Chabil Mar Resort - Belize Blog, Belize Vacation Planning

Placencia Belize Named a Top 10 Family-Friendly Beach Destination

Posted on May 22, 2020

If you’re looking for a beach destination that everyone in the family will love, put Placencia, Belize, at the top of your list.

Finding the Perfect Beach Destination

Finding a destination everyone will enjoy isn’t easy. If you’re racking your brains to come up with a beach resort that adults, teens and kids will all enjoy, relax. You’ll find everything you’re looking for in Placencia.

Placencia’s Beaches are the Best in Belize

Most Belizeans will tell you the country’s best beaches are on the Placencia Peninsula. Get ready for 16 miles of clean, sandy beachfront, a huge lagoon, sparkling Caribbean waters and breathtaking scenery.

If you’re staying at a beachfront resort like Chabil Mar Villas, you can enjoy many guest-exclusive amenities like a private villa, private beach area, kayaks, bicycles and dining options. You won’t have to worry about finding places to eat or how to get around. At this award winning Belize resort, your family will feel warmly welcomed.

Placencia Was Named a Top 10 Beach for Families With Children

The News America Now Network named Placencia one of the top 10 family-friendly beaches in Central and Latin America.

Swim Among the Sea Life

The news report included Belize for its wonderful snorkeling. You children will get a thrill out of swimming among vividly colored tropical fish, manatees, sea turtles, friendly sharks and dolphins. Snorkeling is an activity the whole family will enjoy.

Get Wild With Us

If your children want to see more wildlife, there are many opportunities in Belize. Belize has many wildlife sanctuaries and nature preserves where they can get close to tropical fish, reptiles and mammals of all kinds.

Learn about Belize’s national mammal, the mountain tapir, and national bird, the keel-billed toucan. Visit howler monkeys at the Community Baboon Sanctuary. Meet and greet the orphaned birds, monkeys and jaguars at the Belize Zoo. Head to Shark Ray Alley to snorkel or swim with whale sharks, barracudas and rays.

Inspire Your Little Explorers

Let your kids live their Indiana Jones and Dora the Explorer fantasies with a cave tubing expedition. In this adventure, you ride a professional inner tube down a sparkling, scenic river and through a network of ancient Maya caves. Cave tubing is a thrilling adventure that all ages can enjoy.

You can get to all these activities from your conveniently located Placencia resort. If you’re staying at Chabil Mar, we’ll be happy to arrange all your family’s excursions.

The Best Resort On the Peninsula

Chabil Mar welcomes families. Our full-service, all-villa resort offers wonderful accommodations just steps from the best beaches in Belize.

For more information about Belize, 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.

Visiting Belize in December? Don’t miss these exciting festivals

Posted on May 7, 2020

December is easily one of the most popular months to visit Belize. With plenty of warm sunshine and fun festivals, there’s something exciting going on all month.

Here are a few festivals and events that you don’t want to miss in Belize in December:

End of the World Marathon

The End of the World Marathon first began on December 21, 2012 when many people around the world interpreted the ancient Maya calendar to predict the apocalypse on that date. After gaining widespread popularity, the End of the World Marathon has continued year after year, blossoming to become one of Placencia’s most popular events. Get more information on this event here.

Christmas Parades

Christmas is a very important holiday in Belize, and the locals love to celebrate with parades for adults and children. Don’t miss the famous Love FM Christmas Parade in Belize City where Santa and his elves share a bounty of goodies with the crowd.

Boat Parades

In coastal areas like Placencia and Ambergris Caye, locals and visitors alike turn out to enjoy the sight of hundreds of boats parading by in a sea of lights, decorations, and enthusiastic cheers.

The Sport of Kings

For more than a century, horse racing has been an important past-time in Belize. The small village of Burrell Boom outside of Belize City is home to a big race on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Years Day (January 1). This is no elitist affair, but a big party where people from all walks of life enjoy the action.

Junkanu Dancing

Spelled a variety of ways, Junkanu is a traditional Garifuna dance developed at a time when African slaves had little to celebrate. Dancers don special garb to mock and ridicule their former European masters in a cavalcade of music, singing, and dancing.

Posadas

Catholics in villages across Belize prepare for the birth of Jesus by re-enacting the pilgrimage of Joseph and Mary in their quest for room at the inn during the nine days leading up to Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve

No one needs reminding of the “reason for the season” in Belize as shops shut down to allow for family members to go to church and sing hymns. Many Belizeans herald the arrival of the big day with a midnight mass.

Christmas Day

A full day of gifts, music, concerts, and lots and lots of delicious food. Don’t be surprised to hear traditional classics as carolers roam the streets to celebrate the big day. Christmas is also a great day to enjoy nature, hiking through the jungle, snorkeling and diving on the reef, or marveling at the enormous stone pyramids and temples left behind by the ancient Maya.

December 26

Celebrated both as Boxing Day, a holiday inherited from the long centuries of British rule, and as Kwanzaa, Belizeans keep the holiday season going strong to close out the year.

Where to stay in December

The multiple award-winning resort of Chabil Mar on the Placencia Peninsula is an oasis of luxury and beauty. With well-appointed villas ideal for families, honeymooners, or adventure travelers, Chabil Mar is a great resort to stay for your vacation in December.

