The word is long, but the concept is so simple even kids understand it. Experiential travel is all about immersion. For example, plan an experiential visit to Belize and you won’t just taste traditional foods. You’ll learn about why the cuisine is unique and even more about the folks who prepare the dishes.
Bloomberg reports 86% of millennials alone want to dig deep into other societies and “60% rank authentic culture as the essential part of their trip.” What better place to do so than by choosing Placencia, Belize? The sites, activities, and entertainments you’ll have time to explore on this small (16-miles-long; 1-mile wide) slice of land offers lots of ways to invest in the people you meet, so what are you waiting for?
Your headquarters for a Placencia immersion
Despite a small population and landmass, Placencia is one of the most authentically Belizean destinations you’ll find, so investing time in learning about the day-to-day lives of residents in addition to availing yourself of adventure tours offers visitors an amazing opportunity to dig deep into this society.
Where to stay? Chabil Mar Villas on the Caribbean coast where proximity to local towns gives you even more access to the experiences you seek. Here are a few things you can do during your experiential visit – all of which can be sorted out by your Chabil Mar hosts:
•Learn to make chocolate at the Maya Center. Once upon a time, chocolate, invented by the ancient Mayas, was food for the gods but you can indulge your sweet tooth and curiosity by immersing yourself in the art, science, and history of this delectable treat.
•Visit a cacao farm to learn all about how these beans are grown and what processes are required to turn them into the world’s favorite delicacy. Though an agricultural experience, you may also want to work off the chocolate you sample by swimming in a pool beneath a waterfall or risking all on a ziplining adventure.
•Take a foodie tour. Indulge your inner gourmet by discovering the recipes, heritage, and mysteries of cuisines that represent Belize’s diverse populace.
•Tour a spice farm. You’ll be enlightened by the growers you meet and the opportunity to learn about how spices are curated for inclusion in Belize cuisine could change the way you cook back home.
•Take a deep dive into one of Belize’s most prominent societies: The Garifuna. From sampling a classic plate full of the traditional specialty “hudut” made with mashed plantains to drumming lessons that introduce you to the enticing beat of this music scene, you’re going to love this immersion most of all!
There’s so much more to taste, see, hear, and do, that you’ll wonder why you haven’t fallen in love with experiential travel before now — especially since Belize is located close to home and everyone speaks English.
Best of all, Chabil Mar’s Belize vacation packages and specials cover all arrangements, from digs and gourmet meals to onsite recreational opportunities. You’ll find this overview to be extremely fascinating. Don’t be surprised if your in-country experience leaves an imprint on both your mind and heart.
For more information about Belize, feel free to chat with our Concierge at: concierge@chabilmarvillas.
