The planet celebrated World Toilet Day on November 19, and many people in Belize decided to contribute pictures, stories, and information on social media about the restroom facilities found throughout the country.

As a rural country, many homes in Belize are very simple, and that includes the bathrooms of their houses. While the word “outhouse” often conveys a sense of horror to some people, they are quite prevalent in certain areas of Belize, including on beautiful offshore islands.

In areas where there are no municipal sewer networks, outhouses are often a viable choice. And while they conjure up images of insect-infested, smelly, and uncomfortable toilets, outhouses can often be a very “green” and pleasant way to dispose of human waste.

Many villagers in Belize live in simple homes and their lifestyle has changed little over the centuries, including their restroom facilities. But when constructed and executed properly, the simple outhouse can efficiently recycle human waste in a sustainable way.

For outhouses that serve the public, mixing waste with organic material renders everything odor-free. Furthermore, the mixture can then be composted and returned to the soil, a very “green” alternative to relying on toxic chemicals and expensive portable toilets that are often used in wealthier countries when municipal sewage connections are not available.

Of course, not every home or business or resort in Belize uses outhouses. Many homes, hotels, lodges, and resorts have ordinary, modern flush toilets just like you’d find in the United States or Canada. And while these offer visitors an accustomed comfort, waste disposal is an integral part of protecting and conserving nature.

Since gaining independence in 1981, Belize has made tremendous strides in improving infrastructure, including sewage lines, flush toilets, and water treatment plants. But in rural, isolated, or offshore locations, sometimes the best option can be a simple outhouse, relying on nature’s bounty to do the recycling and composting in a way that has functioned well for thousands of years.

Visitors to Belize can expect adventure, and part of that experience is seeing and using different kinds of bathrooms, including outhouses. But instead of fearing what it might entail, visitors should keep an open mind and realize that sometimes, an outhouse is safer, cleaner, and more efficient than a modern flush toilet.

Chabil Mar resort is located on the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize. Chabil Mar has luxuriously appointed beachfront villas, all of which come with modern bathroom facilities.

The Placencia Sailing Club (PSC) is overjoyed to announce that their club is bringing back the first place trophy in this weekends optimist regatta in Belize City and the National Optimist Champion of the year 2017 award both won by Peter Joo.

Chabil Mar is so proud of all of our Placencia Sailing Club Youths who participate in regattas throughout the year. And, as sponsors of this extraordinary team of Placencia Optimists from day one, it so very special to celebrate their latest success! And, Peter Joo did so in the Chabil Mar sailboat no less.

The PSC joined the Belize Sailing Association (BzSA) in May 2012 with the objective to teach children how to sail and race.

The PSC was founded by Alan Usher and Shelly Bradley from the Belize Sailing Association, and Mr. & Mrs. Alvin Cabral Jr., owners of South Waters Resort and Belize Sailing Adventures in Placencia.

Every year, Chabil Mar sponsors the popular Placencia Youth Regatta which is organized by the PSC. The race is held annually in May in Placencia village and its purpose is to teach children how to sail and race and to immerse them in a fun and exciting sport that will strengthen them mentally and physically.

The regatta also helps to improve the self-esteem, self-confidence and leadership skills of children.

The BzSA is building on a long tradition of sailing in Belize and has re-energized the sailing community in Belize by making sailing affordable to sailing enthusiasts and accessible to young aspiring sailors.

The optimist regatta was held in Belize City from October 28- 29, 2017. The BzSA thanks all participants that made the event successful and congratulates the winners:

Optimist Class:

CHQR, the leading news talk radio in Calgary, Alberta, included a segment recently about Chabil Mar in Placencia, Belize. Featured as part of their Informed Traveler show, host Randy Sharman spoke with Larry France, the marketing manager of Chabil Mar resort.

France spoke about the origins of Chabil Mar, first opening its doors in November 2005. Designed as a luxury resort, Chabil Mar was, right from the beginning, dedicated not just to hosting visitors but also introducing them to the cultures and lifestyle found in Belize. As a traditional fishing region, Placencia, Belize, is still a laid-back, relaxed area where locals and visitors alike love to stroll along the beach.

The Placencia Peninsula is a north-south narrow strip of land that measures approximately 16 miles long and just half a mile wide. With the feel and atmosphere of an island, the peninsula serves as the gateway to the beautiful Caribbean Sea and the majesty of the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is the second-largest barrier reef in the world.

France was invited to Sharman’s popular travel show to discuss the recent announcement by low-cost carrier WestJet that it will be adding a brand new non-stop flight to Belize City from Calgary’s airport starting on November 3, 2017. The new route will be WestJet’s second Canada-Belize foray, having begun flying non-stop to Belize City from Toronto beginning in October 2016. Rival carrier Air Canada responded to WestJet’s success by adding its own Toronto-Belize flights that will begin on December 15, 2017.

“It was a true pleasure to be able to speak to Randy Sharman on the Informed Traveler show, introducing our resort to Albertans and residents of Western Canada who can now fly non-stop to Belize for the first time” said Larry France, marketing manager of Chabil Mar. “We look forward to welcoming Canadians to the beauty and wonder of Belize.”

The Informed Traveler is a weekly radio show on CHQR radio that also broadcasts on CKNW Newstalk 980 Vancouver. CHQR and CKNW are radio stations broadcasting on 770 owned by the Global News network, a division of Corus Entertainment, a company that owns 45 television channels and 39 radio stations in Canada as well as more than 38 media channels worldwide.

Chabil Mar is a multiple award-winning resort located on the Placencia Peninsula in southern Belize. A perennial TripAdvisor favorite, Chabil Mar has luxuriously appointed beachfront villas and is conveniently located near all of the top attractions in the country.