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 in December.

What You Need to Know About Belize’s September Celebrations

Posted on April 10, 2020

With so many fun festivals and national holidays packed into just one short month, September is one of the best times to visit Belize.

Below is the complete guide to all of the best September celebrations in Belize:

Battle of St. George’s Caye Day Festivities

st georges caye day photo by ambergris today

In 1798, Spain and Britain contested rule over the area with a tremendous maritime battles in the waters offshore of St. George’s Caye. After a week of close-quarter fighting, the British ultimately prevailed, sealing the fate of Belize as a British colony for the next 200 years. Belize has been an independent country since 1981 but continues to celebrate the momentous battle every September 10 that led to Belize being the only nation in Central America where English is the official language.

Independence Day

Portrait of a boy with the flag of Belize on his face.

September 21 marks the official commemoration of Belize’s independence from Great Britain with parades, street parties, and throngs of people proudly waving the red, white and blue colors of Belize’s flag. September 21 is the national holiday but Independence Day festivities begin up to two weeks earlier with the period between Battle of St. George’s Caye Day (September 10) and Independence Day being a virtually non-stop explosion of musical celebrations, parades, dancing, eating, and imbibing.

Expo Belize Market Place

More than 17,000 people are expected to attend this popular event that showcases the products and goods of Belize. Activities include dancing, singing, sampling a wide variety of local food, and plenty of shopping from booths set up by local vendors. Expo Belize Market Place will be held around mid-September in 2019.

Carnival

Similar to events in New Orleans and throughout Latin America, Carnival is a colorful display of parades, music, dancing, and partying spectators that line the streets of Belize City. Elaborately-costumed individuals will march and dance in their efforts to be crowned the king and queen of Carnival.

J’ouvert

This unusual festival takes place in the streets of downtown Belize City, with thousands of exuberant party-goers celebrating the opening morning of Carnival Day with a riotous mix of chocolate and paint.

Chabil Mar

The multiple award-winning resort of Chabil Mar on the Placencia Peninsula is one of the best resorts to stay in Belize. Guests can partake in all of the popular September festivals by booking now.

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A travel update from Chabil Mar

Posted on March 17, 2020

Dear Traveler,

In this very difficult time for everyone around the world, our hearts and minds go out to all those most affected by COVID-19. We are so thankful for all of our world tourism partners and guests to Belize, Placencia, and Chabil Mar. As you consider your current or future travel plans, we kindly request that you also consider a re-booking option rather than a cancellation. As things become clearer, you can look towards the new dates for your Belize vacation to relax, refresh and bask in all of the adventures and hospitality of your Belize vacation. We’ll be waiting for you with open arms.

With Best Belizean Regards,

The Chabil Mar Team

Texas Newspaper says Belize is the best place to snorkel and dive this year

Posted on March 12, 2020

Belize is the best place to dive this year

The Texarkana Gazette, a popular USA Newspaper has listed Belize as one of the world’s top places to snorkel and dive. The newspaper chose Belize as a top spot for water lovers above other popular snorkel and dive destinations such as the Brac Reef, Florida Keys, Maui, Cayman Brac, and Bonaire.

Due to its massive popularity, several international publications have recently showcased Belize as a great country for water-related activities.

Travelers looking for turquoise and clear waters to snorkel and dive this year should consider Belize. Here is why:

A True Snorkeling And Diving Adventure Awaits

Since the country boasts the second largest barrier reef in the world, many intrepid travelers can’t wait to put on their snorkel or diving gear to explore the amazing marine life. A top diving site in the world and which can be found in Belize is the Great Blue Hole. There are also 200 cayes along the coastline that offer spectacular diving and snorkeling.

When Belize’s beautiful underwater world is explored with a professional guide, visitors will appreciate the colorful marine life. Whether you are exploring the Belize Barrier Reef with two, four, or six family members, Belizean diving guides will always make sure that your experience is top-notch.

The Placencia Peninsula located in southern Belize is one of the best diving destinations to visit in Belize. The peninsula is only thirty minutes from Belize City by plane, so getting here is a cinch. Off the coast of the Placencia Peninsula, you can find Laughing Bird Caye and the Silk Cayes which are world-renowned destinations for diving and snorkeling. After snorkeling and/or diving in the area, make sure that you check out the many nearby internet cafés, gourmet restaurants, and beach bars in Placencia Village.

Stay At The Chabil Mar Resort

Situated right on the beach, Chabil Mar is a great place to stay on your Belize vacation. A perennial award-winning resort, Chabil Mar features luxurious villa accommodations with local décor and world-class amenities.

During your relaxing stay at Chabil Mar, you’ll be steps away from many tasty restaurants, diving and snorkeling spots, ancient Maya cities, verdant jungles, meandering rivers, lively nightlife, and much more. Our onsite concierges are also eager to work with you to create an amazing Belize itinerary.

If you are interested in an “UnBelizeable diving vacation”, Chabil Mar is a great place to stay as you’ll have extremely easy access to the many popular diving attractions in the area.

Give our Reservations Staff a call today if you’ll like to experience luxurious accommodations that are close to the world’s most popular snorkel and dive spots. Our exceptional staff is always eager to serve you. Thank you for choosing Chabil Mar Resort.