Chabil Mar Resort - Belize Blog, Belize Vacation Planning

Escape the Winter Up North…and Head for Belize!

Posted on October 12, 2017

The holiday season is a time for family, feasting, and plenty of good cheer, but it’s never any fun having to deal with cold, ice, and snow. That’s why the perfect place to enjoy an unforgettable vacation this holiday season is Belize, a small Caribbean country just 2-5 hours’ flying time from the United States.

Located just south of Mexico’s famous Yucatan Peninsula, Belize enjoys warm sunshine and beautiful weather all year-long. It may be winter on the calendar, but in Belize, the holiday season is a time for enjoying the great outdoors, walking along a beach, taking a swim, or perhaps catching a glimpse of one of the more than 500 bird species that have been spotted in the country. Even if the nights get a bit “chilly” (75 degrees Fahrenheit), one thing is for certain – you’ll never, ever see it snow in Belize.

But Belize is more than just great weather and sunny skies. It’s a natural wonderland where plants and animals far outnumber people. The mainland is a cornucopia of lush rainforests, verdant jungle, misty mountaintops, and stunning waterfalls inhabited by a rich diversity of plant and animal life. Belize is home to parrots, macaws, and toucans as well as monkeys, enormous harpy eagles, and five different big cat species, including the jaguar, once revered by the ancient Maya as a sacred animal of the gods.

The ancient Maya called Belize home, the heartland of their vast civilization that once covered all of Central America. Today, Belize is home to more ancient Maya sites than anywhere else, including the colossal cities of Caracol and Xunantunich and spectacular caves like Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) that were used by the ancient priests to perform human sacrifices.

Offshore, Belize has more than 100 islands, the perfect place to enjoy world-class diving, snorkeling, sailing, and fishing.

One of the best places to experience Belize at its best is the Placencia Peninsula. Located on the southeastern coast of the country, the Placencia Peninsula is 16 miles of golden sand beaches, beautiful views of the Caribbean, and close access to all the top attractions in the country, including the offshore reef and wildlife sanctuaries on the mainland.Chabil Mar is a multiple award-winning resort featuring luxurious villas, a lush tropical garden, a gourmet restaurant, and a complete range of modern amenities. Chabil Mar is a perennial TripAdvisor favorite and is the perfect place to stay for families, honeymooners, and adventure travelers.

For more information about Belize vacations, 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.

The Romantic Tourist Features Weddings in Belize

Posted on October 11, 2017

On March 8, 2017, Romantic Tourist magazine published an article listing their top 5 beach wedding destinations, one of which was Belize. Focusing on the breathtaking biodiversity and resplendent nature found throughout the country, The Romantic Tourist article focused on the Placencia Peninsula on the southeastern coast of Belize.

Referring to the peninsula’s motto of “Barefoot Perfect,” The Romantic Tourist highlighted the gorgeous views of the Caribbean Sea, the lagoons, and islands as the perfect complement to the country with the world’s most untouched rainforests, giving couples a dream setting to tie the knot in a tropical paradise.

According to The Romantic Tourist, one of the most beautiful and romantic places to enjoy a storybook wedding in Belize is at Chabil Mar. Located on the golden shores of the Placencia Peninsula in southeastern Belize, Chabil Mar is a picturesque beachfront resort with a lush tropical garden, majestic villas, and award-winning services that include assistance with wedding planning and arranging for honeymoon excursions.

The resort’s name, Chabil Mar, means “Beautiful Sea” in the ancient Maya language, and the article highlighted just what an appropriate name it is for this stunning resort that features more than 400 feet of private beach and the beautiful backdrop of the Caribbean Sea. The Romantic Tourist article also mentioned how the Placencia Peninsula is the country’s leader in eco-tourism, combining sustainable tourism practices with a strong commitment towards preserving the environment.

The Romantic Tourist article mentioned just how simple it is for couples to get married in the country. Local law stipulates that both the bride and groom must be in the country for three days prior to the wedding in order to file for a wedding license. Within two working days, the license is approved, and a registered Justice of the Peace or ordained minister can then perform the ceremony. And considering that Belize is the only country in the region where English is the official language, couples getting married in Belize won’t have to translate their wedding certificate once they return home.

The Romantic Tourist was founded in 2011 by a real-life couple named Chloe and Jason who fell head over heels in love and then had to plan a wedding in an exotic honeymoon destination but were frustrated with the lack of clear information and the inability to find the right venue. After successfully pulling off their dream wedding, they vowed to assist other couples who wanted to find exactly the right venue along with the right package of experiences, including accommodations and honeymoon excursions.

For more information about Belize Weddings & Honeymoons, 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.

Belize to create the world’s first ray sanctuary

Posted on October 6, 2017

This week, the government of Belize announced the establishment of the first-ever nationwide ray sanctuary.

This new sanctuary was motivated by data from Global FinPrint scientists at Florida International University (FIU).

According to a press release from FIU, researchers deployed baited remote underwater videos (BRUVs) to monitor the abundance and distribution of sharks and rays, and surprisingly found thriving populations of rays after analyzing the hundreds of hours of video footage.

Around the world, rays are threatened with extinction due largely to over-fishing, habitat loss, and climate change and are even more at risk than sharks.

In Belize, more than 20 species of rays are known to populate the coast.

Global FinPrint researcher and FIU Ph.D. student Kathryn Flowers shared the find with officials from the Belize Fisheries Department.

