You might have thought that Belize was celebrating a national holiday when news was received that Southwest Airlines had joined the ranks of carriers who know a popular destination when they see it! Who was the most excited to greet the new kid on the block? Everybody.

From ex-pats to tourism professionals and from frequent flyers to honeymooners, the addition of Southwest direct flights to Belize made an immediate difference because the carrier already serves gateway cities like Houston, Miami and Dallas-Ft. Worth and these hubs are so close to Belize, flyers barely have time to finish a beverage before they spot Belize City below and buckle up for landing.

From the moment Southwest broke the news of their Belize route inauguration, things heated up! Other carriers with established routes to Belize—American, Delta, United and US Air—took a second look at their rate structures and voila! Competitive rates popped up everywhere. Talk about a domino effect: Even regional carriers like Grupo Taca, Tropic Air and Copa Airlines who starting on December 8^th will add two weekly flights to Belize from Panama took note of “the Southwest effect,” so if you want to visit now–or if Belize is on your 2016 bucket list for 2016–here’s what you need to know:

Where’s the airport?
The Philip Goldson International Airport is located only 10 miles northwest of Belize City and with so many carriers flying in and out, you shouldn’t have problems making flight connections from North or South America. Conveniently located on the mainland, you can travel by bus, air, shuttle or car to popular locations in just hours. A second international airport is projected for Ambergris Caye down the road, but at the moment, Goldson is your hub.

Where to stay?
Chabil Mar on the Placencia peninsula is an ideal place to set up camp because it’s beautiful, luxurious and convenient. If you fly into Belize City, the Chabil Mar shuttle van can be arranged through the concierge to complete your trip, so planning is effortless. If you’re in a rush to get to Chabil Mar, you can grab a short flight to Placencia, and in fact, the Chabil Mar staff can arrange an all inclusive Belize vacation package that includes both lodging and air transport.

What to see?
First, if you use the Chabil Mar shuttle or rent a car at the airport, your drive will give you the chance to savor your first taste of Belize, so by the time you reach your accommodations, you’ll be ready for an eclectic mix of down time and adventure. Placencia has it all: jungle, water, forests, Mayan ruins, caves, rivers, the Belize Barrier Reef and other wonders unique to Belize. Put your arrangements into the hands of our Belize resort hosts after reviewing myriad package tours and excursions and that’s the last decision you’ll have to make!

How will you benefit?
By flying to Belize, you enjoy an affordable, convenient, luxurious and exciting vacation that is practically guaranteed to slow your pulse, clear your mind and give you a wonderful sense of peace and tranquility. Since it takes only a few hours to fly here—and since U.S. dollars are accepted in most places and you don’t have to learn another language since English is spoken everywhere here—Belize in 2016 isn’t just a great idea; it could be the best decision you make all year.

For more information about visiting Belize or Placencia in 2016 , 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.