Thanksgiving has become one of the most important American holidays. First officially commemorated as a national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln, Thanksgiving is a time for expressing gratitude. More than 400 years ago when starving European colonists in Massachusetts shared a life-saving meal thanks to the generosity of natives, an event that formed the nucleus of what would become the Thanksgiving holiday. Today, Thanksgiving is a special time for family and friends who come together to give thanks to the blessings bestowed upon them and also to share a bounteous meal.
Although Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Belize, more and more people from North America have discovered the benefits of enjoying a Thanksgiving in Belize. Expats from North America who have relocated to Belize brought their holiday traditions with them, and now Thanksgiving is an important, albeit unofficial, time of celebration throughout the country.
Probably the most iconic centerpiece of a traditional Thanksgiving meal is turkey. Many people are unaware that turkeys are native birds from Central America that were once farmed by the ancient Maya that lived in the region thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. Other native dishes to the area include corn (sometimes called maize), still a staple crop in Belize today. Many expats and visitors enjoy mixing classic Thanksgiving foods like turkey and corn with Belizean favorites like gibnut meat, hudut (a fish stew cooked in a coconut broth), and seaweed shakes.
What To Do in Belize on Thanksgiving
Once you’ve polished off your delicious Thanksgiving feast, you can take advantage of the balmy weather to work off a few calories by trying out fun activities like strolling through Placencia village, hiking through the jungle to spot birds, explore an ancient Maya ruin, touring the Belize Zoo and Educational Center, or heading off to the beach to work on your tan, scuba dive, or snorkel.
Thanksgiving and November usually herald the onset of colder weather in North America, but Belize is blessed with plenty of sun and warm temperatures during this time of year. Whether you want to enjoy a refreshing swim or plumb the depths of the sacred ATM cave, you’ll never have to worry about hats, gloves, and scarves in Belize.
Chabil Mar
Chabil Mar is a multiple award-winning resort located on the lovely Placencia Peninsula. The resort offers guests Belize jungle and sea packages to see the best spots offshore and on the mainland during your stay.
Chabil Mar is conveniently located just a few miles from the best spots along the Belize Barrier Reef as well as top mainland attractions like Maya ruins and the Cockscomb Basin Nature Reserve, the world’s only jaguar preserve.