“I was surprised to hear how threatened rays are globally and decided that Belize could be a good global citizen by protecting them,” said Belize Fisheries Administrator Beverly Wade. “Neighboring countries are exploiting rays, but here in Belize, rays are valuable to our tourism industry.”

Belize is home to the world’s second largest barrier reef with a diversity of rays ranging from tiny yellow round rays to large manta rays. The critically endangered small tooth sawfish and endangered Ticon cownose ray are also believed to be in Belize waters.

“Moving forward, we want to ensure that this remains a conservation success story,” Flowers said. “We will continue working with the Belize Fisheries Department to monitor populations of sharks and rays and engage in outreach with the local fishing and tourism communities.”

Global FinPrint is a three-year survey of reef sharks and rays throughout the world and is led by researchers from FIU in collaboration with Australia’s James Cook University, Curtin University and the Australian Institute of Marine Science, as well as Canada’s Dalhousie University. The project has received core funding from philanthropist Paul G. Allen and is one of several ocean health initiatives within the Microsoft co-founder’s portfolio.

“The establishment of new shark and ray sanctuaries such as this is exactly the reason we partnered with FIU to roll out the Global FinPrint surveys,” said James Deutsch, director of Biodiversity Conservation for Paul Allen. “We have been confident that data from Global FinPrint will catalyze conservation action to protect threatened shark and rays on coral reefs around the world.”

FIU scientists have become increasingly concerned about the vulnerable populations of sharks and rays around the world and especially in Belize, where Global FinPrint lead scientist and FIU professor Demian Chapman has worked for nearly two decades on shark conservation. Earthwatch Institute, the Roe Foundation, and the Mays Family Foundation have also contributed to these research programs.

Belize becomes the first country in the world to designate a sanctuary for rays.

The staff and management of the Chabil Mar warmly welcomes this news and applauds the government of Belize and the Belize Fisheries Department for taking steps in creating the first first-ever nationwide ray sanctuary.

Chabil Mar is firmly committed to the protection and conservation of Belize’s flora and fauna including the country’s pristine barrier reef. Chabil Mar offers guests the opportunity to visit the reef and enjoy activities such as snorkeling, sailing, and scuba diving.

OCEANA Names Ocean Heroes in Belize

Posted on October 5, 2017

OCEANA, a non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting ocean advocacy, has declared several citizens of Belize an “Ocean Hero” in recognition of their commitment to environmental conservation and helping to educate the public about the importance of protecting the waters of Belize. OCEANA’s 2017 Ocean Hero awards were given to Madison Edwards, age 11, and Luz Hunter, a lifelong tour guide and outspoken environmental advocate.

Despite her young age, Madison Edwards is an internationally-known marine conservationist, particularly focused on sea turtles and manatees, both endangered species now making a comeback in Belize. Speaking to the press, Edwards described an Ocean Hero as, “A person that is working to help marine life, not just sitting down and hoping for something good to happen. No matter your size or age, everyone can make a difference.”

Earlier this year, Edwards spent a week sailing the length of the Belize Barrier Reef to collect and remove discarded plastic bottles, fishing nets and lines, and other debris that can cause damage to marine wildlife. Edwards regularly blogs on the iTravelBelize website and is a native of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.

Luz Hunter began her career as a guide on the reefs near Ambergris Caye in 1980. Working as a cook, guide and deckhand on chartered boats sailing the reefs of Belize, Hunter began pursuing an academic career in naturalist studies in 1986. She now teaches marine ecology to visiting American university students, is a certified tour guide trainer for the Belize Tourism Board, and spends her free time exploring new areas of the reef.

Speaking to the press, Hunter said, “I wish I could speak the language of the animals on the reef. I wish I knew what they were saying. But what’s important is that you make a connection with wildlife.”

OCEANA was founded in 2001 as a cooperative effort by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Oak Foundation, and the Marisla Foundation in order to achieve measurable change through advocacy and awareness by focusing solely on the importance of protecting oceans. Since 2001, OCEANA has helped protect more than one million square miles of ocean.

The staff and management of the Chabil Mar resort warmly congratulate Madison Edwards and Luz Hunter for being selected as this year’s Ocean Heroes. Chabil Mar is firmly committed to the protection and conservation of the world’s oceans, including the vital role played by Belize’s coral reefs. Chabil Mar offers guests the opportunity to visit the reef and enjoy activities such as snorkeling, sailing, and scuba diving.

Belize Wins World Cup of Poktatok

Posted on October 4, 2017

Last week, the World Cup of Poktakok was held in Guatemala between teams from several Central American countries. After progressing through to the final round and facing stiff competition from teams from El Salvador and Mexico, the team from Belize prevailed as the 2017 World Champions of Poktatok.

Sometimes known as Pok-ta-Pok, Poktakok was the ancient Maya version of the classic Mesoamerican ballgame known as Tlachtli to the Aztecs. Although largely unknown to the outside world, Poktakok has recently undergone a revival in many Maya communities. Somewhat like a cross between volleyball and soccer, Poktakok involves two teams using their forearms and thighs to keep a large, five-pound rubber ball in play.

Throughout Central America, including in Belize, nearly every major pre-Columbian city featured a large ball court for playing Poktakok. It is believed that the Poktatok competitions were partly a sporting event and partly a religious ceremony, the outcome used as an omen to decipher the mood of the gods.

Team Belize featured members of the indigenous Maya community, including the village of Yo Creek. Following their victory, Team Belize held a victory parade in Orange Walk Town.

The staff and management of the Chabil Mar resort warmly congratulate Team Belize on their victory in the 2017 World Cup of Poktatok.

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