguar reserve), boat safaris on the Monkey River, and ancient Maya ruins like Nim Li Punit and Lubantuum.

Chabil Mar

Chabil Mar is a luxury beachfront resort located on the Placencia Peninsula. With a lush tropical garden, 2 swimming pools, and elegantly appointed villas, Chabil Mar is the perfect place to enjoy a great vacation in Belize in August.

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The Mennonites in Belize

Posted on July 22, 2024

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the first arrival of the Mennonite community in Belize. In 1958, a small band of Mennonites left Chihuahua State in Mexico and crossed into Belize to establish a farming community at the village of Spanish Lookout.

The first Mennonite settlers purchased land that was originally dense rainforest. With hard work and thriftiness, the Mennonites cleared the land in Spanish Lookout. Today, Mennonite farms growing beans, corn, and raising cattle have transformed their settlements into some of the most productive agricultural regions of Belize. Almost all of the eggs, chicken, and dairy products in Belize come from Mennonite farms.

Originally founded in the 16th century as a subsect of Anabaptist denominations in what is now Holland, Mennonites were forced to flee to Ukraine in order to escape persecution where they became known as “Russian” Mennonites (at the time, Ukraine was part of the Russian Empire). But following political instability, many Mennonites were forced to relocate in Mexico.

Today, there are some two million Mennonites worldwide and around 12,000 Mennonites in Belize, including converts from the local Creole and Mestizo populations. Most Mennonites in Belize speak Plautdietsch, a variant of standard German for communication and standard German for church and school.

The Mennonite faith is expressed differently depending on the congregation, with some communities following a strictly conservative lifestyle that eschews all modern conveniences while others, including the Spanish Lookout community, use and operate modern machinery and electricity. In some Mennonite communities in Belize such as Lower Barton Creek, transportation is with horse-drawn buggies and no modern technology is permitted, including photographs. In Spanish Lookout, on the other hand, only the language and conservative dress styles separate Mennonites from other communities in Belize, and the congregation is permitted to drive cars and use electricity.

To outsiders, the Mennonites are often confused with the Amish, another conservative religious tradition that began in Europe. The Amish, however, are considered a subset of the larger Mennonite faith, and Mennonites, generally, are more open to using modern technology and interacting with the public.

“At Chabil Mar, we know that Belize’s cultural diversity is one of this country’s greatest strengths,” said Larry France, marketing manager at Chabil Mar. “On behalf of all of us at the resort, we congratulate the Mennonite community on the occasion of their 60th anniversary.”

Chabil Mar is an inclusive luxury resort located on the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize.

The Magnificent Belize Manatees

Posted on July 19, 2024

Manatees are lovable and gentle water creatures that spend their entire lives in the water. According to researchers, manatees can have a life span of up to 60 years and are found habitually in warm shallow waters. They only eat plants making them herbivores.

Belize has the region’s largest concentration of manatees by the count of the United Nations Environment Programme due to the fact that our country has the largest coral reef in the western hemisphere and extensive mangrove swamps. In addition, Belize’s network of rivers and lagoons which is protected in part by the reef provides fertile feeding grounds and shelter for these amazing mammals.

See also: Cockscomb Basin Wildlife and Jaguar Preserve

Manatees can be spotted along Belize’s entire coast line and can weigh as much as 1000 pounds. According to a UNEP report, manatees in Belize number fewer than 1000 but the population’s birth rate and cub survival rate is moderately stable and analogous to the population of Florida’s Crystal River area.

There are three protected manatee areas in Belize: The Northern Lagoon/Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary near Belize’s border with Mexico, the Swallow Caye Wildlife Sactuary which is a few miles from Belize City and Gales Point Manatee Wildlife Sanctuary in the Southern Lagoon area.

Many of our guests have spotted manatees on their way to Monkey River Village for the Howler Monkey Tour which remains one of the top tours to do from Placencia. On this tour, you will not only see manatees but also a variety of exotic birds, crocodiles and howler monkeys in their natural tropical environment.

Contact our Reservations Manager to explore your Placencia, Belize Vacation.

Photo by Brigid Gallagher